• Work with the Assistant Director to co-develop all aspects of the Unit. • Strategic planning, direction, and goal setting for the first project management unit in DCF focused on the development and implementation of human services programs and department-wide transformational initiatives. • Partner with Director and Assistant Director to Co-Design, operationalize, and launch a DCF project management unit for program, organizational, and transformational strategic priorities. • Develop and refine project management standards, templates, processes, and best practices to drive efficient and quality project execution Lead the application and integration of project management standards, templates, processes, and best practices throughout Programmatic and Transformational Initiative Plans. • Direct a team of Project Managers & Assistant Project Managers to execute projects effectively across a large portfolio of program, organizational, and transformational strategic priorities. • Develop and oversee the development of complex integrated governance and teaming structures with internal and external stakeholders to foster increased coordination, collaboration, decision-making, and communication. • Develop risk management processes to identify and mitigate integration risks, addressing cross-functional challenges and escalating issues as needed. • Refine an intake and prioritization process for existing and new projects. • Works closely with DCF’s Information Technology Project Management Office to align project management practices across the Department. • Ensure transparent communication throughout project lifecycles, monitoring milestones, resources, and budgets. • Directly manage highly complex and high-priority projects. • Manage, or support management of, staff project assignments, utilizing current and historical utilization data. • Co-develop Intake and Resource Assessment processes for strategic priorities. • Cultivate a culture of collaboration and excellence

* Develops and advances specific policies and practices that reduce disparities in outcomes for children and families that are the result of bias based on race, ability, gender and gender expression, and/or sexual orientation* Identifies and analyzes the causes of disproportionality in New Jersey’s Child Welfare System to make recommendations to the Commissioner to permanently and aggressively eliminate disparities in DCF practices for children and families of color* Provides strategic leadership on policies, best practices and change management in DEI to accelerate a climate of equity and inclusiveness* Develops and implements initiatives and policies that promote equitable outcomes for children and families of color* Builds the capacity of staff at all levels to respond effectively to structural racism and individual and implicit bias* Promotes culturally competent policy and practice within DCF and among our contracted services* Develops methodology and improvement plans to measure and evaluate the effectiveness of the Department’s programs and initiatives* Systematically builds out processes and procedures that scale and measure the impact of DEI and agency culture* Directs all DEI activities throughout the Department* Ensures the Department’s vision that all New Jersey residents are safe, healthy, and connected is being met for everyone by proactively applying DEI practices and policies that will lead to equitable services for all* Integrates and advises on DEI strategies and initiatives with the goal of fostering positive and sustainable change in the organizational culture, working closely with the Race Equity Steering Committee, leadership, and staff at all levels* Assists the Director in determining staffing needs and supervises future front-line supervisor and subordinate staff.

Court Improvement Program (Child Welfare) - Administrative Specialist IV. Statewide Project Lead: Racial Justice, Youth-Family-Community Voice, Children in Care 3 Years Plus, Quality Hearings. Responsibilities included: Research design, data collection, evaluation and analyses; drafted reports; conducted numerous statewide training and provided local support to all counties on data analytics and systems change; facilitated strategic planning with diverse constituencies; coordinated statewide conferences; grant writing and management; drafted policy memoranda.

Oversight of Human Resources, IT, and Fiscal. Member of senior management team. Work with Chief Judge and Senior Management team on administrative, operational, and strategic planning and implementation of agency improvement plans.

Provided leadership to the Reclaiming Futures (RF) community reform effort in Snohomish County. RF is a national juvenile justice systems reform effort funded by the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation to address the treatment and continuum of services for youth in the juvenile justice system who have substance abuse issues, by identifying and implementing "More Treatment, Better Treatment and Beyond Treatment" programs and services.

Oversight of various programs and staff within Snohomish County Superior Court: Jury Management, Trial Coordination, Arbitration, Family Court Programs, Interpreter program etc. Liaison to law clerks, Pro Tem Judges and Commissioners, Snohomish County Bar Association, Guardian Ad Litems, etc.

Managed secure crisis residential center within juvenile detention. Population: Adolescent runaways and youth found in dangerous circumstances, between ages 12 -17. Supervised 24-7, staff of 8-10. Responsible for all aspects of personnel management, ensure compliance of policies, labor contract, State codes and laws, monthly and quarterly statistics. Managed a successful three year federal grant project to ensure wrap-around services for families.

Co-led 30 day mountain and sailing expeditions with adolescents and young adults in the Cascade Mountains, WA.

Lead group of adolescent boys with substance abuse, mental health challenges in expeditionary modules in the Montana wilderness (climbing, backpacking, canoeing, survival skills); facilitate 12-step based nightly groups; manage house during the school year.

Implemented and directed this residential wilderness-based expeditionary program for adjudicated youth.