Alastair Lawson
Portland,ME
Summary
Passionate and mission driven non-profit Director with over a decade of experience specializing in workforce development, networking and community engagement and youth development. Strong interpersonal and management skills, delivering high quality programs and initiatives throughout career. Accomplished in building local and state level partnerships, project design, cultivating strong cohorts and networks, securing grants and funding and overseeing large-scale events and trainings. Selected for the 2023 Equity & Feedback Fellowship, promoting diversity and equity practices to drive positive change within organizations and education institutions.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
2023 Fellow
Equity & Feedback Fellow
05.2023 - Current
- Selected as one of ten diverse leaders in the nonprofit sector for the prestigious 2023 Equity & Feedback Fellowship, organized by Feedback Labs and Evident Change.
- Gained advanced competency and skills in equity, diversity, and inclusion, with a focus on utilizing feedback to advance equity strategies to promote diversity and foster an inclusive environment within organizations.
G2O Program Director; Program Manager
The Opportunity Alliance
02.2015 - 08.2023
- Directed the Gateway To Opportunity (G2O) program, a statewide youth workforce initiative, fostering employment and career readiness for low-income youth while connecting local businesses and nonprofits with Maine's emerging workforce.
- Led a 4-year statewide expansion into 8 different Maine counties, serving 25 employers, 120+ youth, and 75+ volunteers, while managing a team of 3 FTE and 8 seasonal staff.
- Successfully increased the program's annual operating budget from under $40k to secure $275K in grants from State and Maine-based foundations. Raised over $400k through external partnerships for program operations and youth wages.
- Pioneered a cross-organizational partnership to establish the first-ever G2O educational scholarship fund for immigrant youth.
- Managed relationships with key partners and funders, including Sewall Foundation, Maine CDC, and SAMSHA, setting and achieving strategic goals, overseeing budgets and performance measures.
- Provided training and consultation to local employers, community partners, and host site staff, covering program design, equity, youth engagement, and work-based learning.
- Coordinated communication and administration between organizational departments, external partners, youth, and families.
- Oversaw large-scale events, including the annual Youth Conference attended by 330+ participants.
- Conducted training sessions for various stakeholders, including youth workers, educators, and healthcare professionals, on topics such as youth research and facilitation skills.
- Played a central role in securing a multimillion-dollar youth engagement grant with Maine CDC, as part of MYAN's statewide team.
- Co-founded the Young People's Caucus (YPC) in 2019, working on issues from Substance Misuse to Juvenile Justice Reform and organizing events for DOE, DHHS, and Governor Mills Children's Cabinet in collaboration with the University of Southern Maine's Youth and Community Engagement team.
Coordinator of Community and School Programs
American Youth Foundation
06.2014 - 12.2014
- Managed leadership camps and outdoor experiential education programs for youth, while mentoring post-college intern staff. Oversaw and managed the in-camp program, supervising 38 summer camp staff.
- Demonstrated long-term commitment and growth by serving in various roles within the organization. Summer Camp Program Coordinator 2014; Seasonal Coordinator of Community and School Programs 2010; Community and School Program facilitator 2009-2010, Youth Counselor 2007 & 2008.
Trust and Financial Administrative Assistant
Hilltop National Bank
01.2013 - 05.2014
- Dependably conducted client investments, trades, distributions and was board approved to purchase or sell stock/ mutual funds for clients using elected brokers. Administered and documented over 200 investment accounts (over $15 million of assets).
Education
Bachelor of Science - Sports Psychology
University of Central Lancashire
Preston, UK06.2007
Skills
- Project Management
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Team Leadership
- Strategic Partnership Development
- Workforce Development
- Event Planning & Implementation
- Community Engagement
- Training Program Design
Timeline
2023 Fellow
Equity & Feedback Fellow
05.2023 - Current
G2O Program Director; Program Manager
The Opportunity Alliance
02.2015 - 08.2023
Coordinator of Community and School Programs
American Youth Foundation
06.2014 - 12.2014
Trust and Financial Administrative Assistant
Hilltop National Bank
01.2013 - 05.2014
Bachelor of Science - Sports Psychology
University of Central Lancashire
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