NPO 036: Maximizing Capacity- partnerships, interns, and professional development (Byron Sigcho-Lopez, Pilsen Alliance)

Nonprofit Optimist

My guest for today’s episode is Byron Sigcho, the executive director of Pilsen Alliance, here in Chicago. Pilsen Alliance is a social justice organization committed to developing grassroots leadership in Pilsen and neighboring working class, immigrant communities in Chicago’s Lower West Side. They work for quality public education, affordable housing, government accountability and healthy communities. To accomplish this, they use innovative community education tools and programs, direct action organizing campaigns and advocacy initiatives. Their goal is to reflect the popular education philosophy of building social consciousness for personal and social collective transformation. In our conversation, Byron and I discuss how they tackle such a large mission with a small staff and how they leverage partnerships to increase capacity. We also discuss the importance of addressing issues both large and small in the community, and how he as an executive director approaches professional development opportunities for their staff and board. Show Notes Contact me: [e-mail]