Building Organizational Strength: KOSD Plans for Sustainable Leadership

Featuring Karen Organization of San Diego

The Karen Organization of San Diego (KOSD) plays a vital role in supporting refugees from Burma (Myanmar), serving more than 800 community members each year through programs that promote education, civic engagement, and economic opportunity—while honoring cultural heritage.

When KOSD’s Executive Director Nao Kabashima was awarded a sabbatical by the Clare Rose Foundation, the organization turned to SVP for support in preparing for this important leadership transition. With a focus on Human Resources, Leadership Development, and Operations, the SVP team helped KOSD strengthen internal systems and prepare staff for new levels of responsibility.

SVP Partners Ivy Gordon (Lead), Ami Curtis, and Ellen Kane worked closely with KOSD leadership to define the skills and responsibilities needed for key roles, ensuring continuity and confidence in the organization’s future. The team helped implement a knowledge management system, build out an evolving organizational structure—including the creation of a new Operations Manager role—and develop a succession plan to guide leadership through the transition.

“Our SVP team and consultants supported us with their extensive knowledge, experiences, and thoughtful intention to support us grow with authenticity and inclusivity. They spent a lot of time to get to know us and deeply understand our organizational culture and our long-term vision to make our organizational structure changes.” - Nao Kabashima, Executive Director

Thanks to this engagement, KOSD is well-positioned to navigate Kabashima's upcoming sabbatical with strength and stability—and to continue empowering the Burmese refugee community with compassion and vision.