Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Accomplishments
Timeline

Bess Weinstock Wilfong

St. Louis,MO

Summary

Entrepreneurial and creative Founder of thriving nonprofit and educational leader passionate about turning innovative ideas into tangible results. Experience formulating and executing strategic plans, bringing lessons to life, identifying opportunities for youth and adults to succeed. Known for thinking "outside the box" and finding ways to make things happen.

Overview

31
31
years of professional experience

Work History

Executive Director/Founder

Angels' Arms
2000 - Current
  • Created a growing 501c3 organization that provides homes and resources for foster families so foster children can be part of a loving family.
  • Built 26-member Board of Directors and 25-member Junior Board comprised of young professionals.
  • Developed donor base of over 10,000 individuals, businesses, organizations, and foundations.
  • Networked with hundreds of schools, churches, temples, groups and organizations to provide support for foster families on various levels.
  • Communicated business performance, forecasts and strategies to investors and shareholders.
  • Collaborated with legal, accounting and other professional teams to review and maintain compliance with regulations.
  • Represented organization at industry conferences and events.
  • Developed innovative marketing strategies to grow mission.
  • Managed financial, operational and human resources to optimize performance.
  • Cultivated forward-thinking, inclusive and performance-driven culture to meet foster parents' and youths' needs.
  • Developed strong partnerships with other businesses to allow for collaboration and more significant opportunities for growth.

Principal and Founder of Lindbergh Academy

Lindbergh School District
06.1998 - 06.2003
  • Designed on-campus alternative high school for students who were not succeeding in regular high school setting.
  • Convinced school board, staff and community of need for alternative setting and methods of learning.
  • Researched and visited schools around the country to identify best practices and factors contributing to success.
  • Hired staff of 5 teachers, crisis intervention counselor and administrative assistant.
  • Cultivated positive relationships between community members, school students, and teachers.
  • Continuously sought different ways to reach students, including individualized curriculum, positive reinforcement, scheduling, setting, routine, participation, inclusion and more.
  • Researched and wrote proposals for educational grants.
  • Verified adherence to state, federal and private funding source requirements across programs and outcomes.
  • Performed classroom evaluations to assess teacher strategies and effectiveness.
  • Defined and enforced student academic achievement standards in line with district goals and objectives.
  • Communicated with parents to encourage active parental participation in education.

English Teacher

Lindbergh School District
05.1992 - 06.1997
  • Developed innovative lesson plans to engage students.
  • Treated each student as an individual and based success on individual growth.
  • Worked with other teachers to support struggling students and provide thorough help to rectify comprehension issues.
  • Utilized multimedia strategies and technology to convey information in fresh and interesting ways.
  • Planned dynamic lessons to increase student comprehension of books and literary concepts.
  • Brought community into classroom with Holocaust survivors, STL Cardinal players, parents of children with AIDS, cancer survivors and more.

Education

Masters in Educational Administration -

University of Missouri St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
05.1992


Secondary Education certification

Writing Certificate

Minor in French

Bachelor of Arts - English

University of Missouri St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
12.1988

Skills

  • Team Engagement
  • Approachable and Outgoing
  • Leadership and People Development
  • Analytical and Critical Thinker
  • Entrepreneurial and Innovative
  • Public Speaker
  • Adaptable and Flexible
  • Networking

Accomplishments

Woman of Achievement

Lindbergh Leader

Angels in Adoption Award for innovations in foster care

Missouri Child Welfare Advocate Award

Woman of Influence

Portrait of Hope

Cancer Survivor

Serve on several boards

Team Lead for ACS-CAN (American Cancer Society-Cancer Action Network)







Timeline

Principal and Founder of Lindbergh Academy - Lindbergh School District
06.1998 - 06.2003
English Teacher - Lindbergh School District
05.1992 - 06.1997
Executive Director/Founder - Angels' Arms
2000 - Current
University of Missouri St. Louis - Masters in Educational Administration,
University of Missouri St. Louis - Bachelor of Arts, English

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Bess Weinstock Wilfong