Sara Draper-Zivetz Email & Phone Number

California, United States

Oakland, California, United States

I lead strategy and implementation of Mandela Partners' suite of food access, food distribution and wellness programs, including overseeing Mandela Produce Distribution - a West Oakland-based community food hub increasing local access to fresh produce and economic benefit for BIPOC farmers. I support our team with program planning, strategy, growth and evaluation, and develop partnerships and resources to deepen our impact. I also serve on the organization’s executive leadership team supporting organization-wide strategic planning, systems development and operational improvement, and team and culture building.

San Francisco Bay Area

I oversaw organization-wide strategic planning and community programs for San Francisco's nonprofit wholesale produce market. Among several programs, I managed an award-winning food recovery program redirecting more than a million pounds of fresh produce per year out of landfills and towards food insecure communities in Bayview Hunters Point and throughout the Bay Area. I also managed The SF Market’s zero waste planning and the organization's board development.

Berkeley, California, United States

I provided project management, facilitation, strategic planning, organizational development, research and outreach leadership for several food systems projects and clients based in the San Francisco Bay Area and across California. Project examples included: feasibility study for California FarmLink; collective impact model development, strategic planning and retreat facilitation for San Mateo County Food Systems Alliance; project management, outreach and content development for food systems career development platform sponsored by California Community Colleges; organizational development and transition planning for SAGE (internal).

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Managed several key programs for a resident-serving, community-based organization, including a vibrant farmers market, a housing resource workshop series, and a community-led COVID-19 crisis fund.Operated the Lawrenceville Farmers Market focused on increasing food access, serving 1k+ customers weekly for 29 week season. Successes include:- Growing market audience by >100% during 2020 season.- Redesigning market layout and implementing comprehensive safety protocols to adapt to COVID-19, earning reputation as one of the "city's safest markets."- Enhancing social impact of the market, including by increasing services for older adult shoppers, and serving 6x SNAP users as compared to 2019 season.- Increasing the quantity, quality, diversity, retention rate (92%) and satisfaction of vendors, as reported in post-season surveys. Planned and executed a Virtual Housing Workshop Series, coordinating a series of public-facing virtual events connecting community members (tenants, homeowners, and landlords) to resources to improve housing stability and affordability both during and beyond COVID-19 pandemic.Led the Neighbors in Need Fund, coordinating applications, resident-led advisory committee, and approval of emergency grants for residents and businesses facing crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Berkeley, Ca

Provided strategic leadership in the founding and early success of high-impact non-profit housing policy and innovation center based at UC Berkeley. Led the Center's strategic planning and organizational development, including in team growth and hiring, culture building, internal operations and external affairs. Cultivated and managed a $2 mil annual operating budget with revenue generated from grants, contracts and individual giving, including writing proposals for and successfully securing gifts/grants of up to $1 mil in general operating support. Oversaw the Center's communications strategy, including creating digital content, leading research publication/dissemination, and serving as primary point of contact for all media relations.Facilitated weekly, quarterly and annual staff meetings and retreats. Coordinated all public-facing events, including complex and high-profile conferences. Ensured ongoing alignment between organizational strategy, mission, operations, and finance.

San Francisco Bay Area

Co-founded a social enterprise focused on advancing equity, health and sustainability in urban food systems. Developed affordable meal kit designed to reduce barriers to home cooking, increasing access to and consumption of quality and nutritious food.Successful execution of early-stage crowdfunding campaign and multi-phase pilot program, selling hundreds of meals to low-income individuals and families in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Washington, Dc

Provided strategic and administrative leadership for Public Sector Innovation team. Facilitated strategic planning and evaluation work for project portfolio; conducted research and produced content including blog posts and reports; contributed to all internal and external communications; and coordinated all logistics for dozens of internal and external events, including the Project on Municipal Innovation, a biannual high-profile conference of City Mayoral Chiefs of Staff.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Collaborated with diverse range of local non-profit service providers to identify needs and leverage corporate partners and resources to meet these needs via creative, high-impact volunteer projects. Designed and managed large scale volunteer events involving up to 10,000 individuals and 50 partner organizations.

Managed volunteer program, served as executive assistant to President and CEO, managed front office, served as administrative support to all station departments, and supported in logistics and communications for major station events.

Master Of City Planning, City/Urban, Community And Regional Planning

Ba, Sociology

Activities and Societies: Amnesty International, Barnard Bulletin