Wendi Safstrom Email & Phone Number

As president of the SHRM Foundation, I lead strategic programmatic design and fundraising, amplified by communication and PR efforts that help tell the story of the Foundation’s mission and vision, creating growth plans and ensuring alignment with SHRM goals.

Alexandria, Virginia

Washington D.C. Metro Area

-Directed programmatic and philanthropic activities of the NRAEF. Led development and implementation of the 2015 - 2019 NRAEF strategic plan and creation of a five year operating plan-Developed and managed a $6M annual budget and 7-person team-Accountable for successful delivery of all NRAEF programming, including workforce development initiatives, scholarships, awards and special events, and community relations activities -Drove continued quality and growth of high school career exploration and restaurant image building program (ProStart) operating in 50 states, annually engaging 140,000 high school students in over 1,800 high schools-Member of senior leadership team charged with raising $6M via annual donor recruitment/development process, donor strategy, stewardship and fulfillment-Maintained critical focus on all aspects of communication, building successful external working relationships, alliances with members and executives in restaurant and allied industries-Served as a staff executive to NRAEF Board of Trustees-Instrumental in NRAEF’s 2013 reorganization/relocation of operations from Chicago, IL to Washington, DC, transforming NRAEF’s team and culture-Managed relationships with diverse governmental stakeholders, including the U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Department of Education, local/state government agencies on workforce initiatives-Enhanced and heightened awareness and image of hospitality industry career opportunities via creative marketing, public relations strategies and events-Served as primary liaison to State Restaurant Association and Educational Foundation executives -Project Director for $10M U.S. Department of Labor/Office of Apprenticeship contract, awarded 2016 -Identified strategies for expanding NRAEF offerings in restaurant & foodservice management development areas, including creation of broad range of courses, programs and credentials supporting and strengthening the restaurant industry’s workforce

Chicago, Illinois

-Managed the employee recruitment process for functional areas including account and project management, systems and network engineering, relationship marketing, quality control/assurance and application programming-Established basic employment procedures and processes for a rapidly growing company moving out of an entrepreneurial stage-Researched, developed and conducted new employee orientation programs

Chicago, Illinois

-Established and maintained campus/corporate relationships designed to enhance and attract students to Hyatt Hotel Corporation's Management Training Program and Internship Program-Liaison to field Human Resources departments on Hyatt-specific, state and federal policies governing employment, FMLA, drug testing, and Hyatt standard operating procedures (on-going duties)-Assisted in annual administration of executive compensation, national field merit increases and incentive programs via data analysis and reporting

Bachelor Of Business Administration (B.B.A.)

Non-Profit Organization Certificate Series