20-Year Impact Study Highlights

Each year since 1987, NHLI’s Executive Leadership program has selected 22 professional women to participate in an intensive leadership program that spans nine months and includes four week-long sessions on topics such as cross cultural-communication, conflict resolution, strategic management skills, leadership assessment, the legislative process, and policy development. Since 2001, NHLI’s Latinas Learning to Lead Summer Youth Institute (LLL) has selected 22 young college-age women to participate in an intensive, one-week leadership program in Washington, D.C. In an effort to measure success and make strategic decisions for our future, NHLI retained the services of Innovative Consultants International Inc., to conduct a 20-year impact study of the organization and its alumnae from both the Executive Program and the LLL Program. To date a remarkable 58% of all alumnae replied and provided valuable feedback.

Income Changes (Executive Program)

Education Changes (Executive Program)

HIGHLIGHTS

• 60% of Executive program graduates and 65% of young Latinas credit NHLI with helping to change their personal life for the better; 59% of Executive program graduates and 72% of young Latinas credit NHLI with helping to follow their dreams.

• 60% of Executive program graduates have successfully attained postgraduate degrees with 33% having attained doctoral-level degrees; 73% of young Latinas attained a bachelor’s degree; one in four attained a master’s degree; and another 53% plan to attend graduate school.

• Today 49% of Executive program graduates earn individual incomes over $100,000; 33% of Executive program graduates now hold executive-level positions compared to 15% upon program enrollment.

• A substantial majority (>70%) of both program graduates strongly believe they are better leaders because of what they learned through NHLI.

• 75% of Executive program graduates worked on their leadership project beyond a 2-year commitment.

• 43% of Executive program graduates indicate that their leadership project is still ongoing. Some projects became major initiatives, while others helped build non-profit organizations.

• 54% of Executive program graduates serve on government commissions or special task forces.

• 37% of Executive program graduates currently serve on national boards.

• 23% of Executive program graduates have run for office or have been appointed to a political position.

• 55% of LLL graduates are currently mentoring 3 or more young Latinas.

• 89% of Executive program graduates stay in touch with their classmates.

• 48% of Executive program graduates use the Hermanas network 6 or more times per year.

• 66% of LLL graduates maintain monthly contact with classmates.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings show conclusively that NHLI leadership training has helped to provide exceptional Latina leaders pursuing careers in a variety of sectors. NHLI remains the only national, non-profit organization exclusively dedicated to Latina leadership training. Equally significant, NHLI graduates have become a veritable “who’s who” in many local communities. Impact of their collective leadership is now felt throughout the country and creates a formidable cadre of bright, energetic, committed and highly-skilled Latinas. Through various mentoring initiatives and community service projects, NHLI alumnae have directly impacted over 18,000 Latinas in every state and in Puerto Rico. From public service, non-profit and private enterprise ventures, NHLI graduates are at the forefront and confirm that they are more effective, confident and skillful thanks to the leadership training and ongoing affiliation with NHLI and its alumnae.

Supporters of the NHLI leadership programs should feel confident in their continued partnership. A full report will be published soon. NHLI expresses its most sincere gratitude to State Farm Insurance Companies for providing the funding for the 20-year Impact Study. ¡Gracias!