By now, many of you have heard about the sudden and unexpected passing of Steve Damiano, the Support Center's Director of Professional Development. While his family, friends, and colleagues mourn his passing, the loss extends far beyond those closest to him, leaving a large hole in our sector and our world.
Steve successfully led the Professional Development effort here at the Support Center's since March of 2003 -- except for a brief journey to Los Angeles in 2008 to direct the Education Division of the Center for Nonprofit Management there. In his role here at the Support Center, Steve planned and managed hundreds of workshops, serving thousands of nonprofit professionals each year. He dedicated his life to important nonprofit causes, serving as Vice President at MZA Events/AIDS Walk from 1991 - 2003. In that role he managed AIDS Walk Los Angeles and AIDS Walk New York, helping raise money and resources for the cause in these cities. He continued his commitment to the cause, volunteering at AIDS Walks after he came over to the Support Center.
Here at the Support Center, Steve worked tirelessly to insure that the broadest range of workshops were available to professionals in our sector, nimbly creating learning opportunities that responded to the ever-changing environment we work within. Steve was determined to keep Support Center workshops affordable and accessible to everyone who wanted to learn and grow and, thus, he pursued a host of funding sources -- government, foundation, and corporate -- to encourage donations for scholarship subsidies for those who did not have the resources to enroll.
Steve did all of his work in a quiet, understated way. Unassuming and down to earth in his approach, he earned the respect of his colleagues here and on the other side of the country. At work, no job was too big or too small. In a world where much of the focus is on "getting," Steve Damiano was all about giving. We celebrate his life and his spirit of generosity -- he will be sorely missed.
Don Crocker,
Executive Director/CEO
|