Chris Miller
Alton,IL
Summary
Dynamic nonprofit executive and social entrepreneur with over 20 years of proven success in management, resource development, business operations, public policy, and social enterprise. Expertise in driving organizational growth and fostering sustainable initiatives that create lasting community impact. Skilled in building strategic partnerships and leveraging resources to enhance program effectiveness and reach. Committed to advancing social change through innovative solutions and collaborative leadership.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Policy Officer
Caritas Family Solutions Inc.
01.2022 - Current
- Led the organizations 500+ employees and board in developing a culture of advocacy
- Successfully led statewide coalitions to pass critical legislation impacting both foster youth, as well as the child welfare industry as a whole
- Oversaw all political and lobbying activities and strategy development
- Provided foundation relation support and served as primary interlocuter with foundation executives
Chief Policy Officer
Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition Inc.
01.2020 - 01.2022
- Researched, designed and implemented the agencies first advocacy efforts and policy agenda
- Lobbied Illinois state legislators on wide variety of issues impacting foster youth and families
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
The Mission Center L3C
01.2010 - 01.2021
- Launched and managed a social enterprise accounting firm, professional employer organization, and pooled medical insurance consortium focused exclusively on nonprofit and hybrid companies
- Grew company to over 150 nonprofit clients in less than 3 years with revenues exceeding $546,000
- Hired, managed, and trained staff of fourteen at peak employment
- Cultivated national relationships with impact investors and raised $450,000 in startup funds
- Oversaw annual budgeting process and allocated resources strategically to manage spending
Assistant Teaching Professor of Entrepreneurship
University of Missouri-St. Louis
01.2015 - 01.2020
- Instructed, trained, and mentored hundreds of student entrepreneurs in cutting-edge approaches
- Co-designed and implemented innovative entrepreneurship curricula and training for diverse founders
- Collaborated across UM System on developing co-curricular experiences including the annual EQ Student Accelerator that awards $150,000 to UMKC, UMSL, Mizzou, and S&T to 12 student entrepreneurs
- Served as Director of Interdisciplinary Entrepreneurship Program and Certificate
Interim Executive Director
Ferguson-Dellwood Community Resource Center
03.2019 - 06.2019
- Oversaw all operations of startup social enterprise incubator including hiring, finances, contract negotiation, and program development
- Led successful board recruitment campaign, trained new board members, and served as parliamentarian board chair for all meetings during tenure
Co-Founder
Washington University in St. Louis - WashU Startup Training Lab
01.2015 - 01.2016
- Co-developed innovative approach to entrepreneur education using interdisciplinary tools and theories
- Cultivated and managed major foundation relationships resulting in impact investments of $180,000
Senior Lecturer of Social Entrepreneurship
Washington University in St. Louis
01.2012 - 01.2015
- Instructed social work and business grad students in developing, launching, and scaling social ventures
- Chaired social entrepreneurship specialization and interdisciplinary curriculum committee
- Co-developed Impact Investing and Social Innovation courses and social enterprise trainings and practica
Founder and Interim CEO
The Missouri Community Healthcare Co-Op Inc.
01.2012 - 01.2013
- Developed Missouri’s only tax-exempt, 501(c)(29 Consumer Oriented and Operated Plan (CO-OP)
- Oversaw development of a 20-year pro forma and comprehensive business plan for startup carrier
- Cultivated and closed major foundation’s first-ever $500,000 contract for a hybrid social enterprise
National Media Manager
Yurbuds
01.2009 - 01.2010
- Assisted in launching a multi-million-dollar consumer product start-up that was subsequently named Forbes Magazine’s “9th Most Promising Company in America”
Founding Community Outreach Coordinator
Washington University in St. Louis' Skandalaris Center for Entrepreneurial Studies
01.2007 - 01.2009
- Served as primary liaison between community stakeholders, including foundations, and the Center
- Participated in various due diligence processes and assisted in impact investment of $385,000
- Designed and implemented innovative experiences, trainings, and funding for community entrepreneurs
Community Development Specialist
Illinois Coalition for Community Services
01.2004 - 01.2007
- Organized low-income communities in a five-county area around issues of common concern
- Founding executive director of a statewide citizen’s lobbying body, the Illinois People’s Assembly, that trained low-income neighborhood leaders to be agents of their own change in the state legislature
Paul Simon Media Fellow
Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn’s Office
06.2004 - 08.2004
- Assisted with general media relations including writing press releases and organizing press conferences
Education
Master of Arts - Political Studies
University of Illinois
Springfield, IL01.2007
Bachelor of Arts - Communication Science
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO01.2004
Skills
- Nonprofit management
- Stakeholder engagement
- Financial management
- Social enterprise
- Team leadership
- Legislative advocacy
Affiliations
- President of Board of Directors for Alton Main Street Inc. and Friends of Alton Main Street Inc. 2022-Present
- Executive Director of Democrat Party of Madison County, 2018-2019
- Founding Chairman of the Board for Arch Grant Recipient, HireMe Employment Services: 2019-Present
- Write-In Candidate and Democratic Nominee for Madison County Treasurer: 2018 Primary and Election
- Founder of Alton RISING (Riverbend Investment in Startups and Innovation for New Growth): 2017-2020
- Founding Advisory Board Member, Venture Café St. Louis: 2014-2016
- Founding Advisory Board Member, BALSA Foundation: 2011-2013
- Member, YouthBridge Community Foundation Outreach Committee: 2010-2011
- Founding President, Social Enterprise Alliance St. Louis Chapter: 2007-2012
Timeline
Senior Policy Officer
Caritas Family Solutions Inc.
01.2022 - Current
Chief Policy Officer
Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition Inc.
01.2020 - 01.2022
Interim Executive Director
Ferguson-Dellwood Community Resource Center
03.2019 - 06.2019
Assistant Teaching Professor of Entrepreneurship
University of Missouri-St. Louis
01.2015 - 01.2020
Co-Founder
Washington University in St. Louis - WashU Startup Training Lab
01.2015 - 01.2016
Senior Lecturer of Social Entrepreneurship
Washington University in St. Louis
01.2012 - 01.2015
Founder and Interim CEO
The Missouri Community Healthcare Co-Op Inc.
01.2012 - 01.2013
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
The Mission Center L3C
01.2010 - 01.2021
National Media Manager
Yurbuds
01.2009 - 01.2010
Founding Community Outreach Coordinator
Washington University in St. Louis' Skandalaris Center for Entrepreneurial Studies
01.2007 - 01.2009
Paul Simon Media Fellow
Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn’s Office
06.2004 - 08.2004
Community Development Specialist
Illinois Coalition for Community Services
01.2004 - 01.2007
Bachelor of Arts - Communication Science
Truman State University
Master of Arts - Political Studies
University of Illinois