Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Additional Information
Timeline
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Ali Clark

Fredericksburg,VA

Summary

Ambitious Communications Professional with 15+ years experience possessing strong public relations, marketing, communication and project management abilities. Excels in managing print and digital communications and enforcing proactive media and communication plans. Diverse credentials in both private and public industry sectors. Detailed professional with writing and marketing experience in both private and public sectors. Communicative and motivated individual well-versed in conducting creative, proactive media outreach and pitch ideas. Valued Project Manager that handles complex obstacles with experienced insight and anticipation. Demonstrates knowledge of quality management principles through clear communication of task expectations and informed suggestions for process optimizations. Recognized as strong team player with background in copywriting and editing.

Overview

15
15
years of professional experience

Work History

Associate Project Manager/Lead Technical Writer

Chevo Consulting
07.2018 - 07.2023
  • Communications team program manager within the Acquisition Directorate
  • Successfully managed team of five writers and graphic designers; team provided strategic communication planning, editorial, graphic design, technical writing, website and content management, and event planning support to overall Coast Guard acquisition mission support services.
  • Managed review, tasking, staffing and workload distribution of communications team as well as manage responsibilities of own portfolio of Coast Guard acquisition programs.
  • Provided weekly updates to client, ensuring contract compliance and accountability.
  • Successfully developed long term communications plans, overall and program specific, with timelines and schedules.
  • Identified and resolved risks to minimize project disruption.
  • Documented project progress to fulfill project requirements and establish traceability.
  • Delivered high level of service to clients to both maintain and extend relationship for future business opportunities.
  • Produced and oversaw team's yearly support for Coast Guard's largest exposition participation.
  • Successfully developed and delivered monthly Coast Guard Acquisition newsletters.
  • Developed, edited and produced over 20 commissioning books.
  • Supported senior managers and department leaders by completing projects and problem resolution under tight budgets and schedule demands.
  • Generated weekly and monthly status reports for helpful progress tracking.
  • Led weekly team meetings to assess project progress and plan appropriately to meet delivery targets.
  • Maintained open communication by presenting regular updates on project status to customers.
  • Scheduled and facilitated meetings between project stakeholders to discuss deliverables, schedules and conflicts.
  • Tracked project and team member performance closely to quickly intervene in mistakes or delays.
  • Developed and implemented project plans to ensure successful execution.

Senior Consultant

Financial Systems
10.2016 - 07.2018
  • Office of Chief Financial Officer (OCFO), Modernization (FSM) Joint Program Management Office (JPMO) at Department of Homeland Security (DHS) serving as Senior Communications Analyst
  • Provided programmatic support to JPMO Program Manager (PM) to manage meetings, documents, and other duties as assigned.
  • Developed and edited briefing memos for OCFO and Deputy Under Secretary for Management(DUSM)
  • Managed monthly Financial Systems Modernization Executive Steering Committee Meetings that include all DHS Component Chief Financial Officers and Chief Information Officers
  • Created and edited monthly updates for Under Secretary for Management on FSM activities.
  • Developed and edited bi-weekly Priorities and Accomplishments Report on FSM activities.
  • Prepared and edited Congressional and OMB documents and briefing materials.
  • Reviewed budget team documentation and numbers as needed to ensure accuracy.
  • Reviewed and edited technical papers for JPMO branches as requested to ensure clarity and messaging.
  • Developed, wrote, and edited documents for dissemination to DHS Component agencies.
  • Attended weekly leadership meetings to capture, edit, disseminate minutes and action items, and follow up with staff as necessary to ensure completion of action items.
  • Delegated JPMO staff tasks and assignments to achieve needed results for DHS JPMO communications.
  • Assisted with onboarding of new JPMO staff to ensure smooth transition onto team and access to all required systems and documents.
  • Spearheaded creation of e new FSM SharePoint site; ensuring proper filing system set up, permissions given, and action items are captured appropriately.
  • Streamlined internal processes to ensure more efficient time management for PM and branch managers.
  • Led creation of Congressional testimony, all hearing documents for DUSM and oversaw all edits and prep sessions with JPMO team.

Congressional and Communications Outreach

Apprio
05.2015 - 10.2016
  • Africa Ebola Unit, AFR Bureau, USAID
  • Increased awareness and boosted public perception of organization through proactive outreach and network development with key stakeholders.
  • Backstopped Global Health Ebola Team with focus on mission priorities and assistance to missions.
  • Provided technical and programmatic oversight of survivor activities during start-up phase while working with interagency to ensure coordination.
  • In-depth knowledge of all activities operating in each country, including implementation (keeping to timelines, successes and challenges) and obligations/disbursement tracking; as such, worked directly with C/AORs and jointly communicated with implicated implementing partners.
  • Served as lead organizer and facilitator for country-specific quarterly monitoring visits.
  • Identified and developed AEU communications and outreach strategy with three-person team.
  • Led Ebola task force communications team until senior government official hired.
  • Worked on public engagement efforts to ensure ongoing outreach to relevant stakeholders including but not limited to other USG agencies, International Finance institutions, host countries, private sector, diaspora, Congress, non-Governmental Organizations, and think tanks.
  • Provided coordination with USAID field missions, Country Development Officers, and other headquarters staff on ongoing engagement with governments, international and local stakeholders.
  • Developed, wrote, edited, and disseminated content that furthered strategic priorities and messages, including speeches, talking points, statements, website content, briefers, and other materials.
  • Developed, wrote, edited, and disseminated Congressional outreach materials including Congressional testimony, correspondence, fact sheets, talking points, QFRs, and congressional notifications.
  • Captured success stories of Ebola Recovery work via photos, interviews, and blog posts to disseminate to stakeholders.
  • Captured success stories of Ebola Recovery work via photos, interviews, and blog posts to disseminate to stakeholders.
  • Assisted with compiling country-specific monthly progress reports that were ultimately shared with Congress.
  • Supervised AEU interns providing direction, support, and feedback.

Special Assistant

Apprio
02.2013 - 05.2015
  • Special Assistant to Executive Director of U.S Global Development Lab, USAID (Detailed to Ebola Taskforce Winter 2015)
  • Acted as liaison with Agency’s Front Office for taskers/ briefers/ requests tasked to The Lab and general communication; drafted, edited, and reviewed key documentation for Director approval, including speeches and talking points.
  • Overhauled Lab clearance process and provided direction and supervisor support to administrative assistants
  • Worked across multiple sectors of The Lab to provide operational and strategic support, specifically to Director and Senior Leadership team, ensuring quality documents and information were available.
  • Worked on five-person Leadership Effective Team and Strategic Planning Core Team as part of Lab’s Organizational Health effort.
  • Developed and facilitated training program for new hires, successfully onboarding over 100 staff.
  • Provided strategic support and advised Mission Engagement Team
  • Interacted daily with multiple offices both within USAID and with other Agencies to schedule meetings, prepare documents, and other duties as assigned.
  • Worked with Director of Engagement and Communications and team on production, event planning, and overall Lab communications, successfully assisting in public unveiling of Lab in New York City with Secretary Clinton.
  • Reviewed correspondence drafted via Centers for Executive Director to ensure clarity and messaging.
  • Worked with Executive Assistant to ensure Executive Director had proper coverage and fully briefed on events.
  • Drafted correspondence and papers as directed.
  • Provided support and Lab direction for Mission Director Conference in Spring 2014, successfully introducing Lab to over 80 Mission Directors.
  • Worked with Inter-American Development Bank and Blum Center to develop and schedule multi-day conference that focuses on innovations and science in Latin America and Caribbean.
  • Provided executive administrative and programmatic support to Director of Office of Science & Technology, USAID until his December 2013 departure.
  • Reviewed incoming meeting/scheduling requests and submitted recommendations to Director.

Associate

Orbis Operations
09.2012 - 12.2012
  • Provided operational support for two programs that supported Independent Contractors in support of DOS and DoD entities
  • Effectively applied Orbis methodology and enforced project standards
  • Prepared invoices to Prime Contractors; created Purchase Orders for Independent Contractors
  • Ensured project documents are complete, current, and stored appropriately.

Deputy Program Manager

CentralCare, Inc
12.2011 - 08.2012
  • Led contractual support as required for all projects assigned to Program Manager (PM) on Dental and Medical Contracts in support of US military.
  • Worked with VP on Business Development and Strategic Plan tasks.
  • Assisted Proposal Manager and CEO with drafting documents for purposes of bidding on multiple CONUS and OCONUS contracts.
  • Assessed risk and provided management support and direction for daily contract operations.
  • Developed management plans in coordination with PM regarding new contracts.
  • Updated staff and kept all interested parties in project informed of progress and any issues; ensured solution was identified and presented to PM and approved prior to execution.
  • Acted as secondary and, when assigned, primary point of contact for all field employees.
  • Ensured implementation and delivery of all contractual requirements.

Program Assistant

Gap Solutions
05.2009 - 12.2011
  • Prepared monthly report for $8-million-dollar budget for high-profile division administering training for all government employees assigned to Iraq and Afghanistan
  • Budget includes a monthly snapshot, detailed cuff records, and a narrative
  • Led the creation of new fiscal year budget during months leading up to October
  • Developed financial tracking system for each class; processed invoices for payment
  • Drafted and edited statements of work as directed by division leadership
  • Assisted office manager with the division travel plan and amendments; served as backup to office manager
  • Committed funds in Global Financial Management System and Integrated Logistics Management System/Ariba
  • Worked with Iraq team members, Near East Asia Bureau, and Embassy Baghdad to update and develop courses, cost estimates, and material
  • Acted as military liaison to military operating units that were training with our students.

Policy Issues Coordinator

National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts
01.2009 - 04.2009
  • Coordinated day-to-day operations of Policy and Politics Department.
  • Developed and edited various publications using QUARK, and Adobe Software.
  • Oversaw and maintained budget of Policy and Politics Department
  • Assisted general counsel, tax counsel, and CEO on schedules, travel, correspondence, and projects.
  • Coordinated logistics and preparations with grassroots manager for Congressional meetings.

Staff Assistant

Thomas B. Fordham Foundation
04.2008 - 01.2009
  • Managed schedules, correspondence, travel for President and Vice Presidents as well as front desk reception.
  • Maintained meticulous finance files regarding contracts and grants to support grant recording and reporting.
  • Coordinated logistics and preparation with event manager for education events.
  • Assisted lead accountant with office financials and handled all accounts payable.

Education

BS - Political Science

University of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN
05.2007

Skills

  • Assignment and Project Coordination
  • Risk Management
  • Client Relationships
  • Communications Programs
  • Contract Development and Management
  • Marketing and Advertising
  • Speech Writing and Messaging
  • Communications Strategies
  • Public and Media Relations
  • Product Management and Branding
  • Project Planning
  • Event Execution
  • Crisis Communications
  • Strategy Implementation
  • Nonprofit Communications

Additional Information

Public Trust - 2018

Secret - 2013

Timeline

Associate Project Manager/Lead Technical Writer

Chevo Consulting
07.2018 - 07.2023

Senior Consultant

Financial Systems
10.2016 - 07.2018

Congressional and Communications Outreach

Apprio
05.2015 - 10.2016

Special Assistant

Apprio
02.2013 - 05.2015

Associate

Orbis Operations
09.2012 - 12.2012

Deputy Program Manager

CentralCare, Inc
12.2011 - 08.2012

Program Assistant

Gap Solutions
05.2009 - 12.2011

Policy Issues Coordinator

National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts
01.2009 - 04.2009

Staff Assistant

Thomas B. Fordham Foundation
04.2008 - 01.2009

BS - Political Science

University of Indianapolis

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Ali Clark