Managing complex projects and programs in a constantly changing world takes the right tools, processes, and evaluative frameworks to move toward and measure impact. Sometimes you need an outside ear to listen and reflect back what’s working and what could use work. I bring my background as an artist and public humanist to my work as a program manager, to help you find solutions that are specific to your organization and staff, and responsive to the world in which we live.
In every project I manage, I center curiosity and collaboration, working with you to bake learning and evaluation into every function of your program or project. I’ve worked with organizations and individuals to build structures to track and manage complex projects, develop evaluation tools and processes, and build capacity to expand a program’s reach and impact. Here are a couple of ways we could work together:
1.
Project management and event coordination support
Does your organization need interim support for a project or a coordinator for an upcoming event? I’m ready to jump in and support at any phase of the process. I’ve planned and executed programs and events of all sizes, including multiday poetry festivals, online panels and conversations, nutrition symposiums, and community-generated gallery spaces.
2.
Process and operations evaluation
Does your organization want to reflect on internal processes and operations and how they affect your external impact? This could range from a single staff meeting to a facilitated retreat or ongoing engagement and support. Let’s get out the sticky notes and design processes to make your everyday operations run more smoothly.
3.
Volunteer program development and coordination
Do you want to grow your volunteer base or evaluate your volunteer engagement efforts? I’ve developed processes and trainings for volunteers serving in event-specific roles as well as ongoing roles that require techincal skills and knowledge. Let’s recruit more people to extend your organization’s capacity and contribute to your impact. I deeply value the roles volunteers play in the nonprofit sector.
4.
Piloting and testing new programs
Do you have a new program idea and want to get it off the ground? Let’s develop a plan to pilot and evaluate that idea! Starting small, we’ll test the assumptions and impact of your new program idea, moving through iterations that give you the information you need to develop and scale the program.
If you have other ideas of how we would work together, please don’t hesitate to schedule a free consultation.
Examples of organizing work:
Conference Coordinator, Day Eight – I collaborated with the conference committee to coordinate a 5-day virtual gathering of arts journalists with a selection of panels, workshops, and social media engagements (Washington, DC; 2020).
Interim Program Manager, AARP Foundation Housing Impact Area – I managed a cross-department team to evaluate and scale a national program helping older adults determine if they are eligible for and apply to property tax relief programs. I also developed a comprehensive, online volunteer training process and systems to track volunteer activities and expenses (Washington, DC; 2019).
Catalyzing Newport Program Assistant and Evaluation Specialist, RI Council for the Humanities – I provided communications and logistics support to a cross-sector, collaborative initiative with the goal of building a more equitable cultural sector. I developed and implemented a comprehensive evaluation to capture emergent impacts of program activities (Providence, RI; 2015 – 17).
SNAP Outreach and Nutrition Education Coordinator, AARP Foundation – I developed, implemented, and evaluated a pilot nutrition education program for food-insecure older adults. I trained and supported project managers of other pilot programs across the country (Washington, DC; 2014 – 15).
Split This Rock Poetry Festival Volunteer Coordinator, Split This Rock – I recruited, trained, and coordinated over 100 volunteers for multi-day poetry and social justice festivals. I evaluated the festival planning process and developed a continuity book for future festival planning processes (Washington, DC; 2014 and 2018).
