DEAN C. MORRIS
New York,NY
Summary
Performance-driven management professional with strong emotional intelligence and proven expertise in process development, management, evaluation, and refinement. Adept at effectively managing individuals and teams while leveraging a diverse skill set to identify strategic opportunities and tackle obstacles. Committed to enhancing community-building, sustainability, and advocating for social justice.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
GRANT DIRECTOR
STRENTA PHILANTHROPIC GRANTING SERVICES, LLC
MIAMI, FL
09.2023 - 02.2025
- Designed a grant-making program in alignment with three specific charitable trusts.
- Oversaw program development and stakeholder engagement to ensure operational excellence.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments to identify critical needs and prioritization areas across multiple sectors.
- Designed a strategic framework for philanthropic initiatives focusing on global outreach.
- Established processes to support audits and maintain accurate documentation.
- Formulated selection criteria for grantees and mechanisms for measuring outcomes.
- Created reports to keep executive leadership informed of key milestones and developments.
- Created scalable infrastructure and workflows to enhance program management.
ADVISOR
ROCKEFELLER PHILANTHROPY ADVISORS, INC.
NEW YORK, NY
01.2020 - 01.2023
- Managed comprehensive operational tasks for a charitable entity overseeing over $500 million in annual contributions.
- Managed 13 concurrent projects addressing human rights, social justice, and climate change.
- Achieved significant compliance efficiencies through management of comprehensive grant agreement framework.
- Established collaborative relationships with equity, rights and environment leaders to drive transformative change initiatives.
- Collaborated with Finance Team to analyze and monitor monthly budgets, general ledgers, and annual operating budgets.
- Executed expense reclassifications to maintain precise records.
- Managed creation of grant proposals, budgets, and reports for private and government funding.
- Managed relationships among funders, project staff, and organization.
- Provided high-quality consulting services as an observer for advisory board concerning 501(c)(3) compliance.
- Engaged in consulting activities focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Facilitated notable year-over-year profit increases.
- Collected and analyzed data, producing reports for revenue tracking.
- Streamlined and upheld procedures for grant administration.
- Implemented policies and practices to mitigate fraud and ensure compliance with federal laws.
- Collaborated with leadership to assess workload demands and adapt resource allocation.
DIRECTOR – PROGRAMS
WEST HARLEM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
NEW YORK, NY
01.2012 - 01.2020
- Administered $150 million Community Benefit Agreement with West Harlem community and Columbia University.
- Directed multifaceted development efforts to enhance educational programs, cultural engagements, workforce training opportunities, and housing affordability.
- Aligned organizational mission with both short- and long-term program strategies.
- Cultivated collaborative partnerships with educators, artists, cultural institutions, government agencies, and community organizations.
- Developed and managed budgets while maintaining fiscal discipline.
- Collected and analyzed financial data, grantee materials, and impact stories to provide comprehensive program outcome metrics.
- Boosted operational efficiency by implementing process optimization tools and streamlining workflows.
- Crafted efficient operational procedures and protocols.
- Implemented grants database system (Fluxx) to streamline grant portfolio management.
- Reported the effects of WHDC grants to stakeholders, including WHDC board of managers and West Harlem community board.
- Expanded outreach through participant engagement strategies to facilitate greater community participation.
- Recruited, trained, supervised, evaluated and mentored staff members.
SENIOR PROGRAM ASSISTANT
FORD FOUNDATION
NEW YORK, NY
07.2006 - 08.2012
- Coordinated grant-making and programmatic efforts for public service media and media rights portfolios to enhance global press freedoms.
- Coordinated impactful presentations, conferences, and forums.
- Administered a centralized system with more than 120 grant-related records.
- Vetted funding inquiries and prepared grant-related correspondence.
- Served as Education Program Officer for the the foundation's Good Neighbor Committee from 2008-20012.
- Conducted assessments of grantees and composed grant recommendations to aid educational non-profits in fostering economic advancement.
OMBUDSMAN
SEQUOIA COMMUNITY INITIATIVES, INC
NEW YORK, NY
01.2003 - 01.2006
- Acted as client advocate and employee liaison for a New York City Department of Homeless Services contracted agency.
- Managed rehabilitation initiatives for assisting over 400 clients with mental health and addiction issues in becoming self-sufficient.
- Executed thorough investigations and compiled detailed reports for senior management.
- Facilitated monthly five-day workshops focused on conflict resolution and co-led trainings on HIPAA Privacy Rule.
- Oversaw development and standardization of shelter operational protocols.
- Reduced monthly pharmaceutical expenses by 95%; tripled client enrollment in savings account program; increased client participation in living plan development meetings by 45%.
Education
MASTER OF SCIENCE (M.S) - ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE MANAGEMENT
MILANO THE NEW SCHOOL FOR MANAGEMENT & URBAN POLICY ―
NEW YORK, NY01.2010
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (B.S) - SOCIAL THEORY, STRUCTURE AND CHANGE
STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK, EMPIRE STATE COLLEGE ―
NEW YORK, NY01.2005
Skills
- Project management
- Program administration
- Organization governance
- Team leadership
- Continuous process improvements
- Regulatory compliance
- Data analysis
- Strategic planning
- Stakeholder engagement
- Conflict resolution
Timeline
GRANT DIRECTOR
STRENTA PHILANTHROPIC GRANTING SERVICES, LLC
09.2023 - 02.2025
ADVISOR
ROCKEFELLER PHILANTHROPY ADVISORS, INC.
01.2020 - 01.2023
DIRECTOR – PROGRAMS
WEST HARLEM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
01.2012 - 01.2020
SENIOR PROGRAM ASSISTANT
FORD FOUNDATION
07.2006 - 08.2012
OMBUDSMAN
SEQUOIA COMMUNITY INITIATIVES, INC
01.2003 - 01.2006
MASTER OF SCIENCE (M.S) - ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE MANAGEMENT
MILANO THE NEW SCHOOL FOR MANAGEMENT & URBAN POLICY ―
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (B.S) - SOCIAL THEORY, STRUCTURE AND CHANGE
STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK, EMPIRE STATE COLLEGE ―
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