Tara Colton Email & Phone Number

Lead initiatives that align with Governor Murphy’s commitment to a stronger, fairer New Jersey, where all residents can build economic security and well-being. Oversee more than $300 million in EDA’s growing portfolio of programs to alleviate food insecurity and eliminate food deserts, including the Food Desert Relief Act, Food Security Planning Grants.

Greater New York City Area

• Executive Director of Seedco, a national nonprofit organization founded in 1987 that advances economic opportunity for people, businesses, and communities in need. Seedco currently operates programs in 6 states: New.
• Broadened Seedco’s geographic and programmatic footprint, expanding from 4 states to 6 states, with successful execution of new programs in Arkansas and Connecticut.
• Developed and launched new revenue and partnership model for EarnBenefits Online (EBO), Seedco’s proprietary benefit screening and application assistance tool. Seedco uses EBO in its own programs and also licenses the.
• Building on outstanding job retention outcomes of NYC youth employment program, secured Seedco’s selection for ‘CareerLift,’ a project to evaluate the feasibility of a “Pay for Success” model, in which employers assume.
• Secured significant expansion in public and private funding, including $10 million from U.S. Dept. of Labor to launch employment programs serving individuals with criminal justice involvement across four states.
• Led overhaul of Seedco website to create a dynamic, interactive site that highlights Seedco’s program portfolio and is designed for program participants, employers, community partners and funders.

• As Senior Vice President of Programs, led collaborative efforts to craft and implement Seedco’s programmatic vision and strategic priorities. Managed all program staff and a network of partners and subcontractors.

• Provided strategic leadership to identify, analyze and drive program development opportunities that advanced strategic goals for FEGS' network of programs in health/disabilities, housing, homecare.
• Developed and implemented best practices agenda relevant to FEGS’ service delivery network; led research, policy analysis and data analysis around evidence-based practices and relevant policy issues.
• Led Program Development & Planning Department, and oversaw the development, research, writing and submission of more than 150 grant proposals each year, to both public and private funders. Over an 18-month period.
• Worked in partnership with Executive Office on agency strategic planning and program development; strategic data analyses for internal and external purposes; liaising with public and private funding sources; public.
• Coordinated respectful transition of FEGS programs to other providers after the organization went through a significant financial crisis and ultimately wound-down its operations after 80 years of service.

• Oversaw strategy, policy, performance and planning for the newly-created NYC Office of Human Capital Development (OHCD), in the Office of the Mayor, charged with overseeing and strengthening the City's workforce.
• Led and supervised a team charged with driving targeted projects to increase accountability and efficiency, support coordination across agencies, improve connections with employers, maximize return on investment, and.
• Partnered with more than 15 City agencies in executing strategic projects, including development and implementation of the City’s human capital development agenda, and design and coordination of the City’s action.

• Served as advisor to City’s “Workforce Cabinet,” led by Deputy Mayor for Economic Development, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services, and Schools Chancellor. Provided strategic input on the vision, value and.
• Led the development and rollout of Know Before You Enroll, a major consumer awareness campaign to help New Yorkers make informed choices about education and training programs. Coordinated creation of ads, outreach.
• Managed implementation of special projects and initiatives, including real-time adult education seat locator system with ‘no wrong door’ for adult students seeking classes and YouCanToo!, an online network for adult.

• Identified and strengthened areas for collaboration with a diverse range of partners on behalf of OACE, which serves 40,000 adult learners at 175 sites throughout the five boroughs. Partners included City, State and.
• Analyzed data on OACE students, goals and outcomes, including demographic information on student population at a City-wide, borough and neighborhood level.

• Conducted research and policy analysis on issues including adult education, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), immigration, entrepreneurship, economic development, workforce development, industry sectors.
• Spoke on and moderated panels related to the Center’s research; testified at government hearings; presented research findings; provided input, analysis and research guidance for policymakers; authored opinion pieces.

• Project Manager and part of team that conceived of and executed Listening to the City, a series of historic town meetings regarding the future of Lower Manhattan and the World Trade Center site.
• Coordinated content, outreach, media, logistics, technology and volunteers for more than 5,000 participants (including victims’ family members, residents and concerned citizens), working with civic, community and.

Strategic Perspectives In Nonprofit Management (Spnm)

Leadership New York Xxii

Master Of Public Administration (Mpa), Policy Analysis And Evaluation

Activities and Societies: United Way of New York City Senior Fellows Program, Pi Alpha Alpha Honor Society

Bachelor Of Arts (Ba), American Government And Politics