Sylvia Atsalis Phd Email & Phone Number

Paramaribo, Suriname

Us & International

Professional Development for Good offers capacity building training workshops, and one-on-one consulting and mentorship, for students and young professionals with mission-driven career aspirations for a better world. Uniquely combining scientific training, research and teaching background with extensive experience & skill in career advising, PDG supports mission-driven young professionals to navigate critical first career steps assisting to: Overcome indecisionEvaluate career optionsEnhance professional SELF-AWARENESSFacilitate EXPLORATION of strengths & unique giftsIdentify & articulate career VISIONGenerate outstanding career materials to bolster CAREER CONFIDENCEYoung adults come with questions & hesitations, and leave armed with enthusiasm and confidence to launch future professional mission-driven lives.

United States

A nonprofit initiative dedicated to guiding rising stars in conservation and environmental work. Through the program, I train and mentor young professionals in recognizing and harnessing their unique abilities and strengths. I focus on fostering their communication skills, enabling them to engage in meaningful dialogue and connect with others. I provide training in the art of networking and mentorship. Personalized training takes place in one-on-one interactions with mentees. At present, I am excited to be leading the inaugural My Mentor program, welcoming participants from across the globe. The first cohort includes 17 students, early and mid-career emerging conservation leaders from around the world. My Mentor is part of the World Ventures Group, a nonprofit organization that generously sponsored the pilot 2024 program. https://www.worldventuresgroup.com/.

Chicago Chapter

Suriname, South America

BUILDING CAPACITY THROUGH TRAINING IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTExpanding Conservation Leadership in SurinameState department award to build professional capacity incorporating experiential components by: a) providing training in professional development and leadership skills to early career professionals, and students enrolled in Environmental Sciences, the MS in Biodiversity Conservation (Anton de Kom University), and the Advanced Teachers’ Training Institute (Biology Program); b) collaborating with conservation agencies; c) conducting outreach to district policy makers to evaluate land use of forest fragments whose biodiversity we previously measured; d) continue development of pre- Master’s Environmental Science curriculum; e) organize one day career training conference.• Advised, coached and provided individual consults for 20 students enhancing professional strengths.• Co-developed pre-Master’s course: New Perspectives on Water; importance & value of management for human and environmental health; drew 60 + participants from broad range of organizations and issued 40+ certificates.• Instructed new course Professional Development Career Training for 20+ students resulting in improved resume,LinkedIn profile & networking skills, and increased long-term professional self-awareness and confidence.• Conducted outreach to 5 local environmental organizations, setting foundations for future collaboration on professional development of young employees.• Creating new signature workshop on communication through the art of asking questions.

Africa, Se Asia, Central & South America

Serving as facilitator and instructor, I helped to build capacity in international conservation leadership and research skills in college students & early career professionals.Initiated grant-funded training programs in primate ecology, conservation, and professional development & leadership impacting 70+ local college students and early career professionals in Asia (Vietnam, Singapore), Africa (The Gambia), and South America (Suriname), representing 12 countries. • Co-developed Fulbright-funded Suriname Forest Fragments Project, with 10 students measuring 12 community fragments & collaborating with civic organizations in support of forest preservation. In partnership with Anton de Kom Environmental Sciences program and the MSc program in Biodiversity Conservation and Advanced Teachers’ Training Institute (IOL-Biology Program), Kent State and local NGO the Foundation for Environmental Awareness, Research, and Training. • Co-created & executed 5 workshops for 50+ Anton de Kom Environmental Sciences program and the MSc program in Biodiversity Conservation and Advanced Teachers’ Training Institute (IOL-Biology Program) students (with Kent State and the Foundation for Environmental Awareness, Research, and Training). • Co-created/executed 2 workshops on Primate Ecology & Research Methods in Vietnam & Singapore for 30 participants representing 11 countries (with San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research). • Designed/instructed course for 20 Singaporean zoo professionals on research skills for Certification in Animal Management (Singapore Zoo). • Developed 10+ lectures (ecology/primate behavior) for faculty, Vietnam Forestry University, Hanoi.

Ida Noyes

For students aspiring to public service impact, pursuing careers in non-profits, policy, local and federal government, corporate social responsibility, impact and non-profit consulting, and economic development.Responsible for overseeing day-to-day staff & program management, and for developing strategic systems for innovative programming and projects promoting the professional development of students. Researched scientifically supported & professionally endorsed ways to career counseling directed at 2000+ social impact driven students. SELECT ACCOMPLISHMENTS: • Supervised staff of 4, with ongoing professional development. • Counseled, mentored, coached ~200 students, including 70 first years.• Crafted customized programming for Environmental & Urban Studies and planned new programming for Health Policy Scholars. • Redesigned Rosenzweig Scholars selective track creating 10 new professional development workshops, securing 90% job placement by graduation. • Oversight of UChicago Public Interest Program; post-graduate 1-year employment & professional mentorship fellowship via alumni support; placing 42 graduating students in 28 partner civic, think tank, and government organizations in Chicago, New York and DC. • Led outreach to 65+ organizations, resulting in opportunities for internships, externships, treks, networking, informational interviews, & potential job opportunities. Designed new professional development programmatic events and organized/led numerous treks with 120+ participants to 10+ nonprofits, think tanks & government offices. • Initiated creation of 60+ original content tip sheets & handouts, and signature workshops on Branding & Mission Statement & on Nonprofit Job Search.• Redesigned the weekly program newsletter, sending 55+ bulletins to 2000+ students. • Collected/analyzed data on recruitment, student progress & program evaluations, authored annual report, for senior leadership to strategize and improve outcomes.

Chicago

Serving 8 STEM departments (2000+ students) in the region’s most ethnically diverse 4-year institution, the Center's mission is to recruit, retain, and graduate students, focusing on under-represented groups. SELECT ACCOMPLISHMENTSProvided comprehensive, creative leadership and turn-around management for annual strategic planning & marketing, training & supervising. Designed best practices for student advising, improved core programming on professional development, and exponentially increased resources for students. • 35 handouts & 5 signature workshops: study skills, branding, time management, networking, informational interviewing, applying to internships and graduate school etc. • Expanded outreach with 80+ weekly info email blasts to 1500 students.• Expanded outreach to 15+ campus constituencies and 20+ external industry, university and nonprofit collaborators. • Promoted partnerships with high schools & community colleges reaching 1000 students. • Transformed internship program to Summer Research and Professional Development Training Program (research, advising, professional development workshops). • Led 100+ students to regional and national conferences. • To increase networking opportunities and expose students to new career options, co-organized 3 expert panels with 20 representatives from local industry.• Advanced social media presence through new creation of LinkedIn group page. • Tracked successes and post graduate placement with video interviews & on-line exit survey. • With Public Relations produced 3 stories focusing on student successes. • Assessed all programs and activities.

Chicago

Provided professional and academic advising to students in the life sciences and in pre-health.Created innovative educational and professional development workshops.

Greater Chicago Area

Educational outreach: introducing teaching materials on evolution and biological anthropology to K-12 and community college educators. Educator Open House (October 2011); Field Ambassador Day (January 2012).

Singapore

•Instructed professionals towards certification in animal management (CAM): research, scientific writing, and presentation skills. •Developed and evaluated student research projects, prepared final exam.•Advising (ongoing) to select students on college education and career options.

Costa Rica, Paris, Madagascar

INSTITUTE FOR THE CONSERVATION OF TROPICAL ENVIRONMENTS (STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY), MADAGASCAR (9/2010-12/2010)Comprehensive responsibility for organization, budget, safety, activities, cross country travel.Instructed 14 students, US and Malagasy, on lemur biodiversity and science research skills. Trained and coached in developing field research projects and appraised research presentations. Trained and supervised 2 TA’s. Submitted detailed written assessments of students and program.UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO, PARIS CENTER (10-12/2009)Instructed and assessed 13 students on Primate Social Behavior and Ecology. Implemented creative class assignments, advised on postgraduate education and career options.Guided research projects, trained on data analysis. LA SUERTE BIOLOGICAL FIELD SCHOOL, COSTA RICA (7/2003)Trained 12 students: field research, data analysis, presentations, science career options.

Greater Chicago Area

5/2006-2/2009 (laid off)—Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago: As Grants Manager (6/2008-2/2009)• Acted as liaison between development and scientific research staff.• Wrote or edited numerous research-based grant proposals and reports. Produced 13-page grant evaluation on zoo’s Education Inclusion Initiative (compiled and analyzed data, interviews, synthesized information).• Identified and investigated new funding opportunities. Ensured grant compliance. As Research Associate (5/2006-6/2008)• Co-developed and administered 2 multi-institutional grant funded primate-related research projects. • Collected and analyzed data, presented at conferences, published results in peer-reviewed journals.• Evaluated scientific research proposals submitted to the research committee.

Greater Chicago Area

As Project Coordinator of Electronic Behavioral Data Collection (9/2004-5/2006)• Co-developed electronic behavioral data collection program, organized and managed database. • Oversight of personnel and administrative activities related to the above. Trained zoo staff.• Outreach: prepared related newsletters, presentations, publications in peer-reviewed journals.As Research Fellow (9/2003-9/2004)• Co-developed and coordinated 2 multi-institutional grant funded projects on physiological and behavioral aspects of female gorilla reproductive aging and sexual behavior. First national study (17 collaborating institutions) on menopause in female gorillas. • Oversight of all administration related to research projects. Trained staff at multiple partner institutions. • Collected and analyzed data, presented at conferences, organized symposia, published results in peer-reviewed journals, and prepared updates for zoo publications.• Public outreach: prepared articles on zoo research and activities for magazines targeting zoo members.

Greater Chicago Area

Natural history feature articles.

Greater Chicago Area And New York City

Northwestern University School of Continuing StudiesNorthwestern University (Chicago)Roosevelt University (Chicago)Lehman College/Queens College/Hunter College/City College (City University of New York)Marymount College (New York)University of GeorgiaInstructed in: anthropology, biological anthropology, primate behavior and ecology:Evolution of Primate Life HistoriesIntroduction to Biological AnthropologySeminar in the Natural SciencesSurvey of the Living PrimatesPrimate Social OrganizationsAggression and Reconciliation in Non-human PrimatesFreshman Seminar Writing CourseIntroduction to Biology and Biology laboratoriesSupervised 3 independent research projects.

Phd, Anthropology (Subfield: Biological Anthropology Specialized In Primate Behavior & Ecology

First long term field study on the smallest living primates, the nocturnal mouse lemurs. Focus on understanding feeding ecology.

Ma, Anthropology (Subfield: Biological Anthropology)

Zoology

Post-BA studies.