Elyse Klova Email & Phone Number

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Co-founder and COO of Blaze, a leadership development firm founded in 2017 to revolutionize how the workforce is measured, motivated, and mobilized. In addition to operations, leads as designer and developer, creating the application and assessment system undergirding the company’s leadership development platform, Trailblazers, as well as serving as creative director for Blaze’s visual identity. Brings a love of qualitative research to all company efforts — the continuous evolution of the company’s leadership development tools and platforms as well as work on behalf of clients. Currently serving as an Innovator-in-Residence at The Hatchery at Emory University, providing counsel to student ventures and supporting the overall growth of the Hatchery’s incubator program.Recent and current engagements include:Black Innovation AllianceAtlanta Regional Commission and the Regional Leadership InstituteGeorgia State UniversityThe Georgia Resilience and Opportunity FundCenter for Civic InnovationHouseATLSoutheast Energy Efficiency AllianceAtlanta Wealth Building InitiativeSmall Business Administration's Community Navigator Program

Remote

Provided project management for a startup game studio focused on bringing compelling games to life on VR platforms.

Greater Atlanta Area

Following 7 months of service as a volunteer member of the Civic Innovation Council, I was honored to join the Center for Civic Innovation's first full-time staff as Management and Strategy Director. In my role, I worked on a variety of initiatives to support social entrepreneurs, increase the efficiency of government agencies and nonprofits, and build an engaged community of civic leaders in Atlanta.In 2015, with a limited budget and small staff, I am proud to say that we held over 75 programs with more than 2000 people coming through our doors. We built out our space and expanded to an additional 3000 square feet to accommodate our growing base of coworkers. My contributions to the team include the following:Initiated and ran 1:1 advising program, which provided startup social enterprises with coaching, accountability, and assistance with a variety of challenges from fundraising and product development to board management and strategy.Led on partner projects, providing project management and direct services for partners and clients that included Google, a top US restaurant group, the United Way of Metro Atlanta, A3C Festival & Conference, and the Food Well AllianceProvided oversight and evaluation for general programming and pilot Civic Lab program. Developed applications and internal evaluation tools, and provided reporting on partner initiatives with Food Well Alliance and the United Way.Designed systems for day-to-day operations of a small team, including membership management and event communications.Managed all marketing efforts including press releases, print materials, social media, email, and website updates.Ran internship program for Summer 2015 and Fall 2015: drafted position descriptions, interviewed candidates, made hiring recommendations, managed interns’ day-to-day tasks, and conducted exit interviews.Helped develop a design thinking session that was presented at a variety of conferences, including a Google Summit.

Greater Atlanta Area

Product Development and Project Management:Served on product team for Foundation Directory Online, the Foundation Center's flagship foundation fundraising research tool from 2013-2015. In my work, I brought project management, customer insights, and design thinking to the process of enhancing the product, resulting in the creation of a new suite of features called Workspace to help users track and manage their organizations' foundation fundraising.Prior to my work on Foundation Directory Online, I helped develop an online assessment tool to help guide individuals who are thinking of starting a nonprofit, in partnership with Georgia State University. Professional Training:Starting in 2012 I assumed responsibility for planning programming with local nonprofit experts, building relationships and choosing speakers. I also reworked our in-house evaluation system to get better feedback and insight into attendees’ needs. I began teaching regular Foundation Center classes on grantwriting and foundation prospect research in 2012, and in 2013 had the opportunity to work with the Director of Education and staff to overhaul 2014 training curriculum and add online courses. I expanded my teaching repertoire to full-day paid classes on fundraising research in 2014, receiving ratings from attendees of 5/5 for satisfaction and engagement.

Graduate With Distinction, Bachelor Of Arts, Economics And Religious Studies

Activities and Societies: Virginia Fencing Club, Washington Literary Society and Debating UnionUndergraduate Research: The Effects.

Bachelor Of Fine Arts (Bfa), Sequential Art

Attended classes as a part-time student to build foundational drawing and design skills. Took the following courses: Design 101, Color.

Online Software Engineering