Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation Sponsors Two Executive Directors for Harvard Business School Intensive Nonprofit Management Program

May 26, 2010

GREAT BARRINGTON, MA—Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation announced today that full scholarships have been awarded to two executive directors from Columbia County: Martin Ping, of the Hawthorne Valley Association in Ghent, NY, and Gary Schiro, of the Hudson Opera House in Hudson NY. They will attend Harvard Business School for a week-long intensive training program: Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management. This program is designed to strengthen the capacity of nonprofit directors to lead their organizations effectively. The program will take place July 18-24 2010.

Through a partnership with Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, Harvard Business School has, for the second year, provided two scholarships, valued at $4,900 each for the week-long program. Mr. Ping and Mr. Schiro were selected from a pool of eleven applicants. The advisory board of Berkshire Taconic’s Center for Nonprofit Excellence accepted them based on the quality of their applications and the diversity of experience that these CEOs would bring to the program.

“We are thrilled to be sending two such worthy nonprofit leaders to this wonderful program,” said Jennifer Dowley, Berkshire Taconic’s president, who attended the program herself in July of 2008. “It was an invaluable experience to learn from the best, both faculty and fellow attendees. In these challenging times, it is important for us all to remain attuned to the best thinking there is on management strategies.”

Martin Ping currently serves as the Executive Director of The Hawthorne Valley Association. In that capacity, he oversees a multitude of programs including a fully diversified biodynamic farm, a full-line grocery store, an independent day school offering Waldorf education to students from Nursery through grade 12, and many more programs promoting social and cultural renewal through the integration of education, agriculture, and the arts.

“This exciting opportunity to participate in Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management comes at just the right moment—as Hawthorne Valley Association rises to meet the evident needs of our times,” said Mr. Ping. “I have always considered myself a servant leader and marvel at the opportunities to learn and grow that have been made available to me during my time at Hawthorne Valley.”

Gary Schiro was hired as the first Executive Director of the Hudson Opera House in 1998. Since that time he has overseen every aspect of the organization’s operations. The mission of the Hudson Opera House is to strengthen community by providing access to diverse, high-caliber cultural and educational programs. The Hudson Opera House was built in 1885 and includes a grand auditorium which is New York State’s oldest surviving theater.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to participate in this week-long strategic planning program and learn from experts in the field,” said Schiro, “Hudson Opera House is in the process of developing a comprehensive business plan. As we face the realities of the new economy, we need guidance and new strategies to monetize our assets while sustaining our extensive level of service to the community.”

The participants will attend the program with over 100 other nonprofit leaders from around the world, using a case study method of learning. The program encompasses several themes, such as formulating strategy in complex environments, achieving internal alignment with strategic vision, bridging mission and markets, and leading change. The program is part of the Harvard Business School’s Social Enterprise Initiative, which helps leaders in all sectors apply management skills to create social value. Through an integrated approach to social enterprise-related teaching, research and activities, the Social Enterprise Initiative engages with leaders in the nonprofit, for–profit and public sectors to generate and disseminate practicable resources, tools and knowledge with the ultimate goal of bettering society.

The scholarship is offered through Berkshire Taconic’s Center for Nonprofit Excellence, which offers services and resources to help the staff, board and volunteers of nonprofits think strategically, govern effectively and operate efficiently. In addition to this scholarship, the Center offers seminars in nonprofit management; two national grants research databases; and the Nonprofit Learning Program in northwest Connecticut which provides teams from several nonprofits with an intensive learning opportunity each spring.

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation builds stronger communities and improves the quality of life for all residents of Berkshire County, MA; Columbia County and northeast Dutchess County, NY; and northwest Litchfield County, CT. Thanks to its generous donors, in 2009 Berkshire Taconic distributed nearly $7 million in scholarships and grants for programs in the arts and education, health and human services, and environmental protection. Berkshire Taconic is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization.