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The inaugural certification class was introduced to a group of donors and community leaders on Jan. 11.
Twenty-two Northwest Florida nonprofits make up the class, which was recognized at the announcement and orientation session held in the College’s Bear Jones Moore Reeves Center for Math and Advanced Technology. The nonprofits ranged from relatively new organizations to long-established entities.
During the year-long certification program, nonprofit professionals will be trained and evaluated on best practices in essential areas, including board governance, strategic planning, fundraising, risk management, human resources, and financial management. The program offers Certification for Organizational Excellence and Certification for Core Competencies.
Jeni Passeretti, the East Hill Neighborhood Association Events and Membership Chairwoman, said she was excited to learn best practices from experts and to collaborate with other local nonprofits.
“We established the association in the summer of 2022 to represent the more than 8,000 residents who live in East Hill,” Passeretti said. “I am so excited to be among the first class to go through the Center’s certification program. The knowledge we gain from the program will be applied and passed along.”
Florida Power and Light Company, The Hive Foundation, SouthState Bank, TRUIST Charitable Fund, and Walmart stores No. 919 and 7247 provided scholarships to some of the nonprofits.
Florida Power and Light Company is the founding partner for the Center for Nonprofit Excellence and their Vice President and General Manager, J.T. Young, thanked the attendees and sponsors for investing in local nonprofits and the community.
Speaking to the nonprofits, Young said, “The life challenges you all help people deal with are phenomenal. These scholarship donors’ generosity demonstrates community support and validates that you are blessings to this community.”
Rebecca Mosley with TRUIST Charitable Fund – the Premier Certification Launch Partner – attended virtually to congratulate the participants on their acceptance into the program.
Nonprofit professionals in attendance expressed excitement for the opportunity to learn from experts in the field.
Katrina Jackson, a member of the United Ministries Board of Directors, said she hopes to gain additional knowledge to help the nonprofit thrive and grow. United Ministries assists families from Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties with mortgage, rent, and utility bills.
“These certifications will help us better serve our clients and reach the next level. I look forward to connecting with other nonprofits,” Jackson added.
Andrea Krieger, PSC’s Executive Director of Institutional Development, said the certifications will boost the credibility of local nonprofits who are benefitting the public.
“Certification demonstrates an organization’s dedication to excellence and commitment to the highest standards. Those completing certification are considered more trustworthy by donors, partners, and volunteers,” said Krieger. She stressed that certification enhances accountability, noting that certified organizations follow best practices and ensure responsible stewardship of resources.
“These certifications can attract more supporters and show professional growth,” she said. “Personal and team development is key to an organization’s continued success. Certification empowers organizations with the latest skills and knowledge, increasing their value.”
The nonprofit members of the Class of 2024 are listed below. Where applicable, those on scholarship are listed with their granting organization. Those without a company name listed beside them have chosen to invest in their team to certify their organization.
- Achieve Escambia, TRUIST
- AMR At Pensacola
- Autism Pensacola, TRUIST
- Big Brothers Big Sisters NWFL, SouthState
- Blues Angel Music Public Foundation
- Bright Bridge Ministries, Anonymous
- Center for Independent Living of Northwest Florida, Anonymous
- Chain Reaction, Florida Power and Light Company
- Civic Conversations, LLC (CivicCon)
- Dixon School of Arts & Sciences, The Hive Foundation of INNISFREE HOTELS
- East Hill Neighborhood Association, TRUIST
- Florida Innovation Collaborative, Walmart
- Gulf Coast Kid’s House
- Independence for the Blind, The Hive Foundation of INNISFREE HOTELS
- Manna Food Pantries, Florida Power and Light Company
- Pensacola Alumni Charity Foundation, The Hive Foundation of INNISFREE HOTELS
- Pensacola Humane Society
- Pensapreneur, TRUIST
- ReadyKids!, TRUIST
- Studer Community Institute
- Transitioning Thru Trauma to Triumph, The Hive Foundation of INNISFREE HOTELS
- United Ministries, TRUIST.
The faculty and mentors for the class are:
- Victor Brooks, Michelle Buchanan, Jacquelyn Buss, Kateri Vaclavik, Zitlaly Valuenzuela Jiminez, and Mary Claire Walther, all with Dini Spheris
- Mina Colōn, Kylie Henderson, Andrea Krieger, and Lynsey Listau, with Pensacola State College
- Mike Craney, PenAir Credit Union
- Lynne Cunningham, Cunningham Associates
- Kendrick Doidge, HCA Florida West Hospital
- Kristin Fairchild, Chain Reaction
- DeDe Flounlacker, Manna Food Pantries
- Jackie Gheen, Gheen Consulting
- Thomas Greek, Navy Federal Credit Union
- Brenda Kay Hammel, Express Employment Professionals
- Mark Hemby and Emily Lalas, Saltmarsh, Cleaveland & Gund
- Sharon Hess Herrick, Hess Realty, Sun Farm Energy, and Coastal ICF
- Chris Kelly, The Kelly Group
- Stacey Kostevicki and Dan Morley, Gulf Coast Kid’s House
- Dane MacKendrick, DANE MAC
- Bryan McCall, Duncan McCall
- GinNeal McVay, Amplified HR Solutions
- Amy Newburn, Florida SBDC Network/University of West Florida
- Paula Shell, Big Brothers Big Sisters NWFL
- Lori Storey, Blu Salmon
To learn more
For more information on the Pensacola State College Center for Nonprofit Excellence and upcoming opportunities, visit https://npc.pensacolastate.edu/upcoming-workshops/.