Sandy Persaud, Mpa (She/Her) Email and Phone Number

Promote a company culture that emphasizes positive employee engagement and commitment to the mission, resulting in higher employee loyalty and retentionBe an advocate for every employee and the company, ensuring that diversity, equity, and inclusion are a key part of hiring and training strategies and help to shape the employee experienceImplement policies and procedures that reflect the mission of the company and provide opportunities for staff to embody and live the core values Implement recruiting strategies to find the right person for each role and provide growth opportunities that align with employee’s career goalsImplement systems to standardize important HR functions, such as applicant tracking, hiring and onboarding, employee files, training and certifications, time tracking, and performance managementMonitor compliance policies and procedures related to labor and wage laws, employee safety, and employees rightsContribute to strategic planning and make data-driven decisions to structure, restructure, and grow the companyDevelop and lead DEI strategies to strengthen DEI awareness, education, and organizational practices

Managed a portfolio of foundation and government donors exceeding $4 millionStewarded current relationships and identify and approach new prospects for cultivation and solicitationWrote compelling grant proposals and timely reports to secure new commitments and renewalsSecured meetings and coordinated site visits with donors and prospects to update them on HCZ’s activitiesWorked closely with the Senior Staff, Program Directors, and Administration to gather information for proposals and prepare periodic reports for donors/funders

Drafted grant proposals for youth development and academic programs funded through city, state, and federal grants, including 15 winning proposals in the last three years totaling over $1 million annual revenue for the companyManaged partnerships with public school districts, NYC DOE schools, universities, and non-profit agencies through consistent communication (email, phone calls, personal meetings) to share information and ensure transparency in all interactionsCoordinated with grant/contract managers regarding program implementation, data tracking and reporting, performance measurement, and evaluation processesTrained program leadership staff in student recruitment and retention strategies; supervised student recruitment practices and lead informational sessions at schoolsSupervised a team of Site Directors to effectively manage after-school and summer youth development programs; provided ongoing feedback and conduct performance evaluations of senior program staffAnalyzed grant data through quantitative and qualitative methods (e.g. testing scores, student report cards, surveys, interviews, observations) to assess program effectiveness and achievement of program objectivesDistributed periodic reports to stakeholders and grant managers interpreting grant data through charts and graphs; scheduled quarterly advisory meetings to review findings and set new goalsSupervised hiring and orientation procedures for program staff at funded (non-profit) youth programsCreated workflow streams to recruit students and staff and implement funded programs Managed the human resources and operations processes for funded programs

Supervised hiring procedures to successfully employ 300-500 seasonal staff at non-profit after-school and summer enrichment programs for children and teenagersCreated talent acquisition systems to screen employment applications and interview qualified candidates, including college students, graduate school students, teachers, teaching artists, and management staffSet and enforced compensation policies for part-time and seasonal staff in accordance with staffing budgets issued by the Finance DepartmentManaged the staff database in updating fields, reports, forms, notifications, and user access; worked with database technicians to troubleshoot technical problems and prepare code Directed web developer in updating web-based employment applications and staff formsPrepared and collected employee paperwork (tax forms, health records, signed contracts), managed I-9 eligibility verification process, and other on-boarding proceduresRevised Employee Handbook and organization’s Policies & Procedures manual; disseminated information regarding policy updates to Site Directors and employeesConducted staff orientation and professional development workshops in Policies & Procedures, Supervision & Performance Evaluation, Child Behavior Management, Operations and Risk Management, etc.Mediated employee conflicts and instituted standard reporting methods for supervisors and employeesImplemented new staff evaluation and self-assessment tools to improve staff performance and provide ongoing professional development

• Managed the year-round organizational planning required to operate up to 20 youth programs; managed an independent workload on a 3-person Operations team• Met with school/facilities managers to secure safe and adequate program facilities; arranged for free student meals; created bus routes for student transportation; booked field trips• Coordinated with vendors to purchase supplies and secure support services• Consulted with public agencies (NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, NYC Department of Education, NYC Department of Parks and Recreation) to file permits for youth programs and ensure compliance with the policies of regulatory agencies• Trained seasonal Operations Directors for summer programs in aspects of program operations: budgeting, purchasing, payroll, information management systems, client communication, risk management, and policies and procedures