Lauren Houck Email and Phone Number

Schala Advisors provides both strategic advisement and operational support to small-medium businesses and organizations seeking sustainable, holistic growth. We specialize in strategic planning, operational design, initiative implementation, and organizational learning. We provide project-based services as well as fulfil fractional executive operational roles. We are particularly interested in supporting businesses who are pursuing social impact goals.

• Developed and managed operational procedures and processes for group of five companies in various life-cycle stages, across a diversity of industries, including but not limited to information technologies, retail, advertising, data management, and conservation• Assisted C-suite in strategic planning, ensuring a group-wide focus on creation of sustainable systems, lean processes, efficient deployment of resources, and optimized output• Identified gaps in operational efficiency; managed procurement and incorporation of additional resources as required to maintain optimal business functioning• Led various teams comprised of full-time staff and outsourced consultants, assisting in translation of vision and ensuring actualization of outcomes as stipulated by strategic goals of each business unitResponsibilities within the specific business units included, but were not limited to:Gmaven – Industry: IT/GIS/Data Management/Business Intelligence• Business Process Outsourcing, Project Management, Procurement, Marketing/Public Relations, Human Resource Development and AdministrationKorango – Industry: Fashion• Brand Management, Marketing/Public Relations, SEO, Project Management, Event Planning, Reportingt3nga – Industry: Retail• Import/Supplier Management, Warehouse Management, Ecommerce System Administration, Sales, Distribution, Customer Relations, Account ManagementWorkbench – Industry: Advertising• Internal System Development, AdministrationBirdLasser – Industry: IT/Conservation• Project Management, Event Planning, Procurement

• Oversaw the development and effective execution of summer day camp program for HIV affected children, ages 7-17, managing all financial, programmatic, and administrative aspects of program • Hired, trained, and led group of summer interns as direct reports, promoting a collaborative partnership amongst the project team • Planned and implemented procedures that ensured children were in a safe, educational, and supportive environment whilst in attendance, effectively utilizing organizational assets to remain well under budget while offering quality programming

• Provided continuous supportive services, resource referrals, and information dissemination to caseload of 20+ families affected by HIV/AIDS, serving as a liaison between the clients and other supportive service providers• Managed all administrative tasks related to the support of clients and standard maintenance of each client file for all internal and external stakeholders, maintaining average quality assurance compliance rate above 90%• Assisted program managers in developing standard protocol for new program within the case management department and led effort for seamless integration of this program into existing departmental and organizational structure

• Increased capacity of small, funding-limited organization by recruiting, training, and placing team of 30+ volunteers into value adding positions within organization• Instituted environment of continuous improvement and innovation, utilizing knowledge of various stakeholder needs to conceptualize new opportunities for volunteer involvement within existing programs• Managed all related administrative tasks of program, including maintenance of online recruitment sites, client and volunteer databases, and executive reports• Corresponded with city officials, NGOs, community leaders, etc. on behalf of the organization to increase external awareness of organization• Supported other organizational programming by assisting with special event planning, fundraising appeals, and other organizational procedures as needed

• Provided capacity-building and logistical support for 10+ understaffed local organizations, taking on a variety of supportive roles• Cooperated with intern team to design and implement short-term community service projects throughout New York City, utilizing existing, and often limited, resources of local organizations