As a successful and impactful grant and content writer, fundraiser, and foundation and corporate relations manager, I was selected by the Greater Fort Wayne Business Journal to be among their “40 Under 40” – a choice group of business and civic leaders, recognized for their professional accomplishments and their community involvement. I am also an alumna of the elite “Leadership Fort Wayne” program. A creative and prized writer, as well as a passionate, persuasive, and award-winning speaker, I was named the Dow Jones National Journalism Scholar of the Year and selected by the National Communication Association to serve as one of two orators on the U.S. International Debate Team tour to the Russian Federation for my ability to make strongly compelling appeals. I have singlehandedly secured millions of dollars from private, public, corporate, and government sources by writing more than 130 successful grant proposals. I am adept at learning and writing about new subject matters and have written winning grants in health and human services, health education, music education, archaeological research, emergency and disaster recovery, food security and stability, services to military families, community development, mediation and conflict resolution programs, community policing, capacity building, as well as capital campaigns, among others.I have represented prominent organizations as the key foundation relations contact responsible for identifying, stewarding, and cultivating strategic relationships to further the mission, establish stronger and more vibrant programs, and leverage financial and community resources. This included participating in community strategic planning and public steering committees.I facilitated several cross-disciplinary community coalitions of nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and community leaders to identify and pursue unrealized funding opportunities to match programs and services with funding and investment from those whose charitable and philanthropic priorities aligned. I lead or participated in these coalitions as a key strategist and often as the group facilitator.With nearly ten years of professional experience as a facilitator, mediator and conflict resolution skills trainer, I am a diplomatic communicator, an active listener, critical thinker, and a proactive problem-solver.