Caitlin Vargas Email & Phone Number

Eugene, Or, Us

As Vice President of Community Impact and Partnerships at Collaborative EDO, I lead initiatives that foster entrepreneurship, build strategic partnerships, and drive economic development. As a co-founder and author of the organization’s strategic plan, I achieved a 32% increase in programs and budget within two years, significantly expanding our reach and impact.I manage partnerships with key stakeholders, oversee entrepreneurial initiatives like the Valid8 Pre-Accelerator program, and organize sold-out PubTalks that connect hundreds of entrepreneurs and industry experts. I also revived Latino Professionals Connect by securing multi-year funding, creating opportunities for community engagement and collaboration. My focus is on empowering startups and aligning efforts to amplify regional economic growth.

Eugene, Oregon, Us

Organized and led the ID8 Pre-accelerator and Launchpad Accelerator programs, creating an inclusive and dynamic ecosystem for entrepreneurs at concept, startup, and growth stages. Developed strategic partnerships and built a robust network to recruit community entrepreneurs, with a focus on reducing barriers for female founders. Served as a founding community partner for the Women's Innovation Network (WIN), contributing to the design of recruitment and acceptance processes, scoring applications, and supporting program seminars. Repeated this work in the program’s second year, achieving significant success for the University of Oregon’s Industry, Innovation, and Translation Department.Managed operations at 942 Olive, in collaboration with the University of Oregon, transforming it into a hub for entrepreneurs and a co-working space hosting events, seminars, and classes. Launched Oregon's first accelerator program offering free childcare for women entrepreneurs, addressing systemic inequalities faced by female founders. Secured funding and organized Lane County’s first “Female Founders Only” pitch competition, breaking down gender bias in entrepreneurial pitching.Facilitated the Entrepreneurial Advisory Council and led engagement activities to connect and support entrepreneurs across the community.

Eugene, Or, Us

Collaborated with the Executive Director on development and implementation of a 5-year strategic plan with short-term goals based on the mission that an affordable, stable home is the foundation for success; identifying 6 priority areas to build on the core housing activities and guide the operating budget. Instrumented media opportunities and speaking engagements; composed all press releases and acted as primary spokesperson.Educated community members on affordable housing through weekly property tours, website content development/management and marketing collateral material. Boosted brand awareness with repositioned core marketing philosophies tied to Cornerstone's vision, programs and service delivery. Initiated marketing strategies in social, digital, traditional and print to increase donations and brand recognition. Revamped marketing strategy to focus on storytelling creating a memorable brand of Cornerstone’s residents in the “Missing Middle” story arc of affordable housing for households earning 60% Area Median Income (AMI).Established printed quarterly newsletter sent to 1.8k households resulting 20% increase in donations. Structured ‘Housing Heroes’ corporate sponsorship & partnership program, promoting community action through press releases including a school clothes drive with Summit Bank, Christmas Gift Collection with local realtors and Oregon Pacific Bank, and charity of choice for Market Fest with 5th Street Market. Designed and executed a number of highly effective social media strategies from the ground up, driving increases in both engagement and donations. Digital campaigns included Giving Tuesday, Homes for the Holidays and Gifts for Cornerstone Kiddos. Directed all event logistics executing effortless planning and event marketing for annual fundraiser gala, golf tournament, donor appreciation events and tabling opportunities.

Eugene, Oregon, Us

• Lead and direct all fundraising and marketing efforts of the organization to create public awareness of Eugene Mission as a Wellness Center for the Homeless. Crushing the goal of 20% revenue increase per fiscal year; succeeding 5 year plan within 3 years. • Represent organization at speaking engagements, media opportunities and community events. Positively reinforce our Mission and purpose to civic, faith-based, and other groups and individuals.• Accountable for the performance and success of fundraising events and strategies to meet revenue goals. • Seamlessly plan and execute all fundraising events through vendor recruitment and engagement, marketing and sponsorship development.• Direct board and development committee members in fundraising initiatives; providing quarterly and annual financial reports. • Develop effective social media networking outreach and manage radio and print ad campaigns to promote events. Exceed Eugene Food Truck Fest profit goal of $50,000 with over 12,000 attendees.• Manage social media planning for execution of marketing strategies and community engagement. Develop online marketing campaigns, actively increasing followers by 1,000+ and driving brand awareness. • Control the design and successful implementation of strategies for cultivating major gifts, planned giving and capital campaigns to support Eugene Mission’s initiative as Eugene/Springfield’s only full-service wellness center.• Research, write and facilitate grant proposals/renewals.• Create and direct major donor strategy to increase and diversify individual donor giving. Ensure efficient record keeping and regular tracking to ensure goals related to major gifts and corporate gifts/sponsorship are met.• Maintain and track individual giving revenue and expense budget throughout the year.• Ensure that agency-wide philanthropy and fund development is carried out in accordance with the organization's values, mission, and strategic vision.

Eugene, Oregon, Us

• Administrative leader providing on-site management for daily operations and directed, administered and coordinated all the activities for 100+ homeless single adult women and homeless mothers with children. • Provided vision and out-of-the-box thinking as part of senior management team driving strategic planning. • Supervised and assigned tasks to approximately 12 staff members and 20+ interns and volunteers ensuring the proper performance of all the duties at the Center. Supported and guided staff in professional development while navigating a challenging workplace. • Provided comprehensive case management services to help guests transition out of the Mission into a better life situation within 6 months. Implemented and oversaw interdepartmental social service meetings. • Hired and trained staff members; consistently worked to improve and communicate polices to staff. • Achieved high staff morale and retention through effective communication, prompt problem resolution, proactive supervisory practices and facilitating a empowering work environment.• Researched and implemented a process of client tracking and effective work production by utilizing HMIS database resulting in improved oversight processes. • Mediated conflicts with homeless guests to create a safe shelter experience. • Collaborated with Relief Nursery, 4J School District, DHS, Head Start, Boys & Girls Club, WIC and other community programs to provide resources and wraparound services for homeless children.

Eugene, Or, Us

Managed all four Job Connections locations and staff, providing marketing and public relations for Workforce Development programs, organized and implemented training for Workforce Development staff and coordinated grant-funded case management programs. Enforced organizational polices and rules, worked with Director to enhance organizational effectiveness. Analyzed services offered, oversaw contract administration and provided quality assurance to meet goals and compliance. Contributed to budget preparation and administration. Key Accomplishments: • Spearheaded expansion efforts to open new location at Eugene Mission, encompassing all phases of implementation. Collaborated with executive directors, contractors and partnering agencies to open Job Connections at The Hub, leading the way for a self-sufficiency outsource for homeless residents. • Procured funding and renewed contract for Cottage Grove Job Connections funded by Human Services Division. Interfaced with city administers and board members to present on the validity of services and impact of program in rural Lane County.• Designed program structure for Beyond Jobs, a grant funded partnership between Goodwill Industries International and Walmart. Implemented structure successfully, exceeded 2 year grant goals in second quarter. Trained on program requirements and supported additional development for staff.• Transformed promotional materials for Goodwill including videos, website, print campaigns and event provisions. Selected to represent Goodwill in segment aired on CNN Headline news.• Identified areas of improvement in Employee Handbook, advocated new policies to maximize performance of employees and legal compliance.• Represented organization and participated in meetings for Human Services Network, Human Services Commission and Community Action Advisory Committee• Secured internships for degree seeking students through partnerships with University of Oregon, AmeriCorps and Centro Latino.

Master Of Business Administration (Mba)

Master Of Arts - Ma, Anthropology

Bachelors Of Arts, Anthropology

High School