Experience

WE ADVANCE

• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Co-Founder, Executive/Country Director

  • Oct 2010 - Present

  Start up NGO in Haiti called WE ADVANCE serving as an advocate for women and children living in the largest and poorest slum in the western hemisphere in addition to all women throughout the country. Serving as country director, executive director, logistics, program developer and implementation; within one year we opened a medical and mental health clinic serving on average 150 patients daily. We started an English school, children's safe space and learning center. Held regular meetings for local community leaders. Developed a community empowerment program available to both women and men teaching topics ranging from first aid to gender roles and civics. This train the trainer model enabled us to hire 20 community residents reaching over 2,000 residents within the first year. Furthermore, I traveled as part of the Haitian diplomats to the United States advocating that funding be allocated to proven women's groups and programs. We initiated the Gender Champions program in the Clinton Global Initiative program operating in Haiti and have started a master website for women to connect women in Haiti needing services and advice. Early on after the earthquake of January 10, 2010 my largest challenge was to have many female NGOs already operating in Haiti to sit together and develop a plan for the country in which we could all participate in within our perspective expertise. We were able to secure donations of phones, flash lights and medical supplies for women agents secretly working in IDP camps to assist victims of violence and rape. The working theory behind creating this NGO was FACT that there were already plenty of Haitian women doing awesome work on the ground but had little exposure to the public and were unable to access funds going to larger NGOs. Our goal is to build capacity from a community grassroots level to governmental levels by securing funding, education getting women elected in all positions from local communities to upper management.


Independent Project with Maria Bello Artists for Peace and Justice
• Consultant

  • Sep 2010 - Jan 2011


J/P Haitian Relief Organization

• United States
• Non-profit Organization Management
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Executive Administrative Officer

  • Feb 2010 - Sep 2010

  Managed staff overseeing IDP camp with 55,000 residents. Assisted the Country Director ("CD") in the strategic planning of overall country programs, ensuring monitoring systems are in place and evaluations of projects and programs both internal and external are carried out. Implemented effective information management structures and systems to enable J/P HRO to accurately assess risk both internal and external. Attended and participate in performance management meetings, J/P HRO staff meetings, UN camp managers meetings and other UN and NGO meetings as requested by the CD. Supported relevant section heads in developing and managing partnerships that support the achievement of J/P HRO's strategic objectives as appropriate. Developed strong relationships with the Government of Haiti and United States Military. Provided written reports on progress to goals in a timely and professional manner. Ensure that narrative, statistical and financial reports to donors, ministry departments and others are delivered on time and to an acceptable standard. Supported in the formulation of strategic and policy decisions related to the design, development, implementation and evaluation of J/P HRO's regular and civilian protection programs. Responsible for procurement of all supplies and dealings with customs issues. Supervise all in house staff members and volunteers. Assisted in developing and spearheaded the protection assessment of an IDP camp. Evaluated data collected by focus groups and implemented reporting and referral mechanisms.



Captain Barry's Back Bay Cruises

• Co-Owner

  • Jan 1997 - Jan 2009

  Spearheaded the organizational management and business development of an eco tour business. Restructured administration with improved operations resulting in boosting annual revenues by 50% within 3 years. Responsibilities included office manager, bookkeeper, and supervisor of all office personnel. Conducted environmental and eco friendly cruises. Lectured on issues affecting eco systems and environmental changes created multimedia advertisements including publishing brochures, radio, print media and giving requested interviews to various travel associating such as Virginia Tourism Association, Lonely Planet, Frommer's, Family Magazine and the Washington Post.



ASIAN PACIFIC FORUM

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Legal Volunteer

  • Jun 2007 - Jul 2007

  Assisted the Regional Coordinator drafting operation manual for organizational structure and policy procedures. Reviewed/evaluated mission statement, constitution, policy, and by-laws. Reviewed and updated grievance procedures and employment policies. Developed reporting mechanism for various programs. Created regulation and procedural standards generating conformity within multifaceted programs comprised of 150 members in 23 countries, engendering organizations vision for future projects. Assisted the Regional Coordinator drafting operation manual for organizational structure and policy procedures. Reviewed/evaluated mission statement, constitution, policy, and by-laws. Reviewed and updated grievance procedures and employment policies. Developed reporting mechanism for various programs. Created regulation and procedural standards generating conformity within multifaceted programs comprised of 150 members in 23 countries, engendering organizations vision for future projects.



GLOBAL JUSTICE CENTER/ Women

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Law Intern

  • May 2006 - May 2007

  Sole responsibility for creating and implementing a six-week leadership training program for exiled Burmese women. Coordinated 5 instructors, developed syllabi, and provided instruction in democracy building, international human rights law, women's rights, feminist theory and advocacy. Researched global female political participation, strategies employed to increase participation, constitutional gender quotas and developed provisions for the proposed Association of Southeast Asian Nations' Charter concerning human rights. Created power point presentations documenting jurisprudence developments of rape as genocide. Lectured to audiences of over 40 participants on international legal mechanisms available to victims, legal standing within the International Criminal Court, universal jurisdiction and tribunals in training workshops. Assisted guest lecturers with presentations on federalism/electoral systems, constitutional quotas for gender quality and interviewing techniques legally documenting violations of human rights.



Parents for Custodial Rights

• Legal Assistance Support Coordinator

  • Jan 2000 - Sep 2000

  Under the supervision of pro bono attorneys, led efforts to assist pro se mothers involved in custody disputes and lobby for non-custodial parents' rights. Drafted and filed motions ranging from restraining order requests to custody agreement modifications, motions to produce, interrogatories, and other discovery documentation. Facilitated organization of a demonstration on Capitol Hill entitled "R.O.C.K." Wrote speeches, proposed legislation, and consulted with Congressional representatives. Under the supervision of pro bono attorneys, led efforts to assist pro se mothers involved in custody disputes and lobby for non-custodial parents' rights. Drafted and filed motions ranging from restraining order requests to custody agreement modifications, motions to produce, interrogatories, and other discovery documentation. Facilitated organization of a demonstration on Capitol Hill entitled "R.O.C.K." Wrote speeches, proposed legislation, and consulted with Congressional representatives.



JUDITH AYERS TITLE SEARCH

• Title Researcher

  • Jan 1995 - Jan 1997

  Researched chains of title on residential, commercial and governmental properties in three counties and two states. Researched chains of title on residential, commercial and governmental properties in three counties and two states.



SHORE MEMORIAL ACUTE CARE FACILITY

• Charge Nurse

  • Jan 1992 - Jan 1994

  Conducted full range of nursing duties and patient care. Supervised a minimum of seven nurses and nursing assistants. Reviewed and maintained patient medial records, assisted physicians, transcribed/implemented medical orders, facilitated communication as liaison between patients, patients' families and treating physicians. Conducted full range of nursing duties and patient care. Supervised a minimum of seven nurses and nursing assistants. Reviewed and maintained patient medial records, assisted physicians, transcribed/implemented medical orders, facilitated communication as liaison between patients, patients' families and treating physicians.



CLAIM TEMPS, INC & MARYLAND AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE FUND

• Claims Representative

  • Jan 1987 - Jan 1990

  Conducted investigations, witness interviews, document analysis, scene analysis, determined liability, and negotiated settlements. Testified in court. Worked directly with staff attorneys. Produced written settlement summaries. Worked with various insurance companies handling claims involving property damage, bodily injury, personal injury protection, fraud, medical malpractice, and product liability. Conducted investigations, witness interviews, document analysis, scene analysis, determined liability, and negotiated settlements. Testified in court. Worked directly with staff attorneys. Produced written settlement summaries. Worked with various insurance companies handling claims involving property damage, bodily injury, personal injury protection, fraud, medical malpractice, and product liability.