Coro (non-profit organization)
Encyclopedia
Coro is an American
non-partisan, non-profit organization
best known for its fellowship program dedicated to teaching skills useful in leadership in public affairs
to young adults.
The organization was founded in San Francisco in 1942 by W. Donald Fletcher, an attorney, and Van Duyn Dodge, an investment counselor. Their premise was based on the realization that, unlike law, business or medicine, post graduate training in the area of leadership was non existent, and they wanted to train young veterans in the leadership skills necessary to assure that our democratic system of government could more effectively meet the needs of its citizens.
Contrary to popular assumption that the name refers to a person or the word "core," the name is contrived and refers only to itself. It was created to represent "both discovery and exploration."
, New York
, Pittsburgh, San Francisco and St. Louis.
Coro introduces program participants to all aspects of the public affairs arena, preparing them to translate their ideals into action for improving their own communities and beyond. The fellowship comprises field placements, group interviews, seminars, focus weeks, and individual and group projects.
Sixty-eight Fellows are chosen nationally each year through a highly competitive selection process, including a day-long assessment at each center’s city. The Fellows represent a broad range of academic, work, cultural, racial and economic backgrounds, ages and interests. What they share is an unwavering commitment to civic engagement. Recent participants have ranged from 21 to 53 years of age.
, and San Francisco. Launched in 1998, Exploring Leadership (EL) is a full-time summer and part time academic year program that prepares high school juniors for opportunities in the 21st century workforce and higher education by engaging them to become active citizens and to improve their communities. EL participants are thirty-six entering 11th graders – eighteen in the East Bay and eighteen in San Francisco – who reflect the racial and socioeconomic diversity of the Bay Area and demonstrate the desire to both expand their leadership skills and make a difference in their school and neighborhood communities.
The Neighborhood Leadership Programs at Coro Southern California, the Coro Leadership Center – St Louis, and Coro Pittsburgh works with emerging and established leaders in specific geographic neighborhood. Program participants identify local issues in their community and then work with Coro trainers to develop and carry out innovative and proactive solutions.
The Public Allies program at the Coro Center for Civic Leadership advances the skills, networks and experience of diverse young leaders as they strengthen communities, nonprofits and civic participation. Program participants complete a 10 month apprenticeship at a nonprofit organization while also undergoing leadership training and completing a team service project.
The Women in Leadership program at the Coro Center for Civic Leadership Pittsburgh and at Coro Leadership Center - St. Louis provides an opportunity for women to refine their personal and professional management leadership skills in order to increase their effectiveness as leaders in the Pittsburgh and St. Louis metropolitan areas.
Cleveland Executive Fellowship - A Coro Program funded by the Cleveland Foundation is a full-time one-year, immersion fellowship to develop individuals who can serve as Northeast Ohio's future leaders. Coro National and the Cleveland Foundation launched the fellowship with the ultimate goal of creating a pipeline of civic leaders who can problem solve across traditional boundaries, work with diverse communities and make the civic arena work through networks and collaboration.
Leadership New York at the Coro New York Leadership Center and Leadership Southern California at Coro Southern California are executive-level programs conducted in partnership with local organizations in each city. These mid-career professionals come together to examine and address the most pressing regional issues in their communities.
Coro New York Leadership Center also conducts Immigrant Civic Leadership Program which strengthens the ability of leaders in immigrant communities to mobilize immigrant participation in key decision-making processes.
The Coro Community Leadership Program offers working professionals and active retirees the opportunity to strengthen their leadership skills, network with a diverse group of Bay Area leaders, and learn about and contribute to community and civic leadership in the Bay Area.
The Emerging Leaders in Public Affairs (ELPA) program at the Coro Center for Civic Leadership is aimed at positioning participants for increased involvement in the electoral process as ethical and effective candidates, campaign staffers, board members, appointees and/or community advocates.
Coro Southern California’s Health Leadership Program “HLP” is a premier leadership training experience that uses collaborative approaches to prepare a multi-cultural, professionally diverse group of professionals dedicated to improving the quality and accessibility of healthcare in Los Angeles County.
Coro Center for Civic Leadership’s Regional Internship Center strives to increase the number of organizations in Southwestern Pennsylvania offering internships by actively working with employers to develop programs and connect them with potential interns.
(1957), St. Louis (1972), Kansas City
(1975), New York
(1980), and Pittsburgh (1999). In 2005, Coro partnered with the Cleveland Foundation
to establish a new Executive Fellows program in Cleveland. Although each location is independently-run, they are connected by Coro National, a 501(c)(3) governing body. The Coro National Alumni Association is also a freestanding non-profit (incorporated 1990) that supports nearly 10,000 alumni worldwide.
GOVERNMENT
BUSINESS
MEDIA
NONPROFIT
LABOR
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
non-partisan, non-profit organization
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
best known for its fellowship program dedicated to teaching skills useful in leadership in public affairs
Public administration
Public Administration houses the implementation of government policy and an academic discipline that studies this implementation and that prepares civil servants for this work. As a "field of inquiry with a diverse scope" its "fundamental goal.....
to young adults.
The organization was founded in San Francisco in 1942 by W. Donald Fletcher, an attorney, and Van Duyn Dodge, an investment counselor. Their premise was based on the realization that, unlike law, business or medicine, post graduate training in the area of leadership was non existent, and they wanted to train young veterans in the leadership skills necessary to assure that our democratic system of government could more effectively meet the needs of its citizens.
Contrary to popular assumption that the name refers to a person or the word "core," the name is contrived and refers only to itself. It was created to represent "both discovery and exploration."
Coro Fellows Program in Public Affairs
The Coro Fellows Program in Public Affairs, the organization's premier fellowship, is a full-time, nine month, graduate-level experiential leadership training program that prepares diverse, talented and committed individuals for effective and ethical leadership in the public affairs arena. Unconventional by traditional academic standards, the Fellows Program is rigorous and demanding, aiming toward personal and professional growth. The Fellows Program is offered in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, Pittsburgh, San Francisco and St. Louis.
Coro introduces program participants to all aspects of the public affairs arena, preparing them to translate their ideals into action for improving their own communities and beyond. The fellowship comprises field placements, group interviews, seminars, focus weeks, and individual and group projects.
Sixty-eight Fellows are chosen nationally each year through a highly competitive selection process, including a day-long assessment at each center’s city. The Fellows represent a broad range of academic, work, cultural, racial and economic backgrounds, ages and interests. What they share is an unwavering commitment to civic engagement. Recent participants have ranged from 21 to 53 years of age.
Coro Exploring Leadership Program
The Coro Exploring Leadership Program is offered in multiple cities, including Oakland, New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, and San Francisco. Launched in 1998, Exploring Leadership (EL) is a full-time summer and part time academic year program that prepares high school juniors for opportunities in the 21st century workforce and higher education by engaging them to become active citizens and to improve their communities. EL participants are thirty-six entering 11th graders – eighteen in the East Bay and eighteen in San Francisco – who reflect the racial and socioeconomic diversity of the Bay Area and demonstrate the desire to both expand their leadership skills and make a difference in their school and neighborhood communities.
Community & Regional Programs
Each Coro location has developed a variety of full and part time, community and regionally based programs aimed at leadership training.The Neighborhood Leadership Programs at Coro Southern California, the Coro Leadership Center – St Louis, and Coro Pittsburgh works with emerging and established leaders in specific geographic neighborhood. Program participants identify local issues in their community and then work with Coro trainers to develop and carry out innovative and proactive solutions.
The Public Allies program at the Coro Center for Civic Leadership advances the skills, networks and experience of diverse young leaders as they strengthen communities, nonprofits and civic participation. Program participants complete a 10 month apprenticeship at a nonprofit organization while also undergoing leadership training and completing a team service project.
The Women in Leadership program at the Coro Center for Civic Leadership Pittsburgh and at Coro Leadership Center - St. Louis provides an opportunity for women to refine their personal and professional management leadership skills in order to increase their effectiveness as leaders in the Pittsburgh and St. Louis metropolitan areas.
Cleveland Executive Fellowship - A Coro Program funded by the Cleveland Foundation is a full-time one-year, immersion fellowship to develop individuals who can serve as Northeast Ohio's future leaders. Coro National and the Cleveland Foundation launched the fellowship with the ultimate goal of creating a pipeline of civic leaders who can problem solve across traditional boundaries, work with diverse communities and make the civic arena work through networks and collaboration.
Leadership New York at the Coro New York Leadership Center and Leadership Southern California at Coro Southern California are executive-level programs conducted in partnership with local organizations in each city. These mid-career professionals come together to examine and address the most pressing regional issues in their communities.
Coro New York Leadership Center also conducts Immigrant Civic Leadership Program which strengthens the ability of leaders in immigrant communities to mobilize immigrant participation in key decision-making processes.
The Coro Community Leadership Program offers working professionals and active retirees the opportunity to strengthen their leadership skills, network with a diverse group of Bay Area leaders, and learn about and contribute to community and civic leadership in the Bay Area.
The Emerging Leaders in Public Affairs (ELPA) program at the Coro Center for Civic Leadership is aimed at positioning participants for increased involvement in the electoral process as ethical and effective candidates, campaign staffers, board members, appointees and/or community advocates.
Coro Southern California’s Health Leadership Program “HLP” is a premier leadership training experience that uses collaborative approaches to prepare a multi-cultural, professionally diverse group of professionals dedicated to improving the quality and accessibility of healthcare in Los Angeles County.
Coro Center for Civic Leadership’s Regional Internship Center strives to increase the number of organizations in Southwestern Pennsylvania offering internships by actively working with employers to develop programs and connect them with potential interns.
Locations
In addition to San Francisco, centers under the Coro umbrella exist in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
(1957), St. Louis (1972), Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
(1975), New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
(1980), and Pittsburgh (1999). In 2005, Coro partnered with the Cleveland Foundation
Cleveland Foundation
Established in 1914, the Cleveland Foundation was the world's first community foundation. , it is America's second-largest community foundation, with assets of $1.62 billion and annual grants of around $84 million....
to establish a new Executive Fellows program in Cleveland. Although each location is independently-run, they are connected by Coro National, a 501(c)(3) governing body. The Coro National Alumni Association is also a freestanding non-profit (incorporated 1990) that supports nearly 10,000 alumni worldwide.
Notable Alumni
Approximately 1,000-1,200 people participate in Coro's various programs each year, many of whom work in non-profit organizations, businesses, and government agencies. Some notable alumni who currently hold or have held public office include:- Phil AngelidesPhil AngelidesPhilip Nicholas "Phil" Angelides is an American politician who was California State Treasurer and the unsuccessful Democratic nominee for Governor of California in the 2006 elections...
, Former Treasurer, State of California - Marvin R. Baxter, Associate Justice, Supreme Court of California
- Anna EshooAnna EshooAnna Georges Eshoo is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1993. She is a member of the Democratic Party. The district, which includes part of Silicon Valley, includes the cities of Redwood City, Sunnyvale, Mountain View and Palo Alto...
, Member, U.S. House of Representatives - Vic Fazio, Former Member, U.S. House of Representatives
- Dianne FeinsteinDianne FeinsteinDianne Goldman Berman Feinstein is the senior U.S. Senator from California. A member of the Democratic Party, she has served in the Senate since 1992. She also served as 38th Mayor of San Francisco from 1978 to 1988....
, Member, U.S. Senate - Craig FullerCraig FullerCraig Fuller is an American musician and songwriter. Co-founder of Pure Prairie League, along with John David Call and George Ed Powell. Fuller departed after their second album, Bustin' Out, due to draft board problems. He returned to the music business in 1976 for two LPs with American Flyer...
, Chief of Staff, Former Vice-President George Bush - Billie Greer, Chief of Staff, California Governor's Office
- Tim KaineTim KaineTimothy Michael "Tim" Kaine is a Virginia politician. Kaine served as the 70th Governor of Virginia from 2006 to 2010, and was the chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 2009 to 2011...
, Former Governor of Virginia, Chairman of the Democratic National CommitteeDemocratic National CommitteeThe Democratic National Committee is the principal organization governing the United States Democratic Party on a day to day basis. While it is responsible for overseeing the process of writing a platform every four years, the DNC's central focus is on campaign and political activity in support... - Robin Kramer, Chief of Staff, Mayor of Los Angeles
- Jerry LewisJerry Lewis (politician)Charles Jeremy Lewis is the U.S. Representative for , and previously the 40th, 35th and 37th, serving since 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party. He is a former chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, serving in the role during the 109th Congress.-Early life, education, and...
, Member, U.S. House of Representatives - Alex PadillaAlex PadillaAlejandro "Alex" Padilla is a California State Senator. He was elected as the state senator for California's 20th State Senate district in November 2006 and was inaugurated in early December. Prior to serving in the Senate he served 7½ years on the Los Angeles City Council representing the 7th...
, California State Senator - Caprice Young, Former President, Los Angeles Board of Education
- Dr. Stephanie (Lee-Miller) Myers, Former Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Jean QuanJean QuanJean Quan is the Democratic mayor of Oakland, California. She previously served as City Council member for Oakland's 4th District...
, Mayor of Oakland - Michael BennettMichael BennettMichael Bennett was an American musical theater director, writer, choreographer, and dancer. He won seven Tony Awards for his choreography and direction of Broadway shows and was nominated for an additional eleven....
, Member, U.S. Senate
BUSINESS
- Bruce Corwin, Chairman and CEO, Metropolitan Theatres Corporation (LA '63)
- Michael DavisMichael DavisMichael Davis may refer to:* Michael Davis , bass guitarist, singer, songwriter and music producer* Michael Davis , film director, writer, producer...
, Vice President, J.P. Morgan (StL '90) - David FriedmanDavid FriedmanDavid Friedman may refer to:* Dafydd ab Hugh, born David Friedman, science fiction/fantasy writer; political weblogger* David Friedman , American film and TV actor and child star of the 1980s* David Friedman , Broadway and film composer...
, Senior Manager, Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, (StL '88) - Craig FullerCraig FullerCraig Fuller is an American musician and songwriter. Co-founder of Pure Prairie League, along with John David Call and George Ed Powell. Fuller departed after their second album, Bustin' Out, due to draft board problems. He returned to the music business in 1976 for two LPs with American Flyer...
, Former President and CEO, National Association of Chain Drug Stores (LA '74) - Michael HolmesMichael HolmesMichael Holmes is an Australian anchor and correspondent for CNN International. He attended Wesley College, Perth from 1973-77. Holmes began his career at the Daily News newspaper in Perth. Prior to his work at CNN, he was a reporter for more than a decade for Australia's Nine Network in Perth,...
, Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, Express Scripts (StL '80) - Michael KimMichael KimMichael Kim is a presenter for SportsCenter on ESPN.Kim joined ESPN as one of the original presenters on ESPNEWS prior to its November 1, 1996, launch...
, Senior Director New Consumer Products, Microsoft Corporation (StL '93) - John E. Kobara, Executive Vice President and COO, California Community Foundation (LA '79)
- Diana Tasaka, Director of Corporate Communications, Farmers Group, Inc. (LA '84)
- Frederick O. Terrell, Managing Partner and CEO, Provender Capital Group LLC (LA '77)
- Sarah WilliamsSarah WilliamsSarah Williams was an English poet, most famous as the author of "The Old Astronomer", also known as "The Old Astronomer to His Pupil".A segment of her poem is used in the introduction to Ian Rankin's novel Set in Darkness.-Sources:...
, Assistant Director, Corporate Philanthropy Programs, Pfizer, Inc. (NY '90)
MEDIA
- William ConnellyWilliam ConnellyBill Connelly may refer to:*Bill Connelly , American soccer player*Bill Connelly *William A. Connelly, sixth Sergeant Major of the Army-See also:*William Connolly *William Connolley, software engineer...
, Strategic Analyst (ret.), The New York Times (NY '95) - Helen DewarHelen DewarHelen Dewar was a reporter for The Washington Post for 25 years. She worked at the Post for 43 years, rising through the ranks to cover the United States Senate for a quarter of a century .Eric Pianin, a colleague and editor, noted: "She was also a brilliant student of the Senate...
, Former Staff Writer, The Washington Post (SF'58) - Ava Ehrlich, Executive Producer, KSDK, Channel 5 (NBC Affiliate) (StL '76)
- Gene SiskelGene SiskelEugene Kal "Gene" Siskel was an American film critic and journalist for the Chicago Tribune. Along with colleague Roger Ebert, he hosted the popular review show Siskel & Ebert At the Movies from 1975 until his death....
, Former Film Critic, Siskel & Ebert & the Movies (LA '68)
NONPROFIT
- Lisa Carlson, Executive Director,The Centers at the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center (StL '84)
- Iris Chen, Executive Director, Teach for America (NY '94)
- Bill JacksonBill JacksonBill Jackson is an American television personality, cartoonist and educator. He is best known for having hosted the children's programs The BJ and Dirty Dragon Show and Gigglesnort Hotel.-Early life and career:...
, President, GreatSchools.net (SF '91) - Andrew KimballAndrew KimballAndrew Kimball was a member of the Arizona Territorial Legislature, and a mission president and stake president in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ....
, President and CEO, Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation(NY '90) - Eliza Leighton, Cofounder, Stand for Children (NY '96)
- Sharon Rohrbach, Founder and CEO, Nurses for Newborns (StL '00)
- Andrew Rubinson, Founder and Executive Director, Fresh Youth Initiatives (NY '88)
- Beatriz Olvera Stotzer, President & Founder, New Economics for Women (LA '84)
- Scott Syphax, President and CEO, Nehemiah Corporation of America (SF '92)
- Caprice Young, President and CEO, California Charter Schools Association (LA '93)
- Vivian Vazquez, Director, Program Development, Girls Club/Citizen Advice Bureau (NY '88)
- James Weinberg, Founder and CEO, Commongood Careers (PGH ’01)
LABOR
- Alice Fialkin, President, Transportation Worker's Union/ SF MUNI (SF '94)
- Josie Mooney, President, San Francisco Labor Council (SF '75)