Experience

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  Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland

  • “Celebrating over 30 years of engaging lawyers for the public good.”

  • Executive Assistant

    • Jul 2013 - Present
    • “Celebrating over 30 years of engaging lawyers for the public good.”

    I am honored to support PBRC as Executive Assistant to Sharon Goldsmith, Executive Director since PBRC's inception in 1990. My role primarily focuses on supporting the Directors and staff with organization, communication, and project management, in addition to typical administrative duties.PBRC serves as the statewide coordinator of volunteer civil legal services. Its mission is to promote equal access to justice by coordinating and supporting volunteer civil legal services, providing resources and support for legal advocates for the poor, and promoting cooperation within the legal community. In order to accomplish these lofty goals, PBRC recruits, trains, supports, and refers volunteer attorneys to legal services providers throughout the state. It also provides technical assistance to legal services entities. As the pro bono arm of the MD State Bar Association, PBRC offers support services to volunteer attorneys, including: • Free or discounted legal training in a wide variety of substantive areas• Litigation Fund• Malpractice Insurance• Mentoring• E-Bulletin listing statewide pro bono service and training opportunitiesAdditionally, PBRC facilitates the incubation of new pro bono projects that target the most critical legal needs of the community. PBRC provides live and online training programs for these projects. Projects include: • Home Preservation Project (Tax Sale & Foreclosure Prevention, Sr. Housing & Life Documents)• Unaccompanied Children Project / MD Immigrant Legal Assistance Project• Consumer Protection Project (including day-of-court tenant representation)• Veterans’ Legal AssistanceThe breadth and scope of PBRC’s programs have expanded over the years as the organization has evolved from a recruitment arm of the MSBA to a comprehensive clearinghouse of volunteers and resources. The core focus of PBRC has not changed, however, as we strive to open the doors of justice to all. Please visit www.ProBonoMD.org or call 443-703-3045.

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  The Shelter Group

  • Baltimore, MD

  • Executive Assistant to Sr. VP of HR

    • Feb 2011 - Mar 2013
    • Baltimore, MD

    Responsible for a high volume of diverse work assignments, with the ability to multi-task and change gears quickly, I am creative, independent, and often described as the consummate team player.As the first person to fill the new position of HR Admin, I supported the different teams within Human Resources (Career Development, Associate Services, Wellness, Learning & Development) to improve communications, coordinate training, organize applicants, and manage calendars. I submitted workers compensation claims, assisted in case management, prepared FMLA packages, coordinated meetings, arranged travel for training and interviews, created presentations, prepared expense reports and invoices, composed and edited correspondence, and helped with Wellness and social events within our office. In addition to typical administrative duties, I streamlined computer files, organized office systems, and created templates and other resources. (I left to pursue a career in community service.)

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  Professional Fire Fighters of Maryland

  • Executive Assistant (p/t)

    • Mar 1995 - Feb 2011

    As the primary office support for Executive Board, which grew from 15 to 21 affiliated unions throughout the State during my tenure, I helped administer professional interactions with political representatives on all levels, as well as business leaders, attorneys, and union representatives (state and local). I also helped organize biennial conventions and managed the website. (I left this part-time position shortly after joining Shelter.)

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  Baltimore County Professional Fire Fighters Association

  • Cockeysville, MD

  • Executive Assistant

    • Dec 1993 - Feb 2011
    • Cockeysville, MD

    As the sole administrative support for the Executive Board and the Union’s 1,500+ active and retired members, I was responsible for many interactions with local and state political representatives, business leaders, attorneys, and union representatives, as well as with the union’s own active membership. I professionally edited almost all correspondence, as well as most documentation for contract negotiations. I maintained and protected contact information on all members, and established and maintained an extensive database for over 550 political, business, and union contacts. I assisted with the creation and management of the union’s website. I assisted with special events including coordinating, marketing and soliciting financial support for golf tournaments, political functions, special meetings, etc. Obviously, I also handled all day to day administrative needs for the office, including file management, customer interaction (in person and by phone), membership support, and much more. (I left after 17 years to further develop my professional career.)

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  Weider Sporting Goods

  • Columbia, MD

  • Administrative Assistant

    • Oct 1992 - Dec 1993
    • Columbia, MD

    During my all-too-short time with Weider, I was the assistant to their District Managers for Weider’s national sales office. I maintained contact with representatives of major distributors, and created detailed spreadsheets to compare and contrast products, purchases, and competition. I also worked with the franchise manager to coordinate shows. (I left when Weider relocated to Utah ... it was just too much of a commute!)

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  Sandler Systems, Inc.,

  • www.sandler.com

  • Administrative Assistant

    • Mar 1989 - Oct 1992
    • www.sandler.com

    I had the privilege of serving as a direct assistant to Dave Sandler, the awesome founder and creator of this international sales training franchise. In that capacity, I helped design training workbooks and provided sales support. I provided customer support to our representatives, and assisted with drafting and enforcing franchise contracts. I also worked directly with Sandler’s successors, Dave Mattson (CEO) and Bruce Seidman (Sandler's son). Sandler retired while I was still with the company. (I left for a career in the fitness industry.)