PLACES Alums

The PLACES Fellowship is one of The Funders Network’s most significant efforts to create generations of courageous philanthropic leaders who are engaged, emboldened and equipped to bring about a just society.  

PLACES, which stands for Professionals Learning About Community, Equity, and Sustainability, has welcomed more than 200 fellows to participate in an 8-month long learning opportunity to help grantmakers embed the values of racial, social and economic equity into their work. Our alums hail from all corners of the United States and Canada, representing national, regional, local foundations and grantmaking intermediaries. 

Following their fellowship experience, PLACES alums will have access to several community building, networking and leadership development opportunities.  

Creating spaces for alum connection and networking

The deep connections and passion for learning forged during PLACES Fellowship extend far beyond the cohort year. We have made an intentional effort to create tailored and inclusive spaces for all PLACES Alums to stay engaged with TFN and the PLACES Alum Network.  

In person and virtual alum only events: 

• TFN, with the support of alum leadership, organizes in person and virtual events where alums can reconnect and build community within the PLACES network. These include the Annual Alum Gathering, local social events and site visits, and virtual community spaces.  

Digital networking tools: 

• TFN’s Member Portal includes a searchable funder and PLACES Alum directory, and it is now open to all PLACES Alums, regardless of employment status. Click on TFN’s Member Portal page for details. 
• PLACES alums also have access to a PLACES Alum LinkedIn Group, an online space for alums to connect, network, share opportunities and keep up with TFN and PLACES news. 

Supporting continued leadership development for alums 

TFN understands the importance of investing in alum leadership and career development following their fellowship experience. As a direct response to the feedback we receive from our alums, we provide multiple opportunities for engagement within TFN and the PLACES network.  

• Alums are invited to join TFN working groups and steering committees, gaining a range of opportunities to share knowledge and deepen engagement across the sector through issue-focused and place-based work.  
• The PLACES Leadership Network (formerly known as PLACES Advisory Board), is an organized community for and by alums where they can contribute their perspectives, resources, skills and expertise to the PLACES program and network. Learn more here. 
• The PLACES Alum Mentoring Program is an initiative designed to provide continuing professional development and leadership support to PLACES alums. Alums can apply to be either a mentor or mentee and will have the opportunity to build deep and meaningful relationships with one another, explore leadership opportunities within the social impact sector, identify pathways to create professional impact and develop sectoral connections. Learn more here.   
• PLACES alums are often considered as candidates to join the TFN Board of Directors as part of our effort to create a diverse leadership pipeline for career opportunities within TFN and the field of philanthropy. We are proud that 13 PLACES alums have been part of the TFN Board to date, and whose leadership contributions have advanced our organization’s mission and vision.  

Amplifying alum voices and impact

TFN is excited to increase the visibility of PLACES alums and the work they do in service of communities. Following their graduation from the fellowship, alums will be invited to participate, lead and facilitate learning calls, webinars, trainings and site visits for continued learning. Alums will also have the opportunity to participate in the TFN conference as session creators and speakers.  

Through our communications and storytelling, we are proud to share and celebrate alum stories and the impact they make in the sector through TFN’s social media, blogging and our PLACES Connection newsletter.  

To learn more about the PLACES Alum Network and opportunities to stay engaged, reach out to Talissa Lahaliyed, TFN’s Senior Program Manager. at places@fundersnetwork.org 

About the PLACES Leadership Network 

The PLACES Leadership Network is a new organized community created for and by PLACES alums with the purpose to mobilize the Alum Network to make equitable change in the philanthropic and social impact fields through collective care, community learning, resource sharing and ensuring the sustainability of the PLACES Fellowship and the Alum Community.  

Leadership Network members have the opportunity to contribute their perspectives, resources, skills and expertise to the PLACES program and network, and advance intersectional equity in the field.  

PLACES Leadership Network 2025-2027 Members: 

• Elizabeth Coco (Coco), Northside Funders Group (Class of 2020) 
• Eric Phamdo, Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation (Class of 2024) 
• Jaime Arteaga, LISC Chicago (Class of 2018) 
• Dr. Jalonne L. White-Newsome, Empowering A Green Environment and Economy, LLC (Class of 2017) 
• Jessica L. González Martínez, Green & Healthy Homes Initiative (Class of 2022) 
• Kelly Thompson, Quad Cities Community Foundation (Class of 2017) 
• Mary Coleman, Voqal Partners (Class of 2020) 
• Melanie Moore, Melanie Moore Consulting Group (Class of 2022) 
• Mia Ramirez, The Colorado Trust (Class of 2015) 
• Michael Shaw, Hudson-Webber Foundation (Class of 2009) 
• Michelle Morris, Justly (Class of 2019) 
• Patrick Moreno-Covington, Rockwell Fund (Class of 2024) 
• Qiana Williams, Central New York Community Foundation (Class of 2024) 
• Sandeep Bikram Shah, New Hampshire Charitable Foundation (Class of 2023) 
• Tim Murphy, McKnight Foundation (Class of 2024) 

The PLACES Leadership Network is a restructuring of the PLACES Advisory Board, which was formed to engage the Network’s members in ensuring its ongoing commitment to incorporate issues of fairness, opportunity and access in the fellowship program.  The Leadership Network aims to honor and build upon the valuable accomplishments and contributions of the Advisory Board to the PLACES Fellowship and Alum Network.  

Recognizing Former PLACES Advisory Board Members: 

• Aaron Robertson 
• Alece Montez (Chair) 
• Amy Solomon  
• Anne Philips 
• C.J. Hager (Chair) 
• Camille Cyprian 
• Chan Brown 
• Danielle Torain 
• David Harris  
• Dion Cartwright (Chair) 
• Elizabeth Lynn 
• Erik Takeshita 
• Jaime Love 
• Jonathan Hui 
• Julie Brown 
• Kirsten Scobie  
• Kumar Raj 
• Maranda Richardson 
• Mary Skelton Roberts 
• Mia Ramirez 
• Michael Shaw 
• Michelle Knapik  
• Natalia Swanson 
• Scot Spencer (Honorary Alum) 
• Shawn Escoffery 
• Sheena Solomon (Chair) 
• Todd Vogel 
• Toya Randall 
• Tyronda Minter