Director Of External Affairs
San Francisco, Ca
Served as Director of Communications (2013), Director of Policy and Communications (2014-16), Director of External Affairs (2016) and interim Chief Executive Officer (2016-17) for organization promoting parks advocacy and philanthropy with $3 million annual budget and 13 core paid staff; supporting a Board of 21 civic leaders and park philanthropists. Key organizational responsibilities included:• Building and deepening relationships with external partners including city agencies, elected officials, and nonprofit and for-profit organizations;• Supporting employees’ professional development and service to the organization;• Planning, overseeing and executing major annual fundraising event;• Managing fundraising and project delivery components of the Let’sPlaySF! capital campaign, with a goal of raising $10.75 million over three years;• Ensuring that the organization’s stewardship programs have maximum impact and that the Parks Alliance has the human capital and financial resources to fulfill our mission. Accomplishments as Interim Chief Executive Officer:• Improved external relationships with donors and partners and internal employee morale;• Stabilized organization’s budget outlook after an unanticipated operating deficit, while also managing key staff transition;• With support from volunteer chairs and staff, planned and executed successful and well-attended Party for the Parks in 2016;• Successfully negotiated memorandum of understanding with Recreation and Park Department to guide capital campaign and partnership.Other accomplishments (2013-16)• Overhauled comprehensive brand strategy in late 2013, including creating organization style guide and strengthening communications infrastructure.• Hired and mentored Policy Manager to further organization’s policy work. • Successfully managed major ballot measure generating up to $1 billion in dedicated revenue for the City’s parks.
