Readiness for Resistance: Part 2 | Sense-Making, Courage, and Leadership in Complex Times
With CWIP's Racial Equity & Social Justice Committee
As social, political, and organizational pressures intensify, the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors are increasingly called to navigate complexity with courage, clarity, and integrity. This interactive session explores how individuals and organizations make sense of rapidly changing environments, the forces that shape decisions in times of uncertainty, and the ways identity and power influence leadership in moments of risk. Participants will examine the tensions between maintaining the status quo, choosing a protective stance, and/or stepping into resistance. They will also consider how formal and informal leadership can create change and reflect on strategies for responding thoughtfully and effectively in today's challenging landscape.
Participants will:
- Explore how identity, power, and lived experience influence leadership, decision-making, and willingness to take risks.
- Examine the pressures organizations face to maintain the status quo or "comply in advance," and how leaders can respond intentionally.
- Reflect on the role of both formal and informal leadership in advancing meaningful change.
- Practice approaches that build courage, resilience, and effective leadership in challenging contexts.
- Experience somatic practices that support grounded, courageous leadership and more skillful responses under pressure.
Registration:
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- $25 | This is a CWIP member-only event. Not a member? Join today!
Maricar Ramos
ICF-Accredited Executive and Transition Coach/Consultant, Philanthropic/Nonprofit Leader, Racial Equity & Social Justice Champion
Maricar is a leadership and executive coach, nonprofit executive, and philanthropic leader with a lifelong passion for racial equity and social justice. A longtime public sector and nonprofit professional, she coaches foundation CEOs and nonprofit executives in honing their leadership, meeting their strategic goals, and increasing organizational impact. She was most recently the Chicago Director of Community Outreach for Scholas, an international organization focused on youth leadership in over 60 countries. Previous to Scholas, she was the Senior Director of Program with iMentor Chicago where she led a college access and persistence program across five Chicago public high schools and was part of an Executive Team that raised $2.3M annually. While with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) from 2014-2019, she led a citywide workforce development collaborative focused on Opportunity Youth, managed a team that facilitated summer internships for 1500 high school students annually, and served on the CPS Race & Equity Steering Committee. Prior to her time at CPS, Maricar served as a grant maker for the YMCA of the USA, Illinois Violence Prevention Authority, Eleanor Foundation, Chicago Foundation for Women and the Mayer & Morris Kaplan Family Foundation. She also served as Co-Chair for the Chicago Chapter of Asian Americans In Philanthropy, has subject matter expertise in equity and social justice; workforce development; women-focused initiatives; college and career access; and positive youth development.
Maricar is a graduate of the University of Chicago, also attending Mills College in Oakland, California, and Loyola University Chicago for a Ph.D. program in Developmental Psychology. Her love of diverse culture and traditions has enabled her to be fluent in English, Tagalog, and Spanish. Maricar was on the Board of Director of Chicago Women In Philanthropy (CWIP) for nine years, serving as Board Co-Chair for three, and founded the organization’s Racial Equity & Social Justice Committee in 2016. She is a trained racial healing circle facilitator for Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation Greater Chicago and a Racial Equity Impact Assessment facilitator for Chicago United for Equity. In 2019, Maricar was chosen to participate in the first-ever Chicagoland Workforce Leadership Academy as an Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Fellow.
Maricar lives in Chicago where she enjoys spending time with her partner and large, boisterous family. She also cultivates a daily yoga and meditation practice, which she regularly takes on the road on her many travels around the globe.
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Event Refund & Transfer Policy
We understand that plans can change, and we strive to be as flexible as possible while ensuring smooth event operations. Please review our refund and transfer policy below:
If you are unable to attend, please let us know as soon as possible. Many of our events sell out, and we want to make the spot available to someone else.
- Full Refund: Cancellations made 5 or more days before the event are eligible for a full refund.
- No Refund: Unfortunately, we are unable to offer refunds for cancellations made within 5 days of the event.
- Ticket Transfers: You may transfer your ticket to another individual at any time prior to the event. To do so, please contact us with the name and email of the new attendee.
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