The Wyakin Mission: To serve as a conduit, connecting wounded and injured veterans to their successful and fulfilling civilian futures through education, development, and guidance.Our program retention and graduation rates are around 90%, almost twice the national average. The Classic Wyakin Program takes the mystery out of transitioning from the military into a traditional college education and beyond. Delivered through the bedrock of our Six Tenets, we’ve engineered a program that meets each Warrior’s unique needs. With a strong focus on professional careers and success, ultimately, we measure success as the veteran defines it. Rooted in the philosophy that each Warrior is much more than a veteran, we serve the “whole person” and focus on their robust, healthy futures. The Classic program supports veterans seeking 2, 4, and post-graduate degrees. The Wyakin Works program provides a clear path forward for veterans coming out of the military with a practical alternative to those who have decided that a traditional college education isn’t for them. Wyakin Works provides transitioning veterans with comprehensive support in pursuing vocational trade skills. This program offers a quicker time to employment, as many skilled trade certifications can be earned in as little as 12-18 months. (e.g., Plumbing, Welding, Journeyman, Diesel Techs, Culinary Arts, and more).The Wyakin Wheels or commercial driver’s license track is the quickest path to career placement. The training provides one-to-one instruction and in-house skills testing. The shortage of qualified drivers in the career field allows for a wide range of placements, whether the veteran is seeking local driving opportunities or long-distance over-the-road driving.Websitehttp://www.wyakin.orgPhone208-853-6001According to Native American legend, a Wyakin is a spiritual guide that advises and protects a person throughout life.

Life’s Kitchen is dedicated to transforming young adults' lives by building self-sufficiency and independence through comprehensive food service and life skills training, placement in the foodservice industry, and continuing education. Working with 16–24-year-olds traditionally considered at-risk, my main role at LK was to secure monetary sustainability to keep the program and business moving forward. I was able to accomplish this objective by utilizing multiple strategies through marketing, social media, grant writing, community engagement, and special events.• Plan and execute yearly fundraising event Sparkling Wine Spectacular• Built relationships with local media and Life’s Kitchen was highlighted on KTVB, KBOI, KIVI, PBS, and Greenbelt Magazine• Created partnership with KTVB to do a monthly cooking segment for their noon newscast and our Executive Chef• Prepared all press and social media releases for Life’s Kitchen• Helped create and execute a $3.8 million Capital Campaign, marketing collateral, donor engagement list, and case for support• Created a new website for the organization• Oversee and coordinate all fundraising events for Life’s Kitchen • Through sponsorships, fundraising events, grants, private donors, In-Kind gifts, and donations, I have been able to raise $1,003,682• Worked directly with Executive Director to develop Fiscal Year budgets, new events, and programs for the organization• Collaborated with Executive Director and staff to create a strategic plan for trainees• Developed and organized a Social Media strategy that helped to increase our awareness by 1500%• Strong rapport with Board Members, businesses, and local business leaders

As the Director of Development for Junior Achievement of Idaho, I had the honor and task of creating successful fundraisers, growing existing donor relationships and creating new donor partnerships across the great state of Idaho. I also created all proposals and wrote the grants for Junior Achievement of Idaho. Through the procuring of funds, our organization is able to provide support to over 14,000 students a year across the state of Idaho. I am fortunate to have worked with an amazing team of professionals that have allowed JA to be extremely successful over the past three years. Some of my personal successes are in the work I get to do to support Idaho students with financial literacy. Over the past 3 years with Junior Achievement, I was able to bring in over $969,000 through fundraising, sponsorship, grants, private donors, in-kind gifts and donations! I'm very proud of this and again am grateful for the great professionals I worked with that makes JA a wise investment for any company or donor.

Junior Achievement is Idaho's leading organization dedicated to educating students in grades K-12 about entrepreneurship, work readiness, and financial literacy through experiential programs. JA promotes this mission by developing its programs in seven key content areas: business, citizenship, economics, entrepreneurship, ethics/character, financial literacy, and work-related life skills/career development. As the Director of Community Engagement, it is my job to coordinate with businesses and their employees to participate in fundraising events for the organization. I also recruit new donors and sponsors for the events. Coordinate meetings with local media and assist with public relations. Create new events that help meet fundraising goals each year.

My initial role at Inclusion consisted of training Employment Specialist, training CSE Job Coaches to provide excellent advocacy, and marketing our growing Vocational program statewide for adults with disabilities. I oversaw a talented team of professionals across the state of Idaho that worked hard at developing and retaining gainful employment for these remarkable and talented individuals. I provided the administrative direction and support for the State Vocational Program, office professionals and assisted them in Medicaid understanding, job placement strategy, job development strategy, policy clarification and rule interpretation along with doing the billing. I assisted in additional training for professionals and provided oversight on anything that they needed assistance with. I also assisted in creating program plans that enhance the services we provide in addition to updating policies and procedures.

While at CCI we provided a number of different services for Adults with Disabilities. As the State Program Manager for Employment Services, I oversaw a talented team of professionals across the state of Idaho that work hard at developing and retaining gainful employment for these remarkable and talented individuals. I provided the administrative direction and support for the office professionals and assist them in Medicaid understanding, job placement strategy, job development strategy, policy clarification and rule interpretation along with doing the billing. I assisted in additional training for professionals and provide oversight on anything that they may need assistance in. I also assist in creating program plans that enhance the services we provide in addition to updating policies and procedures. I did a lot of marketing for the program through client interviews, interviews with Service Coordinators, parents, guardians and potential clients. I also worked as an advocate and educator in the community. I met with HR and CEO’s in the community to assist in educating business owners about the many benefits of hiring someone with a disability while also being an advocate. I also do speaking engagements and presentations across the Treasure Valley and State in an attempt to encourage business owners to utilize the great work that can be provided by our clients. I spent time in meetings or on the phone talking to Service Coordinators, VR Counselors, parents, guardians and business owners ensuring that we provide the absolute best customer service we can to each and every one of our 200+ clients statewide.

-Assisted in locating employment for adults, veterans, and juveniles with disabilities. Advocated for adults and juveniles with disabilities to maintain employment. Provided job and life coaching that enhanced participants daily lives.In my two years of being an Employment Specialist, I assisted in placing over 120 clients in successful jobs across the Treasure Valley. While helping over a 200 get regular interviews. Provided work evaluations for Idaho Vocational Rehabilitation.

-Assisted in locating employment for adults, veterans, and juveniles with disabilities. Advocated for adults and juveniles with disabilities to maintain employment. Provided job and life coaching that enhanced participants daily lives.

8th-9th Special Education, English, Math, Reading, worked with Autistic and At-Risk students.Assistant Boys Varsity Basketball Coach 2009-2011. First two winning seasons in 13 years while coaching at Boise High. Assistant Football Coach 2010

-Engine boss of wildland fire crews. Wildland fire suppression and prevention.