San Diego Workforce Partnership’s Youth Manager of Special Projects Karmin Noar was one of 25 individuals statewide invited to participate in the 2016 HOPE Leadership Institute (HLI).
HLI is a program of Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE), whose mission is to ensure political and economic parity for Latinas through leadership, advocacy, and education. The institute, designed to strengthen HOPE’s mission and provide a critical voice to Latinas to develop personal growth, prosperity and political clout, is the first and only statewide leadership program specifically designed for professional Latinas in California. The goal of the institute is to train Latinas in vital leadership and advocacy skills, enabling them to create fundamental change within their local neighborhoods and across California.
The institute spans January through September, and includes five 3- to 4-day training sessions on academic seminars, personal assessments, group work and presentations, lobbying and advocacy, field trips, networking and conferences. The institute provides a learning exchange between participants and leading experts, academics, and practitioners in the fields of civic engagement, leadership, political campaigning, health, education, and economic empowerment.
Two key topics covered in detail this year are the Affordable Care Act and boys and men of color, the latter of which is related to Noar’s work with CONNECT2Careers, a youth employment program she manages at SDWP.
Prior to joining SDWP, Noar worked for a nonprofit research institute committed to understanding and promoting health in disadvantaged populations. In addition, she has more than a decade of volunteer and work experience in the nonprofit sector, working on issues from public health and social justice to education and youth development, all in pursuit of increasing access to higher education and serving underserved communities.
Noar’s experience and aspirations make her a great candidate for HLI, which has created a pipeline of Latina leadership in California committed to improving political and economic parity for all communities. Upon graduation, she will join an alumnae base of nearly 450 Latinas, many of whom serve in public office or on statewide boards and commissions. Alumnae represent all major regions of California and cross-cut professional sectors, and serve as mentors for future participants.
“HLI has been one of my professional goals,” says Noar. “I’m looking forward to connecting with a group of other talented women working towards making an impact in their communities.”
We are proud to have an HLI participant in our midst, and extend our heartfelt congratulations to her and others in her cohort.