Jess Black (She/Her) Email & Phone Number

United States

Ellensburg, Wa, Us

ComNetworkLOCAL groups connect and gather leaders working in communications for good where they live and work to build community and develop a strong local network. In my role, I manage the LOCALs program and support 80+ LOCAL Leaders (and their 13 groups across the U.S.) that build relationships with and for their local communities.

Provide support for The Communication’s Network overall, with a focus on preparing for ComNet23 and assisting the LOCALs program. Consultant contract April-August, before hired on staff full-time August 2023.My work in this role includes event project management and liaising with hotel and event partners to ensure exceptional experience for attendees that is warm, welcoming, thoughtful, and fun. Additionally, I support the LOCALs program with the aim to showcase, highlight, and continuously engage LOCAL Leaders and the LOCAL program, ultimately providing deeper connections within the community and across the organization.

Managed program and outreach activities for a short-term contract while the program director was on leave. Responsibilities included: - creating and managing program and event registration in Enrollsy, including data collection, form management- creating and updating calendar for event planning (back-dating tasks and creating checklists),summer camp needs, outreach events, and committee meetings- coordinating interviewing and hiring of seasonal staff - serving as community support for event- and camp- registrations, board committees, and special projects - organizing and fulfilling outreach initiatives for events, programs and special projects

Oregon, Washington, Idaho

Coordinated policy and civic engagement programming and supported coordination of growing-suite of Spanish-language programs. Co-led strengthening fund development initiatives through annual appeal process, and developed deeper community engagement through online strategic communications.

NOVAA is a nonprofit association for volunteer management professionals, offering professional development and networking opportunities to support leaders in volunteer engagement. As Board Development Chair, I work with the individuals serving on the Board to ensure their work is supported. I build relationships with the team to know their goals and motivations and help them stay engaged, as well as offer resources and options for growth on the Board and within NOVAA. I also serve on the membership and equity committees.Learn more about NOVAA's mission and upcoming events and learning opportunities at novaa.org

Portland, Or

As a programs specialist for the Agora Journalism Center for innovation and civic engagement within SOJC Portland, I track spending of grant budgets totaling $500,000 and manage grant-funded project logistics, coordinate programs, grants and communications, provide seamless execution and evaluate metrics of success, and identify diverse areas of impact to nurture community-centered journalism and catalyze media innovation for public good.I also support the SOJC Portland Master's programs through communications, programs and events coordination. I led the transition of our event series to be entirely virtual in April 2020 and have continued to produce virtual community events at least once per quarter. Additionally, I manage the organization and growth of the contact database and produce quarterly community newsletters to communicate noteworthy-goings-on, and created a "drip" email campaign for efficient and effective student recruitment. journalism.uoregon.edu/portland | agora.uoregon.edu/

Serve on a seasonal committee of volunteers dedicated to successful year-end fundraising through Willamette Week's GiveGuide (2019 / 2020), and support the overall campaign strategy and communications planning. In 2019, I worked with partners to offer collaborative events and incentives for our donors and community; In 2020, I led the organization and production of the virtual community event (gala). Raised $19,459 (exceeding our original goal of $15,000) in 2019; $26,902 (exceeding goal of $17,500) in 2020.

The WDS Foundation seeks to put resources in the hands of amazing people who are acting on the three core values of WDS—community, adventure, and service. Grants are called 'Scholarships for Real Life' and are open for application and awarded once per year after thorough review by group of Board members from diverse backgrounds. Board Members review and evaluate 'Scholarships for Real Life' applications based on content and budget projections to grant funding to individuals working to make a difference in the world and in their community. Awards are announced on WDS stage at annual conference and distributed quarterly with Voyager (awardee) milestone reports. As the Foundation Director, I: • Coordinate and facilitate ‘Scholarships for Real Life’ application evaluation by Board members, facilitate bi-annual Board meetings and coordinate in-person grant award at annual conference • Develop and manage timelines and documents, conduct interviews of applicants, monitor grants • Communicate with Board and all grant applicants and awardees throughout the year • Manage budget, quarterly disbursement payments, and maintain organization nonprofit status worlddominationsummit.com/foundation

Portland, Oregon

As a consultant, I utilize my vast expertise working with and strengthening nonprofits to create organizational vitality and processes for successful, efficient operations, communications and event programming. My approach is both strategic and tactical: I collaborate with individuals and teams to develop a strategic vision and plan for implementing projects, develop and execute fundraising goals, organize and produce events, and maximize communications to audiences through copyediting and strategic planning.I have served as a long-term contract consultant for Wayfinding Academy, Portland Forward, Caldera Arts, among others, with shorter consultations for a number of other organizations and individuals to produce events and develop organizational systems for lasting success.

Supported New Seasons and New Leaf customers across Oregon, Washington and California with online holiday meal ordering, editing and troubleshooting. Served as a Lead of 10 to support customers by answering questions about products and offering tech support for 32,000 orders across 25 stores along the west coast.

Mac's List's mission is to help people build skills, find jobs, and grow sustainable careers.As Community Coordinator, I build relationships and engage with our community by providing excellent customer service and account management, facilitating meaningful connections, and skillfully developing strategic plans and managing and coordinating our programs throughout the year, which include 5+ events per year, a weekly series of community success stories, and a weekly podcast featuring career experts sharing job search tactics, to create a seamless finished product Podcast: • Coordinate and manage the planning, tracking, scheduling of over 200 weekly podcast episodes (content and guests, including audio production and publishing)• Prepare scripts, communicate best practices to prep guests• Run audio sound board and produce all episodes for optimal quality • Manage external audio engineer and transcriptionist• Increased monthly downloads from 19,000 to 46,000 in 18 monthsEvents: • Liaise with community partners to produce 5+ custom panel events for 100+ guests per year• Cultivate, recruit and organize speakers (4+ for each event) for diverse panels • Craft custom interview questions for maximum audience engagement • Recruit and manage day-of event volunteers• Reduced day-of attrition rate to less than 10%Success Stories: • Invite community members to share job search success stories features on Mac's List website to provide inspiration and tactical advice to readers• Copyedit drafts; project-manage completion and publication Community Engagement/Customer Service/Misc: • Engage with customers to support all website account management inquiries, and job board troubleshooting• Manage database of 90,000 contacts• Develop and update user toolkits, training/support materials • Present at community events, research outreach opportunities• Create efficient organizational systems to support growth and development of organization, teammacslist.org

In addition to Rising Leader program, I was a member of Project Impact committee, dedicated to developing internal processes for impact evaluation and capacity building by conducting interviews of SVP leadership and partner orgs, and synthesizing data into cohesive finished report document. I also worked with SVP investees to support their missions by copyediting business plans and providing general organizational support

Rising Leaders for Social Good is a one-year program for motivated young professionals, from all sectors, who are interested in using their strengths to make positive change in their community. The program introduces young professionals to venture philanthropy through a rigorous year of learning and leadership and engages participants in solving social sector problems through a specialized forum for action and leadership in philanthropy through group learning and projects, and direct involvement with SVP Partners and Investment organizations. I participated in this cohort program to deepen understanding of philanthropy and work to solve social sector problems through a specialized forum for action and leadership with SVP partner organizations. With a small group with the cohort, we led research and provided recommendations for SVP to improve capacity building systems for further organizational strength and impact.In addition to Rising Leader program, I was a member of Project Impact committee, dedicated to developing internal processes for impact evaluation and capacity building by conducting interviews of SVP leadership and partner orgs, and synthesizing data into cohesive finished report document. I also worked with SVP investees (grantee organizations) to support their missions by copyediting business plans and providing general organizational support, and served on SVP's Equity Committee.socialventurepartners.org/portland/how-you-fit-in/individuals/rising-leaders/

Portland, Oregon

TEDx is a program of local, independently organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience (x = independently organized TED event). I collaborated with and led a team to plan and execute a local TEDx event for 750+ attendees annually (May 2015, June 2016, October 2017)Communications Director: August 2016 - October 2017 • Develop communications strategy and plan, and project-manage delivery by team • Create monthly newsletters to community members • Manage team of social media managers, graphic designer and storytellers to ensure timelines are met • Engage with community to promote annual event and special, quarterly SalonsPartner Liaison and Action Break Lead: December 2014 - August 2016 • Liaise with our partners to cultivate and strengthen relationships to foster deep, long-term community bonds and continued sponsorship• Plan, organize and coordinate the logistics of interactive, day-of intersession “Action Breaks” 2015, 2016• Provide copy and copy-editing for website and email communications • Stage Manager – June, 2016 tedxmthood.com

TEDx Salons are small, in-person gatherings, hosted 3+ times a year, featuring a local speaker or speakers and several TED.com videos around a relevant and engaging topic, with a heavy focus on community discussion. • Plan and execute all logistics of Salons, held 3+ times/year, including securing venue, developing theme, confirming and preparing speakers, contracting and managing volunteers, managing budget and materials, and coordinating all communications, event promotions and registration.• Day-of stage management

Portland, Oregon

Portland Forward is a grassroots organization formed by a group of passionate citizens working to empower the voices of the city to cultivate the rich culture that makes Portland great – and inspire socially-just change-making from the ground up. I worked as a long-term contract consultant to create systems from scratch to develop a sustainable organization, and led a core team of inspired individuals committed to engaging the next generation of civic leaders in Portland. In addition to the necessary operational logistics, I supported the strategic vision of the group to foster manageable forward movement toward our collective goals. In conjunction with creating organizational systems, I led the planning and execution of a dynamic event in April 2016 that brought together a diverse, cross-generational crowd of 100 local, active citizens to develop and work toward a plan for the continued development of Portland as an evolving city. portlandforward.org

Portland, Or

Wayfinding Academy is a different kind of college. By stretching students with a curiosity-based and community-driven curriculum, we envision a world where each person lives life on purpose. I worked as a long-term contract consultant to lead, coordinate and manage special projects to support the growth and development of Wayfinding Academy. Accomplishments include: producing a fundraising event which raised $50,000, restoring the newly-purchased building to working condition with a restricted budget, and coordinating all logistics (including supplies and assembly) of creative student invitations called "Commencement Day," (see linked video).wayfindingacademy.org

Portland, Oregon Area

Caldera is a catalyst for the transformation of underserved youth through innovative, year-round art and environmental programs. Caldera serves Oregon youth from both urban and rural communities through programs that nurture individual creativity, igniting self-expression and transforming the way young people engage in their lives, families, and communities.I worked as a long-term contract consultant to coordinate progress and execute multiple concurrent arts projects, namely: Fallen Fruit of Portland, Geography of We, Artist in Residence program. I managed timelines and created processes for communications department to effectively share with community, and provided support to development team to accomplish event planning for annual Gala. calderaarts.org

Portland, Oregon

Working toward the vision that all children have the right to read and succeed, Reading Results partners with schools to ensure students read at grade level through a 1:1 literacy program.In my role, I managed and coordinated office operations and program administration. • Tracked all data for 500+ students and created quarterly progress reports for each school• Managed purchasing, storage, assembly and delivery of all supplies for 50+ tutors who work directly with 400+ students in 20 schools in the Portland Metro area• Project manager of special projects throughout the year, ensuring progress and budget adherence • Payroll administrator for 50+ employees monthly and AP/AR Manager• Led onboarding of all new hires including the coordination of a required background check • Implemented an electronic time and attendance system with continuous training to all employees • Organized annual employee appreciation breakfast for 50+ employees each Mayreadingresultspdx.org

Portland, Oregon

Oregon’s all-genre music magazine since 2009• Collaborated with the editorial team and community partners to coordinate promotions and publishing schedules • Led, managed and coordinated social media communication • Organized and tracked annual Anniversary event logistics and donations/giveaways• Interviewed artists, wrote previews and reviews of local concerts and top stories across multiple genres, photographed events and provided editing and copy-writing support oregonmusicnews.com

• Developed relationships with patrons by consistently providing legendary customer service• Trained new partners to deliver highest caliber service • Ensured cleanliness of the store at all times• Managed staff, $1,000 safe and store security

Council on International Educational Exchange is a non-profit organization, founded in 1947, organization dedicated to global learning opportunities through international education and exchange. CIEE's mission is “to help people gain understanding, acquire knowledge and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world."As a Local Coordinator, I: • Led outreach to solicit hosts for International exchange students • Interviewed host families, verified references, conducted background checks to ensure safety and security of students• Developed relationships with local families interested in hosting to effectively match students • Served as a liaison for students and families throughout their stay to ensure successful exchangeciee.org

Portland, Oregon

Sustainable Northwest is a non-profit based in Portland, Oregon that brings people, ideas, and innovation together so that nature, local economies, and rural communities can thrive.Supported Development Director in planning SNW’s annual Gala • Managed client information and tracked donations for annual Gala in database, monitored budget goals• Developed relationships with clients and donors through fundraising and donation requests • Created documents and certificates for event display; coordinated delivery of all donations • Coordinated grants and supported Grant Manager and Development Director with writing, editing Provided general office support including customer service, filing, answering phones, sorting mail, taking meeting notes and communicating with the Board, and assisting other departments • Pioneered the creation, development and management of the SNW Facebook pagesustainablenorthwest.org

Bavaria, Germany

Managed all aspects of guest's stay from reservation to check-out in 330 room hotel in Germany. • Promoted to Point of Contact (Lead) after 4 months • Manager on Duty after hours • Responsible for $4,000 cash drawer, making change for employees throughout hotel, resolving any and all problems that arise with guests, overriding reservation errors and changes, ensuring all operations are smooth and guest experience is high quality. • Ordered supplies for entire department, trained newly hired front desk employees, collaborated with management team to ensure effective operation of hotel.• Employee of the Month, June, 2006

Ba, International Studies: Cross-Cultural Communication; Spanish

Activities and Societies: Historian, Natl Society of Collegiate Scholars, 2002 - 2005; Study Abroad, Querétaro, Fall 2003Journalism.

International Relations, Conflict Resolution

Activities and Societies: President of Slovakia, Model E.U. Summit, January 2008; 'Cyprus in Transition' Conflict Resolution Immersion.

Español Y La Cultura De México