Resume
Career Objective
| To secure a leadership role supporting a skilled mentor within an organization capable of advancing social justice causes. This will allow me to continue developing my skills as a civil rights advocate while making the most of my experience leading public policy and community outreach initiatives utilizing coalition building and efficient use of technology. |
Education
Eastern Michigan University – Ypsilanti, Michigan
- Bachelor of Arts, Political Science Major / Marketing Minor – 2001-2005
Professional Experience
VarnEnt – Washington, DC | President | 1995 - Present
- Originally specialized in computer repair and installation
- Currently performing both new media and non-profit consulting
- Click here for more information
National Youth Advocacy Coalition (NYAC) – Washington, DC | Executive Director | 2008 - 2010
- Responsible for implementation of programs - accomplish agency mission
- Supervise, hire, motivate and mentor staff
- Acquire necessary resources for completion of projects
- Spokesperson for agency and primary contact for partner organizations and public policy
- Click here for more information
Triangle Foundation – Detroit, MI | Director of Youth Initiatives and Information Technology | 2004– 2008
- Oversee organization’s youth initiatives program
- Oversee organization’s information technology department
- Provide high level input on other programs within the organization, organization’s fundraising efforts and organization’s capacity building
- Click here for more information
Eastern Michigan University Division of Student Affairs – Ypsilanti, MI | Web Development | 2004 - 2006
- Developed, maintained, and advised on division’s web sites
- Click here for more information
Camp Lookout – Frankfort, MI | Program Director | 2004 - 2005
- Hired and supervised summer camp staff
- Responsible for overall camp program including involvement in business management
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Eastern Michigan University LGBT Resource Center – Ypsilanti, MI | Student Coordinator | 2003 - 2005
- Managed office during a transition year
- Advised University Administration on diversity issues
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Eastern Michigan University Housing – Ypsilanti, MI | Resident Advisor & Help Desk | 2002 - 2003
- Provided residential support and services - upper classmen in apartment style building
- Assisted with incoming calls and on-site technical support for ICT Department
- Click here for more information
Michigan DECA – Ypsilanti, MI | Public Relations Coordinator | 2001 - 2003
- Coordinated public relations campaign and provided content for major publications
Camp Gordonwood – Ortonville, MI | Staff Director | 1999 - 2004
- Supervised and hired summer camp staff
- Helped lead management team which oversaw planning and implementation of summer program
- Click here for more information
Citadel Communications – Saginaw, MI | Promotions | 2000 - 2001
- Oversaw promotions for two commercial radio stations
Liggett Broadcasting – Saginaw, MI | Promotions Director | 1999 - 2000
- Oversaw the promotions department of a commercial radio station
- Involved with station management team
Activities
- Board of Advisors | Harvey Milk Foundation | 2009 - Present | Click here for more information
- Board of Directors | Woodhull Freedom Foundation | 2008 - 2011
- Governor Appointee | Michigan Board of Marriage and Family Therapy | 2007 - 2008
- Co-Chair | Creating Change Youth Engagement Subcommittee | 2007 - 2008
- National Transgender Education Project's Youth Review Board | 2007 - 2008
- Public Policy Advisor | Episcopal Diocese of Michigan | 2006 - 2008 | Click here for more information
- Diversity Council | Eastern Michigan University | 2006 - 2008 | Click here for more information
- LGBTRC Advisory Board | Eastern Michigan University | 2003 - 2008 | Click here for more information
- Student Leader Group | Eastern Michigan University | 2005 - 2007 | Click here for more information
- Diversity and Legislative Chair | American Camp Association, Michigan | 2005 - 2007
- University Liaison | Washtenaw Rainbow Action Project | 2004 - 2005
- Web Manager | American Camp Association, Michigan | 2004 - 2007
- Vestry | St. Luke’s Episcopal Church | Ypsilanti | 2004 - 2006 | Click here for more information
- Program Committee | ACA Mid-States Conference | 2004 - 2006
- Co-Host | Closets R4 Clothes | 2004 - 2006
- Youth Group Facilitator | St. Luke’s Episcopal Church | Ypsilanti | 2003 - 2006 | Click here for more information
- Conference Advisor | Michigan DECA | 2003 - 2005
- Student Advisor | Coalition for a Fair Michigan | 2004
- Treasurer | St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Ypsilanti | 2004 | Click here for more information
- Advisor - Youth & Young Adult Ministry | Episcopal Diocese of MI | 2001 - 2004 | Click here for more information
- State President | Michigan DECA | 2000 - 2001
- Group Leader and Senior Advisor | Help Change Hunger | 1994 - 1998
References
Available upon request.
Camp Lookout
Camp Lookout is a fantastic privately owned youth summer camp based in Northern Michigan. The owners and operators, David Reid and Kathi Houston, have been involved in summer camp programming for over thirty years. They are some of the most amazing youth-serving professionals I've ever worked with and it's hard to put into words just how much I learned working with them.
More information on my time at Camp Lookout coming soon...
Eastern Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University is both where I attended college and started my professional career. The University provided a wonderful setting to learn and develop some of my early leadership skills.
More information on my time at EMU coming soon...
Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
Growing up in the Episcopal faith had a profound impact on my life. The people I worked with, experiences I had and values I developed through my faith work have been amazing.
More information on my time with the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan and Camp Gordonwood are coming soon...
National Youth Advocacy Coalition
I was originally entered into a one-year Acting Executive Director contract with the National Youth Advocacy Coalition in late 2007 - right before the economic crisis began to explode. At the time, the board wasn't sure what the organization's program commitments were going to be and selecting a long-term Executive Director was tricky as they weren't yet sure what type of organization they had - let alone what type of leader they needed. I was hired to help them navigate that process based on all of the feedback they had received from the community.
The impact of the economic meltdown was coming into a clearer picture when I officially began in early April of 2008. It was clear that in addition to redeveloping the agency, we were going to have to be nimble to navigate this new fundraising climate.
Towards the end of the first year, we had a new program model and brand strategy which fit the direction the board firmly wanted the agency headed in. I was asked to stay on a couple more years to help finish the process and solidify the organization's foundation so the next director would have a strong base to build upon.
I'm incredibly proud that at a time when far too many nonprofits were closing their doors, we were able to grow our budget, maintain our staff and secure long-term funding. The organization went through some massive changes - some which comfortable for everyone and some which were not. Ultimately, I'm confident that I left the organization with the solid foundation to build upon that I set out to create when I was hired.
Triangle Foundation
I was originally introduced to Triangle Foundation through its community events - which my boss at the time encouraged me to attend. After the passage of Proposal 2 in Michigan, I felt compelled to get more involved in the movement and reached out to Triangle for an internship. My professional advocacy work continued to evolve from there thanks to the talent staff and trustees involved with that organization during those years.
More information on my time with Triangle Foundation coming soon...