The Cornell Center for Materials Research (CCMR) supports fundamental materials research and serves students, scientists, and researchers to address key problems in science and engineering that are important to society. •Lead collaborative, broad-based, and coordinated outreach program with companies involved in materials R&D related enterprises•Actively promote cooperation with industry to stimulate and facilitate knowledge transfer and strengthen the links between university-based research and its application.•Develop effective programs for vigorous recruitment of New York based corporations, small businesses, and start-up companies.

Grow-NY is a business competition focused on growing an enduring food and agriculture innovation cluster in the Grow-NY region. The competition attracts innovative, high-growth food and agriculture startups from across the globe and engages them in the region’s rapidly-growing startup ecosystem. Finalists will pitch their business ideas for a chance to win up to $1 million. Winning companies will be required to execute bold plans to grow jobs, connect with local industry partners, and contribute to a thriving Upstate New York economy.

The NYCST, led by Cornell University, is a mission-driven collaboration that unifies resources and expertise in an agile, centrally located environment, to establish an influential hub in the defense space technology industrial ecosystem. As a Defense Manufacturing Community, the NYCST is a nexus for space-related infrastructure, expertise, capabilities and financial resources aimed at catalyzing transformative growth in the defense space technology industrial ecosystem.

Coordinated agency activities to develop and implement proactive policies and projects that furthered the economic development goals of New York State. • Developed and maintained positive relationships with industry contacts to form public-private partnerships that helped companies grow within NYS;• Identified, analyzed, and managed commercialization, expansion, retention, and attraction projects by structuring discretionary incentive packages for businesses and not-for-profit entities, guiding deals through the necessary board and public approval processes;• Created and maintained strong working relationships with external clients, local partners, institutions of higher education, and liaised with government and non-government entities to expedite projects and initiatives;• Prepared briefings, analyses, and other documents as requested for agency and state leadership.

Directed and managed the Southern Tier Regional Office for Empire State Development (ESD), New York State's economic development corporation. Sourced, originated, and developed a robust pipeline of new deals, implemented new programs consistent with ESD and regional policy objectives, structured discretionary incentive packages for businesses and not-for-profit entities, guided deals through the necessary board and public approval processes and created and maintained strong working relationships with external clients.

Directed operations of the Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council on a day-to-day basis and oversaw implementation and measurement of Regional Council and Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) projects within the region.

Formulated the Office of Regional Economic Development strategic planning program, setting priorities for economic and business development in the East Central Illinois Region; managed, developed, and directed all economic programs; supervised staff; developed regional partnerships with business and local governments to develop regional programs that promote economic development•Led region during the successful selection process of Cronus Chemicals' $1.4 billion fertilizer plant which created 200 permanent jobs and 2000 construction jobs - one of the largest projects in the region in decades.•Implemented a new comprehensive communications strategy including new/social media development and built a 2000+ recipient newsletter list for region partners•Led region during the successful selection process of Yahoo! Inc.'s 40,000sqft facility at the University of Illinois Research Park •Managed the state’s economic development and job creation efforts for a region with 2 of the nation’s 10 “Top Places to Find a Job” (Beyond.com's 2014 Q2 labor analysis). •Traveled to communities within the 11-county region to develop liaisons and strengthen regional economic development service delivery •Developed customized services to target specific regional needs•Determined and conveyed to the agency's legislative office legislative proposals and changes that will bring economic enhancements and address specific regional needs.

Led statewide constituent affairs program for the fifth largest state in America to connect constituents with state programs and resources•Oversaw/approved all constituent correspondence and case processing for Governor's Office of Citizen Action (GOCA)•Led an advocacy team who increased monthly average correspondence rates by 81% and annual proclamation rates by 24%•Directed GOCA through several politically high-profile issues including the abolition of the death penalty, marriage equality for same-sex couples, Main Street Fairness Act, Public Pension Reform, Worker’s Compensation Reform, and lengthy labor contract negotiations, requiring a dynamic statewide constituent response network. •Led development and implementation of a new in-house statewide CRM system saving tens of thousands of dollars from outside vendor contracts while also streamlining operations and creating more efficient case management•Drove execution of multiple communications plans and projects - represented the Governor's legislative and policy positions and initiatives to external groups including those with differing opinions•Crafted constituent outreach messaging that was incorporated into monthly newsletters and targeted email blasts•Planned and implemented massive GOCA reorganization and restructuring, including the development of a paid fellowship program and unpaid internship program. •Drafted correspondence on behalf of the Governor, including letters to national leaders and international heads of state •Identified and developed downstate events for Governor and coordinated special events including state fair Governor’s tent•Coordinated, assisted and supported the Governor before and during downstate events

Member of Chicago's inaugural class of Fellows. NLC recruits emerging leaders from outside of the traditional power structures, engaging them on both local and national levels, and equips them to be civic leaders – not only for elective office, but also in their communities and workplaces. New Leaders Council is affiliated with the Center for American Progress, The New Deal, Truman National Security Project, Roosevelt Institute, Mobilize.org, Netroots Nation, Teach for America, Our Time, Louisiana Progress, Young People For, Public Allies Chicago, She Should Run.

•Identified American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA/ Stimulus) project opportunities and determined state eligibility•Tracked and documented progress of all ARRA programs and projects assigned to DCEO, the state’s lead economic development agency •Coordinated regular meetings/liaised with agency bureaus, state agencies, and Governor’s team on progress of recovery projects

•Developed, tracked and maintained performance measures and metrics with emphasis on output and outcomes for DCEO, the state’s lead economic development agency •Encouraged accountability by tracking measures and comparing outcomes with forecasted results •Maintained Legislative Mandates Database to ensure agency’s compliance with legislative directives

Provided outreach to constituent interest groups on behalf of the Senator and assisted constituents in matters dealing with federal services