Dean Tsilikas

State of Maryland Conservation Initiative

• Project Leadership: Spearheading the transformation of 100 acres of private land into a conservation park in collaboration with the State of Maryland.
• Environmental Stewardship: Implementing sustainable practices to preserve native flora and fauna, promoting biodiversity and ecological health.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Coordinating with state and local officials to ensure project goals align with public and ecological interests.
• Strategic Planning: Developing long-term conservation strategies, including habitat restoration, trail systems, and educational programs.
• Regulatory Compliance: Navigating federal, state, and local environmental regulations to secure necessary permits and approvals.
• Community Engagement: Organizing public outreach events and educational workshops to raise awareness about conservation efforts and encourage community involvement.

• Responsible for diplomatic advocacy and interactions with representatives of Greece's Eastern Mediterranean and European partners.
• Directed outreach with Embassies and Consulates and tasked with public education programs focusing on energy and security policy in southeast Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean.
• Formulated written storytelling and visual content for social media campaigns.
• Master of Ceremonies for the Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day event on Capitol Hill.

• Managed and coordinated the development of family-owned property in Athens, overseeing renovations, tenant relations, and property maintenance.
• Engaged with local contractors, legal professionals, and municipal authorities to ensure compliance and successful project completion.
• Dedicated significant time to honing creative writing skills, producing a portfolio of short stories, travel essays and a novel.
• Participated in local writing workshops and literary events, enhancing narrative techniques and engaging with the creative community.
• Focused on starting and nurturing a family, balancing personal commitments with professional and creative endeavors.
• Managed cross-border family affairs, ensuring seamless coordination and support for both immediate and extended family members while successfully navigating the American immigration process.

This period of dedicated personal and professional growth allowed me to develop a diverse skill set, including project management, creative writing, and cross-cultural communication.

• In-house lobbyist charged with securing support from Congress for College to Careers, a workforce development initiative calling on Chicago's business community to help formulate advanced degree curricula in high demand industries.
• Represented CCC in national coalitions to influence higher education policy.
• Identified and helped secure federal funding and grant opportunities.
• Organized first-ever Capitol Hill lobbying day in Washington with over twenty CCC students.

• Worked with City Departments and Sister Agencies to identify federal priorities and devise legislative strategy.
• Established relationships with Congressional and White House staff for their engagement on key legislation and funding opportunities.
• Staffed Capitol Hill and Administration meetings with the Mayor and City Department heads.
• Worked with the US Conference of Mayors to identify shared issues and build national campaigns around them.
• Issues portfolio included: Urban Security, Emergency Preparedness, Transportation, Education.

• Served as advisor to the Executive Director on legislative strategy at the federal/state/local levels.
• Crafted written communications to policy makers (e.g., committee testimony, letters to legislative leaders, analysis on proposed legislation, speeches and talking points).
• Spearheaded initiative to incorporate private sector cameras into OEMC camera grid known as Operation Virtual Shield.
• Served as point of contact to elected officials during large-scale emergencies.
• Conducted security briefings and tours of the facility to elected officials and foreign dignitaries.