Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Professional Development
Awards
Publications
Community Service
Timeline
BusinessDevelopmentManager
ANNEMARIE GRASSI AMEFIA, PH.D

ANNEMARIE GRASSI AMEFIA, PH.D

Chief Executive Officer
Cleveland,OH

Summary

Results-oriented nonprofit executive with demonstrated record of accomplishment in streamlining operations, increasing profits and maximizing impact. Decisive leader promoting operational improvements, organizational expansion and positive collaborative culture as keys to success.

Overview

23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

President & Chief Operating Officer

ARGONAUT
01.2021 - Current
  • Spearheaded the development and implementation of foundational human resource structures, including crafting an employee handbook, organizational chart, job descriptions, and streamlined procedures for hiring, orientation, and performance evaluations
  • Orchestrated the creation of an annual operating budget and instituted efficient financial management systems, resulting in timely reporting and the establishment of financial policies to ensure stability and transparency
  • Secured $1.4 million in additional funding sources within the inaugural year, elevating the annual operating budget from $450,000 to $1.85 million
  • Pioneered the organization's inaugural fundraising event, yielding $54,000 and expanding the individual donor base by an impressive 254%
  • Evaluated, revamped, and optimized insurance policies, HR protocols, and board governance frameworks for enhanced efficiency and compliance
  • Directed the development and execution of the organization's maiden external strategic and communications plans
  • Established vital board structures, instituting policies and procedures for quarterly meetings, introducing a shared board portal, and implementing governance policies
  • Introduced a collaborative staff coaching model, devised performance review metrics, and established clear frameworks for managing staff expectations
  • Revamped the organization's branding strategy, aligning the nonprofit and school brands to bolster recruitment, donor engagement, and messaging consistency
  • Championed a data-driven culture by integrating individual and organizational goals and implementing robust data collection and analysis processes to refine the organization's impact and community standing.

Principal

CATALYZED IMPACT
01.2019 - Current
  • Innovated and executed a dynamic marketing strategy, including a thorough market study and a strategic overhaul of the membership model, for a pioneering behavioral health co-working startup
  • Led a groundbreaking national study on cutting-edge practices in career readiness, resulting in a comprehensive framework of recommendations tailored for the implementation of a holistic career readiness model within a major urban school district
  • Spearheaded a research and development initiative to curate an extensive repository of resources geared towards fostering career awareness and exploration for students spanning from Kindergarten to 12th grade in a major urban school district
  • Conceptualized, crafted, and delivered a series of tailored educational seminars catering to diverse provider groups across the state of Indiana, driving impactful training initiatives
  • Distinguished as a sought-after speaker at local, regional, and national levels, delivering compelling insights on leadership development, youth education, human development, evaluation, and organizational effectiveness.

Part-Time Instructor

CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY
01.2016 - 01.2021
  • Instructed graduate and doctoral level courses encompassing human development, education, and psychology, imparting advanced knowledge and insights to aspiring professionals
  • Crafted and maintained meticulously curated class syllabi, ensuring alignment with departmental and collegiate standards to uphold academic rigor
  • Designed engaging lectures, fostered stimulating in-class discussions, and crafted purposeful assignments to facilitate deep learning experiences
  • Evaluated student performance holistically, assessing participation, class engagement, assignment submissions, and examination results with meticulous attention to detail
  • Generated comprehensive reports on student learning outcomes, synthesized class feedback, and meticulously analyzed student data to inform instructional improvements and curriculum enhancements.

Founding President & Chief Executive Officer

OPEN DOORS ACADEMY/CENTER FOR OUT-OF-SCHOOL ADVANCEMENT
01.2002 - 01.2019
  • Pioneered a multi-tier program model, fostering a holistic, high-performing statewide out-of-school time enrichment program that effectively steered young people out of multi-generational poverty
  • Strategically scaled organizational infrastructure from $70K to $6.7M, serving over 2,000 clients across 14 campuses
  • Transformed the program model from a drop-in center to a scientifically grounded education framework, offering year-round learning for youth grades 5 through 12, with ongoing mentoring and support through post-secondary education
  • Guided the organization through multiple stages of development, orchestrating three strategic plans and two comprehensive organizational branding initiatives
  • Instituted robust metrics to gauge both short-term and long-term outcomes
  • Expanded staff from three part-time employees to a robust team of 64 (54 FT), while scaling youth participation from 20 to over 600 annually
  • Enhanced family services, providing case management and educational support to an additional 1,400 family members
  • Over a span of 17 years, achieved notable community impact and sustained growth among participants.

Education Specialist

INTEGRATIONS TREATMENT CENTER
01.2001 - 01.2002
  • Facilitated and provided essential support in individual psychotherapy sessions tailored for children with autism, Asperger’s syndrome, and traumatic brain injuries, offering specialized care and guidance
  • Designed and executed customized socialization groups aimed at cultivating positive peer interactions, modeling appropriate social behaviors, and fostering conversational skills among participants
  • Collaborated closely with school districts, offering expert consultation and recommendations for the seamless integration of individualized treatment plans to support children with special needs within educational settings.

Education

Doctorate of Philosophy - Urban Education specialization in learning and development

Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH

Master of Science - Education, Psychological Sciences Child /Adolescent

University of Pennsylvania, Graduate School of Education
Philadelphia, PA

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology

Ohio University
Athens, OH

Skills

  • Adaptability

  • Change Management

  • Financial Analysis

  • Process Improvement

  • Decision Making

  • Analytical Skills

  • Visionary Leadership

  • Business Development

Certification

Certificate in Nonprofit Management, Case Western Reserve University, Mandel School of Nonprofit Organizations, Cleveland, OH

Professional Development

  • Vistage International Team 3467, 2016 to present
  • Strategic Practices in Nonprofit Management, Harvard Business School, 2017
  • LC2 Fellowship, Cleveland Leadership Center, 2017
  • Leadership Cleveland, Cleveland Leadership Center, 2016
  • Civic Leadership Boot Camp, Cleveland Leadership Center, 2013
  • Cleveland Bridge Builders, Cleveland Leadership Center, 2008
  • Facilitator, Strength Based Resiliency in Action Model, Case Western Reserve University, 2005
  • Youth Resiliency Fellowship, Case Western Reserve University, 2004

Awards

  • Crain’s Cleveland Notables in Education Leadership, 2023
  • 50 Smart Business Award, 2018
  • Junior League of Cleveland’s Frances Payne Bolton Award, 2018
  • Ernst & Young, Entrepreneur of the Year, Finalist, 2016
  • Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio Women of Distinction Award, 2015
  • Reminger’s Vanguard Leadership Award, 2015
  • Crain’s Cleveland 40 under 40 Award Recipient, 2014
  • Crain’s Cleveland, Who to Watch: Nonprofits, 2013
  • Athena Young Professional Leadership Award, 2011
  • Cleveland’s Movers and Shakers Award / Top 25 under 35, 2006

Publications

  • After School in Cleveland, The Dangers Run Deep, Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 27th, 2015
  • Quality After School Programming and its Relationship to Achievement Related Behaviors and Academic Performance, Unpublished Dissertation
  • Gender Differences in Children’s Ability to Decode Nonverbal Cues, Unpublished Undergraduate Thesis, 2001

Community Service

  • Fostering Hope, Board Member 2023 to present
  • In Counsel with Women, 2018 to present
  • Leadership Cleveland, Class President, 2016 to present
  • Daily Dose of Reading, Past Board President, 2016 to present
  • Hand-on Northeast Ohio, Governance Chair, 2015 to 2020
  • University Circle Inc., Community Board Member, 2013 to 2015
  • Hope for Honduran Children, Board Member, 2012 to 2016
  • Ohio Afterschool Network, Funding & Policy Chair, 2011 to 2015
  • Broadway P-16 Strategic Initiative, Governance and Steering Committee, 2010 to 2019
  • Cleveland professional 20/30 Club, Membership Director, 2005 to 2007
  • Junior League of Cleveland
  • Chair of Girl League Signature Initiative Project, 2015 to 2019
  • Board President, 2013 to 2015
  • President-Elect, 2012 to 2013
  • Chair of Gifts and Grants Committee, sits on Management Council, 2009 to 2010
  • Membership Director, sit on Board of Directors, 2006 to 2008
  • Steering Committee co-chair Signature Initiative “Girl Culture” Project, 2006 to 2007
  • Training Director on the Board of Directors, 2005 to 2006
  • Chair of Girls Make Great Leaders Community Project, 2004 to 2006

Timeline

President & Chief Operating Officer

ARGONAUT
01.2021 - Current

Principal

CATALYZED IMPACT
01.2019 - Current

Part-Time Instructor

CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY
01.2016 - 01.2021

Founding President & Chief Executive Officer

OPEN DOORS ACADEMY/CENTER FOR OUT-OF-SCHOOL ADVANCEMENT
01.2002 - 01.2019

Education Specialist

INTEGRATIONS TREATMENT CENTER
01.2001 - 01.2002

Doctorate of Philosophy - Urban Education specialization in learning and development

Cleveland State University

Master of Science - Education, Psychological Sciences Child /Adolescent

University of Pennsylvania, Graduate School of Education

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology

Ohio University

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ANNEMARIE GRASSI AMEFIA, PH.DChief Executive Officer