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Network News


September 2026

Here's what's happening this month at Fieldstone:


  • Fieldstone@4 is next week on September 24th at New Village Arts - Register Here
  • Applications are open for Leadership Coaching & Learning Groups for 2027.
  • The Clare Rose Sabbatical is back! We're hosting an information session on October 15th for Executive Directors who want to learn more.
  • Fieldstone welcomes Rachel Peniche as our new Director of Development!
  • The Leadership Reading Group and Fieldstone Circle both had their inaugural meeting in September - join us in welcoming them to the Network!
  • The Executive Forum resumed meeting after their summer break.
  • Fieldstone Coaches held their quarterly meeting and discussed strategies to successfully close out the year with their coachees.
 
 

Fieldstone@4

Sept. 24 | 4-6 pm
New Village Arts

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Join us for for an afternoon of networking, relationship building, and knowledge sharing.


We'll be at New Village Arts on Thursday, September 24th from 4-6pm to connect and be in community with each other. It promises to be a intimate opportunity to network while visiting the newly remodeled theatre space.


We hope to see you there!

Peer Learning | Personal Practice | Networking | Wellbeing

 
 

Amplify Your Leadership with Fieldstone Coaching

Applications are open for Leadership Coaching!


Built to support your leadership development and give you a sounding board, Leadership Coaching provides a confidential thought partner to support you in meeting your goals and objectives and being the leader you stive to be.  


Space is limited, so we encourage you to apply now to be considered for this integral program.

Peer Learning | Personal Practice | Networking | Wellbeing

 
 

Your Cohort is Waiting! Join A Learning Group Today!

Applications are open for 2027 Learning Groups!


Fieldstone's Learning Groups are facilitated 6-month programs aimed at strengthening your leadership skills and while building trusted relationships with your colleagues. Each program facilitator has lived experience as a nonprofit executive director, so they understand the challenges, structures and environment in which you lead. 


Graduates complete this program with sharper skills, increased confidence in their leadership, and a trusted network of peers.


We encourage you to apply early as space is limited.

Peer Learning | Personal Practice | Networking | Wellbeing

 
 

The Clare Rose Sabbatical is Back!

The Clare Rose Sabbatical is returning in 2027! Thanks to the Clare Rose Foundation, we are able to continue this effective capacity building program, which has been available to local nonprofit leaders since 2014.


The sabbatical includes financial support to underwrite salary and benefit expenses for the leader during their absence and professional development and capacity building support for those who lead the organization during the director's sabbatical.


We are hosting an information session about the sabbatical for any Executive Directors or CEOs who would like to learn more about this exciting opportunity.


Watch the full announcement here.

Peer Learning | Personal Practice | Networking | Wellbeing

 
 

Fieldstone Welcomes Rachel Peniche as

Director of Development

We are excited to welcome Rachel Peniche as Fieldstone's first Director of Development! A Fieldstone alum, Rachel describes her Learning Group experience as a formative part of her journey as a nonprofit leader. Rachel is an integral player in San Diego's nonprofit sector. Most recently, she worked at Friends of Vista Hill Foundation, serving as it Executive Director for the past 12 years. She also serves on multiple nonprofit boards and committees.


Read more about Rachel's background and the path that led her to Fieldstone here! Rachel's first day with the Network is Monday, September 21st.


Welcome Rachel!

 
 

The Reading Group Completes First Meeting

Sue Carter Kahl, Points of Light; Curran Gaughan, Ignatian Volunteer Corps; Kristin Haygood, Nativity Prep; Missy Hiebert, Ivey Ranch Park Association; Bille Jo Mainerich, Home Start; Rachel Peniche, Fieldstone Network; Fabienne Perlov, Anti Defamation League; Jennifer Walker, Olivewood Gardens

This month we welcomed the newest cohort of the Leadership Reading Group to the Network. This group has begun a 10-month reading journey where they will meet monthly to discuss fiction, nonfiction, and third-sector books with a leadership lens.


We look forward to seeing how this group will grow together by sharing their insights and experiences as they engage in meaningful discussions about the leadership concepts and theories they recognize through their reading. We know it will be powerful.

Peer Learning | Personal Practice | Networking | Wellbeing

 
 

The Fieldstone Circle Begins Their Leadership Pilgrimage

Last week, the third iteration of the Fieldstone Circle commenced with a brand-new curriculum. Inspired by the idea of a pilgrimage, this Circle offers participants the opportunity to contemplate where they are on their professional leadership journey while receiving the support of their nonprofit community.


The Circle aims to help nonprofit leaders meet the moment by building their individual and collective resiliency. It is designed using the Courage to Lead framework and is facilitated by Sue Carter Kahl and Janine Mason.

 

The first meeting took place in person at the Fieldstone office, providing members the chance to connect personally and begin building trusted relationships with each other. Future meetings will be held on Zoom, to allow leaders to participate easily so they are able to nourish their leadership resiliency and stamina.

Peer Learning | Personal Practice | Networking | Wellbeing

 
 

Network Members Connect at the San Diego Foundation's Fundraising Conference

Last week, Fieldstone Network joined nonprofit leaders from across San Diego County at the Fundraising Conference. The event offered a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with members of the Fieldstone community, and a powerful visual reminder of the breadth of leaders and organizations Fieldstone has touched over the years.


Throughout the conference, speakers and sponsors highlighted connection and belonging as among the San Diego nonprofit sector’s greatest assets, and qualities that make our community distinctive.


Creating a highly skilled, highly connected nonprofit sector has always been central to Fieldstone’s vision. Seeing so many Fieldstone members learning, connecting, and contributing alongside one another is a meaningful reflection of that vision taking shape.


We are proud to be part of a nonprofit community that understands that strong leadership is not built in isolation. Because no one leads alone.

Peer Learning | Personal Practice | Networking | Wellbeing

 
 

The Executive Forum Returns from Summer Break

This week, the Executive Forum reconvened after its summer break, meeting at the Carlsbad Education Foundation offices in Carlsbad. Our thanks to Forum member Laura Pitts for hosting us. In response to a group request for a deep dive on AI issues facing our sector, Marc Baizman joined us to facilitate a session on AI Adaptation for Nonprofit Organizations. Marc has been involved with mission-based organizations and technology for the past 20 years. He has spent the last 12 years at Salesforce, in a variety of roles, including Customer Success Director, Evangelist, and Technical Instructor, focused on educating people on products like Nonprofit Cloud, Slack,Tableau, and more, before starting MCG Technology Consulting and Training last year.  We are grateful he shared his expertise and time with our Forum group.


In addition, the group took time to process specific challenges and opportunities the group members are facing. They share wisdom, ideas, and new insights with each other, using the power of relationships built on trust and collaboration to help each member find new potential solutions they may not have encountered with the Forum.


If you are an executive director or CEO interested in joining the Forum, which includes monthly meetings and individualized monthly coaching, new members are considered on a rolling basis. Express your interest below and we will be in touch.


Peer Learning | Personal Practice | Networking | Wellbeing

 
 

Fieldstone Coaches Convene

Earlier this month, the Fieldstone coaches convened for their quarterly meeting. September's meeting is significant as it begins the process of winding down the coaching engagement. Discussions focus on how to best support coachees through the last quarter of the program and see them through any final challenges. The meeting is also a time for Fieldstone Coaches to get resources and support from each other and Fieldstone Staff so they have what they need to coach well.


If you are interested in working with a Fieldstone Coach and are facing a significant challenge or opportunity hat can't wait until the new year, Short-Term Coaching is available on a rolling basis. Year-round Leadership Coaching is also currently accepting applications and more information can be found above.

Peer Learning | Personal Practice | Networking | Wellbeing

 
 

Thank you to our donors!

You make the work we do possible!

 
 
 
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