PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
I am a resourceful program manager who excels at establishing operational processes, directing cross-functional teams, and driving complex, multi-phase initiatives from strategic conception through successful delivery. I specialize in translating high-level visions into structured execution plans, optimizing workflows for efficiency, and empowering teams with clear frameworks and tools to exceed project objectives.
Key Skills
- Program Strategy: Translating bold visions into structured, measurable execution across education, creative production, and community programs.
- Team Leadership: Coaching and empowering professionals with diverse talents, from technical animators and artists to community volunteers and emerging leaders. I meet each individual where they are, building their confidence and capacity to lead with independence.
- Partnership Building: Fostered trusted relationships across civic, nonprofit, and creative sectors to expand reach, share resources, and deepen community impact. I cultivate trust through transparency, consistent communication, and a genuine commitment to mutual benefit.
- Systems & Operations: Designing the infrastructure that enables sustainable, scalable impact across education, creative production, and community programs. I believe great programs are built on systems that are clear, adaptable, and designed to scale.
Management Style
As a program manager, I see my role as the architect of an environment where teams can thrive. I build clarity into every initiative, anticipate and remove obstacles before they impact progress, and cultivate a culture where team members take ownership of their work and actively invest in their own growth. This approach consistently drives strong outcomes and builds lasting team capability.
- Lead with Clarity and Purpose
- Set clear goals and expectations so every team member understands not just their tasks but how their work connects to the larger mission.
- Communicate the essential "why" behind decisions to build buy-in and shared ownership.
- Provide regular, transparent updates to eliminate confusion and keep everyone aligned.
- Empower Through Coaching, Not Directing
- Favor asking coaching questions over giving orders: "What is your approach here?" or "What part feels most challenging?"
- See mistakes as learning opportunities and encourage problem-solving autonomy.
- Invest time in developing my team's skills, knowing that their growth is how I scale my own impact.
- Build Systems for Accountability and Support
- Create structured processes, tracking tools, and regular check-ins that make progress visible.
- Use data and dashboards to monitor team health and performance, not to micromanage but to identify where support is needed.
- Establish predictable rhythms: weekly one-on-ones, team syncs, and quarterly goal reviews.
- Foster Collaboration and Inclusion
- Actively listen to my team's concerns, ideas, and feedback.
- Foster an environment where diverse perspectives are valued and people feel safe to speak up.
- Model empathy, respect, and transparency, and I expect the same from the team.
- Remove Obstacles and Protect the Team
- Proactively identify and address bottlenecks before they become crises.
- Shield my team from unnecessary distractions and advocate for the resources they need.
- Manage up effectively, translating my team's needs to leadership in language that gets results.
- Personal Accountability With Respect
- Provide direct, timely, and constructive feedback in private, with compassion.
- When performance issues arise, seek to understand the root cause: lack of skill, lack of clarity, or a personal challenge.
- Celebrate wins publicly and share credit generously.
Risk Assessment Examples
Approach
|
Initiative
Backlog Elimination
Well-Rounded Professional Program
Remote Learning Migration
|
Key Dependencies
New training program before increased throughput
Partnership agreements before programming could be scheduled
Curriculum restructuring before semester start
|
Major Risks Mitigated
Revenue loss from uncleared backlog
Low engagement from lack of relevant content
Learning loss from hands-on to remote transition
|
Deliverables
Cleared backlog, new training program, updated standards
30+ workshops, 200% membership increase
Successful remote program, preserved learning outcomes
|
Remote Learning Migration (COVID-19)
When COVID-19 forced a sudden shift to remote learning, I anticipated these risks and developed mitigation strategies before they became crises. This proactive approach preserved student engagement and learning outcomes despite the transition.
|
Risk
Hands-on instruction couldn't be replicated online
Technical issues during virtual sessions
Students felt isolated without peer collaboration
|
Impact
Loss of learning quality, student frustration
Disruption to learning, loss of student confidence
Decline in motivation and community
|
Mitigation
Restructured curriculum to make accessible virtually; used online video tutorials for demonstrations
Developed and shared curriculum handouts; added backup activities in case of tech failure
Created small group projects and hosted one-on-one virtual office hours utilizing Zoom breakout rooms
|
Program Management Examples
Urban League of Louisiana Young Professionals is a volunteer auxiliary group of the Urban League of Louisiana. It targets emerging leaders and professionals between the ages of 21 and 40 to support the National Urban League's civil rights and economic empowerment mission through civic engagement, philanthropy, and professional development.
Goals
Throughout my entire presidency, I wanted to:
- Establish a flexible professional development ecosystem that scaffolds growth for newcomers while empowering established professionals to lead with independence.
- Redesign the membership engagement model to offer flexible pathways for involvement, from one-time micro-volunteering to ongoing committee leadership.
- Broaden the organization's definition of "young professional" to include diverse employment sectors, welcoming members from tourism, hospitality, trades, and other historically underrepresented industries
- Lead targeted outreach and programming initiatives that significantly increased engagement among native New Orleanians, strengthening the organization's roots in the community
- Build a collaborative ecosystem by establishing partnerships with other young professional groups, enabling shared resources, joint programming, and broader community impact
Accomplishments
- Increased active membership to 150 members, a 200% increase within a 12-month period
- Led a fundraising campaign that secured $10,000 in donations for the Urban League of Louisiana during GiveNOLA Day, exceeding fundraising targets
- Increased committee participation from 10% to 50% of the membership by implementing a data-driven skills-based placement strategy during onboarding
- Curated events and initiatives that highlighted the city's unique heritage and local leadership, addressing the underrepresentation of native New Orleanians in the organization
- Forged a strategic partnership with the Young Leadership Council to provide members with access to professional development through Toastmasters
- Cultivated a partnership with the Greater New Orleans Foundation to deliver board governance workshops, equipping members with skills for nonprofit leadership
- Launched the NOLAYP Swimming Initiative in partnership with the New Orleans Recreation Department, providing free aquatic education to 50 young professionals and directly confronting systemic barriers and cultural stigma around water safety in Black communities
Collaborations
|
|
|
|
Program Creation
The Well-Rounded Professional Program is a professional development program I developed to help Urban League of Louisiana Young Professionals – Greater New Orleans (NOLAYP) members become better contributors in the workplace, to their families, and in the organization. The program provided training and resources that prepared our members for leadership opportunities, promotions, board service, entrepreneurship, and more.
The Challenge: A 100+ member organization serving young professionals aged 21-40 needed to increase engagement and provide tangible value to its diverse membership, particularly professionals aged 30-40 who were historically underserved.
The Approach: I designed and launched a multi-module leadership curriculum covering board service, financial literacy, and civic engagement. I built partnerships with seven civic organizations, recruited and coached committee leads, and architected a digital member hub to centralize resources.
The Outcome: Active membership increased by 40%. We delivered 30+ workshops in one year. The program created a sustainable leadership pipeline and is still running today.
The Challenge: A 100+ member organization serving young professionals aged 21-40 needed to increase engagement and provide tangible value to its diverse membership, particularly professionals aged 30-40 who were historically underserved.
The Approach: I designed and launched a multi-module leadership curriculum covering board service, financial literacy, and civic engagement. I built partnerships with seven civic organizations, recruited and coached committee leads, and architected a digital member hub to centralize resources.
The Outcome: Active membership increased by 40%. We delivered 30+ workshops in one year. The program created a sustainable leadership pipeline and is still running today.
Event Planning
|
Skill Category
Strategic Design
Operational Execution
Stakeholder Engagement
Budget & Fundraising
Audience Experience
Analysis & Improvement
|
Key Competencies
Concept Development, Audience Segmentation, Content Curation, Venue Logistics
End-to-End Production, Vendor Coordination, On-Site Leadership, Registration & Check-In Systems
Partnership Management, Speaker Coordination, Cross-Functional Collaboration
Budget Development, Expense Tracking, Sponsorship Cultivation
Interactive Design, Accessibility, Community Building, Feedback Collection
Metrics Tracking, Post-Event Reporting, Continuous Refinement
|
Strategic Event Planning & Design
Shape experiences that resonate with specific audiences, from emerging professionals to seasoned executives. Craft compelling themes and curate content that sparks engagement, whether for civic workshops or leadership panels.
Event Execution & Operations Management
Curate events from concept to completion, managing every production phase with precision. Build realistic timelines that keep stakeholders aligned and vendors accountable. Implement efficient registration processes, from online sign-ups to on-site check-in, reducing friction for attendees.
Stakeholder & Partnership Engagement
Build and maintain relationships with co-hosts, sponsors, and community partners, ensuring alignment on goals and deliverables. Recruit speakers and facilitators, prepping them to deliver content that resonates. Also collaborate across internal teams, bridging marketing, communications, and operations to deliver a unified event experience.
Budget Management & Fundraising
Create realistic event budgets that balance ambition with fiscal responsibility. Monitor event expenditures against budget, adjusting as needed to stay within financial constraints. Also, weave fundraising into events, whether through donation appeals, auctions, or sponsorship packages, and actively pursue and manage sponsor relationships to maximize support.
Audience Engagement & Experience
Bring events to life with interactive elements from Q&A sessions to breakout discussions and networking opportunities. Gather feedback through post-event surveys to understand what worked and where to improve. Intentional about accessibility, removing barriers so all attendees can participate fully, and designing moments that foster genuine connection and lasting community.
Marketing & Communications
Develop and execute marketing plans that drive attendance and generate excitement for events. I write clear, compelling copy for event descriptions, speaker bios, and promotional materials. Expand reach through email campaigns, social media, and partner networks, ensuring the right people hear about the right opportunities.
Post-Event Analysis & Reporting
Measure success through attendance data, satisfaction scores, and engagement metrics. Evaluate each event against its original goals, identifying strengths and opportunities for growth. Deliver clear, concise reports to leadership and funders, and use insights to continuously sharpen future events.
Shape experiences that resonate with specific audiences, from emerging professionals to seasoned executives. Craft compelling themes and curate content that sparks engagement, whether for civic workshops or leadership panels.
Event Execution & Operations Management
Curate events from concept to completion, managing every production phase with precision. Build realistic timelines that keep stakeholders aligned and vendors accountable. Implement efficient registration processes, from online sign-ups to on-site check-in, reducing friction for attendees.
Stakeholder & Partnership Engagement
Build and maintain relationships with co-hosts, sponsors, and community partners, ensuring alignment on goals and deliverables. Recruit speakers and facilitators, prepping them to deliver content that resonates. Also collaborate across internal teams, bridging marketing, communications, and operations to deliver a unified event experience.
Budget Management & Fundraising
Create realistic event budgets that balance ambition with fiscal responsibility. Monitor event expenditures against budget, adjusting as needed to stay within financial constraints. Also, weave fundraising into events, whether through donation appeals, auctions, or sponsorship packages, and actively pursue and manage sponsor relationships to maximize support.
Audience Engagement & Experience
Bring events to life with interactive elements from Q&A sessions to breakout discussions and networking opportunities. Gather feedback through post-event surveys to understand what worked and where to improve. Intentional about accessibility, removing barriers so all attendees can participate fully, and designing moments that foster genuine connection and lasting community.
Marketing & Communications
Develop and execute marketing plans that drive attendance and generate excitement for events. I write clear, compelling copy for event descriptions, speaker bios, and promotional materials. Expand reach through email campaigns, social media, and partner networks, ensuring the right people hear about the right opportunities.
Post-Event Analysis & Reporting
Measure success through attendance data, satisfaction scores, and engagement metrics. Evaluate each event against its original goals, identifying strengths and opportunities for growth. Deliver clear, concise reports to leadership and funders, and use insights to continuously sharpen future events.