Board service often begins with purpose. But purpose alone is not enough to lead effectively.
For many leaders across the NeighborWorks® network, governance starts with a desire to serve and evolves into something more intentional, more strategic and more impactful. That shift is at the center of the NeighborWorks America Excellence in Governance Academy, a board leadership and governance certification program designed specifically for community development nonprofits.
For participants like Emily Dozier and Grant Fuller, the experience reshaped not only what they knew about governance, but how they show up as leaders.
From responsibility to intentional leadership
When Dozier stepped into her role as board president at Hudson River Housing, she quickly realized there was a gap between responsibility and preparation.
“I realized how little I knew about that role,” she said. “There really wasn’t training on how to be a board president.”
What she found through the academy was not just information, but a shift in perspective.
“It’s made me think more broadly about building a board culture and building relationships,” Dozier said. “That’s really critical for having a well functioning board.”
That emphasis on relationships is intentional. As Jen Christian, senior director of Network Leadership Development at NeighborWorks America, explains, governance is not just about structure or compliance. It is about people.
“Strong governance starts 
with shared responsibility and trust,” Christian said. “When boards invest in how they work together, they strengthen their ability to lead.”
Learning beyond the boardroom
For Fuller, a board member at Manna, Inc., the academy created space to step outside of day- to-day board responsibilities and see the bigger picture.
“This is a really efficient way to learn, to connect with other leaders and to be exposed to ideas that we just don’t get if we stay in our own bubble,” he said.
That exposure is by design. The academy brings together leaders from across the NeighborWorks network, creating a space where participants can learn from one another in real time.
“When we go into those peer groups, we’re hearing how others are processing what we’ve been learning,” Fuller said. “It strengthens everything we’ve covered.”
According to Betsey Wallace, a member of the Excellence in Governance Academy design team, that peer exchange is one of the program’s defining strengths.
“These are volunteers who are not only serving on boards, but also investing time to strengthen their governance skills,” Wallace said. “That commitment creates a powerful learning environment.”
A shift that lasts
What participants often expect is training. What they gain is transformation.
For both Dozier and Fuller, the academy reframed governance as an active, evolving leadership practice rather than a static role.
“This has been transformational for me as a board member,” Fuller said. “I just want to keep learning and growing so I can serve better.”
That transformation is the foundation of stronger boards, and ultimately, stronger communities.
What Next?
The Excellence in Governance Academy is an 18-month, cohort-based program designed for board members, chief executives and board support staff working in affordable housing and community development.
Participants engage in structured learning, peer exchange and practical application to strengthen governance and leadership.
The next cohort is now accepting applications. Apply by June 5.
Learn more by watching our video and apply through the Excellence in Governance Academy.
