Sheryl Young, CEO, reports from Harvard Business School

Burlingame, Calif. —Sheryl Young, CEO of Community Gatepath, an agency serving children and adults with disabilities, has been selected to participate in Harvard Business School's Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management program, a distinction shared among 140 nonprofit executives from around the country.

Ted Kruttschnitt, local business and community leader and Harvard Business School alumnus, nominated Young for the program. "I was extremely touched to be nominated by Ted and am honored to have the opportunity to be a part of a distinguished program," said Young.

Young has been CEO of Community Gatepath for 19 years, growing the Agency's operating budget from $2 million to its current $10 million budget. Through a unique blended revenue model, based on the principles of social entrepreneurship, Young and her leadership team maintained the Agency's fiscal standing during tough economic times. "Her clever and strategic business sense continues to make Community Gatepath the largest agency serving individuals with disabilities in San Mateo County," noted Kruttschnitt of Young in his recommendation letter to Harvard.

"Young has worked tirelessly to advocate on behalf of people with disabilities and their families in San Mateo County. She successfully developed a network of innovative services and programs that support their independence and inclusion in our community. Her ability to forge creative partnerships and collaboration has provided a wealth of resources for the disabilities community." confirms the San Mateo County Commission on Disabilities on their website in recognition of Young receiving last year's Lore Radisch Lifetime Advocacy Award. In addition to her San Mateo efforts, Young's role as an effective leader has won her recognition as one of the Bay Area's Most Influential Women in Business for the past three years. Young is among only a handful of women in the nonprofit sector to receive such an honor. In addition to her decorated and distinguished career, Young is leading her agency through their first capital campaign. Gatepath is expecting to raise $5 million with the Campaign for Possibilities to expand and enhance services to children with special needs and their families. The Agency has raised $4.1 million dollars to date and has until the end of 2008 to raise the remainder. "Funds raised will support the renovations of our new Niall P. McCarthy Center for Children and Families as well as provide the resources to build online communities designed specifically for the needs and interests of families and professionals of children with special needs," notes Young. "Our goal is to take the wealth of information available online and have our team of experts recommend local and national literature and resources as well as develop engaging communities where families can connect and share tips while also providing professionals with a forum to share learnings and discuss the latest developments in the field of childhood development."

Timing couldn't be better for Young to attend Harvard Business School's Executive Education program. "Gatepath is experiencing great growth and we continue to venture into new social enterprises, so to have the opportunity to dive deep into case studies, discuss opportunities and threats with distinguished professors and share strategic insight among fellow nonprofit executives while at HBS will greatly contribute to our success as we venture forward," said Young.

Community Gatepath is the largest agency serving individuals with disabilities in San Mateo County and works at "Turning Disabilities Into Possibilities" by fostering hope, dignity and independence among children and adults with disabilities. Gatepath's continuum of services includes Early Childhood Intervention, Inclusive Preschool, Community Employment, Social Business Enterprise Services including Landscaping, Production and Staffing Services as well as education, life skills, and wellness activities for adults and seniors with disabilities. More information about Community Gatepath can be found at www.gatepath.com .

Harvard Business School's Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management (SPNM) is an intensive six day program that provides nonprofit senior executives with a conceptual approach to shape the direction, mission, policies, and major programs of their organization. SPNM is one of three focused Social Enterprise Executive Education programs offered by HBS which are designed to provide nonprofit practitioners from around the world with the opportunity to enhance their management, governance, and entrepreneurial capabilities.

News and Press Archive: 2007