RISE IN LIGHT
In seeking to be my authentic self, I hope to help others find their own light.
MATTHEW MONTENEGRO
M.A., Organizational Leadership
EDUCATOR | LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Ubuntu!
As human beings, we share an instinctual desire to be connected, to feel a part of something bigger than ourselves. It is this connection that allows us to build relationships, to collaborate, and build communities. Leadership can be centered on love, and then, service. To love in a leadership context means to love everything as much as capable: to love oneself, to love one's neighbor, to love one's work, and to love one's organization.
MORE ABOUT ME
To the people who saw me...
I've never considered myself to be a leader of any sorts. I was always the shortest one in class, not athletically-gifted, and I lacked the confidence to want to be seen by anyone and everyone. Naturally introverted, I wanted to hide in the background, do well in school, and just get by.
As I got into a high school, this was the first time I was truly seen. A great mentor and dear friend, Frank Ross, sought me out to be a retreat leader. He guided me on my faith journey to be a light for others and instilled in me the importance of building relationship. It is his life and model of teaching that I owe the start of this journey to, his memory will live on.
At the University of San Francisco, I had a class with Professor Irene Duller. From her, I learned about the importance of the intersectionality of race and leadership. She taught me to envision a future brighter than my current reality. To this day, she is my steadfast mentor and dutiful friend.
In the Organizational Leadership Program at Gonzaga University, the inspiration for Rise in Light came from Dr. Shann Ferch. In his book Forgiveness and Power in the Age of Atrocity he writes, "When we rise, we find the light we seek. When we rise, love attends us. We return to beloved relationship as we surrender to that which helps us heal." Thank you, Dr. Ferch, for being transformative on my leadership journey.
It truly takes a village, and I have been blessed to have been surrounded by so much love and light in my life. To my Dad, my guardian angel and the most generous man I have ever known. To my Mom who grounds me every day.
To my mentors: Malu Rivera-Peoples, Patrick Cruz, Tina Fargas-Newell, Sabrina Santilli, MaryAnne Datoc, Fr. Jack Russi, Dr. Allyson Tintiangco-Cubales, Dr. Dawn Bohulano Mabalon, Dr. Arlene Daus-Magbual, Dr. Rod Daus-Magbual, Prof. Claudine del Rosario, Brian Bell, Lamont Quattlebaum, Francine Torres, Virginia Boesen, Lauren Benjamin, Matthew Carroll, Carol Schaffer, Dr. Kem Gambrell, and many more... Thank you!
LEADERSHIP VISION
As a servant-leader, I am committed to the vision of fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and cared for, have the ability to use their voice, and can grow as servant-leaders. In doing so, I seek to create connections that are life-giving, supportive, and nurturing; challenging those that I am serving to love more deeply and to live as their authentic selves. I believe in helping others see the potential in them, rooted in a wholeness of self and leading from a presence that allows for a co-creation of endless possibility. It is this sense of nurturing community that impassions me as a servant-leader in training.
CV
As a servant-leader, I am committed to the vision of fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and cared for, have the ability to use their voice, and can grow as servant-leaders.
SACRED HEART PREPARATORY,
DEAN OF COMMUNITY LIFE,
ATHERTON, CA
August 2011 - Present
Organizing and Leading the execution of Orientation and Registration Week for all transfer students, incoming frosh, and continuing students
Guiding Student Government Leaders in collaborative servant-leadership
Managing Student Activities budget for various Activities including School Dances, Clubs and Activities, Spirit Week, Winter Formal, and Prom
Collaborating with the Student Life Department in the creation and execution of the annual Student Servant Leadership Retreat
Designing and implementing a community-responsive Student Government program, that lead to SEC (Student Executive Council), ASB, and the growth in participants of our Student Life Ambassador Program
Participating in the Admissions Committee, reading applications, conducting interviews for students and parents aiding in the building of the Freshmen class
Overseeing class-level moderators for student government class officers and faculty chaperones for duties and responsibilities with campus activities, and providing constructive feedback
Mentoring and guiding students while being available to meet the needs of the entire student population
WESTLAKE SCHOOL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS,
CO-DIRECTOR URBAN DANCE PROGRAM,
DALY CITY CA
Building ongoing curriculum of Urban Dance program from Beginning to Company-level training
Cultivating a love of dance and respect for the craft
Creating a community of growth for high school dancers
Motivating students to develop a good work ethic, personal ownership, and responsibility
June 2009 - Present
THE COMPANY, URBAN DANCE LLC.,
FOUNDING MEMBER AND FORMER ADMINISTRATOR,
DALY CITY, CA
Produced largest Urban Dance Showcase in Northern California with over 1,000 in attendance and 500 guest performers
Planned logistical travel for the entire company
Managed workshop and audition registration
June 2005 - Present
SERVANT-LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
at Sacred Heart Prep
PURPOSE
The leadership paradigm at Sacred Heart Prep needed to be redesigned. Revisioning a cultivating environment of servant-leaders where students grow their desire to serve the community. What started off as a half-day retreat at the beginning of the year, has now grown into a June and August Summit. The June summit aims to provide workshops and reflection for our rising student leaders in preparation for the work they will do at the start of a new school year. Our August Summit invites all student leaders on campus to help frame our goals and vision for the coming school year.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
The schedule consisted of opening speeches, guided reflection, workshops, meeting in strands, and mixed group reflections. Most importantly, the reason for the summit was centered around building a community of student leaders ready for change and growth.
There is a need for students to begin exploring their ownership and leadership in high school. We need to cultivate spaces for the next generation of servant leaders to grow and shape their vision of the communities they live in.
