Experience

American Association of Geographers

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

• Chief Operations Officer

  • Sep 2019 - Present

• Director Of Operations

  • Jul 2016 - Aug 2019

• Deputy Director Of Operations

  • Apr 2012 - Jun 2016

  Report to Executive Director and lead operations for this $12M academic membership association serving 12,000 members.MANAGERIAL• Maintain positive staff morale and achieve efficient workflows by leading staff teams, prioritizing work assignments and coordinating day-to-day activities.• Promote the use of geospatial tools and analysis by managing complex, externally funded grants in developing countries worldwide (annual budgets ranging from $1.8 to $3+M).• Promote geography (the AAG’s core mission) by building relationships with international partners in governmental, NGO, academic, and private sectors.• Increase contributions by cultivating relationships with external donors, sponsors, and partners.EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS• Reflect the interests of the Governing Council and the Executive Director when setting the agenda and reviewing the draft minutes for the semi-annual Council meetings.• Serve AAG’s long range plan goals by supporting the Executive Director in execution of strategic projects and key initiatives.• Enable the Governing Council to influence the association’s direction by guiding staff in the implementation of new initiatives.• Promote a culture of diversity, inclusiveness and recognition by overseeing the AAG’s extensive honors and awards program.• Support leadership development for AAG members by coordinating over 20 volunteer committees in their service to the AAG.EVENT MANAGEMENT• Promote the AAG by facilitating conferences, meetings, and workshops worldwide.• Promote the visibility of geography by organizing keynote events with renowned guests such as Jane Goodall, Mary Robinson, Noam Chomsky, Nicholas Kristof and others at annual conference of over 9,000 attendees.



Candida's World of Books, LLC

• Washington D.C. Metro Area

• Owner

  • Apr 2001 - Apr 2008

  Founded, owned and ran an international, travel bookstore in Washington, DC which successfully served the region’s multilingual and multicultural community. • Laid the groundwork for this new venture by developing the business concept, carrying out a market analysis, writing the business plan, securing funding and contracting a retail location. • Successfully served DC’s multilingual and multicultural community by offering thousands of titles personally selected from hundreds of U.S. and international publishers. • Grew clientele and store recognition through author appearances, special events, and media appearances (WAMU’s Kojo Nnamdi Show, NY Times Style Section, Delta In-Flight Magazine, etc.).



Institute of International Education

• United States
• Non-profit Organization Management
• 500 - 600 Employee

• Program Officer

  • Apr 1998 - Apr 2001

  Managed two complex, USAID-funded, international development programs with annual budgets ranging from $500K -$800K at one of the U.S.’ oldest educational non-profit organizations. • Ensured a diverse participant pool by designing and implementing a nationwide outreach effort, and an impartial applicant review and selection process. • Facilitated smooth program cycles and seamless participant experiences by effectively advising hundreds of U.S. applicants, managing accepted participants in their overseas assignments, and communicating with program alumni after their return. • Created first tangible program products: published case study book and an alumni directory. • Secured additional program cycles by submitting successful proposals, but also by complying with USAID’s contractual, reporting and procurement requirements.



ZZIP Communication, Ltd.

• Olomouc, Czech Republic

• Production Manager

  • Apr 1994 - Oct 1997

  • Produced daily regional news, sports, and documentary reports. • Directed personnel, managed operations, prioritized work assignments among teams. • Prepared ZZIP Communication for regional broadcasting on its own license. • Produced 12-part TV series on the Japanese economy aired on Czech National Television. • Produced daily regional news, sports, and documentary reports. • Directed personnel, managed operations, prioritized work assignments among teams. • Prepared ZZIP Communication for regional broadcasting on its own license. • Produced 12-part TV series on the Japanese economy aired on Czech National Television.



EastWest Institute

• United States
• Think Tanks
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Conference Coordinator

  • Aug 1993 - Apr 1994

  Supported exchanges between U.S., Western and Central European academics and politicians • Coordinated international conferences held by the European Studies Center (ESC). • Facilitated discussions on economic transition and social and political transformation among Central and Eastern European political and academic leaders in forums with U.S. counterparts. • Created ESC’s first database. Supported exchanges between U.S., Western and Central European academics and politicians • Coordinated international conferences held by the European Studies Center (ESC). • Facilitated discussions on economic transition and social and political transformation among Central and Eastern European political and academic leaders in forums with U.S. counterparts. • Created ESC’s first database.



Palacký University Olomouc

• Czechia
• Higher Education
• 400 - 500 Employee

• Assistant to the President on International Programs

  • Sep 1990 - Jul 1992

  Developed first connections to U.S. and Western European opportunities after the fall of the Berlin Wall • Administered academic exchange programs with Western European and U.S. universities and counseled students seeking academic experiences in the U.S. or Europe. • Created a campus resource center on scholarships, grants, and other opportunities. • Acted as campus liaison for visiting U.S. and Western European professors and lecturers. • Launched an Italian Section which was officially recognized by the Italian Ministry of Education.