Experience

Variety the Children's Charity

• Nonprofit Organization Management
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief Executive Officer

  • May 2012 - Present

  - Direct programs and strategies to impact children with disabilities in the areas of mobility, communication, socialization, and typical childhood experiences. - Create and articulate vision, raise visibility of the organization, enhance organizational reputation and credibility, raise funds and manage financial resources effectively. - Inspire community leaders and stakeholders in 50 counties throughout Pa. and West Virginia to mobilize in order to prioritize children with disabilities. - Establish ongoing partnerships including executives from for-profit corporations, hospitals, health systems, health insurers, civic / educational organizations, as well as elected officials ranging from the Governor to County Commissioners. - Develop and launch a strategic initiative which can be replicated throughout Pennsylvania and the nation. - Create and implement marketing and public relations strategies, which include: generating significant media coverage, inspiring the community to act through community presentations, serving as spokesperson for the media, and creating branding and marketing materials. - Manage staff's and day-to-day activities to ensure organization has a solid operational foundation. Show less



Homeless Children's Education Fund

• United States
• Education Administration Programs
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director, Homeless Education Network

  • Mar 2010 - May 2012

  Developed and implemented the Homeless Education Network to address the educational issues of children and youth who are homeless including school enrollment, attendance, and academic success. Interfaced with key stakeholders from government, schools, shelters, businesses, law enforcement, and the media. Established emerging best practices for the region and a model for the nation. Planned and executed Summits to inform and inspire community stakeholders. Gained funding for the Homeless Education Network from both public and private sectors. Show less

• Systems Network Advocate

  • Aug 2009 - Mar 2010

  Directed initiatives to generate awareness of the educational needs of homeless children and to create innovative strategies to address these needs. Secured commitment from key stakeholders to move from an informal network to a formal collaborative effort.



Children's Advocacy Center of Erie County

• United States
• Individual and Family Services

• Executive Director

  • Oct 2007 - Jul 2009

  Provided overall management and administration of the organization including all programs, general operations, fund raising including grant writing, annual campaign and special events, financial development, personnel and fiscal management, public relations and policy planning, in keeping with the center's mission. goals, and vision. Directed a multi-year, approximately $1 million federal grant from the United States Department of Justice. Worked collaboratively with Board of Directors. Provided overall management and administration of the organization including all programs, general operations, fund raising including grant writing, annual campaign and special events, financial development, personnel and fiscal management, public relations and policy planning, in keeping with the center's mission. goals, and vision. Directed a multi-year, approximately $1 million federal grant from the United States Department of Justice. Worked collaboratively with Board of Directors.



Myasthenia Gravis Association

• United States
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Executive Director

  • Feb 2007 - Oct 2007

  Responsible for directing all aspects of the organization including strategic planning, fund raising including grant writing, annual campaign and special events, program development, oversight of treatment center, and creation and maintenance of community partnerships, marketing, development and monitoring of budget, management of staff and coordination of volunteers, as well as working effectively with volunteer Board of Directors. Responsible for directing all aspects of the organization including strategic planning, fund raising including grant writing, annual campaign and special events, program development, oversight of treatment center, and creation and maintenance of community partnerships, marketing, development and monitoring of budget, management of staff and coordination of volunteers, as well as working effectively with volunteer Board of Directors.


Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
• United States
• Insurance
• 300 - 400 Employee
• Vice-President

  • 1996 - 2005


Highmark Caring Foundation

• Executive Director

  • 1991 - 2005

  Created, expanded, and replicated programs for uninsured children, grieving children, and children with special healthcare needs: Caring Program for Children - first private sector program in the nation for uninsured children from low-income families; served as the model for the Children's Health Insurance Program in Pennsylvania and the nation. Highmark Caring Place, A Center for Grieving Children, Adolescents, and Their Families - one of the largest programs in the nation providing programs for children and families grieving the death of a loved one. Caring Program: Care Coordination for Children with Special Health Care Needs - innovative program which stressed the care coordination model as the key to insuring quality care and appropriate services for children with special needs and their families. Show less



Shadyside Presbyterian Church

• United States
• Religious Institutions
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Parish Assistant and Campus Worker

  • 1976 - 1985

  Managed and coordinated church programs. Created and taught seminars for adult education programming as well as college students. Managed and coordinated church programs. Created and taught seminars for adult education programming as well as college students.