Operational management for the Niagara Prosperity Initiative (NPI) on behalf of the Niagara Region. NPI includes the annual distribution of $1.5M through a Request for Proposals seeking projects that address poverty at a neighbourhood level for resident of Niagara. My role also includes supporting the Niagara Poverty Reduction Network (NPRN) and its committees. NPRN is a group of social agencies, educators, business and government representatives, faith communities and individuals who work together to improve the quality of life in Niagara. Our vision is that all Niagara residents live above the poverty line. For more information visit, www.wipeoutpoverty.ca

Niagara Connects is a Niagara-wide network for collaboration, planning, learning, innovation and community action toward a stronger future for Niagara.As a newly incorporated organization, my primary role was to establish operational systems for organizational sustainability and effectiveness. Additional responsibilities included:• Researched local data for the 2014 Living in Niagara Report• Managed the Niagara Community Calendar – an online tool that is part of the Niagara Knowledge Exchange, for Niagara-wide sharing of events, community activities, and learning opportunities.• Supported several projects such as Niagara Mental Health & Addictions Charter and #Rethink Niagara.

• Supervise and mentor staff by acknowledging and building on strengths while identifying opportunities for growth and professional development leading to increased staff motivation and program effectiveness• Develop job descriptions, perform interviews and recommend employees for hire with the appropriate skills and character to match organizational objectives• Successfully secured funding from provincial and regional governments, foundations and other sources through grant writing and fundraising• Operational management for the Niagara Prosperity Initiative including planning and developing the request for proposal (RFP), establishing measurement outcomes, forecasting and solving problems and monitoring and supporting active projects to ensure compliance and successful completion• Develop, analyze, monitor and present financial reports for an annual $1.5M budget; manage funding distribution for over 210 NPI projects resulting in significant cost savings available to fund additional projects • Manage, recruit and train volunteers for working groups and committees including two community collaboration initiatives with over 30 agency representatives: Early Years Niagara (EYN) and Niagara Poverty Reduction Network (NPRN)• Strengthen and build community relations within a political environment using tactful communication to encourage community development and engagement• Develop promotional / marketing material for special events; Improve communication among stakeholders by creating a news digest and developing an annual Off to School Parent Resource Guide distributed through four school boards• Present reporting requirements to groups of 50-75 social service agency representatives, provide software and hardware training and facilitate safe space orientation for all BEC staff• Coordinate special events and projects such as public forums, Regional Chair Early Years Niagara Literary Award, Touch a Truck fundraiser and National Child Day celebration activities

• Assisted clients in highly stressful situations to better understand immigration, citizenship and enforcement legislation and procedures for more effective navigation through the system as well as increasing efficiency of internal processes • Created and implemented officer and client satisfaction surveys; Piloted and revised survey based on feedback and reported results as part of a region-wide initiative • Developed, presented and executed an archiving system to increase file security, optimize use of office space and efficiently organize inactive files for long-term storage