Leading the Catalyst team in expanding the Recovery Cafe Network. Recovery Cafes are communities of healing and belonging and a refuge for those recovering from the traumas of substance use disorders, homelessness, and mental health challenges. The Catalyst team works with local organizations and inspired citizens who wish to bring the Recovery Cafe model into their communities. I help coordinate the work of the Catalyst team and lead in the development of our outreach strategy. I am also involved in training and support to member Cafes throughout the Network.(Began work with RCN in October 2021 as a part-time contractor, as Southwest Regional Catalyst. Officially became a full-time employee in September 2023, and raised to Associate Director in March 2024.)

Sample Achievements:* Six time Interim Executive Director; negotiated successful mergers, restructured finances and budgeted, led organizational transitions and recoveries.* Facilitated retreats for five-agency collaborative and writing of funded grant proposals of approximately $2.3 million for a five-year project.* Facilitated Strategic Planning retreats and processes for many nonprofit organizaitons.* Created and taught workshops on supervision, social media, and grant writing, and fund development planning.* Advised and assisted in hiring and restructuring of agency leadership.Results: * Stronger agencies, better management, empowered staff, clear missions and goals, and several million dollars in funded grants and individual donations.* Successful mergers achieving efficiencies through administrative savings, and successful re-births through cost containment and growing revenues, and the hiring of new permanent leadership.Most recent Interim Executive Director contract with Friends of Oakland Animal Services, May 2020 through October 2021. Investigated potential merger, updated administrative systems and procedures, hired permanent leadership prepared for organizational growth.In October 2021 began contract with Recovery Cafe Network (RCN) to serve as "Southwest Regional Catalyst," providing technical assistance for emerging Network member nonprofit organizations and identify other nonprofits in the region interested in implementing the Recovery Cafe model. (Now officially on staff of RCN as Senior Catalyst).Also currently available for limited term consulting, training, and facilitation.

Founding Board Member, helping to create a new nonprofit. Recovery Cafe Santa Cruz will be a healing community for those recovering from life's traumas, including addiction, homelessness, and mental health challenges.

First CEO of start-up community nonprofit: creating policies and systems for efficient operations and financial administration, hiring and managing staff, writing and managing grants, communicating our mission, and working daily in programs with member/clients.Results: Oversaw creation of new programs, expansion of services, and tripling of member-clients served. Built organization's reputation for professionalism and excellence. Managed $1.2 million CDBG-funded renovation of program site to increase program capacity. Brought organization into legal compliance and best practices and several successful financial audits.Recovery Cafe San Jose is a healing community for those traumatized by addiction, homelessness, and mental health challenges. Programs include weekly support groups ("Recovery Circles"), classes in recovery, life, and job skills ("School for Recovery"), group meals, connections to community resources, and social activities in a safe, sober, and supportive environment.

Volunteer member of the Board of Directors for local Habitat for Humanity affiliate (now Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay). Served on Fund Development and Executive Committees, served as Board Secretary, helped coordinate Strategic Planning effort and re-work the Family Selection Process.

Responsible for Community Engagement & Partner Success of a start-up, nonprofit crowd funding platform.* On a Bay Area level, I was responsible for community outreach, working directly with our local nonprofit partners, introducing them to benevolent.net, and assisting them in posting the needs of their program participants.* On a national level, I was responsible for the development of our remote training and support capabilities through video and webinars, enabling Benevolent to reach nonprofits throughout the U.S., and help their clients achieve their goals.

EHC LifeBuilders (now HomeFirst) is the largest provider of emergency and transitional housing and related services to Santa Clara County's homeless adults, children, and families. As Assistant Director of the Singles Division I was responsible for all fund development for the division, grant writing, event planning, volunteer recruitment, and supervising staff at multiple transitional housing sites.

Volunteer member of Board of Directors of a nonprofit adoption and foster care agency specializing in hard-to-place children. Positions held: Vice Chair of Board, Fund Development Chair.

Managed San Jose office and all Silicon Valley programs, including workshop series (200+ workshops annually), nonprofit resource library, Board Connection program, and three regional conferences. Responsible for managing staff, programs, and building relations with local nonprofit organizations and partner agencies.

Managed and oversaw development of online forums for human services professionals, hired forum moderators and edited their written work. Managed customer service and membership services aspects and supervised community staff.

As first ED of organization, I managed all day-to-day operations of agency, including budget management, volunteer recruitment and retention, planning of regional conference and editing of annual “Indicators” report. Worked with Board of Directors to establish goals and direction of agency.

Oversaw promotion of Summer Food Program to schools and community groups statewide, organized regional conference, gave presentations and participated in committees and boards. Wrote and edited newsletter with over 1,100 subscribers.

Monitored agency construction projects for compliance with wage and sub-contractor requirements, including presenting regulations at pre-bid meetings, analyzing bids, visiting work-sites to interview contractors, and reviewing payroll reports throughout project.

Research, analysis, and reporting on special projects for senior planners.