Open To Work
Abby L. Foss
Chicago,IL
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Board Director
Chinese Adoptees of the Midwest
Chicago, IL
01.2025 - Current
Programs Associate, Outreach & Student Programs
Society of Women Engineers
06.2023 - 09.2025
- Managed SWENext Club program with 200+ active clubs; led database transition to Salesforce CRM while maintaining administrative, grantmaking, and funding processes; developed microgrant opportunity to enhance program support
- Supported development of SWENext Influencer program; increased participant applications and doubled enrollment; led quarterly check-in meetings to ensure ongoing engagement
- Coordinated volunteer and materials management for large-scale in-person student event with 100+ volunteers; developed social media content and managed volunteer website; generated evaluation reports to assess event impact
- Coordinated travel and represented SWENext at 2-3 outreach conference events each year; Managed exhibit booth logistics and supervised volunteer tabling; Supported additional member programming
Administrative Assistant, Special Events
Northwestern University
10.2022 - 03.2023
- Delivered administrative and financial support for in-person events of 50 - 900 guests, processing requisitions, payment requests, expense reports, and contract agreements
- Coordinated event planning logistics and registration with internal and external vendors, managing refreshments, bookings, catering, set-up, AV, and equipment
- Organized administrative processes to support faculty and staff operations.
- Coordinated meetings and events for various departments across the university.
- Managed correspondence, including emails and phone calls from students and visitors.
Collaborative Programs Coordinator
Chicago Cultural Alliance
08.2021 - 08.2022
- Planned, budgeted, and executed a week-long hybrid conference for cultural heritage professionals (Activating Heritage); Produced 10 virtual professional development sessions via Zoom and exceeded all attendance and fundraising goals
- Organized and facilitated a two-month-long, city-wide cultural event series festival (Journey Chicago); Supported grantmaking process to develop 15 primary programs in collaboration with 20+ community-based organizations
- Maintained communications and relationships with 40+ core member organizations; Launched Archives Crawl program to facilitate peer-based knowledge sharing and support
- Supported marketing and administrative duties, including updating website via WordPress, designing social media posts in Canva, and assisting with grant writing
- Assisted with annual MOSAIC gala and maintained records to generate reports in NeonOne CRM
Community Engagement & Public Programs Assistant
Gallery 400 UIC
02.2020 - 05.2021
- Coordinated and executed three Voices Lecture series with 3-5 local and international guest artists each semester, enhancing community engagement through virtual lectures, studio visits, and roundtables
- Redesigned and led artOUT student committee for 2 semesters, fostering non-profit experience through advisory roles, volunteering, and strategic collaboration with UIC cultural center
- Assisted in programming for current gallery exhibitions, contributing to administrative duties and grant writing to support ongoing projects
Museum Guide
Richard H. Driehaus Museum
10.2019 - 02.2021
- Led and developed 1-hour guided group and school tours, enhancing visitor engagement with museum exhibits.
- Delivered guest and membership services at front admissions desk and museum store, fostering positive visitor experiences.
- Researched and wrote content for two Live from the Drawing Room video program segments, showcasing museum collections and programs.
Internship
The Gibbes Museum of Art
Charleston, SC
01.2017 - 01.2019
Internship/Tour Guide
The Charleston Museum/Heyward-Washington House
Charleston, SC
09.2018 - 12.2018
President/Treasurer, Volunteer Corps
Center for Civic Engagement, CofC
Charleston, SC
01.2015 - 01.2017
Education
MA - Museum and Exhibition Studies
University of Illinois at Chicago
ChicagoBA - Arts Management/Art History
College of Charleston
Charleston, SCSkills
- Strategic Planning
- Community Engagement
- Fundraising events
- Grant Writing
- Grantmaking
- Project Management
- Event management
- Salesforce/NEON CRM
- Blackbaud/Altru
- Eventbrite
- Website Management
- Google Suite
- Microsoft 365
- Public Speaking
- Customer Service
Other Relevant Experience
- Internship, The Gibbes Museum of Art, Charleston, SC, 01/01/17, 12/31/19
- Internship/Tour Guide, The Charleston Museum/Heyward-Washington House, Charleston, SC, 09/01/18, 12/01/18
- President/Treasurer, Volunteer Corps, Center for Civic Engagement, CofC, Charleston, SC, 01/01/15, 12/31/17
- Board Director, Chinese Adoptees of the Midwest, Chicago, IL, 01/01/25, Present
Work Preference
Job Search Status
Open to workWork Type
Full TimeLocation Preference
On-SiteRemoteHybridSalary Range
$45000/yr - $200000/yrTimeline
Board Director
Chinese Adoptees of the Midwest
01.2025 - Current
Programs Associate, Outreach & Student Programs
Society of Women Engineers
06.2023 - 09.2025
Administrative Assistant, Special Events
Northwestern University
10.2022 - 03.2023
Collaborative Programs Coordinator
Chicago Cultural Alliance
08.2021 - 08.2022
Community Engagement & Public Programs Assistant
Gallery 400 UIC
02.2020 - 05.2021
Museum Guide
Richard H. Driehaus Museum
10.2019 - 02.2021
Internship/Tour Guide
The Charleston Museum/Heyward-Washington House
09.2018 - 12.2018
Internship
The Gibbes Museum of Art
01.2017 - 01.2019
President/Treasurer, Volunteer Corps
Center for Civic Engagement, CofC
01.2015 - 01.2017
MA - Museum and Exhibition Studies
University of Illinois at Chicago
BA - Arts Management/Art History
College of Charleston