Roosevelt University adjunct professor Valerie F. Leonard was recently named to the National Small Business Association (NSBA) Leadership Council. The NSBA is the nation’s oldest small-business advocacy organization and operates on a staunchly nonpartisan basis.
Leonard is the founder of Nonprofit Utopia, LLC in Chicago and teaches in the social entrepreneurship program at the Heller College of Business. She joins the NSBA Leadership Council alongside other small-business advocates from across the country as they work to promote the interests of small business to policymakers in Washington, D.C.
“As a small-business owner, I see daily the importance of being involved and active when it comes to laws and regulation,” stated Leonard. “Joining NSBA’s Leadership Council will enable me to take our collective small-business message to the people that need to hear it most: Congress.” Leonard will participate on the NSBA Economic Development and Tax Policy committees.
An expert in community and organizational development, Leonard has provided technical assistance to more than 900 emerging nonprofit leaders and has helped raise more than $100 million. She is the host and producer of the Nonprofit Utopia Podcast, where she invites nonprofit thought leaders to share lessons learned in the industry.
Leonard joined the NSBA Leadership Council as part of her efforts to tackle the many critical issues facing small business, including tax reform, regulatory restraint, health care costs and how the Affordable Care Act will impact small business. The NSBA Leadership Council is focused on providing valuable networking between small-business advocates from across the country while ensuring small business a seat at the table as Congress and regulators take up key small-business proposals.
“I am proud to have Valerie F. Leonard as part of our Leadership Council,” stated NSBA President and CEO Todd McCracken. “She came to us highly recommended and I look forward to our coordinated efforts for years to come.”
Nonprofit Utopia, LLC is a community for emerging nonprofit leaders who want to take their nonprofit businesses to the next level. Their mission is to develop the next generation of ethical leaders through an online community, coaching, courses and consulting.