Marilyn Ayres Email & Phone Number

Washington D.C.

Washhington, Dc

Washington, Dc

As a key member of the senior management team, primary responsibilities include management of finance, human resources, and information technology functions and oversight of educational programs. Implemented and improved financial management systems for better accountability. Increased the rate of recruiting for talent acquisition and staff retention by implementing competitive compensation and benefit programs. Built and sustained organizational infrastructure ensuring integrity and financial stability during the recession. Adapted budget process and structure to foster effective cross-functional planning, coordination and integration. --Guided the organization’s first fundraising campaign, raising $40 million to endow an accreditation program, capitalize a captive insurance company, and invest in the capacity and effectiveness of 1,100-member land trusts--Managed, mentored and retained senior directors of two programmatic divisions as well as finance, technology and human resource staff--Facilitated cross-department collaboration and integration through the annual planning process and regular program director gatherings--Successfully facilitated transition to new chief executive officer--Implemented a new budgeting and reporting software program, reducing the time required to prepare, review and approve the annual operating budget by 50%--Spearheaded the adoption of an online performance review system, addressing challenges in inconsistency in rating scales among supervisors--Developed the business case and projected operating budget for an independent organization to insure the costs of defending conservation lands --Functioned as strategic partner to Conservation Defense Director in successfully launching the insurance venture which now insures over 500 organizations stewarding 8.6 million acres of conservation lands--Liaised with three committees of the board of directors and developed materials for board meetings and board orientation

Washington D.C. Metro Area

--Facilitated the process to update the organization’s strategic plan, engaging board, staff and external stakeholders and leading the development of accompanying implementation and evaluation plans-- chieved goal for positioning the organization in the market for compensation and implemented enhanced employee benefits and professional development opportunities, resulting in significant decrease in employee turnover--Partnered with the Board Treasurer to design visual dashboards to complement financial reports, resulting in increased understanding of financial matters among board members--Implemented a corporate credit card program including online portal to manage and allocate expenses

Washington D.C. Metro Area

--Established a salary structure for the organization, resulting in improved equity and staff retention over the next decade--Provided thought leadership in development of organizational strategic plan and accompanying outcome metrics--Developed a complete suite of organizational policies and procedures including human resources policies and procedures, conflict of interest, whistleblower and operational procedures--Implemented an integrated eCommerce solution for our CRM system

Washington D.C. Metro Area

--Created financial policies, procedures and internal controls and completed implementation of Dynamics GP as ERP solution and developed MS Access database for salary allocation--Identified and implemented solutions to address weaknesses in the organization’s business model --Established process for incorporating indirect costs into program restricted grants which played a key role in the organization moving from technical insolvency to financial stability--Implemented a new integrated grant expense tracking process, reducing manual entry

Rockville, Md

Served as chief financial officer and senior operations officer, responsible for management of division consisting of the accounting, loan administration, technology implementation and deposit operations of the bank. Primary functions included budgeting, strategic planning, risk management, financial and regulatory reporting.

Mba, Finance

Ma, International Affairs

Ba, Political Science