Application Guide

How to Apply for Director of Statewide Organizing

at California Perinatal Wellness Alliance (CPWA)

🏢 About California Perinatal Wellness Alliance (CPWA)

CPWA is a survivor- and community-led coalition that is transforming California's perinatal mental health landscape through policy change, storytelling, and grassroots movement-building. Working here means joining a passionate, mission-driven team that centers lived experience and wellness in all aspects of its work.

About This Role

As the Director of Statewide Organizing, you will be the architect of CPWA's community engagement and coalition-building efforts, turning strategy into action across California. This role is impactful because it directly strengthens the voices of perinatal mental health survivors and providers, shaping systems that support families statewide.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a virtual check-in with your team to align on priorities, followed by a Zoom meeting with a regional partner to plan a training or listening session. Later, you might review the implementation plan for an upcoming Advocacy Day, support a consultant in developing facilitation materials, and end the day by drafting a monthly newsletter to coalition members.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who California Perinatal Wellness Alliance (CPWA) Is Looking For

  • A seasoned organizer with 7+ years in nonprofit leadership, coalition building, or public health advocacy, ideally within maternal health or mental health.
  • A strategic relationship-builder who can cultivate trust with diverse partners and identify emerging regional leaders to expand CPWA's reach.
  • A detail-oriented project manager who can juggle multiple workstreams—from convenings to advocacy days—while maintaining a wellness-centered team culture.
  • A compassionate supervisor who excels at mentoring staff and volunteers, fostering collaboration, and promoting work-life balance.

📝 Tips for Applying to California Perinatal Wellness Alliance (CPWA)

1

Tailor your resume to highlight specific examples of coalition building and statewide organizing, quantifying your achievements (e.g., 'grew coalition from 20 to 100+ partners').

2

In your cover letter, explicitly mention your experience with perinatal mental health, maternal health, or related issues, and your alignment with CPWA's survivor-led, community-centered approach.

3

Showcase your project management skills by describing a complex event or campaign you led, including how you managed timelines, stakeholders, and follow-through.

4

Research CPWA's recent policy wins and campaigns (e.g., SB 733) and weave them into your application to demonstrate genuine interest and preparation.

5

Since the role is remote and wellness-centered, emphasize your ability to work independently, communicate proactively, and support team well-being in a virtual environment.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your passion for perinatal mental health and your understanding of the systemic barriers faced by families in California.', "Your proven track record in building and sustaining coalitions, with specific examples of how you've engaged diverse stakeholders and fostered regional leadership.", 'Your supervisory experience and your approach to creating a collaborative, wellness-centered team culture.', 'Your strategic thinking and ability to translate big-picture goals into actionable annual plans and quarterly priorities.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review CPWA's website and recent annual reports to understand their strategic priorities, current campaigns, and coalition structure.
  • → Look into California's perinatal mental health landscape, including key legislation (e.g., SB 733, AB 133) and the state's Maternal Mental Health Task Force.
  • → Read CPWA's blog or news section to see their storytelling approach and how they amplify survivor voices.
  • → Check CPWA's social media (Twitter, Instagram) to gauge their tone and current initiatives, and to see if they've recently highlighted the Director of Statewide Organizing role.
Visit California Perinatal Wellness Alliance (CPWA)'s Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a time you organized a large-scale event or campaign. How did you manage logistics, partnerships, and outcomes?
2 How would you approach developing regional leadership within CPWA's coalition? What strategies would you use to engage partners in underserved areas?
3 Given the remote nature of the role, how would you foster a wellness-centered team culture and maintain strong communication with staff and volunteers?
4 What is your experience with perinatal mental health or related advocacy? How does that inform your approach to this role?
5 How do you prioritize competing demands when implementing annual plans and quarterly goals? Can you give an example?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using a generic cover letter that doesn't reference CPWA or the specific role—this signals a lack of genuine interest.
  • Overemphasizing clinical or healthcare experience without demonstrating organizing or coalition-building skills, which are central to this role.
  • Failing to show understanding of or alignment with CPWA's survivor-led, community-centered values, especially regarding wellness and equity.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to California Perinatal Wellness Alliance (CPWA)!

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