Adjunct Professor

• Jun 2023 - Present

Adjunct professor in the adult education BSW program. Teaching Community Social Action Policy where students will cultivate social policy activism skills and consider what it looks like to be civically engaged as a social work practitioner and a global citizen. Adjunct professor in the adult education BSW program. Teaching Community Social Action Policy where students will cultivate social policy activism skills and consider what it looks like to be civically engaged as a social work practitioner and a global citizen.

Chief Strategic Partnerships Officer

• Oct 2022 - Present

I develop and nurture relationships that support the organization's goal of bringing supportive housing to people who need it. Current portfolio includes: -Developing the organization's advocacy strategy, focusing on housing development and placement, direct service provision, and improved contracting conditions - Analyzing current funding strategies and envisioning new opportunities for fund development - Deepening relationships with key stakeholders in the housing and homelessness space Show less

Territorial Social Services Director

• Oct 2019 - Oct 2022

I lead social service provision in thirteen western United States that meet human need and reduce human suffering. We equip divisional leaders and local units to implement quality community based programming. Major responsibilities include • Guiding COVID-19 response by quickly adapting policies and procedures to accommodate the drastic increase and shifts in service provision • Managing over $16 million in grants as part of an interdisciplinary team • Secured and directly manage a $1 million gift to implement street outreach to unhoused people in rural California • Train local staff in trauma-informed care, boundaries, case management, and leadership • Areas of focus include poverty alleviation, substance use treatment, housing and homelessness, food security and workforce development Show less

Assistant Director of Social Services and Public Policy

• Oct 2016 - Oct 2019

By providing strategic leadership and utilizing knowledge of direct service provision, The Salvation Army went from minimal presence on Capitol Hill to having a strategic plan that included monthly Hill visits attended by local social service provides, external and internal thought leadership strategies, being regularly called on by elected officials & administration staff, and active leadership roles in faith based and secular coalitions in less than three years. Major responsibilities included• Supervising a team of three senior policy analysts and one administrative assistant focused on advancing social policy that positively impacts vulnerable populations in a non-partisan manner• Leading strategic planning for the department, including the development of a mission statement as well as departmental and individual goals using logic models to track outcomes• Providing weekly consultation to external public relations firm to develop a thought leadership strategy and update language used in all Salvation Army communications to align with national trends • Engaging the National Advisory Board members to utilize their professional and political connections to improve the reputation of The Salvation Army as a leader in poverty alleviation• Serving on ten internal committees over 5 years based on topic expertise and ability to effectively participate in group decision making Show less

National Pathway of Hope Coordinator

• Feb 2015 - Oct 2019

I coordinated the consistent implementation and national scaling of The Pathway of Hope, a social services initiative that equips local units with the skills and resources to support families working to break cycles of intergenerational poverty. Notable accomplishments• Secured two separate grants resulting in $15 million over three years for the continued expansion of the initiative in coordination with a grant writer and the four territories• Co-chaired a national decision making committee that ensures consistency of implementation across all four US regions and Canada and decides any necessary changes to improve service delivery• Pathway of Hope expanded from less than 200 trained units to over 800• Provided regular updates to the National Advisory Board on program expansion and success Show less

Program Specialist- Vulnerable Populations

• Jul 2014 - Feb 2015

I utilized my recent experience in direct practice and systems theory lens developed in my Masters of Social Work program to advocate at the federal level for policies that positively impact vulnerable populations with a particular focus on poverty reduction. This role also supported the national expansion of The Pathway of Hope initiative. I was quickly transitioned to a role with the sole focus of scaling Pathway of Hope nationally.

Senior Case Manager

• Sep 2011 - Jun 2014

•Manage a caseload of 24 young mothers for up to two years in a transitional living facility with a goal to increase self-sufficiency by analyzing client strengths and needs in order to assist client in creating and implementing an Independent Family Plan •Advocate for clients to ensure they receive appropriate services in the community and obtain federal benefits through government agencies by building relationships with agency and program staff •Partner with outcomes coordinator and development team to provide accurate data for grant writing •Secure $25,000 grant for Independent Living Skills program by utilizing networks and providing compelling qualitative and quantitative data to demonstrate efficacy of the program •Supervise an intern who received a job with the organization within six months of starting internship Show less

Social Work Intern

• Aug 2013 - May 2014

•Research and conduct in-depth analysis of proposed legislation and provide written recommendations in various formats to public policy team and affiliate members to organize grassroots response •Prepare written and verbal testimony to a legislative committee as part of public policy team •Develop and disseminate questionnaire provided to Regional Policy Council members in order to analyze feedback regarding previous year’s activities and future goals •Actively participate in disability and behavioral health coalitions by regularly attending meetings and responding to calls for action •Advocate for people with mental health and substance use conditions by meeting with congressional staff members to further the rights and interests of those with lived experience Show less

Case Worker

• Nov 2010 - Sep 2011

• Address presenting needs of homeless and low-income individuals/families and assess non-presenting issues by crating a trusting environment and encouraging honest communication • Provide emergency case management to clients including assisting with job searches, creating budgets, and connecting them with agencies and public benefits that can relieve their emergency and sustain or increase self-sufficiency • Assist co-workers with programs including Emergency Rental Assistance, Washington Area Fuel Fund (WAFF), The Angel Tree program and other seasonal activities Show less

American Sign Language Interpreter

• Jan 2010 - Nov 2010

Foster Care Intern

• Sep 2009 - May 2010

Provide case management services to families involved in the foster care system. Services focused on placement prevention, reunification, and family stabilization. Provide case management services to families involved in the foster care system. Services focused on placement prevention, reunification, and family stabilization.

Teacher's Aide

• Jan 2007 - Aug 2009

Support d/Deaf students with behavioral health diagnosis in their educational, social, and vocational development in a residential setting. Support d/Deaf students with behavioral health diagnosis in their educational, social, and vocational development in a residential setting.