Experience

Applied Curiosity Research

• United States
• Research Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Nutrition Specialist and Researcher

  • May 2021 - Present



Virginia Department of Health - Office of Family Health Services

• Richmond, Virginia, United States

• Healthy Communities Coordinator

  • Nov 2019 - Dec 2020

  • Managed sub-recipient agreements under Virginia’s Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant, focused on policy, system, and environment changes to reduce child and adult obesity, increase chronic disease prevention opportunities, and improve health disparities. These agreements supported state/local policies to improve food access, health eating, and physical activity: VA's Breastfeeding Friendly Early Care Recognition Program, VA's Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace Recognition Program, VA's Chief Movement Officers , Virginia Walkability Action Institute (VWAI). • Provided technical assistance and training to sub-recipients in the following content areas: survey development and analysis, utilizing publicly available datasets with collaboration from VDH’s epidemiologists, evidence-based interventions in worksite wellness, building and evaluating Coordinated School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP) in schools, business case for breastfeeding, and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. • Co-managed the following statewide workgroups with members from state agencies and state and local organizations: Virginia’s Breastfeeding Friendly Early Care Work Group and Virginia State Engagement model focused on improving active community environments and active transportation networks to advance health equity and create a healthier Virginia. • Supervised VDH’s Active Policy Intern and oversaw the development of an active transportation and health assessment tool and summary report, Review of Virginia’s Plans Utilizing an Active Transportation- Health Assessment Tool January 2021. Show less



Maryland State Department of Education

• Baltimore, MD

• Team Nutrition Grants Director, Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs

  • Sep 2011 - Nov 2019

  - Coordinates Maryland’s USDA funded team nutrition grants providing leadership, technical assistance and training to child nutrition professionals. - Provides program and financial management for Maryland’s two year USDA funded Team Nutrition grants: 2010 Refresh, $295,000; 2010 Child Care Wellness, $407,000; 2011 Cook Smart, $195,000; 2013 Maryland’s Building Blocks for Healthy Children, $320,000; 2014 Wellness Leaders Champions for Change; 2015 Cooking Up Success; and 2016 Maryland TN grant $500,000 - Manages grant partnerships and sub-grants with universities, non-governmental organizations, schools and child care centers. - Provides training and technical assistance on the following child nutrition topics: behavioral economics, wellness policies and the current meal patterns requirements. - Writes and leads the development of Maryland’s competitive Team Nutrition grant proposals. - Reviews and revises legal agreements and contracts for grants, publications and child nutrition marketing resources. - Represents and provides training or presentations at national, state and local conferences. Show less



Virginia Commonwealth University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Health Education Specialist-VCU HIV/AIDS Center

  • 2008 - 2011

  - Faciliated web based learning, including webinars and on-line meetings. - Developed on-line educational materials for health care providers in the State of Virginia. - Coordinated state wide conferences, including 2nd annual Ryan White All Grantee Meeting and Quality Management Conference with the National Quality Center. - Reviewed, revised and edited the Ryan White Part B standards of HIV care. - Recruited and selected peer reviewers for the Ryan White Part B Peer Review team. Coordinated workplans and reported outcomes to the Virginia Department of Health. Drafted the Ryan White Part B Peer Review budget and monitored program expenses. - Completed literature reviews and updated current HIV/AID epidemiological data on educational materials. Show less



Save the Children UK

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

• HIV/AIDS Business Development Intern

  • Jun 2010 - Sep 2010

  - Developed Save the Children Alliance Five Year 100 million dollar HIV/AIDS Business Plan with clear goals and measurable objectives. - Documented HIV/AIDS programs to potential donors: “Most At Risk Young People (MARYP) HIV Prevention” targeted to the Gates Foundation and “Breaking Barriers: Orphans Vulnerable Children Project in Uganda.” - Managed successful communication with multiple country programs. - Drafted Save the Children Alliance HIV/AIDS staff competency survey. - Developed Save the Children Alliance Five Year 100 million dollar HIV/AIDS Business Plan with clear goals and measurable objectives. - Documented HIV/AIDS programs to potential donors: “Most At Risk Young People (MARYP) HIV Prevention” targeted to the Gates Foundation and “Breaking Barriers: Orphans Vulnerable Children Project in Uganda.” - Managed successful communication with multiple country programs. - Drafted Save the Children Alliance HIV/AIDS staff competency survey.



Catholic Relief Services

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

• Program Assistant

  • 2006 - 2008

  - Created interactive website for the International Development Fellows Program. Represented CRS at university recruitment visits; discussed with students and professors about careers in international development. - Developed innovative interviewing tools to select future employees; interviewed candidates for Volunteer and Intern Programs. - Provided logistical and administrative support for the Volunteer, Intern and International Development Fellows Programs. - Cultivated strong working relationships with CRS staff at headquarters and in country programs and with university partners. Show less



Peace Corps

• United States
• International Affairs
• 700 & Above Employee

• Health Educator and HIV/AIDS Community Mobilization Volunteer

  • 2004 - 2006

  - Designed an assessment tool to measure and analyze existing HIV/AIDS activities implemented by local organizations. - Researched and drafted grant proposals; oversaw the distribution of funds. Worked closely with the Mayor and local leaders; debriefed leaders on HIV/AIDS issues and drafted speeches for their national health conferences. - Developed and executed HIV/AIDS and sexual and reproductive health workshops, served over 160 volunteers and students. - Co-developed an informative DVD about HIV/AIDS treatment. - Established youth group to inform their peers about important health issues; created interactive skits and other forms of entertainment education. Show less



BUNAC Intern

• London, England

• Intern

  • 2003 - 2004



James Madison University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Center for Community Service Learning-Disability Service Coordinator

  • 2001 - 2003