PRIDE Director Lorena Pinto Honored as Emerging Nonprofit Leader
Congratulations to Lorena Pinto, Director of The Family Partnership PRIDE program, for receiving the Catalytic Leader Award from the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits.
This award recognizes Lorena for her work advocating for programs and policies to end gender-based violence, and for creating a lasting impact in our community.
In receiving the award, Lorena recognized the contributions of both her PRIDE (Promoting Recovery, Independence, Dignity and Equality) staff, and the sex-trafficking survivors whose “voice” she represents.
“I’ve had the opportunity to shape, build and mold, and ultimately invest in an amazing team in PRIDE,” she said. “As a leader, I am someone who stands behind a survivor and gives them the space to share their knowledge and expertise.”
Shifting community perceptions of sex trafficking:
Lorena works side by side with program staff doing outreach to those experiencing sex trafficking on the Lake Street corridor. She works to shift community perceptions of sex trafficked individuals from being seen as sources of crime and trouble to being viewed as neighbors who need the community’s assistance and support. Lorena has provided training to over 1,500 community members including law enforcement and service providers and strengthened relationships with community partners including Hennepin County, law enforcement and neighborhood associations.
A triple-threat in leadership:
Lorena has passion and deep expertise in her work, but will also roll up her sleeves to get things done. That is the mark of an exceptional leader.
Molly Greenman, President & CEO, The Family Partnership.
Helping diversity leadership:
Lorena not only empowers her staff at PRIDE to grow in their positions, she serves as co-director of the Twin Cities chapter of the New Leaders Council – an organization that helps equip leaders of color with the skills to run for office, manage campaigns, create start-ups and network with other thought leaders.