Lauren Nilles Email & Phone Number

New York, NY, US

Usher Vivvi into next stage of growth as member of executive team

New York, NY, US

• As founding team member and first people hire, built systems and structures to attract, retain, and support the growth of world-class early childhood educators and other team members.
• Expanded team 10x, from 25 to 250
• Navigated change management, compliance, and culture initiatives to successfully grow headcount and program offerings amidst COVID-19 pandemic; avoided layoffs and furloughs
• Implemented systems to strengthen organizational capacity across all key People functions: talent acquisition, DEI, performance management, total rewards, learning and development, etc.

New York, NY, US

• As first people-related hire, grew team by 80% and established fundamental HR infrastructure by:
• Building a data-driven, competency-based talent acquisition strategy designed to minimize bias and prioritize quality and diversity of hires
• Identifying and implementing high-impact retention efforts (e.g., deploying engagement survey and creating response plan, implementing new performance management system, overhauling All Hands meetings and other culture.
• Leading company-wide core values creation and rollout
• Working with outside counsel to ensure compliance on all employee-related matters; creating and implementing parental leave and other company policies

New York, New York, US

• Managed a portfolio of approximately 13 K-12 education and college access nonprofits by:
• Leveraging expertise in curriculum and instruction to evaluate program quality
• Monitoring grantee performance against ambitious, quantifiable goals and targets
• Identifying and refining methods for quantifying the impact of an organization’s services with reference to current research studies and findings
• Supporting organization's growth and improvement via strategy, governance, infrastructure, and technology through partnership with Robin Hood management assistance teamAdditionally, pioneered new literacy instructional.
• Composing framework to definition and illustrate components of Blended Literacy, which combines aspects of blended and personalized learning with content-rich curricula and tactics

Brooklyn, New York, US

• Increased applications for instructional positions to the charter school network by 65% compared with the year prior by:
• Setting strategy to achieve network-wide teacher recruitment target of 500 hires within eight months
• Analyzing source data to direct $225,000 budget to the highest-yield channels and activities (including events, digital marketing, print advertising, partnerships, social media, and campus recruitment)
• Directly managing a team of three
• Redesigning email campaigns to 90,000 subscribers, resulting in 7-percentage point increase in open rate
• Implementing new employee referral system to attract candidates from diverse backgrounds

Detroit, Michigan, US

• Created comprehensive talent strategy for VFA HQ internal team by:
• Leading and advising all talent-related departments: Recruitment, Selection, and Programs
• Working with COO to create org-wide hiring and succession plans; creating internal hiring best practices
• Instituting professional development initiatives and overhauling performance management/feedback
• Producing curricula for Fellows, entrepreneurs, and business leaders; mentoring Fellows
• Writing blog posts and talent-related website copy

Detroit, Michigan, US

• Built rigorous admissions process to accommodate 1,600+ applicants and 150+ reviewers per cycle, selected 220 VFA Fellows over 2 years (nine out of ten of whom were ultimately rated by employers as top 10% performers).
• Leading application redesign for the 2015 Fellowship, including platform selection, project management, and software customization
• Designing and implementing strategy and content for all stages of the application process: online application, interview questions/structure, reviewer rubrics and evaluation forms, etc.
• Developing actionable data management strategies for application information from 9,000+ candidates
• Managing two direct reports
• Developing online and in-person trainings to equip >800 total supporters, staff, and current Fellows to be application readers, video interviewers, and final interview judges

Detroit, Michigan, US

• Joined startup nonprofit in its first year of operation; grew applicant pool 400% from year 1 to year 3 by:
• Developing organization-wide recruitment strategy and procedures from ground up as first talent hire
• Forging strategic relationships with various stakeholders, including university contacts and applicants
• Planning and executing information sessions and other promotional events
• Managing national Campus Ambassador program for current undergraduates

Washington, District Of Columbia, US

• Created and implemented lesson plans and assessments for 5 classes of 25-30 students resulting in 84% mastery of science standards compared to cohort average of 61%
• Appointed grade-level Team Leader after first year of teaching; responsible for managing 3 veteran teachers and 135 students, planning and directing team meetings, and training peers on instructional strategies
• Composed curriculum for Geometry of Nature, LLC that is now being implemented in a pilot program involving hundreds of schools in North Carolina
• Organized video conference event for 100 students, NASA Chief Administrator, and U.S. Secretary of Education to speak with astronauts aboard the International Space Station

New York, NY, US

• Mastered basics of pedagogy and instruction in intensive 5-week training
• Achieved significant quantitative and qualitative academic gains with 230 students over two years
• Promoted to Team Leader in second year of teaching

Boston, MA, US

• Executed events, including managing mailings and providing on-site support at the 200+ participant golf tournament; cultivated donor relationships with 35 individuals and 9 local businesses

Boston, Massachusetts, US

• Planned and led play group therapy sessions for children ages 4-6 at risk of developmental delay; organized comprehensive resource guide for parents/guardians, including information on public assistance, immigration.

Bachelor Of Arts, Psychology

Master Of Education (M.Ed.), Curriculum And Instruction

Education record