Experience

Special Olympics Maryland

• United States
• Spectator Sports
• 1 - 100 Employee

• VP Athlete Leadership Programs (ALPs) and Engagement

  • Jul 2018 - Present

  Led statewide efforts and proactive strategies on athlete leadership/engagement with diverse well-trained corps of leaders. Lead and build strong working relationships with internal staff/team members. Develop relationships with existing North American Programs, including other US programs, Canada and Caribbean Grew the athlete leadership program from 65 unique athletes and 444 leadership opportunities in 2015 to 502 unique athletes and 3452 leadership engagements in 2020 through rudimentary tracking and reporting processes. Developed new courses in response to the pandemic by collaborating with several athlete leaders on resource creation and administration for virtual and in-person programming.  Designed and integrated Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion opportunities within the leadership program in collaboration with Athletes as the original/founding members of the SOMD DEI committee.  Collaborated with colleagues to secure over $30K in grant funding as budget relief and start new programs and opportunities. Received grants from Bank of America, Department of Disability, State of Maryland, and Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council.

• VP Communication and Brand Management

  • Jan 2012 - Jul 2018

  Oversaw the development of Special Olympics Maryland's (SOMD) communication strategy and participated in SOMD's organizational strategic planning process. Drove awareness and positive portrayal of individuals with intellectual disabilities by developing a world-class communications plan while directly managing communications activities to promote, enhance, and protect the organization's brand reputation. Led the development, integration, and implementation of a broad range of public relations activities related to the strategic direction and positioning of the organization and leadership.  Increased donations while serving as Ambassador for the organization to cultivate relationships with the media and advance the organization's awareness and position with relevant constituents. Designed Special Olympics Maryland's varied and integrated communications products and services, including newsletters and other print publications; Web, E-news, and other online communications; media and public relations; and marketing.

• Vice President for Competition and Training

  • Sep 2008 - Jan 2012

  Led the logistics and operation of all state-level competitions to ensure a high level of quality, direct games management teams for state events. Developed and monitored the annual sports budget to create and establish the state sports plan.  Oversaw all coaches' training schools by providing constant communication to all regional operations and supporting leadership to ensure training plans aligned with all organizational goals. Partnered with leadership across the organization to develop new and improve existing processes and procedures and create training to implement any changes to the processes and procedures.

• Sr. Director Coaches Education and Training

  • Apr 2004 - Sep 2008

  Developed and maintained sports training programs for coaches and officials, including updates on rule changes and training techniques. Expanded training opportunities annually by developing and implementing a training plan focused on scalability. Acted as a resource and expert to advise leadership on training schools and other coach education courses, including courses offered online through the American Sport Education Program Drove cost optimization by coordinating budget needs and requests with the Local Coordinator and Sport Director. Organized and conducted approved training schools for Coach Certification and Continuing Education Certification within the local program.

• Sr. District Director Special Olympics Maryland

  • Oct 1998 - Apr 2004



Mount St. Mary's University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 400 - 500 Employee

• Adjunct Professor

  • Aug 2012 - Dec 2015

  Taught Business 395 - Program Development & Implementation-Special Olympics.  Facilitated a hands-on experiential event management course for students to plan and execute a Special Olympics Sporting event, specifically the Fall Sports Fest and the sport of Cycling. Taught Business 395 - Program Development & Implementation-Special Olympics.  Facilitated a hands-on experiential event management course for students to plan and execute a Special Olympics Sporting event, specifically the Fall Sports Fest and the sport of Cycling.