Dear OCF Community,

This month, at our Annual Meeting, I passed the talking piece. After eight years serving One Circle Foundation’s Board of Directors, the last three as President, my term has ended, creating space for the next generation of leaders. 

I think back on my time at OCF with immense gratitude and appreciation for the privilege to contribute to what founders Giovanna Taormina and Beth Hossfeld began nearly 30 years ago when the first Circles formed.

Healthy boards thrive on intentional succession. I couldn't be prouder of our staff and Board of Directors for ensuring we have a well-thought-out plan for leadership readiness.

As I look back, I am grateful for what we established together so that OCF thrives beyond its founders:

• We carried the founders' work forward and, after a carefully supported transition, welcomed Moorea Dickason, who participated in an early Girls Circle as a teen, as Executive Director.
• We built infrastructure to last, on staff and board: professional accounting, IT, and cybersecurity partners; written policies and procedures; committee charters; and succession plans for every leadership role.
• Our staff expanded what we offer facilitators: digital activity guides, our PRIDE curriculum in Spanish, new guides on crisis, consent, and youth mental health, and an Advanced Facilitation Skills Training.
• More than 4,000 caring adults completed our trainings over the last three years, with satisfaction climbing to 97%, and monthly Facilitator Support Sessions kept them connected after training.
• We completed our three-year strategic plan and developed an agile operating plan to guide the years ahead. We refreshed our mission and vision. When federal policy changes cut deeply into 2025 revenue, early planning let us hold steady and protect the quality of our work. 

Our annual reports have each been named for an OCF core value: Honoring Wisdom, Emphasizing Strengths, and Honoring Relationships. They also name what OCF gave me. I learned to trust the team's wisdom over my own answers. I learned to lead from strengths, mine and everyone else’s. And I learned that when times are uncertain, relationships are what hold.

This year’s theme is the one I am practicing now: We Care for Others and We Care for Ourselves. Taking care of our bodies, minds, hearts, and spirits supports our healthy relationships. For a board, that means sharing leadership, so no one carries it alone, making room for the next leader while the organization is strong. This transition is that value in action, and it is a joyful one.

Please join the entire OCF family in joyfully welcoming Vilma Luz Cabán, Ed.D., as the foundation’s next Board President. Vilma joined our Board of Directors in 2022 and has served as Secretary, Vice President, and Co-Chair of the Board Governance Committee. She is an educator, researcher, and program evaluator who leads with mission-minded resolve and heart. She is eager to share her vision for the organization and introduce you to our Board of Directors' newest leaders.

As many of you who connect with OCF in one way or another generously do, I will continue supporting this foundation and its vital work of providing safe spaces that promote youth development and healthy relationships. And my work in nonprofit continues, serving on boards and partnering with nonprofit leaders through my coaching practice.

To our facilitators, training hosts, donors, staff, and Board: thank you. Serving this community has been the greatest honor of my life. One Circle and the community of Circles it aspires to create are in the most caring and competent hands.

In partnership and gratitude,

Nancy Roldán Johnson

Board President, 2024 to 2026

Dear Friends and Supporters of One Circle Foundation, 

It is with gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility that I step into my new role as President of the Board of Directors of One Circle Foundation. I bring to this role a lifelong commitment to education and advocacy. As a retired educator, author, and humanitarian researcher, much of my work has centered on understanding the experiences of individuals and communities whose voices are too often overlooked. I believe in the great promise and potential of our youth, and those same principles drew me to One Circle Foundation. Having served on the Board in several capacities over the past four years, I have gained a deeper appreciation for the people who sustain this work and the responsibility we share in guiding its future.  

I want to begin by honoring the vision and dedication of founders Beth Hossfeld and Giovanna Taormina. Almost thirty years ago, they began this journey with a strong belief in the power of human connection, and they laid the foundation for One Circle Foundation. Their dedication to fostering healthy relationships and a sense of belonging continues to guide our mission and inspire the work we do today. 

In addition, I want to extend a heartfelt appreciation to Nancy Roldán Johnson, whose leadership and years of service have strengthened One Circle Foundation through periods of growth and transition. Nancy has served this organization in many capacities, bringing a genuine passion to its mission and the people behind it. She has served as a professional mentor and friend to me and this wonderful organization. We will continue to follow in her footsteps to sustain this beautiful legacy work. Through her service, we are reminded that effective governance calls for accountability and thoughtful decision-making. As stewards of this work, we must also listen, remain engaged, and work collaboratively toward our shared goals. We are deeply grateful for Nancy’s contributions and the lasting impact of her leadership. 

In that spirit, I am especially pleased to announce the election of Priscilla Martínez, LCSW, as Vice President of the Board of Directors. Priscilla brings extensive experience in social work and behavioral health, with a career dedicated to supporting youth and families. Her work across educational and community settings reflects a strong devotion to advocacy and expanding access to essential services. Having already served as Board Member at Large and Co-Chair of the OCF Board Governance Committee, Priscilla brings a solid understanding and leadership perspective of our organization’s mission and vision. I look forward to working alongside her and the Board of Directors as we continue to strengthen One Circle Foundation’s impact. 

I am equally excited to welcome Taylor Winter-Boberg and Solange Torassa as our newest Board Members at Large. Their appointments reflect the remarkable talent and heart for service that One Circle Foundation continues to attract. With backgrounds spanning financial leadership, public health, and community advocacy, they bring valuable perspectives that enrich the stewardship of One Circle Foundation. We look forward to the contributions they will make as we continue to strengthen our organization and expand the reach of our mission. 

As I begin this new chapter of service, I am especially grateful for the opportunity to continue working alongside our Executive Director Moorea Dickason. Her dedication and leadership are central to advancing One Circle Foundation’s mission. Moorea’s journey with the organization spans more than fifteen years. She has contributed to the growth of our programs and developed a deep understanding of the communities we serve. Her appointment as Executive Director in 2024 was a wonderful recognition of that longstanding commitment to serve. I value the partnership between the Board of Directors and Moorea, as well as the important work she and her team carry forward each day. Together, we will continue strengthening One Circle Foundation’s capacity to serve youth and communities while supporting the people who make this work possible. 

I am excited about what lies ahead and appreciative of all that has brought us to this moment as an organization. To my Board of Directors colleagues Priscilla Martínez, Elise Turcios, Pete Hoelcher, Jacqueline Smith-Edwards, Taylor Winter-Boberg, and Solange Torassa, I am honored to serve alongside you. I am deeply grateful to our OCF staff and this mighty team of creative souls. You keep the OCF fire burning bright. To our OCF facilitators and community supporters, thank you for the many ways you contribute to this important work. Your steadfast support allows One Circle Foundation to continue reaching individuals and communities through programs that foster connection and personal growth. Together we will honor the amazing opportunities that lie ahead. 

With Gratitude,

Dr. Vilma Luz Cabán, Ed.D

President, Board of Directors