Kokomo, Indiana, United States
Experienced Chief Executive Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the nonprofit management and government industries. Skilled in Government Relations, Fundraising, Nonprofit Organizations, Strategic Planning, Relationship Management, Communication, Project Management, Business Development, Community Development, Collective Impact, Change Management, Volunteer Management, Community Foundations, and Public Speaking with a Bachelor’s Degree from Purdue University in Political Science.
Delicately moving through implementation of community plans and development of the next decade’s vision in a small community with a deep understanding of the intricacies of relationship management, both internally and externally, with local elected and appointed officials. Currently working to identify and blend various needs and wants of the community with respect to hesitations of stakeholders who would like to maintain the essence of the community. ∙ Facilitate productive partnerships with a range of city and county elected officials whose opinions and perspectives on issues facing the community often differ. Additionally fostered collaboration among multidisciplinary teams including planners, utilities, IEDC, volunteer organizations, attorneys, financial advisors, engineers, and municipal employees ensuring successful execution of projects. ∙ Leading various initiatives including Broadband Access/Implementation and READI 2.0 including alignment of project priorities for the region and development of proposals. ∙ Advance development projects and opportunities for community including negotiation with developers and builders driving growth of community while representing and protecting the interest of the taxpayers. ∙ Implemented efforts to increase walkability and public greenspace in Downtown Tipton as prescribed in the Downtown Revitalization Plan. ∙ Established 2 Residential TIF areas, disposed of all City-owned residential and commercial properties into private investment, facilitated parking and traffic studies, processed tax abatement applications/compliance, and established 7,000+ acre Economic Development Area.
Served ten years as chief staff leading positive, forward-focused change in collaboration with board members and lead volunteers. Focused on updating governance systems and facilitating inspired board members’ continued development of an aggressive strategic plan including a reorientation toward investing in social ecosystems that change lives for the better in the building blocks of a good life: education, economic mobility, and health. ∙ Established community-wide, population-level community impact goal around Kindergarten Readiness co-adopted by 50+ businesses, nonprofits, and governmental agencies. ∙ Managed resource development program of $2MM annually, and $19+MM over nine years, and navigated massive change in United Way Network-wide business model. ∙ Led short-term and long-term recovery efforts for four natural disasters (one historic flood, two separate tornadoes, and COVID-19) including coordinating with all local, state, and federal governmental agencies. ∙ Facilitated cultural change of organization at both a staff level and a volunteer level including guiding the board through difficult decisions on programming, historic partnerships, and a global pandemic to stay focused on the mission of the organization and nimble enough to be sustainable into the future.
Led 11-month, 58,000-population, city-wide political campaign for Mayor working to inspire voters, volunteers, and donors. ∙ Developed and fully implemented a robust strategic plan with measurable goals for Key Activity Indicators and Key Performance Indicators mobilizing 270+ volunteers, raising $220,000+, making 100,000+ voter contacts, and delivering a comprehensive, branded communication program across all media platforms, including digital with 1,000,000+ impressions in the market. ∙ Drafted a comprehensive 37-page platform including action items, and fine-tuned written and verbal communication skills through countless campaign appearances and speeches, multiple media questionnaires, weekly campaign videos, and one 30 minutes and one 90 minute debate.
Lead founding board members into the next growth phase of a 17-year-old community foundation challenging old patterns and requiring professional expertise to positively transition volunteer board members into life-long stakeholders, while cultivating new interest, commitment, and capable volunteers and donors. ∙ Worked closely with board members and existing staff to grow the $11 million foundation by $600,000+ in 1.5 years with three major gifts totaling $1.75 million probable before year-end. ∙ Drafted 3-5 year Strategic Plan including workable actions items and measurable outcomes based on a board workshop held prior to my arrival. ∙ Delicately transitioned three founding board members (16 years of service each) into new, non-board roles, including helping one establish and endowed donor advised fund. ∙ Designed and implemented board orientation program for three new board members recruited, established job descriptions for two new working committees (Volunteer Recruitment & Resource Development), and reformed four committees (Investment, Grantmaking, Scholarships, Audit) into working committees with regularly scheduled meetings and non-board level volunteer involvement looking toward the future of LECF. ∙ Rebranded organization and facilitated office relocation to the heart of our historic downtown district to increase visibility.
Provided leadership & support to a wide range of functions in cooperation with related committees and the Board, including donor development, finance & investments ($22 million in assets), grantmaking, scholarship relationships, and volunteer leadership. ∙ Worked closely with Foundation President, Directors, and consultant in drafting a comprehensive strategic plan focusing on donor services and development. ∙ Facilitated volunteers & donors in establishing a Women’s Fund where volunteers actively participated in cultivating donors & resource development, and guided them in the creation of a strategic grantmaking program. ∙ Planned events in collaboration with and carried out through volunteers aimed at raising awareness of the organization, and/or recognition of donors. ∙ Revised 35+ scholarship fund program including bringing it into compliance with new federal regulations, streamlining the application process for students, increasing information available to parents, and cultivating relationships with local schools and guidance offices to better serve donors & scholarship recipients. ∙ Revised $125,000+ grantmaking program to better serve prospective grantees, committee members, and increase the impact of the Foundation’s grantmaking dollars. ∙ Created various marketing pieces for organization including event invitations, press releases, blog, copy for website & newsletters, and communication with donors & volunteers.