Experience

Northwestern University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Director of Evanston Community Relations

  • Apr 2023 - Present

  The University’s primary liaison to the Evanston community, responsible for developing and managing a community relations and civic engagement plan to sustain and strengthen town-gown relations in Evanston. In addition, responsible for sustaining and developing mutually beneficial campus and community partnerships that advance the University’s research and teaching mission while enhancing the quality of life for in Evanston. The University’s primary liaison to the Evanston community, responsible for developing and managing a community relations and civic engagement plan to sustain and strengthen town-gown relations in Evanston. In addition, responsible for sustaining and developing mutually beneficial campus and community partnerships that advance the University’s research and teaching mission while enhancing the quality of life for in Evanston.



Tutoring Chicago

• United States
• Individual and Family Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Community Relations Director

  • Jul 2018 - Apr 2022

  Promote and represent the organization in the Chicago area. Improve visibility and brand awareness, meet student and tutor recruitment and retention goals, build a network of community resources, partners, advocates, and pipelines. Develop relationships with community leaders and serve as the organization's liaison with various constituents. Promote and represent the organization in the Chicago area. Improve visibility and brand awareness, meet student and tutor recruitment and retention goals, build a network of community resources, partners, advocates, and pipelines. Develop relationships with community leaders and serve as the organization's liaison with various constituents.



Impact Fund

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations

• Executive Director

  • Jan 2018 - Jul 2018

  Highly impactful non-profit organization that aims to positively change lives through social/emotional and academic support and resources. Highly impactful non-profit organization that aims to positively change lives through social/emotional and academic support and resources.



North Chicago Community Partners

• North Chicago, IL

• Director of Programs

  • Mar 2015 - Dec 2017

  Our Story: In 2008, the Gorter Family Foundation made a long-term commitment to the children and families of North Chicago and demonstrated their belief in the venture philanthropy model by providing seed capital for a new operating foundation, North Chicago Community Partners (NCCP). NCCP was formed in direct response to the lack of outside supports for academic challenges facing the children of North Chicago. With a phone call from NCCP’s founders, Jennifer Grumhaus and Mary Gorter Krey, to each of the school principals and a reply from one who recognized the potential of this partnership, NCCP’s relationship with North Chicago Community Unit School District #187 (CUSD 187) was cultivated and the foundation for what is now a robust system of supports for the district, the schools, the children and their families was set. The 2008-2009 school year kicked off with one full-time and 1.5 unpaid employees from NCCP and a great collaborative partnership with principal CasSandra Brooks and her team at Forrestal Elementary. Programming in the beginning consisted of After School Enrichment and Staff Appreciation Lunches and came to exist in a partial capacity at both A.J. Katzenmaier School and Neal Math and Science Academy that year, as well. Since then, NCCP has forged a deep and thoughtful district-wide partnership with CUSD 187 and its role has expanded far beyond program design and implementation. NCCP is a facilitator, a coordinator, a matchmaker and a highly regarded strategic partner to the district and, as one teacher noted in a 2013 year-end assessment, “… a complement, a necessary complement to the educational community.” It is the privilege of NCCP and all of our staff to work along CUSD 187 and lead the charge in this dynamic work of strengthening North Chicago through our schools. Show less



Year Up

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 700 & Above Employee

• Outreach, Admissions, and Student Services Director

  • Jun 2014 - Jan 2015

  Created and drove strategic plan for the Outreach, Admissions, and Student Services Department of YUC. Managed the day-to-day operations of the outreach and admissions’ efforts that consisted of promoting Year Up services and opportunities to potential candidates and various referral entities. Guided 200+ prospective candidates through the admissions’ process en route to admitting an 80-student cohort to the program. Coached the Student Services’ team to assess the external challenges that incoming and current program participants were facing in order to provide direct resources and/or connect the young adults to outside social service providers. • Served as a key member of the YUC leadership team charged with brainstorming higher level policies, procedures, and initiatives that worked towards not only ensuring continued overall success at the local site, but also kept YUC on track to reach the organization’s national goals • Managed a team of ten employees and strove to enhance their professional development by leading workshops, retreats, and enrolling staff members in external training opportunities • Spearheaded external outreach efforts with stakeholders throughout the Chicagoland area, creating six new partnerships that drew YUC closer to developing a sustainable pipeline of qualified candidates and an extensive list of outstanding referral sources; also built upon relationships that had been previously established. • Took on an advisor role for nine program participants where I served as a mentor/career coach, assisting the group of young adults with their decision making, professionalism, and skill development as they progressed on their journey to success inside and outside of Year Up • Created and managed the annual budget for the Outreach, Admissions, and Student Services Department in order to plan department costs and provide the team with the necessary resources for success Show less



Beyond Sports Foundation

• Education Administration Programs
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Interim Executive Director/Director of Program Operations

  • Sep 2011 - Jun 2014

  Designed and implemented strategic programming in the areas of academics, athletics, and social/career development for underprivileged high school and college student athletes. Oversaw the day-to-day operations that include scheduling, contact with stakeholders, review and process intake information, and personnel management of staff, tutors, and volunteers. Assisted with program advocacy, promotion, and development in an effort to raise awareness and secure essential resources for BSF. • Developed a systematic academic program using a combination of qualified volunteers and a tutoring company, which has led to a continuous rise in student GPAs, an average ACT increase of 4 points, and 100% of high school graduates attending college • Enhanced the athletic program by putting policies and procedures in place, which has resulted in better organization and more college exposure opportunities for student athletes, while reducing spending • Generated policies and procedures in the form of a student handbook that has improved students’ attendance, punctuality, and sense of responsibility in the program, school, and in the community • Designed an annual social programming calendar, complete with monthly social/career development workshops, with the goal of enhancing soft skills to equip students to be successful in any career • Created a program to provide continued support and guidance at the college level, resulting in a 100% graduation rate and graduates securing employment within a month of earning their degree • Improved print marketing materials and redesigned foundation website leading to an expanded BSF network and increased awareness • Spearheaded fundraising efforts by pursuing grant opportunities and successfully designing and hosting an annual celebrity golf benefit, netting nearly $100,000 of funding for the foundation Show less



Cabrini Connections

• Greater Chicago Area

• Executive Director/Admin. Coordinator

  • Mar 2008 - Sep 2011

  • Implemented fundraising initiatives that led to obtaining and retaining necessary resources, personally raising an average of $90,000 annually • Planned and organized all fundraising and annual events, most of which involved 200+ participants and attendees, to celebrate program highlights and encourage program support • Expanded the organization’s network and partnerships by collaborating on various projects with outside youth development leaders, educators, and supporters • Revamped the overall organizational structure, which solidified rules and expectations, improved communication amongst staff, and resulted in an abundant amount of team building opportunities for students, volunteers, and staff • Recruited and trained an average of 90 staff and volunteers to equip them with the skills necessary to build positive relationships with youth and contribute to their social and academic advancement • Lead the tutoring/mentoring program, which had four consecutive perfect graduating classes (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011) where 29 out of the 32 graduates attended college • Ability to be an active listener, positive role model, proven problem solver, and successful decision maker has resulted in a great rapport with students where they trust and confide in me with personal problems, program issues, and career assistance • Incorporated an individualized academic center within the program to assess each student and connect them to resources specific to their academic and career path • Significantly enhanced parental involvement, which has resulted in more parents visiting the tutoring/mentoring sessions, attending and speaking at off-site events, and advocating for the program in an effort to obtain more resources Show less



Evanston Community Defender Office

• Evanston, IL

• Director of Social Services

  • Aug 2007 - Mar 2008

  Offered crisis intervention counseling, outreach support, and case management services to young offenders. Provided delinquency prevention services to youth at risk of involvement in the juvenile delinquency system. Administered case management and outreach, aggression replacement therapy and brief strategic family therapy. • Attended clients’ court dates to advocate and provide emotional support to the client and family • Provided individual counseling sessions to Evanston adolescents that allowed them to effectively communicate personal feelings and emotions that were leading to negative decision making • Designed a successful Peer Mediation Program for the Evanston middle schools that created a method for resolving conflict among students Show less



Youth Organization Umbrella

• Evanston, IL

• Youth Development Worker

  • Jul 2006 - Aug 2007

  Responsible for designing and implementing academic, recreational, and life skill programs for student participants. Trained and managed a team of 10+ employees across two sites. Collaborated with Evanston business leaders and school district officials, as well as parents and guardians to align program activities with academic and social expectations. Served as individualized counselor for selective at risk youth. • Designed and implemented programmatic activities for youth that were engaging and filled with life skill lessons • Provided individual case management and counseling services to ‘at risk’ youth and their families to not only access needs but to also connect them to the necessary resources • Researched and presented positive youth development information for the work-study staff in order to build upon their skills that better prepare them for the work environment Show less



Rice Child and Family Center

• Evanston, IL

• Lead Mental Health Professional (Intern March 2003-June 2003)

  • Jul 2004 - Jul 2006

  Responsible for providing a therapeutic unit for adolescents with mental and behavioral disorders living in residential facility. Administered prescribed medication and documented daily interactions and routines of clients. Prepared residents for re-entering the family or transitional living environments. Worked with a team that included fellow Mental Health Professional’s, therapists, nurses, administrators, and school personnel to provide a holistic approach to the client’s development. • Provided a safe and structured environment for youth with mental and behavioral issues that created a sense of understanding and increased comfort amongst youth residing on the unit • Applied various interventions and de-escalation techniques to help clients cope with their various stressors that dramatically reduced the level of overall stress and incidents of acting out with youth • Trained and mentored co-workers to work more effectively with clients • Called upon frequently to de-escalate and solve difficult problems encountered by other units Show less