Candace Cunningham
Washington,DC
Summary
Energetic, charismatic, approachable professional looking to use my people-oriented skill sets and extensive experience with communications strategies,community engagement, relationship building, and program management to take on a challenging new role that will advance an organizations brand, vision, and goals. Well- versed in managing multiple projects and working in fast- paced settings. Prepared to leverage strengths as a creative, highly adaptable, hard- worker willing to learn and work collaboratively to meet and exceed goals.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of External Relations and Strategic Initiatives
E.L. Haynes Public Charter School
Washington, DC
10.2023 - Current
- Lead and execute a comprehensive internal and external communications strategy to increase organization exposure, engagement, and support
- Collaborate with leadership to develop, refine, and distribute communications that inform and engage stakeholders (families, community members, donors, etc.)
- Lead the preparation, planning, and execution of key recruitment and engagement activities and events from cross-campus cultural events to external family and donor engagement
- Manage up to the CEO to ensure leadership engagement with key donors and constituents
- Manage design and implementation of organization's individual giving strategy
- Collaborate with leadership and external contractors to plan, manage, and execute flagship annual fundraising event
- Collaborate to maintain and manage comprehensive grants calendar and submit grant proposals to foundations and for limited competitive public grants
- Support leadership with Board management through meeting support, compliance, and organizational transparency
- Provide critical support to the leadership team in all-staff spaces (meetings, retreats, etc.)
- Support the planning and development of organizational policy and programmatic initiatives supporting student and family engagement, partner development, external stakeholders, and donors.
Program Manager/ Community Organizer
Restaurant Opportunities Center
Washington, DC
09.2017 - Current
- Serve as lead for external programmatic initiatives supporting community and stakeholder engagement; and coalition and partner development
- Lead and facilitate programs, events, and professional development to engage multilingual community members, stakeholders, and elected officials
- Manage organizing and outreach team to plan and host monthly, multilingual community engagement meetings and events (virtual and In-person)
- Manage and lead team to conduct weekly direct outreach to community members using multiple strategies (cold calls, targeted literature and media, street outreach, and house visits)
- Establish strategy and protocols that address community member needs, and customize targeted programs for skill development, civic engagement, legislative advocacy, and cooperative economic opportunities
- Write and edit quarterly newsletter to community members and stakeholders; and analyze performance to maximize audience engagement
- Support fundraising efforts through identifying grant opportunities, and supporting grant writing process from submission to site visits
- Conduct needs analysis to identify programmatic and capacity gaps and lead staff skilling, upskilling and reskilling of training competencies
- Manage development of social media strategy and content; and manage corresponding platforms (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter)
- Create social media toolkits; and manage social media engagement and strategy for campaigns and mobilizations
- Serve 2 yrs as organization representative on DC Jobs with Justice Board
- Use knowledge of adult education learning and theory to enhance project management, communication, engagement, and outreach strategies.
Intensive Instructor
Washington Literacy Center
Washington, DC
09.2015 - 09.2017
- Provided direct instruction to adults using the Wilson Reading System
- Collaborated in developing course scheduling, class offerings, and student placement
- Partnered with internal and external colleagues to develop and implement Workforce Development and other instructional curricula to align with WIOA implementation
- Monitored student access and progress with online intervention programs
- Collaborated to ensure compliance with data management and reporting systems
- Coordinated and organized opportunities for volunteers to participate as tutors or event participants
- Collaborated and developed partnerships with other adult education service providers
- Served as organization liaison for professional development sponsored by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education.
General Education Teacher
District of Columbia Public Schools
Washington, DC
08.2013 - 08.2015
- Certified in Washington, DC to provide K-6 grade students standards and curriculum based instruction in all primary subjects
- Participated in school and district wide Professional Development sessions
- Led and facilitated school wide Professional Development sessions on field related topics
- Collaborated weekly with grade-level, paraprofessional, special education, support staff and administration teams
- Led academic partnership meetings with parents and/or guardians in regards to academic and/or behavioral progress of students
- Promoted family/community relationship building through conducting home visits as partner of the Flamboyan Foundation
- Facilitated, implemented, and planned academic sessions for the extended day education program
- Served as a writing coach for the DC SCORES program (extracurricular activity).
Corps Member
City Year
Washington, DC
07.2012 - 05.2013
- Served as tutor, mentor, and role model to students of the lowest performing schools of the District of Columbia Public School system (DCPS)
- As a non-profit program under AmeriCorps, served over 1,700 community service hours
- Collaborated daily on a team of 8 to plan and carry-out both City Year and DCPS supported programs and initiatives
- Planned and led multiple weekly team meetings
- Led, planned, and facilitated a small-group literacy intervention three days/week
- As the site-based Math Coordinator, led several math events both large and small-scale aimed to engage all grade levels, parents/staff, and community
- Collaborated with another teammate to host a 4-week music/arts based program culminating in a gallery walk-through/performance
- Served as a member of the Ambassador team where I spoke and participated in a number of events aimed at communicating City Year's mission and vision to current and prospective stakeholders, partners, sponsors, and donors
- Collaborated with teachers and support staff during planning, data, and professional development sessions
- Facilitated the administration of the district wide standardized assessment.
Education
Instructional Design Intern -
SweetRush
01.2022
Adult Education Certification -
University of The District of Columbia
M.Ed Curriculum And Instruction -
American University
Bachelor of Science -
University of North Carolina At Charlotte
Skills
- Communications & Branding
- External Marketing & Engagement
- Social Media Management
- Excellent written and verbal communicator
- Community Engagement
- Project Management
- Staff training and development
- Partner Development
- Stakeholder Relationship Management
- Strategic Planning
Timeline
Director of External Relations and Strategic Initiatives
E.L. Haynes Public Charter School
10.2023 - Current
Program Manager/ Community Organizer
Restaurant Opportunities Center
09.2017 - Current
Intensive Instructor
Washington Literacy Center
09.2015 - 09.2017
General Education Teacher
District of Columbia Public Schools
08.2013 - 08.2015
Corps Member
City Year
07.2012 - 05.2013
Instructional Design Intern -
SweetRush
Adult Education Certification -
University of The District of Columbia
M.Ed Curriculum And Instruction -
American University
Bachelor of Science -
University of North Carolina At Charlotte
Similar Profiles
Oghenekome OduOghenekome Odu
English Language Instructor at E.l. Haynes Public Charter SchoolEnglish Language Instructor at E.l. Haynes Public Charter School
Mary GaffordMary Gafford
Security Officer/ Operations at E.L. Haynes Public Charter SchoolSecurity Officer/ Operations at E.L. Haynes Public Charter School
Erin HartErin Hart
Managing Director of Talent & Operations at Lee Montessori Public Charter SchoolManaging Director of Talent & Operations at Lee Montessori Public Charter School