Executive Director and CEO

• Jul 2020 - Present

Personal Mission in ActionSights for Hope transforms the lives of people with permanent visual impairments in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley and Monroe County areas by removing the barriers to their independence and success. Sights for Hope, known previously as Center for Vision Loss, provides skills, supports, and solutions that advance self-sufficiency. Its services include life skills education programs; a guided transport service that advances access to medical care, food supplies, transformative programming, and other essentials; life-changing assistive technologies; and vision screenings for pre-kindergarten children (ages 0-6) that advance school readiness. Key Results 2018-Present• Achieved the maximum four-star rating from Charity Navigator, the world’s most utilized nonprofit evaluator, and earned three straight platinum seals for transparency through the GuideStar platform.• Created the organization's four Big Impact Goals for 2022 to 2030 and its 2022-2025 Strategic Plan. • Achieved a 30% growth in client population from July 2020-June 2023.• Developed the Focused Futures program to leverage regional partnerships to provide children ages 0-6 with eye exams and glasses.• Established and led the effort to change the organization’s name in 2021 to Sights for Hope and implemented the largest promotional campaign in the organization’s modern history.• Earned more than $308,000 in Employee Retention Credit (ERC) income from the IRS.• Increased privately-contributed revenue by 63% from July 2018-June 2023.• Directed efforts to earn more than $1 million in private grants over five years and secured $636,000 of that funding individually.• Increased staff retention rate from 77% to 96% in three years.• Expanded the organization's full-time staff from 6 to 11 positions; raised all wages for competitiveness; and promoted 9 employees, all of whom were women and 5 of whom were people of color. Show less

Associate Director and Director of Advancement

• Mar 2019 - Jun 2020

Director of Development

• Feb 2018 - Mar 2019

President and Owner

• Aug 2013 - Present

Personal Mission in Action My work on additional projects through EmpowerStar Enterprises connects companies and organizations that have powerful missions with opportunities to present themselves professionally and effectively. My longest-tenured client is the founding partner of the Emmy award-winning What’s So Cool About Manufacturing® initiative, which features student video contests designed to promote advanced manufacturing careers to future workforce members. Key Results • Achieved seven (7) consecutive years of profitability through 2022. • Managed digital voting for 77 regional contests throughout Pennsylvania since 2014, and have served as an advisor for the contests, directed by the Manufacturers Resource Center (MRC) in Allentown, PA. • Operated company on a full-time basis in 2017. Show less

Chief Marketer and Leadership Team Member

• Dec 2014 - Feb 2017

Personal Vision and Mission in ActionThe greatest impact of my work with the Da Vinci Science Center was the creation and implementation of an effective brand persona – including the slogan Open for ExSCIting Possibilities – of a national award-wining organization that advances enthusiasm for science’s playful fun; its awe-inspiring impact on everyday lives; and its transformative career opportunities for people from all circumstances, including those from underserved populations.Key Results• Played an integral role in the organization’s well-documented success from 2011-2016 – including a 73% growth in annual visitation and participation.• Developed and directed Ice Cream Wars – an annual liquid nitrogen ice cream flavor competition that has become a popular event for families – that was the organization's signature event over nine years.• Created and Co-produced the popular Up and Atom Science series of segments on WFMZ 69 News at Sunrise over six years. • Enhanced and influenced fundraising efforts – including galas, sponsorships, individual giving, and grants.• Earned a reputation of creativity and reliability with news media professionals. Produced a number of inventive news events, including a major exhibit announcement inside a public restroom and a dance battle between science staff members and executives of a Fortune 500 company.• Created and managed all of the organization’s digital media platforms, including its award-winning website and social media presences.• Contributed extensively to the Manufacturers Resource Center’s regional Emmy Award-winning What’s So Cool About Manufacturing? student video contests as an instrumental partner. Created its Viewers Choice Award and directed online voting. Show less

Manager of Marketing and Communications

• Jun 2014 - Dec 2014

Marketing and Communications Professional

• Jul 2011 - Jun 2014

Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator

• Aug 2009 - Jul 2011

Public Relations and Marketing Specialist

• May 2005 - Aug 2009

Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director

• Jun 2002 - Apr 2005

Personal Mission in Action The Literacy Center of the Lehigh Valley – known previously as the Adult Literacy Center of the Lehigh Valley – provides adults from all backgrounds with critical training that enriches their personal and family lives, enhances their communities, and strengthens their local economies. Key Results • Supervised all operations, marketing functions, and fundraising as the 25-employee organization. • Produced several fundraising events benefiting literacy education – including student graduation ceremonies, a women’s golf tournament, corporate spelling bees, and Storybook Breakfast events for children and their families. Show less

Communications Associate

• Mar 2001 - Dec 2001

Personal Mission in Action During my brief tenure with United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley – which was cut short due to economic consequences from the September 11, 2001, attacks – I shaped several powerful stories that highlighted the United Way’s profound impact on people’s lives throughout its communities. Key Results • Worked closely with the Director of Communications to drive the organization’s brand, develop effective campaign materials, and manage its website during an $11 million annual campaign. Show less

News Reporter

• Jun 2000 - Mar 2001

Personal Mission in Action The journalistic work at the beginning of my career included the crafting of stories that connected people with critical information, empowered them to be more informed community members, and shared people’s life experiences with dignity and insight. Key Results • Covered a beat of nearly 20 municipalities and three school districts in the eastern portion of Pennsylvania's Berks County. • Produced consumer affairs feature stories. Personal Mission in Action The journalistic work at the beginning of my career included the crafting of stories that connected people with critical information, empowered them to be more informed community members, and shared people’s life experiences with dignity and insight. Key Results • Covered a beat of nearly 20 municipalities and three school districts in the eastern portion of Pennsylvania's Berks County. • Produced consumer affairs feature stories.

Editiorial Intern

• May 1997 - Aug 1999

Personal Mission in Action The journalistic work at the beginning of my career included the crafting of stories that connected people with critical information, empowered them to be more informed community members, and shared people’s life experiences with dignity and insight. Key Results • Reported and wrote news, feature, sports, and police stories during paid internship with the company’s former Easton, PA, and Bethlehem, PA, bureaus. Personal Mission in Action The journalistic work at the beginning of my career included the crafting of stories that connected people with critical information, empowered them to be more informed community members, and shared people’s life experiences with dignity and insight. Key Results • Reported and wrote news, feature, sports, and police stories during paid internship with the company’s former Easton, PA, and Bethlehem, PA, bureaus.

News Intern

• Jan 1997 - May 1997

Personal Mission in Action The journalistic work at the beginning of my career included the crafting of stories that connected people with critical information, empowered them to be more informed community members, and shared people’s life experiences with dignity and insight. Key Results • Wrote, produced, and edited a variety of stories for evening newscasts. Personal Mission in Action The journalistic work at the beginning of my career included the crafting of stories that connected people with critical information, empowered them to be more informed community members, and shared people’s life experiences with dignity and insight. Key Results • Wrote, produced, and edited a variety of stories for evening newscasts.