Experience

Muskegon Area ISD

• United States
• Education Administration Programs
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Coordinator for the Great Start Collaborative of Muskegon County

  • Oct 2017 - Present

  Direct community efforts to improve early childhood outcomes from birth to third grade, including child and maternal health, social and emotional wellbeing, early childhood development and early literacy. Raise funds, manage state grants, write grant applications and report to funders. Create and facilitate early literacy events and training for community members and service providers. Recruit, train, and manage volunteers to serve as trusted messengers for early literacy, and early childhood advocacy. Engage community partners, educators, families, and local leaders in systems change work. Facilitate collaborative meetings and workgroups. Network and contract with local agencies and businesses. Maintain and update websites and social media. Write and distribute e-newsletter. Oversee the Parent Liaison and work of the Great Start Parent Coalition. Excel at building trust with community partners. Execute strength-based leadership style that empowers others to lead and seeks to meet local needs across a diverse county with innovative, and culturally appropriate responses. Collect and analyze data to inform continuous action learning. Facilitate Racial Equity Leaders Cohort. Show less



Muskegon Area District Library

• United States
• Libraries
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Early Literacy Coordinator

  • Jan 2009 - Oct 2017

  Doubled weekly participation and added new early literacy programs. Added outreach to increase service to area Elementary, Head Start, Great Start, and Early On classes. Facilitated teamwork and empowered others for effective program planning. Recruited participants, and promoted programs through networking, newsletters, news media, and social media. Instituted the use of data base for communicating with patrons and supporters. Networked with local businesses to add resources and specialized content. Wrote proposals to fund new children’s programming. Facilitated reading programs at 10 locations yearly for 1000 participants. Coordinated the production of three commercials and appeared in one. Represented the organization as a public speaker, and as a recognizable face of the District Library on signage and other advertising. Provided training for daycare providers and preschool teachers. Show less



Habitat for Humanity of Kent County

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

• Associate Director

  • Mar 1993 - Oct 1999

  Advanced through three positions: Volunteer Coordinator, Homeownership Coordinator, and Associate Director. Collaborated with the Board of Directors and Executive Director to create growth plans and implement a team-based management system. Solicited businesses, churches, and individuals to sponsor the construction of 50 homes with both funds and volunteer labor. Recruited, placed, and managed 250-400 volunteers a year. Interviewed, and assisted in the hiring and supervision of personnel. Represented agency to press. Promoted mission as a public speaker. Obtained thousands of dollars in funding with successful grant writing. Wrote and designed a monthly newsletter. Managed supporter database. Cooperated with local social service agencies to increase homeownership opportunities and owner readiness among low-income households. Interviewed homebuyer applicants and lead the selection committee to choose program participants. Developed and facilitated homeownership training and delinquency intervention programs for 100 low-income adults. Show less



U.S. PEACE CORPS

• Philanthropy
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Teacher, Trainer and Community Development Organizer

  • Jun 1990 - Sep 1992

  Developed and conducted cross-cultural and technical training for new Peace Corps Volunteers. Taught classes in English as a Second Language and Music, grades 1-7. Wrote grant proposals to fund the construction and establishment of a school library. Solicited book donations. Obtained funding and organized a cultural exchange trip. Wrote grant proposal to obtain funding for solar energy systems to meet village lighting needs. Mobilized the community to study technology, participate in funding, and install solar systems. Arranged community training. Wrote and translated solar users’ manual. Built trust by respecting and learning customs, and listening to local priorities. Show less