Nonprofit Learning Point – Richmond, VA:

About our Staff

Rachel Kopelovich – Program Director

kopelovichr@vcu.edu 804-592-2600

Rachel has been the Director of Nonprofit Learning Point since 2008. Rachel’s duties include strategic oversight of the programs components: Management and Leadership Classes, Certificate of Achievement in Nonprofit Management, Annual Conference, Emerging Nonprofit Leaders, and Executive Leadership Coaching. She is part of the senior leadership team for the Partnership for Nonprofit Excellence. Rachel considers herself a lifelong learner and enjoys providing continuing education opportunities to those that do good work in our community.

Rachel has worked for Virginia Commonwealth University for over ten years, earning a Bachelor of Independent Studies and a Master of Social Work through VCU’s tuition reimbursement program. Rachel is currently pursuing the Certificate of Achievement in Nonprofit Management from Nonprofit Learning Point.

Rachel serves as the Vice President for Art on Wheels’ Board of Directors, multiple VCU committees, and on the Curriculum Committees of Virginia Association of Museums and ROSMY. She has a fondness for French toast, Danish modern furniture, musicals, and tending to her flower garden.

Laura Pilati – Program Assistant

nonprofit@vcu.edu 804-592-2600

Laura joined the staff of Nonprofit Learning Point in August 2011. Her role supports the daily on-goings of NLP, including maintenance of the online registration system and website, class schedule and materials preparation, and communications and marketing, including social networking. She is also the CEU manager for the School of Continuing Education at VCU.

Laura came to Nonprofit Learning Point after proudly completing a year-long AmeriCorps term of service at HandsOn Greater Richmond, a program of the Partnership for Nonprofit Excellence, where she worked to build environmentally-related programming and supported the organization’s daily and ongoing communications, marketing, website, and database needs. She is excited to continue her work with the Partnership while learning more about the VCU community!

Laura earned her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and French from the University of Mary Washington in 2010, where she worked extensively with the UMW Ecology Club and Rappahannock Sierra Club. It was during this time that she developed a passion for environmental and sustainability issues, specifically in topics related to personal health and living and social justice. She loves to bike in the fan area and pursue simple living.

Susan Wilkes – Lead Faculty for Leadership Programs

Susan Brock Wilkes, Ph.D., leads the Emerging Nonprofit Leaders program as well as the executive and fundraisers coaching programs for Nonprofit Learning Point. She has taught for Nonprofit Learning Point since its inception and received the Instructor of the Year Award in 2009. Susan has also served as a leadership coach with Virginia Healthcare Foundation’s “Leading for the Long Term” program, the University of Virginia’s executive leadership development program, and the Brookings Institute’s Executive Education program. She is the owner of Wilkes Consulting, LLC, a firm specializing in work with nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher education.

An organizational psychologist with extensive experience in leadership and team development, curriculum design, strategic planning and facilitation, Susan has published a number of articles and assessment tools on related topics. She is as an affiliate faculty member in the Department of Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University, where she worked for twenty years prior to founding her own firm.

Susan has served in a variety of leadership roles in the community and on several nonprofit boards. Most recently, she served on he founding leadership committee for Impact 100 Richmond. A Phi Kappa Phi graduate of the doctoral program at Virginia Commonwealth University, Susan also holds an undergraduate degree in psychology, with distinction, and masters’ degree in counseling from the University of Virginia. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Spiritual Director. Susan holds a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and enjoys writing, yoga, hiking and mountain biking with her family.

Stacey Champagne – VCU Work-Study Student

Stacey is a work-study student in collaboration with VCU and Nonprofit Learning Point. She assists in processing class registrations and creating promotional materials for NLP – putting her experience as a Graphic Design major to great use!