As we navigate through a period of government uncertainty and dynamic markets, I find myself reflecting on the essential role that nonprofit organizations play in our society. Nonprofits exist precisely to address problems that neither government nor the corporate sector can fully solve on their own. We fill gaps, innovate solutions, and advocate for those whose voices might otherwise go unheard.
While we are indeed facing uncertain times, nothing has been more certain: nonprofit work continues to be a crucial and impactful way to engage in this moment. When traditional systems falter or priorities shift, it is the nonprofit sector that provides stability, compassion, and concrete solutions to communities in need.
Through volunteering, staying engaged, and donating, you’re directly contributing to addressing some of the world’s most pressing problems. And through YANA, you’re doing so alongside fellow Yale alumni who share your commitment to creating positive change.
The incredible work highlighted in this newsletter—from the Caribbean Chapter’s hurricane relief efforts to our climate leadership discussions—demonstrates the power of our community when we come together around shared values and purpose.
I invite you to join us at our newly announced recurring programs, “Pursuing Your Mission” and “Live from New York!” Town Halls, where we’ll continue exploring how to maximize our impact during these challenging times.
If you’re interested in learning more about YANA and how to get involved, we’d love to connect! We’re happy to arrange a Zoom coffee chat with a member of our Board of Directors to discuss your interests and how you might contribute to our community. Just reply to this email, and we’ll set something up.
Thank you for your continued dedication to making a difference. Your involvement with YANA reminds us that even in uncertainty, our collective commitment to service and impact remains unwavering.
With gratitude,
Kristin Urquiza ’03
YANA Executive Director
SAVE THE DATE: YANA'S RECURRING PROGRAMS
Pursuing Your Mission: A Series of In-Depth Conversations in Uncertain Times
Join YANA for a series of in-depth conversations inspired by the 2024 YANA Social Impact conference and feedback from the YANA network. These one-hour online discussions will connect you with YANA network experts to answer questions and engage in conversation about topics relevant to running and governing nonprofits during uncertain times.
When: Every Second Thursday of the Month at 6:30pm ET
Where: Zoom
Format: Expert-led discussion with Q&A and networking opportunities
Live from New York! YANA Town Hall
When: Last Wednesday of Every Month at 6:30pm ET
Where: Yale Club of NYC and Zoom
Format: Presentation, discussion, and networking reception
Don’t miss these regular opportunities to connect with fellow Yalies committed to social impact! Both programs welcome alumni at all career stages and from all sectors interested in nonprofit work and social initiatives.
UPCOMING EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
Live from New York: YANA Board Match Program
Are you ready to share your professional expertise with nonprofits that truly need your help? Join us for our monthly Town Hall on April 30 (online and in-person at the Yale Club) for a Board Match featuring organizations at a critical inflection point in their development. At this Board Match we will showcase smaller, newer organizations from our Mentoring Program. These nonprofits are either forming their very first boards or transitioning from founder-led “friends and family” boards to more professional governance structures.
This is a unique opportunity to get in on the ground floor with emerging nonprofits and help shape their future. Your involvement now can have an outsized impact on their development and the communities they serve. Join us to learn more about these promising organizations and discover how your skills could be the missing piece they need to thrive and grow.
YANA Board Match April 2025:
Featuring Nonprofit Mentees from the YANA Nonprofit Mentoring Program
| Kinyeti Academy (South Sudan)
Lorem Aminathia ‘15, Founder and CEO Jeff Brenzel ‘75, Advisory Board Kinyeti Academy provides a World-class education for a new generation of South Sudanese leaders, entrepreneurs, and social builders. |
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| Congenital Hyperinsulism International (NJ)
Julie Raskin, Executive Director Pamela Weber-Leaf ‘89, Director of Development Patrick Rohrkaste, Board President CHI is a US-based rare disease research, support, and advocacy organization. |
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| Circle Match (NJ)
Michael Sanchez ‘23, Executive Director Josh Bruner DIV ‘16, Board Chair Circle Match connects driven students from low-income communities to the college-going process by providing near-peer college advising. |
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| Hope Creates (MO)
Kathie Thomas, Executive Director Jennifer Lunceford ‘15, Program Director Hope Creates empowers youth and adults in recovery from, or at risk of, Substance Use Disorder to stay sober by engaging in the expressive arts and a vibrant and creative sober community. |
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| Unite for Health (Cameroon)
Elvis N. Ndansi, RN, BSN, MSN, MPH, Founder & President Florence Buchanan, Board Chair George Guernsey ‘70, Advisory Board Unite for Health combats maternal and child mortality by inventively providing access to affordable healthcare in underserved communities in rural Africa. |
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YANA Pacific Northwest Chapter Hosts In-Person Seattle Networking Event
May 1 & 2, 2025 | In-Person – Seattle, WA
YANA’s Pacific Northwest Chapter invites you to join us for an exciting in-person networking event in Seattle. This gathering presents a perfect opportunity to connect with fellow Yale alumni who share your passion for social impact and community engagement.
Whether you’re a longtime YANA member or curious about getting involved, this event welcomes Yale graduates from all backgrounds interested in the nonprofit sector and social initiatives. The evening will feature casual networking in a relaxed atmosphere, allowing genuine connections to form among attendees.
The Pacific Northwest Chapter has been steadily growing its presence in the region, bringing together Yale alumni committed to making a difference through nonprofit work, philanthropy, and social enterprise. This Seattle meeting continues our tradition of fostering a supportive community of like-minded professionals.
Attendees will have the chance to learn about upcoming YANA initiatives, regional partnerships, and opportunities for involvement that match their interests and expertise. Light refreshments will be provided.
Don’t miss this chance to expand your professional network and reconnect with the Yale community in a meaningful way. We look forward to seeing you there!
Join Fellow Alumni for the Annual Yale Day of Service
May 10, 2025 | Nationwide
Mark your calendars for the 2025 Yale Day of Service on Saturday, May 10! This annual tradition brings together Yale alumni, family, and friends across the globe to make a positive impact in their local communities and strengthen connections with fellow Yalies.
Service projects span a wide range of causes and activities, including:
- Environmental conservation and park cleanups
- Food security initiatives and meal preparation
- Educational programming and book drives
- Shelter and housing assistance
- Arts and cultural enrichment
- Healthcare and wellness support
No matter where you live, you can participate! The Yale Alumni Association offers tools and resources to help alumni find existing projects or create new ones in their communities. Many service sites welcome family members of all ages, making this a wonderful opportunity for intergenerational engagement.
Beyond the day itself, these service projects often spark ongoing collaborations and relationships that extend the impact far beyond a single day of volunteering. Many YANA members have found valuable professional connections and mentoring relationships through Yale Day of Service participation.
Don’t miss this chance to put your values into action alongside fellow Yalies! Registration is now open for both project leaders and participants.
For Humanity Illuminated Hosts Inaugural Chicago Convening
Launched to harness Yale’s interdisciplinary expertise to address humanity’s most urgent challenges, For Humanity brings together faculty, students, and alumni from diverse fields to collaborate on solutions to complex global issues. The Chicago gathering will introduce local alumni to FHI’s mission and explore ways Yalies can contribute to the campaign..
The evening will feature networking opportunities, brief presentations highlighting current FHI projects, and discussion on how Chicago-area alumni can participate in this important work. Light refreshments will be served, and advance registration is required due to limited capacity. Don’t miss this chance to connect with like-minded alumni and contribute to Yale’s efforts to advance human flourishing on a global scale.
YANA CHAPTERS IN ACTION
YANA Caribbean Chapter Delivers Critical Hurricane Relief Thanks to “Music with a Mission” Fundraiser
On Thursday, March 6, 2025, the Honorable Michael Brizan, Consul General for Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique, coordinated the shipment of donations collected through Maimonides Hospital. The National Disaster Management Agency (NaDMA) of Grenada will handle distribution of these critical supplies across the three islands, ensuring they reach communities most in need.
The “Music with a Mission” fundraiser specifically aimed to cover shipping costs for the medical supplies, addressing a critical logistical challenge in disaster relief efforts. While donated goods are essential, the ability to transport them efficiently to affected areas often represents a significant hurdle. YANA community members recognized this need and responded generously.
This successful relief effort demonstrates the power of YANA’s regional chapters to leverage local connections for meaningful impact. The Caribbean Chapter worked diligently to identify needs, secure donations from Maimonides Hospital, and establish the diplomatic relationships necessary to ensure efficient delivery of aid.
The Caribbean Chapter continues to monitor recovery needs in the region and is exploring additional opportunities to support rebuilding efforts. This shipment represents just one example of how Yale alumni are making tangible differences in communities facing crisis.
Special thanks go to all donors who contributed to the “Music with a Mission” fundraiser, the YANA Caribbean Chapter leadership, Maimonides Hospital for their generous donations, and Consul General Brizan for facilitating the international logistics required to make this relief effort possible.
Climate Leaders Tom Steyer ’79 and Marisa de Belloy ’94 Lead Inspiring YANA-Yale Club of San Francisco- Yale Blue Green Discussion
YANA partnered with Yale Blue Green and the Yale Club of San Francisco to present a climate discussion on Monday, March 24, featuring two influential Yale alumni environmental leaders.
Tom Steyer ’79, Co-Executive Chair of Galvanize Climate Solutions, shared insights from his bestselling book “Cheaper, Faster, Better: How We’ll Win the Climate War,” highlighting promising technologies and practical approaches to environmental challenges.
Marisa de Belloy ‘94, President of the High Tide Foundation and board member of Carbon Mapper and Climate Lead, expertly moderated the conversation with thoughtful questions that created a nuanced exploration of climate solutions.
The event demonstrated YANA’s commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue on critical social and environmental challenges connecting alumni across Yale organizations. The evening concluded with an engaging Q&A where both speakers addressed audience questions on sustainable development, policy initiatives, and individual climate action.
YANA INSIGHTS & CONNECTIONS
High-Quality Feedback Systems: The Key to Enhancing Nonprofit Performance
High-quality feedback systems go beyond traditional evaluation methods by creating continuous loops of input, analysis, and implementation. The most effective organizations are establishing multiple channels for gathering perspectives from those they serve, donors, staff, and community partners—then using this information to drive meaningful improvements.
For Yale alumni leading nonprofit organizations, implementing effective feedback mechanisms represents a significant opportunity. The Council of Nonprofits recommends starting with clear goals for feedback collection, designing user-friendly systems that minimize barriers to participation, and—most critically—demonstrating to stakeholders how their input directly influences organizational decisions.
“When people see that their feedback actually leads to changes, they become more invested in the organization’s success,” notes one expert in the field. This virtuous cycle of engagement ultimately strengthens both program outcomes and organizational resilience.
YANA members can access additional resources on developing feedback systems through the Council of Nonprofits’ online learning center, including practical templates and case studies from organizations that have successfully implemented these practices.
Strategic Mergers: A Powerful Path to Nonprofit Growth and Impact
While the corporate world has long viewed M&A as essential strategic tools, nonprofits have traditionally approached such combinations with caution or even resistance. However, evidence suggests that strategic mergers can help organizations overcome the “starvation cycle” that keeps many nonprofits perpetually under-resourced and limited in their impact.
Considering strategic mergers requires careful evaluation of mission compatibility, cultural fit, and stakeholder readiness. The most successful combinations involve transparent communication with staff, board members, funders, and communities served throughout the process.
As funding environments become increasingly competitive, strategic mergers offer nonprofits a powerful option for ensuring long-term viability while amplifying their ability to drive meaningful social change.
YALIES IN SOCIAL IMPACT
Shakti Belway ’01: Championing Youth Rights and Educational Equity
As Executive Director of the National Center for Youth Law (NCYL), Shakti Belway ’01 leads a powerful legal advocacy organization dedicated to transforming education, child welfare, juvenile justice, and health systems to ensure they better serve children and youth.
Belway brings extensive experience in education law and policy to her role at NCYL. Previously, she served as Director of Policy and Special Projects for the Southern Poverty Law Center, where she led initiatives addressing the school-to-prison pipeline and educational inequity. Her career has consistently focused on using legal advocacy as a tool for advancing social justice and educational equity.
Throughout her career, Belway has demonstrated the power of combining direct legal representation with systemic reform strategies. Under her leadership, NCYL has strengthened its impact litigation work while expanding collaborative partnerships with community organizations and government agencies to create sustainable solutions for vulnerable youth.
“The most effective advocacy happens when we center the voices and experiences of those most affected by broken systems,” Belway notes in her approach to leadership. Her work exemplifies how legal expertise, when paired with deep community engagement, can drive meaningful change in the lives of children and families facing institutional barriers.
Kaakpema “KP” Yelpaala YSPH ’06: Revolutionizing Healthcare Access Through Digital Innovation
Kaakpema “KP” Yelpaala YSPH ’06 is a visionary entrepreneur whose work at the intersection of healthcare, technology, and social impact has improved access to care for vulnerable populations worldwide. As the founder and CEO of InOn Health (formerly access.mobile), Yelpaala has pioneered digital health solutions that bridge communication gaps between healthcare providers and underserved communities.
After completing his education, Yelpaala leveraged his global health experience to identify a critical need: healthcare systems were failing to effectively engage patients, particularly those from marginalized communities. His response was to develop mobile health engagement solutions that enable healthcare providers to connect with patients through accessible technology.
“Technology alone isn’t the answer to healthcare disparities,” Yelpaala emphasizes in his approach. “The key is developing solutions that are culturally relevant and address real barriers to care.” This philosophy has guided InOn Health’s success in creating digital tools that resonate with communities often overlooked by traditional healthcare delivery models.
Yelpaala’s work exemplifies how Yale alumni are applying entrepreneurial approaches to tackle complex social challenges. His contributions to healthcare innovation demonstrate the potential for technology to serve as an equalizing force when designed with equity and accessibility at its core.