Rockwood Leadership Institute is pleased to share that CEO Darlene Nipper has been named The JPB Foundation’s Visiting Senior Fellow for Movement Infrastructure and Explorations. 

“Being invited to work with The JPB Foundation as a Visiting Senior Fellow for Movement Infrastructure and Explorations is truly profound,” Darlene said. “I feel so fortunate to join the other Fellows, and to work closely with Deepak Bhargava and JPB’s leadership team. I know that our focus on movement infrastructure and leadership will have a lasting impact on our organizations and the sector.” 

Over the next year, Darlene will continue to lead Rockwood while also informing JPB’s strategies as a thought partner and advisor to the foundation’s senior leadership and program teams. Additionally, through this fellowship, Darlene will work on her own vision for advancements in the fields of leadership development and infrastructure.

“As we welcome Darlene as a Visiting Senior Fellow for Movement Infrastructure and Explorations, we celebrate her remarkable leadership in the field,” Deepak Bhargava, President of the JPB Foundation and a Rockwood alum, said. “We know that Darlene will provide invaluable insights as we craft grant-making strategies to empower visionary leaders to tackle the pressing challenges of our time.”

Darlene brings 25 years of leadership and advocacy experience to this role, which includes her time at the National LGBTQ Task Force, the BET Foundation, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the Executive Office of the Mayor of D.C., and, of course, Rockwood. Darlene is a national expert on leadership, equity, and training for nonprofit and social justice leaders. Darlene is also an ordained interfaith minister, and practices mindfulness meditation, deep presence, and living joy.

Darlene added: “These are challenging times for leaders; I am grateful to be able to contribute to JPB’s efforts to meet the moment by not only increasing our understanding of what is needed, but also expanding what is possible.”

Since 2019, JPB has partnered with Rockwood to provide leadership training for JPB grantees, and has invested in Rockwood’s efforts to promote innovation and equity in social justice leadership. This partnership is part of JPB’s longer-term strategy for pro-democracy work and commitment to fostering deep collaboration between philanthropy and leaders in the field. 

JPB has also welcomed fellows Rakim Brooks, Senior Vice President of Risk and Legal Strategies; Lisa Abbott, Senior Fellow with the Community and Worker Power Program; and Mariana Ruiz Firmat, Senior Fellow for Movement Infrastructure and Explorations.

Learn more about JPB and this fellowship here.