EducateNKY is a non-profit organization that is committed to expanding educational opportunities, access, and outcomes for all youth in Northern Kentucky. Focused on innovation, public/private partnerships, and high-impact initiatives, EducateNKY drives collaborative efforts to build a stronger Northern Kentucky region.

Project-based strategy and capacity building support for non-profit, public sector, education and health sectors. Costello Community Solutions provides flexible and independent project management - with "big picture" insights and reliable execution in the areas of grant writing, strategic planning, program development, research/data analysis and volunteer mobilization.Completed Projects: Developed data dashboard and surveillance/intervention system for drug overdoses, including convening community partners to address the needs of the Northern Kentucky Independent District Health Department. (3/22-8/23)Supported increased alignment and impact of the Northern Kentucky workforce development collaboration, Growing Regional Outcomes through Workforce (GROW NKY) with 70+ partners and multiple coalitions representing the full education/workforce pipeline. (NKY Area Development District 4/22-6/23)Grant research, preparation and administration including development and nurturance of funder relationships to support clients' overall development efforts (Ignite Institute/NKY, The Victorian at Riverside)

NORTHERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY Institute for Health InnovationProgram Director 1/2020-9/2021Led multi-strategy grant focused on substance use disorder and justice-involved populations in rural Owen and Carroll counties. Collaborated with public safety, public health and behavioral health partners to complete extensive planning process and strategic plan development with strategies focused on data management, communications/public education, partner collaboration and individual recovery (transportation, employment, housing). Program Director 10/2018-9/2019 Led multi-stakeholder consortium for 12-month federal grant addressing opioid challenge in Owen County, KY. Successfully completed planning grant deliverables including community needs assessment, strategic plan, workforce plan and sustainability plan which led to three-year funding award (1M).

Regional community development, “collective impact” organization charged with implementing 5-year community priorities in the areas of health, education, jobs and culture. - Launched successful startup of LiveWell NKY, the NKY regional population health initiative through program development, partner recruitment, strategic planning, funding plan/budgets, grant research and submissions, marketing support, website development, media engagement and evaluation process within 18-month period, involving over 50 regional partners. - Orchestrated grant submission process for successful 500K award from the national BUILD Health Challenge (Bold, Upstream, Integrated, Local, and Data-driven) to improve cross-sector collaboration and community health with focus on reducing tobacco use through innovative data sharing and creative engagement strategies.

Supported education and workforce development initiatives for 10-year economic development plan for Northern Kentucky as loaned executive to NKY Education Council, regional “backbone organization” for education. - Oversaw collaborative action teams comprised of business, non-profit and academic leaders supporting programs from “birth to career.” Managed complex projects focused on strategic planning, process improvement and data-driven decision making to expand business engagement in education. - Accelerated volunteer recruitment and program development for regional One to One Reading program in 41 schools. Developed creative recruitment and funding strategies to ensure identification, placement and training of 150 reading “coaches” per year. Coordinated effectively with staff, partner schools, Advisory Council and funders. Analyzed program recruitment and retention data to develop updated strategic plan. - Facilitated consensus on recommended regional goals by Education and Health Working Groups as part of 2014 regional community visioning process. Each group was comprised of regional leaders and key partners in education/health arena.

Senior Employee Relations Specialist, 2006 – 2010 Executed global employee-relations support and direction to management and multi-facility Human Resource (HR) Department in all areas of employment law (2-person department). Human Resources Generalist / NA Logistics & Supply Chain, 2005 – 2006 Provided HR support to customer groups (200 employees nationwide) and led project initiatives with emphasis on staffing, succession planning, performance management and employee relations, increasing overall HR presence as integral team member. Human Resources Consultant, 1999 – 2005 Contributed as intermittent contract employee in support of various HR functions and company business units. Effectively assimilated required information to successfully manage numerous short-term and long term high-priority projects.