According to Rhonda H. Lauer, leaders set the stage for an organization’s success, requiring a foundation of trustworthiness and adept relationship-building. “Successful leadership embodies flexibility, adaptability and openness,” she said. “This cultivates an environment where appreciation and empowerment thrive, and staff members are valued for their diverse perspectives, fueling a dynamic exchange of ideas.”
Dynamic leadership is what has led Foundations, Inc. to more growth and success this year with Lauer at the helm.
Foundations, Inc., a leading national education nonprofit, is committed to improving the quality of education for our nation’s children by strengthening the skills of educators. Through its capacity-building services, professional development, and educational resources, the nonprofit actively works to create a brighter future for every child, every day.
Under Lauer’s leadership, Foundations has created three new partnerships to improve the educational landscape locally and nationally. In 2022, Lauer led the nonprofit to enter a five-year partnership with the Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council to support implementing the Students-to-Teachers program. The organization also entered a partnership with PhilaWorks, the City of Philadelphia, and the School District of Philadelphia to support the Career Connected Learning project.
Foundations was also chosen as a key partner of Synergy Enterprises Inc. to provide professional development across the country for out-of-school-time professionals to learn, receive resources, and engage with peers and families most in need.
The remarkable growth under Lauer’s guidance has also included an implementation of a high-dosage In-School Tutoring Program – the REACH Acceleration Model – with afterschool programs expanding to 14 sites, reaching over 2,200 students.
Since she was named a Titan 100 last year, Lauer said her biggest leadership lesson learned this year was the significance of empowering staff to take charge of their projects. “By delegating decision-making authority, I have found that establishing a culture of trust and accountability fosters creativity, innovation and productivity,” she said. “Creating open communication and collaboration, being receptive to staff input, and fostering a sense of ownership and engagement has resulted in better outcomes for the organization as a whole.”
Personally and professionally, Lauer has found a deeper sense of purpose and passion by mentoring staff for career growth and future leadership roles. “My role is to make sure the team understands the value of meaningful work and see the opportunities to make a significant and tangible impact on children and families while also providing opportunities to build the skills they need to advance their careers,” she said.
