ALYSSA BANFORD
St. Louis,Missouri
Summary
Nonprofit leader with over 19 years of experience in organizational transformation, strategic communications, and equity-focused initiatives. Expertise in developing and implementing multi-year strategies, securing funding exceeding $2.5 million annually, and managing high-impact projects in philanthropy and policy. Dedicated to advancing sustainable, data-driven solutions that enhance global health and human outcomes.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Grants Manager
Easterseals Midwest
09.2023 - Current
- Lead organizational grants strategy across six service divisions serving 25,000 individuals annually.
- Partner with executive leadership to align funding, growth, and mission objectives across state and federal portfolios.
- Secured $2.5M+ in new funding across 23 federal, state, and foundation submissions in FY2025.
- Designed multi-year grant forecasting and opportunity mapping to inform portfolio diversification and risk mitigation.
- Convened and directed cross-functional teams (Accounting, Data, Program) to operationalize proposals under tight deadlines.
- Developed and led national Easterseals Grants & Foundations Affinity Group, fostering collaboration and benchmarking among 20+ affiliates.
- Partner with C-Suite on strategic planning, performance metrics, and portfolio evaluation.
Founder & Principal Consultant
Kismet, LLC
03.2022 - Current
- Advise mission-driven organizations on business planning, development strategy, and funding acquisition.
- Designed fundraising and investment strategies for clients requesting $25K-$780K from public and private sources.
- Delivered impact frameworks, logic models, and pitch decks to strengthen strategic positioning and donor confidence.
- Guided nonprofit clients in establishing evaluation metrics and capacity-building systems aligned with equity outcomes.
Senior Director of Business Operations
United Hebrew Congregation
07.2022 - 05.2023
- Directed all operational divisions-finance, HR, technology, facilities, and membership-for a $2.8M organization.
- Implemented financial and HR process automation, reducing administrative hours by 30%.
- Negotiated $450K in major facility repairs through competitive RFP processes while maintaining a balanced budget.
- Secured $90K federal grant for safety infrastructure and achieved a 33% reduction in health insurance costs, reinvesting savings in staff well-being.
- Oversaw $7M endowment management and reporting for board and external auditors.
Director of Civic Engagement
Jewish Community Relations Council
03.2017 - 03.2022
- Directed strategic advocacy, community relations, and public affairs for a constituency of 60,000.
- Built interfaith coalitions advancing racial equity and immigration reform initiatives.
- Managed team of program, marketing, and communications staff; led annual campaign growth of 20%+ year over year.
- Launched multi-channel communications strategy, resulting in front-page and syndicated global media coverage.
- Partnered with foundations and corporate sponsors to secure $120K+ annually in programmatic revenue.
Director of Launch & Brewery Relations
SYNEK
09.2014 - 07.2015
- Drove national product launch for startup; led cross-functional team spanning marketing, partnerships, and operations.
- Executed crowdfunding campaign that raised $648K and generated 2,000+ preorders; expanded investor funding to $2.5M, achieving a $22M valuation.
- Built and managed 1,400+ strategic partnerships; implemented CRM and data analytics tools to optimize performance.
Mercedes-Benz Marketing Associate
GatewayCDI (Brand Addition)
01.2012 - 02.2014
- Consulted 368 dealerships nationwide on sales and marketing strategies for MBUSA.
- Identified account development opportunities through data analysis, resulting in a 15% sales increase.
- Produced instructional and marketing videos to support dealer initiatives.
- Created website and dealer marketing tools, including reporting systems and branding materials.
Account Manager & Marketing Associate
GatewayCDI (Brand Addition)
05.2007 - 01.2012
- Negotiated and secured contracts worth $7 million to $10 million for clients such as Cadillac and Enterprise Holdings.
- Directed management of a $12.5 million incentive account with Anheuser-Busch, sustaining relationships with 500 US distributors.
- Designed social media, digital, print, and promotional marketing campaigns to enhance brand visibility.
Education
Master of Arts - International Relations
Harvard University Extension School
Cambridge, MA05.2027
Graduate Certificate - Social Justice
Harvard University Extension School
Cambridge, MA01.2024
Bachelor of Science - Communications & Public Relations
Washington University in St. Louis
St Louis, MO01.2015
Skills
- Strategic and operational planning
- Quantitative and qualitative analysis
- Funding strategy and donor relations
- Cross-functional leadership
- Global equity and social impact
- Stakeholder engagement
- Communication strategy
- Process optimization
- Data visualization and forecasting
- Government and foundation relations
Accomplishments
Emerging Leader Award, St. Louis Jewish Professionals (2021)
National Program Excellence Award, Jewish Council for Public Affairs (2020)
Lebadang Community Service Award, International Institute of St. Louis (2019)
Global Activism Fellow, New Israel Fund (2019–2020)
National Jeremiah Fellow, Bend the Arc (2019–2020)
Timeline
Grants Manager
Easterseals Midwest
09.2023 - Current
Senior Director of Business Operations
United Hebrew Congregation
07.2022 - 05.2023
Founder & Principal Consultant
Kismet, LLC
03.2022 - Current
Director of Civic Engagement
Jewish Community Relations Council
03.2017 - 03.2022
Director of Launch & Brewery Relations
SYNEK
09.2014 - 07.2015
Mercedes-Benz Marketing Associate
GatewayCDI (Brand Addition)
01.2012 - 02.2014
Account Manager & Marketing Associate
GatewayCDI (Brand Addition)
05.2007 - 01.2012
Master of Arts - International Relations
Harvard University Extension School
Graduate Certificate - Social Justice
Harvard University Extension School
Bachelor of Science - Communications & Public Relations
Washington University in St. Louis