Gillani Named Trust Fellow
 

January 27, 2009, Chicago - The Chicago Community Trust, metropolitan Chicago's community foundation, today named eight Trust Fellows - five emerging leaders and three experienced leaders - for 2009. All Fellows were selected for their demonstrated leadership and commitment to their field. The new class of Fellows are leading organizations spanning the not-for-profit sector that include education, housing, science and theater. The Trust Fellowship is a significant investment in the leadership talent for not-for-profit organizations and supports excellence in the sector. The experienced leaders receive up to $60,000 and emerging leaders receive up to $30,000 to fund their professional development plans. The Fellowship is designed to elevate the careers of Chicago leaders and increase their future impact on the Chicago metropolitan area.

"At this time in history when Chicago is showcasing its talent and innovation to the world in so many fields, each of these Trust Fellows represents our next generation of not-for-profit leadership," says Terry Mazany, president and chief executive officer of the Trust. "Each Fellow has enormous talent and potential in his or her field. We are excited to see the leadership that they bring to their field and to the Chicago metropolitan area."

All were selected for their creativity, originality, and potential to make important contributions in the future. The Trust Fellowship offers the opportunity for Fellows to take a leave from work or continue to work while engaging in professional development activities. The Fellowship provides financial resources which can cover current salary and benefits for time off, costs related to academic courses, coaching, learning from other practitioners and other associated expenses.

Gillani will be using his Fellowship Award to explore how successful theatres of color have stayed afloat and flourished amidst challenging circumstances. He will also analyze the contributions these theatres have made to the cultural landscapes of their respective communities. To do so, he will visit four such theatres of color across the US and observe their operations. Gillani will also seek mentoring from the Executive Directors of these organizations focusing on strategies for deepening relationships with audiences, supporters, and funders. In addition, he will take coursework focused on non profit management at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. At the end of his one year Fellowship, Gillani will have increased his knowledge set, expanded his network within the industry, and developed a road map for how best to apply his new assets to strengthening Silk Road Theatre Project.

Responding to news about the award, Gillani said "I am so honored to have the support of the Chicago Community Trust in developing my skills so that I can continue to contribute to Chicago's arts and culture scene. It has been a personal mission to create opportunities for artists and administrators of Asian, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean backgrounds. Silk Road communities in greater Chicago number over 1.5 million people; it is my hope to continue providing our communities a voice through Silk Road Theatre Project. Chicago theatre benefits enormously from representation that is authentic and grounded in the communities that constitute our great city. The Emerging Leader Fellowship affords me the resources needed to develop important relationships and strengthen my knowledge base in order to better fulfill what I believe to be my civic duty and calling."

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