Debby Nicklas
Board Member - Lumina Alliance
Candidate Responses:
Please summarize the reasons you are submitting this nomination
My devoted passion to the mission and vision of Lumina Alliance, located in San Luis Obispo County, is what leads me to my interest in serving on the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence Board of Directors. For nearly ten years, I have served in the capacity as a board volunteer and also a staff member. I was drawn to this work because of my strong commitment to women’s equality issues and rights; particularly in the area of female empowerment. My professional career has been as a healthcare executive in the areas of marketing, business development and philanthropy.
I have been involved with Lumina Alliance (formerly RISE) since
2017 when I joined the board. I served as the Board Chair from
2018 to 2021. I also served on the Merger Steering Committee
which resulted in the merger between RISE and Stand Strong in
July 2021. The merger outcome resulted in a combined agency with
a new name, Lumina Alliance – the only nonprofit agency in San
Luis Obispo County serving survivors of sexual and intimate
partner violence. In 2022, I joined the staff at Lumina Alliance
as the interim Chief Philanthropy Officer to help lead the
philanthropic efforts after the merger and implement a new
philanthropy department for the agency. In 2024, I rejoined the
Lumina Alliance board and I am currently guiding the effort to
launch a critical $5 million fundraising campaign – the first
major campaign in the history of the agency. At this time, I am
seeking opportunities to continue my passion to support survivors
and build a community free of domestic
violence. I believe my strengths and experience as a strategic
thinker, consensus builder and collaborator will be an excellent
fit for a Partnership Board position. Beyond Lumina Alliance, I
have an array of experience serving on nonprofit boards as well
as being a staff leader managing boards. I also believe my
experience as both a board and staff member at Lumina Alliance
brings a unique voice to the table. With more than 40 years
experience as a professional focused on healthcare issues,
social
justice and advocacy for the underserved, I would be honored to
join the Board of Directors and support the extremely important
efforts of the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence.
How does this person’s values align with the Partnership, including centering underrepresented voices?
I have a strong commitment to raising the voices of those
underrepresented and underserved in our community. Through my
volunteerism and in my professional life, I have always strived
to lift up those lost voices as an avid community advocate
and
leader. My belief system is rooted in volunteerism and outreach.
Giving your time and talent to help others in the community who
are struggling or need vital resources is extremely important to
me – to make our community a safe and thriving place. Building
coalitions and forging collaborations have also been central
themes in my life. There is so much more we can do together than
apart. I believe strongly in the values of partnership, social
change, and community engagement to improve the lives of others.
I am at my best when I am working with others towards a common
goal. Making a true impact and changing lives for the better for
those impacted by violence, poverty, and injustice is in my DNA.
My volunteer work has centered around domestic violence,
homelessness, women’s health care and children/youth
advocacy. Important to my values, I also seek out positivity,
optimism and creativity in my volunteer and professional
experiences. Describe your participation in the Partnership’s
regional networks, policy committees, peer learning circles and
other components of our Membership community I have not had the
opportunity to participate in the Partnership’s regional networks
but look forward to becoming more involved and active if elected
to the Board of Directors. On a local level, I have led the
efforts to build a strong philanthropic network in San Luis
Obispo County as a founding board member and Past President of
the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) local chapter.
The San Luis Obispo County chapter has grown
steadily in its reach and educational programming for over 10
years due to my leadership and active involvement. We continue to
advance our network through partnerships, scholarships and
promotion of professional development in philanthropy. Also, I am
involved with the Planned Parenthood California Central Coast
region as a volunteer patient greeter and Unstoppable fundraising
campaign member. I continue to forge partnerships with other
non-profits in our community advocating for women’s rights and
empowerment.
Describe your participation in the Partnership’s regional networks, policy committees, peer learning circles and other components of our Membership community.
I look forward to becoming more involved and active in the
Partnership’s regional networks, committees and learning circles
if elected to the Board of Directors. My experience in community
coalitions at a local level in San Luis Obispo County includes my
current board and past staff work at Lumina Alliance, the
only
nonprofit in the county serving survivors of sexual and intimate
partner violence. In addition, I led the efforts to build a
strong philanthropic network in San Luis Obispo County as a
founding board member and Past President of the Association of
Fundraising Professionals (AFP) local chapter. The San Luis
Obispo County chapter has grown steadily in its reach and
educational programming for over 10 years due to my leadership
and active involvement. We continue to advance our network
through partnerships, scholarships, education and promotion of
professional development in philanthropy. Also, I continue to
forge partnerships with other nonprofits in our community
advocating for women’s rights and empowerment such as my
involvement with Planned Parenthood California Central Coast
region.
Describe your skills, experience or interests that can benefit, strengthen or increase capacity of the Board.
With more than 40 years of nonprofit management experience and 20
of those years in philanthropy, I have a strong skill set in
fundraising, strategic planning and communications/marketing. In
today’s chaotic and fragile environment, it is essential for the
Partnership Board to have directors who understand strategic
vision, donor engagement, public advocacy, and capacity building.
With my professional background and volunteer experiences, I am
well-suited to bring strong strategic thinking and expert
philanthropy skills to the board. Some of my past work
experiences include leading the strategic planning/marketing
efforts at a nonprofit hospital in Los Angeles for 13 years and
leading the philanthropic efforts for the French Hospital Medical
Center Foundation in San Luis Obispo for 18 years.
I have been involved with Lumina Alliance (formerly RISE) since
2017 when I joined the board. I served as the Board Chair from
2018 to 2021. I also served on the Merger Committee which
resulted in the merger between RISE and Stand Strong in July
2021. This outcome resulted in a combined agency with a new name,
Lumina Alliance. In 2022, I joined the staff at Lumina Alliance
as the interim Chief Philanthropy Officer to help implement a new
philanthropy department for the agency. In 2024, I rejoined the
Lumina Alliance board and I am currently guiding the effort to
launch a critical $5 million fundraising campaign – the first
major campaign in the agency’s history.
What does leadership mean to you? How do you demonstrate
leadership?
Several words come to mind when I think of what leadership
means to me – Vision, Inspiration, Creativity and Support.
Leaders need to be creative communicators who can inspire
others to join in a future vision together. Leaders need to
embrace change and guide others to believe in themselves and
the success of the organization. Leaders support their staff by
being responsive, providing helpful feedback, and, above all,
embracing kindness. Other leadership skills include empowering
others, excelling in collaboration/negotiation and being
experts in problem solving, idea generation and resource
development. I have demonstrated leadership throughout my
career through effective team building,
strong communication skills, and nurturing others. Building a
team together to make a positive impact is the key to
successful leadership.
Describe how your relationships can enhance the work of the Partnership and the Board (for example, with policy-makers, media outlets, culturally specific communities, and the broader community). Tell us how you intend to cultivate those relationships on behalf of the Partnership.
My extensive professional and volunteer experience in San Luis
Obispo County has helped me establish significant relationships
with community partners, business leaders, nonprofit leaders,
policy makers and donors. I am currently an active
member/volunteer with Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo de Tolosa,
San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce, Association of Fundraising
Professionals San Luis Obispo County Chapter, Lumina Alliance,
Planned Parenthood California Central Coast which covers three
counties, Spokes for Nonprofits, and Humankind Fair Trade. In the
past, I have been appointed to the Promotional Coordinating
Committee for the City of San Luis Obispo and the San Luis Obispo
County Homelessness Task Force
as well as serving on the American Heart Association Board and
Friends of Prado Day Center Board (homeless shelter). In my role
as the media spokesperson for French Hospital, I have developed
positive relationships with the local media. Also, while at
French Hospital, I was the Policy Advocate Representative
building relationships with local and state legislative leaders.
In 2002, I was enormously proud to receive the prestigious
Citizen of the Year Award from the San Luis Obispo Chamber of
Commerce. Through these experiences, I have built and nurtured
well rounded relationships, representing many facets of the
community, which I will continue to cultivate, leverage and draw
upon in my work with the Partnership Board.
