Towson University

Community Organizer  -  Nonprofit Professional  -  She/Her

Maryland, United States

- Identified weaknesses in community organizing strategy, including poor representation of diversity and partnerships with neighborhood institutions, devised strategic plan to improve relationships, and identified and met with respective community leaders.
-  Facilitated constructive community dialogue about crime disparities by designing and implementing a survey to measure residents’ perceptions of safety and inclusivity, and rallied support and participation through strategic communication.
-  Organized and promoted community events to encourage community participation by disadvantaged residents and promote better safety, investment and unity in Seton Hill.

SETON HILL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

Vice President

Developed program and brand language, including revising the mission and vision statements, to clearly articulate the organization’s purpose for grant and funding materials. Supported the creation of Development and Growth strategies through organizational, operational, and field assessments.
Supported Development initiatives by writing and securing grants, producing reports, and developing metrics and KPIs for program evaluation.
Developed workflows and processes to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of staff and the Board of Directors. Created leadership development and training materials, and developed job descriptions, hired and trained new staff.

Every Kid Can Cook

Operations Coordinator

Identified discrepancy between selling promise and delivery of service to members, and assisted in implementation through strategy evaluation and revision of communication materials.
Encouraged membership engagement and strengthened retention by collecting and analyzing Key Performance Indicators, identifying opportunities for data collection and defining variables of measurement, promoting member benefits, and by providing superior and personalized customer service.
Generated leads for non-dues revenue and helped solicit donations.
Streamlined workflows by reviewing processes for efficiency and effectiveness. Identified errors in reporting and implemented data-driven solutions.

Greater Maryland Better Business Bureau

Business Engagement Coordinator

Organizational Support
-  Supported the Board of Directors for American Communities Trust, Inc. and Baltimore Food Hub, Inc.  by preparing board reports and transcribing minutes, planning board meetings, coordinating board communication outside of meetings, and helping to recruit new board members.
-  Improved staff productivity and mitigated errors in record keeping by recovering and organizing historical documents for American Communities Trust, Inc. and Baltimore Food Hub, Inc. from 2013-Present, devising document management architecture, developing document retention protocols, and training staff in new processes.

Bookkeeping
-  Recovered, reconciled, and organized Accounts Payable records dated 2011-2018 for Baltimore Food Hub, Inc. Accurately entered construction transaction data into database within three months for state audit.
-  Oversaw Accounts Payable and Receivable for American Communities Trust, Inc. and Baltimore Food Hub, Inc.; prepared books and assembled receipts and invoices for monthly reconciliations; regularly reviewed and updated files for accuracy and comprehensive record keeping; helped prepare
accounting records for audit; ran Profit and Loss statements and Balance Sheets.

Human Resources
-  Managed benefits enrollment and processing; maintained relationships with payroll companies and various state departments to ensure compliance with tax and employment laws; helped mitigate and provide support to staff regarding internal disputes; interviewed candidates.
-  Developed and implemented a New Year Resolutions and Reflections activity to help company strengthen workflows and processes and move forward with goals more effectively and efficiently.

Meeting, Event Planning and Coordination
-  Planned, scheduled and prepared itineraries, team activities and conference visits.

Grant and Loan Administration
Coordinated with Community Development Director to disburse community grant funds and collect outstanding payments from loan recipients.

American Communities Trust, Inc

Office Manager

Supervised office deadlines and managed agency traffic through timely client correspondence, record keeping, invoicing and team collaboration.
Negotiated pricing and schedules for nonprofit and federal client media plans.
Helped research and develop strategic plans and compiled reports for outreach campaigns and responses to Requests For Proposals.
Met digital campaign goals with a working knowledge of industry trends using data analysis and strategy evaluation for Google Adwords and Facebook Pay-Per-Click.
Crafted social media and blog posts, outreach literature, meeting notes and purchase orders for nonprofit and federal clients, including the Anne Arundel Co. Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Maryland State Police.

Pinnacle Communications Resource Company

Assistant Account Executive

Designed a strategic advertising and public relations campaign to engage a new target audience
Developed an aesthetic brand identity relevant to company target
Crafted website, social media platforms and networking events to engage target with call to action and educate about Timberframing
Scheduled and coordinated meetings and managed constituent databases, phone calls and email correspondence

Craftwright Timber Frames

Communication Coordinator

Improved productivity, internal communication and decision making by defining the roles and responsibilities of the board, committees and executive leadership with a customized, mandatory, board training manual
Helped benchmark board progress through the development of an organizational SWOT analysis and customized annual board assessment tool
Assisted in designing SMART goals for the board’s 2015 fiscal year

Bea Gaddy Family Center, Inc.

Administrative Intern

Built a legislative coalition with the identification, recruitment and maintenance of stakeholder relationships for an Affordable Auto Insurance initiative
Educated consumers and stakeholders by researching and composing easy-to-read fact sheets and user guides

Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition

Communications Intern

- Helped establish sustainable troops through leader identification and recruitment
-  Assisted in Scout database management and acted as liaison with headquarters to grow enrollment capacity in Baltimore City
-  Engaged students with Scout curriculum through problem solving application

Girl Scouts of Central Maryland

Program Pathways Assistant

Designed a proposal brief and grant online to engage sponsors of an international leadership school
Researched leadership education for international community organizing curriculum

KB's Mission for HOPE

Development Intern

- Researched internal and external organizational communication
-  Helped facilitate group conversation
-  Offered intuitive strategic Public Relations ideas

Empowerment Resource Center

Case Study Participant

Assisted elderly and disabled Marylanders downsize and move. Provided comfort and connection in the relocation process.

Abilities Network

Household Packer

- Met daily sales and product launch goals through data analysis, strategy evaluation, efficient staff direction, and guest conversion
-  Catalogued inventory through database management, purchase orders and stock organization.
-  Developed self-sufficiency and leadership in associates through task delegation by skill set, demonstration and explanation, and fostering open communication and teamwork.
-  Opened and closed store and reconciled cash flow daily.
Received Employee of the Quarter Award Three Times and company-wide service recognition.

Carolyn James-Okpo