Liz Wiggen
Senior Communications & Engagement Mgr. at Zan Associates- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Credentials
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Teaching License (6th-12th grade, health education)
State of MinnesotaAug, 2007- Nov, 2024
Experience
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Zan Associates
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United States
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Public Relations and Communications Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Senior Communications & Engagement Mgr.
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May 2022 - Present
Liz is managing long-term, complex transportation and infrastructure projects as a consultant working primarily with public agencies. Liz works in collaboration with other firms and clients to provide communications and engagement strategic planning, project management, and creative and inclusive strategies for gathering public input on infrastructure and transportation projects that impact communities in Minnesota. Liz leads a strong team at Zan of communications and engagement specialists to carry out authentic and equitable engagement. Show less
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Hennepin County
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United States
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Government Administration
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700 & Above Employee
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Community engagement coordinator
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Mar 2020 - May 2022
Led a team that supports the Health and Human Services line of business with carrying out and evaluating authentic community engagement. Served as a consultant, resource, connector, and problem solver for service areas doing community engagement. Develed a department -wide community outreach strategy, data and feedback collection and evaluation leading to improved services and disparity reduction.Led continuous quality improvement in collaboration with partners.Developed a countywide training on IAP2 public participation spectrum. Built relationships with key internal and external stakeholders for collaboration around community engagement.Collaboratively developed a promising practices for community engagement for the HHS line of business.Led internal groups with staff and leaders that allow space for networking, learning, sharing resources and finding ways to collaborate. Show less
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Communications Specialist
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Feb 2019 - Mar 2020
• Editor of the Children and Family Services Update, reaching over 600 staff • Contributing writer for In the Loop, Human Services internal newsletter, reaching over 3,000 staff• Project manager for the Children and Family Services annual report• Provided strategic internal communications for Human Services and Children and Family Services including messages, presentations and communication plans• Manager of the CFS Update SharePoint site• Adoption Day planning and media relations lead• Assisted in planning disparity reduction engagement events Show less
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Volunteer and Community Partnerships Coordinator
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Aug 2017 - Jan 2019
• Led new volunteer recruitment outreach efforts by forming relationships with post-secondary education and community organizations within the Somali community• Led new donation strategy that filled gaps and met priority areas for HHS, leveraging over $80,000 worth of tangible donations for Hennepin County residents in need• Recruited, hired, trained, and supervised over 100 diverse volunteers across HHS• Consulted with, planned, hired, trained volunteers for the 2018 SHAPE survey, Awarded NACCHO “Promising Practice” award for Human Service Centers in Hennepin County• Secretary of the Recognition and Events Committee at Central Northeast Human Service Center• Consulted with supervisors and managers across HHS to determine needs and fill gaps with volunteer and donation support Show less
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Twin Cities Academy
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United States
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Primary and Secondary Education
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1 - 100 Employee
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Community Outreach Coordinator
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Jul 2016 - Jul 2017
• Planned and implemented school-wide trash, recycling, and food waste program, resulting in waste reduction and lower costs• Planned, partnered with community groups and evaluated professional development for staff and students on topics including poverty, implicit bias and racial equity.• Advisor to environmental student club and racial justice student club• Planned, implemented and evaluated new student and family outreach and orientation• Developed service-learning program for over 800 youth by creating new community partnerships• Secured grants for student-designed school garden serving over 800 youth• Graduation commencement speaker chosen by the senior class of 2017• Representative on Ramsey County’s Youth Violence Prevention Committee• Planned and implemented event with East Side Freedom Library – “Impacts of Historical Trauma in the African American Community” – for community members Show less
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Health Educator
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Aug 2013 - Jun 2016
• Created curriculum for, taught and evaluated new health classes for high school students• Utilized data-driven instruction for effectiveness of teaching methods• Leader of the professional learning community for elective teachers• Adviser to environmental student club and racial justice student club• Developed service-learning program for over 800 youth by creating new community partnerships• Secured grants for student-designed school garden serving over 800 youth
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Northern Arizona University, Environmental Caucus
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Flagstaff, AZ
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Organizational Administrator
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Sep 2011 - Aug 2013
• Implemented organization’s mission and goals along with Chair and steering committee • • Along with steering committee and board chair, led organization of over 400 people with the mission to create a more sustainable future for everyone • Planned, implemented and evaluated campus-wide sustainability events including Earth Week and annual Sustainability Awards • Collaborated with community partners around common initiatives including sustainable transportation, environmental clean-ups, and advocating for solar powered energy • Advisor to the student Green Club and Green Fund -- hired and mentored interns • Created weekly content for official NAU.edu social media sites and blog for sustainability related events, news and opportunities • Over-saw communications, planning, and logistics for group of 400 • Planned and led monthly organizational meetings for group and steering committee • Led a successful NAU.edu web re-design • Consulted on Office of Sustainability re-branding • Represented NAU at national conferences including the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) in Los Angeles, 2012 Show less
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YMCA of Greater Seattle
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United States
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Non-profit Organizations
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700 & Above Employee
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Membership Services Representative & Master's Swim Coach
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Sep 2009 - Mar 2011
• Served YMCA members and modeled the mission of youth development, healthy living and social responsibility • Provided excellent customer service and outreach for new and existing members • Led Partners for Youth fundraising efforts at downtown location • Planned, implemented, and evaluated biannual swim clinics for members • VISTA Diversity Committee member • Coached adults of all levels in competitive swimming • Served YMCA members and modeled the mission of youth development, healthy living and social responsibility • Provided excellent customer service and outreach for new and existing members • Led Partners for Youth fundraising efforts at downtown location • Planned, implemented, and evaluated biannual swim clinics for members • VISTA Diversity Committee member • Coached adults of all levels in competitive swimming
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Institute for International Cooperation and Development (IICD)
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Williamstown, MA and Benguela, Angola
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Development Instructor
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Jan 2008 - Dec 2008
• Fundraised with an international team • Studied African history, culture, and Portugese language • Worked at HOPE, a community health center in Benguela, Angola • Taught a women's health class • Co-taught English conversational English class • Created a community health news letter • Conducted research on community sexual health issues • Fundraised with an international team • Studied African history, culture, and Portugese language • Worked at HOPE, a community health center in Benguela, Angola • Taught a women's health class • Co-taught English conversational English class • Created a community health news letter • Conducted research on community sexual health issues
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Family Opportunities for Living Collaborative (FOLC)
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Minneapolis, MN
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Executive Assistant
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Sep 2005 - Sep 2007
• Assisted the director in operations • Assisted in grant writing for program development • Assisted director in planning and implementation of weekly health events for East African women in the Cedar Riverside neighborhood • Launched and taught new, grant-funded women’s health class for elderly, East African women by partnering with local organizations including Fairview Hospital • Assisted director in volunteer outreach and recruitment • Provided logistical and planning support for community events, classes and meetings Show less
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Breakthrough Collaborative
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United States
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Non-profit Organization Management
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100 - 200 Employee
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Environmental Science Teacher
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May 2007 - Aug 2007
• This unique program was ranked as a Princeton Review Top 10 National Internship • Served as co-chair and organizer of all-school meeting assemblies • Created and implemented place-based curriculum- “The science of the Mississippi River” • Evaluated student achievement and tracked progress • Served as an advisor to a diverse group of students • Conducted parent-teacher meetings and held regular communication with parents • This unique program was ranked as a Princeton Review Top 10 National Internship • Served as co-chair and organizer of all-school meeting assemblies • Created and implemented place-based curriculum- “The science of the Mississippi River” • Evaluated student achievement and tracked progress • Served as an advisor to a diverse group of students • Conducted parent-teacher meetings and held regular communication with parents
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Education
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2011 - 2013
Northern Arizona University
M.A., Sustainable Communities -
2005 - 2007
Augsburg College
B.S., Health Education
Community
