WYATT Federal Resume
OBJECTIVE:
I am a dynamic and highly skilled professional, seeking a career with advancement opportunity at an organization whose mission is rooted in public service via arts advocacy and education, or philanthropic engagement. ; whose primary intent is to acquire, maintain, and preserve objects or processes which document ethnographic, social, cultural and political developments in the United States, specific to the African-American community. Of particular interest is work to contextualize scholarly research, in effort to make new and significant contributions to the existing body of knowledge in the field of African American history, and to interpret historical developments through the planning and creation public programs and initiatives. Ideal is at a capacity that utilizes my superior communication, project management and presentation skills, allowing me cultivate and maintain viable relationships in the service of diverse audiences, data collection, research analysis, communication strategy development.
EDUCATION:
Howard University May 2014
BA, Merchandise Management
STATEMENT CONCERNING REGISTRATION WITH THE UNITED STATES SELECTIVE SERVICE:
I am a female and therefore not required to register with the selective service.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
The Administration for Children and Families August 2015-present
Office of Community Services $47,840/ year
Community Economic Development Program Specialist
I work within the Office of Community Services, Division of Community Discretionary and Demonstration Programs (DCDDP), exclusively with Community Economic Development (CED) and Rural Community Development grantees. In partnership with the Office of Grants Management (OGM), I am responsible for the effective monitoring, development and closeout of awarded organizations throughout the grant lifecycle. My duties range from highly intensive pre-award functions to close out of the grant project. I perform a host of pre-award functions, including the review of grant proposals making requests for federal assistance and the complete processing of all grant applications, including the determination of eligibility, coordination of basic funding actions, including preparing information to be applied to the Notice of Grant award.
Additionally, I serve as an advisor to the division Director, managing the CED program’s operational logistics, writing and editing high-level reports and correspondences, creating captivating multi-media presentations for both internal and external audiences; managing multiple projects/programs including a portfolio of over 30 Community Development Corporations. I am expert at the development and execution of processes for compiling, analyzing, and interpreting strategic communications, both written and orally-for donors, foundations, stakeholders, political appointees and high-level executives. More basic functions of this role include the complete management and oversight of the Director’s calendar, divisional scheduling of meetings, making travel arrangements, processing travel documents and official timekeeping. I coordinate extensive records management processes and procedures, such as scanning and uploading all relevant grant files into Grant Solutions. Post-project completion, I handle records destruction and archival processes.
Another essential component of my position is the role of Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). In this unofficial capacity, I partner with federal staff for the effective management and monitoring of HHS service-based procurement efforts. These duties include but are not limited to thorough comparative analysis as it pertains to the cost of procured services, ensuring that the contractor’s performance meets the standards set forth in the contract, ensuring the contractor meets the technical requirements under the contract by the delivery date(s) and/or within the period of performance, and ensuring that the contractor performs within the price or estimated cost stated in the contract. More specifically, areas of consideration are as follows: cost-type contracts; service contracts; high visibility or otherwise sensitive contracts; large, complex, or high-risk awards; awards subject to testing requirements; performance-based acquisitions.
Duties include the preparation of applications for awards in accordance with Federal regulations, policy and statutory requirements, as well as those of the Office of Grants Management; ensuring compliance with the funding opportunity announcements, program announcements and administrative fiscal policies. I am instrumental and assist with all facets of the fiscal management process, including ensuring appropriate stewardship of federal funds. I am responsible for negotiating the grant budget, comparable analysis of budget justifications and programmatic financial arrangements, conducting in-depth cost analysis for industry specific ventures and making recommendations to senior specialists based on organization and project history and viability, as well as extensive analysis of program and organizational opportunities, needs and functionality. The program monitoring process also encompasses sub-awards and cooperative agreements, for which justifications and administrative components are thoroughly analyzed and evaluated based on pre-determined levels of reasonableness, adequacy and reliability.
Additionally, I perform post-award grant administrative functions, including technical guidance and support, analysis of programmatic processes, challenges and opportunities, as well as the implementation of strategic improvements based on a combination of physical site visits, regular desk monitoring and communication with grantees.
I provide sound guidance and monitoring of grantees continual programmatic, administrative and fiscal operations, assuring compliance with the terms and conditions of the grant award. I aid in the planning and negotiation of supplemental requests, including proposed project revisions, change of scope, budget modifications, no cost extensions and other requests received from the awarded organizations. I offer advice and counsel to program managers via close monitoring on a variety of grants management policies, regulations, procedures, and practices for dispersing and drawing-down grant funds, cost allocations and allowable costs.
As a Program Specialist, I frequently check and review fiscal and programmatic processes, including preparing and distributing reports, memos to leadership, identify emerging issues in the field by participating in intensive desk monitoring, and physical site visits with senior leadership to ensure grantees are meeting administrative, programmatic, fiscal, and Federal compliance requirements. I ensure that grants are closed out properly and in accordance with federal administrative and fiscal policies and requirements, and that all issues that are relevant to programmatic changes are addressed thoroughly and completely prior to such. In the event that there are processes that must happen post-closeout, I review and gather pertinent documentation that aid in efforts to address concerns presented by the agency.
Office of Program Review, Monitoring and Investigation May 2015-August 2015
Fraud Investigation Division $39,000/ year
FID Program Administrator
As an FID Program Administrator, I coordinated all aspects of office management within the Fraud Investigation Division (FID), including new case intake, referrals, existing case management, and investigative services. I designed, coordinated and managed a newly implemented electronic FID Database System for which to track case load and progress, as well as organizing Master Files, Archived Files and Prosecution Files, specifically within the confines of DC State Government confidentiality agreements and strict organizational policy and procedures. I partnered with the Economic Security Administration (ESA), the office of Quality Control (QC) and Office of the Attorney General (OAG) to gather information for and streamline appropriate documentation in the assembly of cases from intake and monitoring to closure and/or prosecution. I regularly conducted research and analyzed qualitative data on pertinent issue that impact the prevalence of fraud within public assistance, followed by drafting and distributing reports on relevant findings for program staff and leadership to review. Additionally, I accessed and performed work in several complex data collection systems, including PARIS and ACEDS, which works across government agencies to electronically perform accuracy checks on information reported by investigative subjects, as well as to assure that state government program officers were in full compliance with DC State regulations with regard to government grants, fiscal assistance and benefits recommendations. I refined methods of collecting qualitative and quantitative data as it pertained to the developing methods to identify, target and reduce the nature of fraud. I helped to design Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) for use of the FID Database as to avoid duplicity and enhance accuracy of working files. I aided in the development of office-wide best practices and administrative operating methods with regard to the creation and handling of sensitive files. I provided technical guidance to Investigators and program officers related to regulations, policies, and procedures that impact how investigative and monitoring services are conducted. Other duties included the management and oversight of the Branch Chief’s calendar, regular scheduling of meetings, making travel arrangements for the team, processing travel documents and official timekeeping, and compiling data for the writing of bi-weekly progress reports, to be submitted to the Director's Office and Attorney General.
Center for Non Profit Advancement January 2012-March 2015
Major Gifts and Membership Research Analyst/Writer Unpaid
Using my sales and marketing experience combined with distinguished communication and negotiation skills, I conducted extensive amounts of research as related to prospective donors; fundraising and procuring major gifts for non-profit membership organizations. I solicited funding opportunities, and cultivated relationships with both existing and new major corporate and private donor sources for the Center. I ensured that the gifts, payments and pledges from our donors were properly recorded, reconciled and audited. I closely monitored and audited records of a plethora of financial contributions, pledges, pledge payments and in-kind gifts to the Center and its affiliates within a centralized donor development database. My work often required engaging members of other offices and organizations for the purpose of records accuracy and verification. Additionally, I maintained extensive records, including the development of SOP’s for the handling of sensitive donor information and financial records, and produced detailed reports in support of office developmental efforts. In keeping with records management, I created many types of organizational lists, data files for specialized and mass mailings, appeals and invitations by compiling data from a multitude of sources in diverse formats. I generated and compiled financial data for stewardship reports to our donors, as well as regularly conducting research to track and quantify prospect interests in relation to the types of programs the Center offered. I contributed to implementing new strategies for membership retention, managed the membership and donor databases and developed more streamlined member value propositions for the Center and its partners. I worked collaboratively with the CEO in determining the needs of the Center and how to simultaneously meet the needs of our donor base, on a highly specialized and specific basis. Duties included the management of a portfolio of primary prospects, solicitation when appropriate and involvement in all aspects of the gift cycle. I liaise with sponsor agreement officers to obtain approvals, agreement modifications and clarifications on contractual matters. Additionally, I produced large amounts of written material for the Center, including drafting, reviewing and aiding in the negotiation of awards and amendments, including pre and post-award functions, such as the review of award documents for accuracy, consistency and regulatory compliance. I maintained files for our donor database and membership organizations, wrote prospect reports and brief donor biopics for newsletters, personalized mailings and events pertaining to relevant topics of interest for our members. I communicated with donors as frequently as needed to inform about the status of their gifts and donations, as well as about other initiatives, projects and programs that involved their personal interests. I collaborated with other team members to identify, recommend, design and implement process improvements with higher levels of efficacy.
Administration on Children Youth and Families Washington, DC
Family Youth Service Bureau (FYSB) 06/2005-present
Independent Grant Review Consultant
Duties include serving on a review panel for one week increments reviewing proposals for a variety of publicly funded community, youth, home and family development programs, including Mentoring Children of Prisoners, Runaway and Homeless Youth, and Basic-Center Programs. I participate in a highly specialized review process that includes a combination of intensive reading, thorough reporting and documentation processes which assures applications are
Meeting federal FOA criteria and are eligible for requested funding based on program guidelines. Often I am responsible for making sure that all group reports are factually accurate and contribute a great deal of written feedback to the initial report that is compiled by the chair, and then submitted to the PAM/SAM.
RELEVANT WORKGROUPS & WORKS IN THE FIELD
COR BACK UP (THE BRUNSWICK GROUP, ICF INTERNATIONAL)
In this capacity, I partner with federal staff for the effective management and monitoring of HHS service-based procurement efforts. These duties include but are not limited to extensive comparative analysis as it pertains to the cost of procured services, ensuring that the contractor’s performance meets the standards set forth in the contract, ensuring the contractor meets the technical requirements under the contract by the delivery date(s) and/or within the period of performance, and ensuring that the contractor performs within the price or estimated cost stated in the contract. More specifically, areas of consideration are as follows: cost-type contracts; service contracts; high visibility or otherwise sensitive contracts; large, complex, or high-risk awards; awards subject to testing requirements; performance-based acquisitions.
OCS ITEAM
In a group setting, contribute to solutions that help to streamline and improve turn-around time of OCS processes, procedures and workflows based on the development of detailed (yet simply presented) technological assistance programs that are effective across offices.
OCS GRANTEE WATCH LIST 2.0
I aided in the design, training and implementation of Grantee Watch List 2.0, a strategic re-launch of the original Grantee watch List. This feature is used by program staff across OCS to centralize, identify and resolve potential and serious issues with OCS grantees. Developments include making various menus, dropdowns and topics specific to each division; the programs that they serve and the language that they use.
ACF/OCS META DATA CONFIGURATION
With a group, helped to develop comprehensive and detailed ways to organize, retrieve and search for various kinds of data and documents across all programs within OCS. Additionally, I aided in the development of several tailored training programs, which will be presented to staff on a divisional basis.
RELEVANT COURSE WORK
Technical Writing, Business Management, Techniques in Modern Research, Statistics, Sociology, Ethnography, Anthropology, Sustainability, Public Speaking, Marketing Analysis, Brand Development, Forecasting, Public Speaking and Presentation Skills.
CERTIFICATIONS
Grants Management Certificate Spring 2015, In Progress
Monitoring Grants and Cooperative Agreements for Federal Personnel, Closeout of Grants for Federal Personnel, Appropriations Law for Federal Grants, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Federal Grants: 2 CFR 200 Subparts A-D, Cost Principles for Federal Grants: 2 CFR 200, Detecting and Preventing Fraud on Grant Projects.
The Foundation Center:
Introduction to Proposal Writing, Writing the Project Narrative, Introduction to Project Budget, Writing the Budget Narrative, Introduction to Fundraising Planning, Choosing the Right Donor Database for your Organization, Creating Sustainable Funding for Your Non Profit
Center for Non Profit Advancement:
How to Start an Individual Giving Program, Board Development 101.
INTERNSHIP AND VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Washington, DC
Research Intern; Will to Adorn and Global Heritage Industries, 09/2016-present
As a research intern, my role is to help develop, expand on and spread awareness of the plethora of issues-as well as opportunities- surrounding cultural appropriation as it pertains to style, the semblance of community and identity politics within African and African-American diasporas, and its relationship to other global cultures. In facilitating this exploration, duties include work on three major projects: The Will to Adorn manuscript and Youth Access grant; largely project development by way of incorporating digital and technological techniques into instructional ethnographic research methods and sustaining cultural heritage industries. With expertise in the areas of African and African-American diaspora, style, identity aesthetics and politics I am able to lend my insight and educational findings to three distinct projects, including the Youth Access Grant application; an educational grant for which we find ways to incorporate technology and ethnography into the urban educational settings by way of style observation in respective community sectors. Secondly, I worked closely with the author on the Will to Adorn manuscript, which is a provocation of African/African-American Style as it pertains to cross-cultural and intra-cultural influences. For this, I created and maintained expansive bibliographical content, collected and archived images and proof-read and provided notes for draft texts. Lastly, extensive research about Cultural Heritage Industries, which explores indigenous craftspeople and the ways in which they are able to create, maintain and exploit profitability and economic independence using what is native to their respective tribes. Duties included but were not limited to cataloging collection items, records digitization a
Nordstrom Pentagon City Arlington, VA
Visual Stylist, SAVVY, BP 06/2014-02/2015
I worked on the Visuals Team (in house and regional) in the configuration and execution of window, in store and departmental displays. Holiday specific duties included prepping trim for windows and common areas, preparing windows for prop installation (painting, drilling, mounting frames, delivering and placing fixtures, installing lighting, wallpaper application and striking mannequins.) Additionally, I helped to develop an effective organizational strategy for elements within the visual workshop and aided extensively with various departmental floor moves, blitzes, mannequin dressing and styling including but not limited to such departments as BP, Lingerie, Kids, POV and Petites. Through highly interactive work, I was able to gain relevant experience within the visual merchandising industry. I was formally educated about visual standards and how to use both internal and external elements such as lighting, composition, color, and space to help construct a positive experience for the customer and high impact visual presentation.
Winston Retail Solutions Washington, DC
Merchandise Coordinator 09/2012-02/2014
Partnering with prestigious brands in fashion retail and beauty to drive sales and increase brand visibility by creating compelling visual presentations via floor sets, window displays and mannequins, managing stock and inventory levels through customized reports and educating store management and sales staff about brand philosophy, product knowledge and other forms of information to aid in brand recognition.
Sarah Shirley Inc. New York, NY
Stylist’s Assistant, Consultant
01/2007-present
Initiated correspondence with fashion houses and public relations ?rms designed to promote Sarah
Shirley Inc., including assembling press kits, researching for, and writing pitches that for television
Segments that lead to an expanded audience on "The Today Show" in Dec. 2008 and an increase in client
retrievals. Also shopped for and provided style expertise on fashion photo shoots for use in editorial, print,
commercial and advertisements. Of?ce duties included blogging, managing the stylist's appointment
book, assembling and distributing media kits and other promotional materials, facilitating conference
calls, organizing and managing ?les, ordering supplies, scheduling and operating phone systems.
Annie Cream Cheese of Georgetown
Date: 08/2009-12/2009 Washington, DC
Paid internship in which I was responsible for the effective operation of the boutique. Duties went from
basic, such as opening and closing of the store, counting register receipts and monitoring buying
patterns of shoppers to the more complicated buying merchandise from independent sellers, researching
wholesale vendors from whom to make purchases and maintaining the stores web presence by updating
social media content and information in a timely manner and garnering publicity and media coverage
for the boutique in various forms.
Italian Vogue, Conde Nast International
Date: 04/2007-07/2007 New York, NY
Managed an expansive fashion closet, transcribed interviews for feature stories, ordered and returned samples,
assisted on large-scale editorial photo shoots.
VIBE Magazine, Fashion Market Intern, Dates: 10/2007-01/2008 New York, NY
As a fashion intern, I managed the market database, pulled looks for themed fashion features, ordered
and returned samples from various showrooms, collected, organized and scouted critical resources
regarding designers, showrooms, retailers.
Everybody Wins D.C. Washington, DC
Interim Program Coordinator 08/2005-01/2006
Organized and supervised a reading hour to promote literacy between students, senators and local
community business owners at Anthony Bowen Elementary School. I placed large order for books for children
between the ages of 4 and 11, catalogued the book collection and maintained reading facilities so that they were
inspirational and unique to the interests of the student base, as well regular contact with our partners to monitor
the interests, development, strengths or concerns had by the students.
Hospital For Sick Children, Date: 03/2004-05/2004 Washington, DC
Helped children with mental and physical disabilities to develop mini stories and then to construct their
own books, including copy, illustrations and biding processes.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Black Retail Action Group (BRAG) Howard University Chapter
Date: 08/2009-08/2010
During my time at Howard University, I served as Secretary for the Howard University Chapter of the Black Retail Action Group. Duties included keeping
meeting minutes, composing and disseminating informational memorandums, maintaining regular contact with
other local chapters for the purposes of social networking and large-scale events. Produced recruitment material
and helped develop strategies to grow our chapter in membership numbers helping to increase our visibility and
impact on campus.
"Dollars for Darfur" Live Auction and Fundraiser
Date: 01/2007- 04/2007
In collaboration with the Laboratory Institute of Merchandising and Christian Mission, I hosted a
fashion auction, in which I solicited donations from Gucci, and several private boutique owners to raise
funds for survival kits for refugees in Darfur, Sudan.
Community Foundation for the National Capitol Region (CFNCR)
Youth Philanthropy Initiative
Date: 09/2001-06/2004
As one of the founding members of "DC Urban Up-lifters", I conducted educational workshops for
primary students on the signi?cance of philanthropy and grant giving and provided introduction to the grant
review process, assisted in developing the name, work statement and soliciting of applications for RFP for non-
pro?ts and recommended funding for organizations that addressed education, community development, gang
violence prevention and creative pursuits.
DC Writers Corps Creative Writing Instructor
Date: 11/2003-06/2004
Once a week I coordinated a workshop for junior high school students in which they were taught the art
of self-expression through various mediums of literary form, including performance poetry, personal essay and
Memoir writing.
Young Playwright’s Theater:
Date: 09/2000-09/2002
Under the instruction of professional playwright Karen Zacharias, I was taught how to write and stage
two act plays. We explored traditional and experimental theater and used elements of each when
creating our own works, which were performed by professional actors at the Wooly Mammoth Theater
Published Works:
The E------------ Washington, DC
The Hilltop Washington, DC
LaurenJillianC------------ Washington, DC
TheCoilR------------ New York, NY
S------------ New York, NY
LANGUAGE:
Basic proficiency in the ability to speak, write and understand the following languages:
Spanish, French, Mandarin
TECHNICAL SKILLS:
Technical pro?ciency in Microsoft Of?ce Suite, Adobe Suite, Application Review Module (ARM) Grant Solutions, Sharepoint, SWIFT.
References available upon request.
OBJECTIVE:
I am a dynamic and highly skilled professional, seeking a career with advancement opportunity at an organization whose mission is rooted in public service via arts advocacy and education, or philanthropic engagement. ; whose primary intent is to acquire, maintain, and preserve objects or processes which document ethnographic, social, cultural and political developments in the United States, specific to the African-American community. Of particular interest is work to contextualize scholarly research, in effort to make new and significant contributions to the existing body of knowledge in the field of African American history, and to interpret historical developments through the planning and creation public programs and initiatives. Ideal is at a capacity that utilizes my superior communication, project management and presentation skills, allowing me cultivate and maintain viable relationships in the service of diverse audiences, data collection, research analysis, communication strategy development.
EDUCATION:
Howard University May 2014
BA, Merchandise Management
STATEMENT CONCERNING REGISTRATION WITH THE UNITED STATES SELECTIVE SERVICE:
I am a female and therefore not required to register with the selective service.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
The Administration for Children and Families August 2015-present
Office of Community Services $47,840/ year
Community Economic Development Program Specialist
I work within the Office of Community Services, Division of Community Discretionary and Demonstration Programs (DCDDP), exclusively with Community Economic Development (CED) and Rural Community Development grantees. In partnership with the Office of Grants Management (OGM), I am responsible for the effective monitoring, development and closeout of awarded organizations throughout the grant lifecycle. My duties range from highly intensive pre-award functions to close out of the grant project. I perform a host of pre-award functions, including the review of grant proposals making requests for federal assistance and the complete processing of all grant applications, including the determination of eligibility, coordination of basic funding actions, including preparing information to be applied to the Notice of Grant award.
Additionally, I serve as an advisor to the division Director, managing the CED program’s operational logistics, writing and editing high-level reports and correspondences, creating captivating multi-media presentations for both internal and external audiences; managing multiple projects/programs including a portfolio of over 30 Community Development Corporations. I am expert at the development and execution of processes for compiling, analyzing, and interpreting strategic communications, both written and orally-for donors, foundations, stakeholders, political appointees and high-level executives. More basic functions of this role include the complete management and oversight of the Director’s calendar, divisional scheduling of meetings, making travel arrangements, processing travel documents and official timekeeping. I coordinate extensive records management processes and procedures, such as scanning and uploading all relevant grant files into Grant Solutions. Post-project completion, I handle records destruction and archival processes.
Another essential component of my position is the role of Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). In this unofficial capacity, I partner with federal staff for the effective management and monitoring of HHS service-based procurement efforts. These duties include but are not limited to thorough comparative analysis as it pertains to the cost of procured services, ensuring that the contractor’s performance meets the standards set forth in the contract, ensuring the contractor meets the technical requirements under the contract by the delivery date(s) and/or within the period of performance, and ensuring that the contractor performs within the price or estimated cost stated in the contract. More specifically, areas of consideration are as follows: cost-type contracts; service contracts; high visibility or otherwise sensitive contracts; large, complex, or high-risk awards; awards subject to testing requirements; performance-based acquisitions.
Duties include the preparation of applications for awards in accordance with Federal regulations, policy and statutory requirements, as well as those of the Office of Grants Management; ensuring compliance with the funding opportunity announcements, program announcements and administrative fiscal policies. I am instrumental and assist with all facets of the fiscal management process, including ensuring appropriate stewardship of federal funds. I am responsible for negotiating the grant budget, comparable analysis of budget justifications and programmatic financial arrangements, conducting in-depth cost analysis for industry specific ventures and making recommendations to senior specialists based on organization and project history and viability, as well as extensive analysis of program and organizational opportunities, needs and functionality. The program monitoring process also encompasses sub-awards and cooperative agreements, for which justifications and administrative components are thoroughly analyzed and evaluated based on pre-determined levels of reasonableness, adequacy and reliability.
Additionally, I perform post-award grant administrative functions, including technical guidance and support, analysis of programmatic processes, challenges and opportunities, as well as the implementation of strategic improvements based on a combination of physical site visits, regular desk monitoring and communication with grantees.
I provide sound guidance and monitoring of grantees continual programmatic, administrative and fiscal operations, assuring compliance with the terms and conditions of the grant award. I aid in the planning and negotiation of supplemental requests, including proposed project revisions, change of scope, budget modifications, no cost extensions and other requests received from the awarded organizations. I offer advice and counsel to program managers via close monitoring on a variety of grants management policies, regulations, procedures, and practices for dispersing and drawing-down grant funds, cost allocations and allowable costs.
As a Program Specialist, I frequently check and review fiscal and programmatic processes, including preparing and distributing reports, memos to leadership, identify emerging issues in the field by participating in intensive desk monitoring, and physical site visits with senior leadership to ensure grantees are meeting administrative, programmatic, fiscal, and Federal compliance requirements. I ensure that grants are closed out properly and in accordance with federal administrative and fiscal policies and requirements, and that all issues that are relevant to programmatic changes are addressed thoroughly and completely prior to such. In the event that there are processes that must happen post-closeout, I review and gather pertinent documentation that aid in efforts to address concerns presented by the agency.
Office of Program Review, Monitoring and Investigation May 2015-August 2015
Fraud Investigation Division $39,000/ year
FID Program Administrator
As an FID Program Administrator, I coordinated all aspects of office management within the Fraud Investigation Division (FID), including new case intake, referrals, existing case management, and investigative services. I designed, coordinated and managed a newly implemented electronic FID Database System for which to track case load and progress, as well as organizing Master Files, Archived Files and Prosecution Files, specifically within the confines of DC State Government confidentiality agreements and strict organizational policy and procedures. I partnered with the Economic Security Administration (ESA), the office of Quality Control (QC) and Office of the Attorney General (OAG) to gather information for and streamline appropriate documentation in the assembly of cases from intake and monitoring to closure and/or prosecution. I regularly conducted research and analyzed qualitative data on pertinent issue that impact the prevalence of fraud within public assistance, followed by drafting and distributing reports on relevant findings for program staff and leadership to review. Additionally, I accessed and performed work in several complex data collection systems, including PARIS and ACEDS, which works across government agencies to electronically perform accuracy checks on information reported by investigative subjects, as well as to assure that state government program officers were in full compliance with DC State regulations with regard to government grants, fiscal assistance and benefits recommendations. I refined methods of collecting qualitative and quantitative data as it pertained to the developing methods to identify, target and reduce the nature of fraud. I helped to design Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) for use of the FID Database as to avoid duplicity and enhance accuracy of working files. I aided in the development of office-wide best practices and administrative operating methods with regard to the creation and handling of sensitive files. I provided technical guidance to Investigators and program officers related to regulations, policies, and procedures that impact how investigative and monitoring services are conducted. Other duties included the management and oversight of the Branch Chief’s calendar, regular scheduling of meetings, making travel arrangements for the team, processing travel documents and official timekeeping, and compiling data for the writing of bi-weekly progress reports, to be submitted to the Director's Office and Attorney General.
Center for Non Profit Advancement January 2012-March 2015
Major Gifts and Membership Research Analyst/Writer Unpaid
Using my sales and marketing experience combined with distinguished communication and negotiation skills, I conducted extensive amounts of research as related to prospective donors; fundraising and procuring major gifts for non-profit membership organizations. I solicited funding opportunities, and cultivated relationships with both existing and new major corporate and private donor sources for the Center. I ensured that the gifts, payments and pledges from our donors were properly recorded, reconciled and audited. I closely monitored and audited records of a plethora of financial contributions, pledges, pledge payments and in-kind gifts to the Center and its affiliates within a centralized donor development database. My work often required engaging members of other offices and organizations for the purpose of records accuracy and verification. Additionally, I maintained extensive records, including the development of SOP’s for the handling of sensitive donor information and financial records, and produced detailed reports in support of office developmental efforts. In keeping with records management, I created many types of organizational lists, data files for specialized and mass mailings, appeals and invitations by compiling data from a multitude of sources in diverse formats. I generated and compiled financial data for stewardship reports to our donors, as well as regularly conducting research to track and quantify prospect interests in relation to the types of programs the Center offered. I contributed to implementing new strategies for membership retention, managed the membership and donor databases and developed more streamlined member value propositions for the Center and its partners. I worked collaboratively with the CEO in determining the needs of the Center and how to simultaneously meet the needs of our donor base, on a highly specialized and specific basis. Duties included the management of a portfolio of primary prospects, solicitation when appropriate and involvement in all aspects of the gift cycle. I liaise with sponsor agreement officers to obtain approvals, agreement modifications and clarifications on contractual matters. Additionally, I produced large amounts of written material for the Center, including drafting, reviewing and aiding in the negotiation of awards and amendments, including pre and post-award functions, such as the review of award documents for accuracy, consistency and regulatory compliance. I maintained files for our donor database and membership organizations, wrote prospect reports and brief donor biopics for newsletters, personalized mailings and events pertaining to relevant topics of interest for our members. I communicated with donors as frequently as needed to inform about the status of their gifts and donations, as well as about other initiatives, projects and programs that involved their personal interests. I collaborated with other team members to identify, recommend, design and implement process improvements with higher levels of efficacy.
Administration on Children Youth and Families Washington, DC
Family Youth Service Bureau (FYSB) 06/2005-present
Independent Grant Review Consultant
Duties include serving on a review panel for one week increments reviewing proposals for a variety of publicly funded community, youth, home and family development programs, including Mentoring Children of Prisoners, Runaway and Homeless Youth, and Basic-Center Programs. I participate in a highly specialized review process that includes a combination of intensive reading, thorough reporting and documentation processes which assures applications are
Meeting federal FOA criteria and are eligible for requested funding based on program guidelines. Often I am responsible for making sure that all group reports are factually accurate and contribute a great deal of written feedback to the initial report that is compiled by the chair, and then submitted to the PAM/SAM.
RELEVANT WORKGROUPS & WORKS IN THE FIELD
COR BACK UP (THE BRUNSWICK GROUP, ICF INTERNATIONAL)
In this capacity, I partner with federal staff for the effective management and monitoring of HHS service-based procurement efforts. These duties include but are not limited to extensive comparative analysis as it pertains to the cost of procured services, ensuring that the contractor’s performance meets the standards set forth in the contract, ensuring the contractor meets the technical requirements under the contract by the delivery date(s) and/or within the period of performance, and ensuring that the contractor performs within the price or estimated cost stated in the contract. More specifically, areas of consideration are as follows: cost-type contracts; service contracts; high visibility or otherwise sensitive contracts; large, complex, or high-risk awards; awards subject to testing requirements; performance-based acquisitions.
OCS ITEAM
In a group setting, contribute to solutions that help to streamline and improve turn-around time of OCS processes, procedures and workflows based on the development of detailed (yet simply presented) technological assistance programs that are effective across offices.
OCS GRANTEE WATCH LIST 2.0
I aided in the design, training and implementation of Grantee Watch List 2.0, a strategic re-launch of the original Grantee watch List. This feature is used by program staff across OCS to centralize, identify and resolve potential and serious issues with OCS grantees. Developments include making various menus, dropdowns and topics specific to each division; the programs that they serve and the language that they use.
ACF/OCS META DATA CONFIGURATION
With a group, helped to develop comprehensive and detailed ways to organize, retrieve and search for various kinds of data and documents across all programs within OCS. Additionally, I aided in the development of several tailored training programs, which will be presented to staff on a divisional basis.
RELEVANT COURSE WORK
Technical Writing, Business Management, Techniques in Modern Research, Statistics, Sociology, Ethnography, Anthropology, Sustainability, Public Speaking, Marketing Analysis, Brand Development, Forecasting, Public Speaking and Presentation Skills.
CERTIFICATIONS
Grants Management Certificate Spring 2015, In Progress
Monitoring Grants and Cooperative Agreements for Federal Personnel, Closeout of Grants for Federal Personnel, Appropriations Law for Federal Grants, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Federal Grants: 2 CFR 200 Subparts A-D, Cost Principles for Federal Grants: 2 CFR 200, Detecting and Preventing Fraud on Grant Projects.
The Foundation Center:
Introduction to Proposal Writing, Writing the Project Narrative, Introduction to Project Budget, Writing the Budget Narrative, Introduction to Fundraising Planning, Choosing the Right Donor Database for your Organization, Creating Sustainable Funding for Your Non Profit
Center for Non Profit Advancement:
How to Start an Individual Giving Program, Board Development 101.
INTERNSHIP AND VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Washington, DC
Research Intern; Will to Adorn and Global Heritage Industries, 09/2016-present
As a research intern, my role is to help develop, expand on and spread awareness of the plethora of issues-as well as opportunities- surrounding cultural appropriation as it pertains to style, the semblance of community and identity politics within African and African-American diasporas, and its relationship to other global cultures. In facilitating this exploration, duties include work on three major projects: The Will to Adorn manuscript and Youth Access grant; largely project development by way of incorporating digital and technological techniques into instructional ethnographic research methods and sustaining cultural heritage industries. With expertise in the areas of African and African-American diaspora, style, identity aesthetics and politics I am able to lend my insight and educational findings to three distinct projects, including the Youth Access Grant application; an educational grant for which we find ways to incorporate technology and ethnography into the urban educational settings by way of style observation in respective community sectors. Secondly, I worked closely with the author on the Will to Adorn manuscript, which is a provocation of African/African-American Style as it pertains to cross-cultural and intra-cultural influences. For this, I created and maintained expansive bibliographical content, collected and archived images and proof-read and provided notes for draft texts. Lastly, extensive research about Cultural Heritage Industries, which explores indigenous craftspeople and the ways in which they are able to create, maintain and exploit profitability and economic independence using what is native to their respective tribes. Duties included but were not limited to cataloging collection items, records digitization a
Nordstrom Pentagon City Arlington, VA
Visual Stylist, SAVVY, BP 06/2014-02/2015
I worked on the Visuals Team (in house and regional) in the configuration and execution of window, in store and departmental displays. Holiday specific duties included prepping trim for windows and common areas, preparing windows for prop installation (painting, drilling, mounting frames, delivering and placing fixtures, installing lighting, wallpaper application and striking mannequins.) Additionally, I helped to develop an effective organizational strategy for elements within the visual workshop and aided extensively with various departmental floor moves, blitzes, mannequin dressing and styling including but not limited to such departments as BP, Lingerie, Kids, POV and Petites. Through highly interactive work, I was able to gain relevant experience within the visual merchandising industry. I was formally educated about visual standards and how to use both internal and external elements such as lighting, composition, color, and space to help construct a positive experience for the customer and high impact visual presentation.
Winston Retail Solutions Washington, DC
Merchandise Coordinator 09/2012-02/2014
Partnering with prestigious brands in fashion retail and beauty to drive sales and increase brand visibility by creating compelling visual presentations via floor sets, window displays and mannequins, managing stock and inventory levels through customized reports and educating store management and sales staff about brand philosophy, product knowledge and other forms of information to aid in brand recognition.
Sarah Shirley Inc. New York, NY
Stylist’s Assistant, Consultant
01/2007-present
Initiated correspondence with fashion houses and public relations ?rms designed to promote Sarah
Shirley Inc., including assembling press kits, researching for, and writing pitches that for television
Segments that lead to an expanded audience on "The Today Show" in Dec. 2008 and an increase in client
retrievals. Also shopped for and provided style expertise on fashion photo shoots for use in editorial, print,
commercial and advertisements. Of?ce duties included blogging, managing the stylist's appointment
book, assembling and distributing media kits and other promotional materials, facilitating conference
calls, organizing and managing ?les, ordering supplies, scheduling and operating phone systems.
Annie Cream Cheese of Georgetown
Date: 08/2009-12/2009 Washington, DC
Paid internship in which I was responsible for the effective operation of the boutique. Duties went from
basic, such as opening and closing of the store, counting register receipts and monitoring buying
patterns of shoppers to the more complicated buying merchandise from independent sellers, researching
wholesale vendors from whom to make purchases and maintaining the stores web presence by updating
social media content and information in a timely manner and garnering publicity and media coverage
for the boutique in various forms.
Italian Vogue, Conde Nast International
Date: 04/2007-07/2007 New York, NY
Managed an expansive fashion closet, transcribed interviews for feature stories, ordered and returned samples,
assisted on large-scale editorial photo shoots.
VIBE Magazine, Fashion Market Intern, Dates: 10/2007-01/2008 New York, NY
As a fashion intern, I managed the market database, pulled looks for themed fashion features, ordered
and returned samples from various showrooms, collected, organized and scouted critical resources
regarding designers, showrooms, retailers.
Everybody Wins D.C. Washington, DC
Interim Program Coordinator 08/2005-01/2006
Organized and supervised a reading hour to promote literacy between students, senators and local
community business owners at Anthony Bowen Elementary School. I placed large order for books for children
between the ages of 4 and 11, catalogued the book collection and maintained reading facilities so that they were
inspirational and unique to the interests of the student base, as well regular contact with our partners to monitor
the interests, development, strengths or concerns had by the students.
Hospital For Sick Children, Date: 03/2004-05/2004 Washington, DC
Helped children with mental and physical disabilities to develop mini stories and then to construct their
own books, including copy, illustrations and biding processes.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Black Retail Action Group (BRAG) Howard University Chapter
Date: 08/2009-08/2010
During my time at Howard University, I served as Secretary for the Howard University Chapter of the Black Retail Action Group. Duties included keeping
meeting minutes, composing and disseminating informational memorandums, maintaining regular contact with
other local chapters for the purposes of social networking and large-scale events. Produced recruitment material
and helped develop strategies to grow our chapter in membership numbers helping to increase our visibility and
impact on campus.
"Dollars for Darfur" Live Auction and Fundraiser
Date: 01/2007- 04/2007
In collaboration with the Laboratory Institute of Merchandising and Christian Mission, I hosted a
fashion auction, in which I solicited donations from Gucci, and several private boutique owners to raise
funds for survival kits for refugees in Darfur, Sudan.
Community Foundation for the National Capitol Region (CFNCR)
Youth Philanthropy Initiative
Date: 09/2001-06/2004
As one of the founding members of "DC Urban Up-lifters", I conducted educational workshops for
primary students on the signi?cance of philanthropy and grant giving and provided introduction to the grant
review process, assisted in developing the name, work statement and soliciting of applications for RFP for non-
pro?ts and recommended funding for organizations that addressed education, community development, gang
violence prevention and creative pursuits.
DC Writers Corps Creative Writing Instructor
Date: 11/2003-06/2004
Once a week I coordinated a workshop for junior high school students in which they were taught the art
of self-expression through various mediums of literary form, including performance poetry, personal essay and
Memoir writing.
Young Playwright’s Theater:
Date: 09/2000-09/2002
Under the instruction of professional playwright Karen Zacharias, I was taught how to write and stage
two act plays. We explored traditional and experimental theater and used elements of each when
creating our own works, which were performed by professional actors at the Wooly Mammoth Theater
Published Works:
The E------------ Washington, DC
The Hilltop Washington, DC
LaurenJillianC------------ Washington, DC
TheCoilR------------ New York, NY
S------------ New York, NY
LANGUAGE:
Basic proficiency in the ability to speak, write and understand the following languages:
Spanish, French, Mandarin
TECHNICAL SKILLS:
Technical pro?ciency in Microsoft Of?ce Suite, Adobe Suite, Application Review Module (ARM) Grant Solutions, Sharepoint, SWIFT.
References available upon request.