Corrine Hursh of Cranston is one of 14 people selected by the Rhode Island Foundation to participate in a program that will help prepare them for leadership positions in the state’s nonprofit sector.

The Nonprofit Emerging Leaders Program provides unique learning opportunities for talented emerging leaders who have less than 10 years of experience.

“I hope to gain a deeper sense of what it means to be a leader in the nonprofit sector in Rhode Island. I’m excited to learn from the leading movers and shakers and gain inspiration from them to forge my own highly meaningful career path,” said Hursh, operations specialist with Year Up.

Based in Providence, Year Up’s mission is to close the opportunity divide by providing urban young adults with the skills, experience and support that will empower them to reach their potential through professional careers and higher education.

Participants have been paired with an experienced mentor for the 10-month program of self-directed learning, through which they will create their own customized professional development plans. Hursh is working with Kate Brewster, executive director of the Economic Progress Institute in Providence.

Hursh also will have access to optional technical trainings provided through the INE. Additionally, she will develop a support network through monthly peer-led discussions as well as through access to an on-line discussion forum and semi-annual networking events.

“We believe strong leadership is a cornerstone for nonprofit success. This is an intensive course for people who are looking to hone their leadership abilities and enrich their network of peer support,” said Jill Pfitzenmayer, vice president of the Foundation’s Initiative for Nonprofit Excellence (INE).

The other participants are Corinne Barber, development coordinator at WaterFire Providence; Aeran Baskin, managing director of development at Teach for America; Rebecca Bertrand, director of development at Newport Art Museum; Erica Busillo, coordinator of membership and individual giving at Save The Bay; Kristen Costa, assistant curator at the Newport Restoration Foundation; Thomas Kerr-Vanderslice, site director for Generation Citizen; Allendre McGovern-Siembab, senior finance compliance analyst at Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island; Zack Mezera, executive director of the Providence Student Union; Carole Ann Penney, director of operations for the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities; Vimala Phongsavanh, director of programs for the Center for Southeast Asians; Marlon Ramdehal, site leader for Year Up; Billy Watterson, executive director of Beat the Streets Providence; and Xong Yang, program director for social services at the Center for Southeast Asians.

The other mentors are Sarah Dinklage, executive director of Rhode Island Student Assistance Services; Meghan Hughes, executive director of Year Up; Joan Kwiatkowski, CEO of Carelink; Michael Lichtenstein, executive director at Wood River Health Services; David Karoff, David Karoff & Associates; Peter Mello, managing director of Waterfire Providence; Chris Stephens, president and CEO of Horizon Healthcare Partners; Jim Nyberg, director of LeadingAge RI; Fred Ordoñez, executive director of Direct Action for Rights and Equality; Angelo Garcia, director of operations at Segue Institute for Learning; Sunshine Menezes, executive director at the Metcalf Institute for Marine & Environmental Reporting; and Lori Urso, executive director of the Old Slater Mill Association.

Since 2008, INE has provided training, technical assistance, funding, and support to more than 3,000 program participants representing more than 1,100 organizations. The initiative supports nonprofits by sharing best practices, providing tools, doing good research and encouraging leadership. It provides tools and information to promote good governance, sound management, cross-sector collaboration and reliable research.

The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. In 2013, the Foundation made grants of more than $31 million to organizations addressing the state’s most pressing issues and needs of diverse communities. Through leadership, fundraising, and grantmaking activities, often in partnership with individuals and organizations, the Foundation is helping Rhode Island reach its true potential. For more information, visit www.rifoundation.org.