Debbie Burrell Butler
Yonkers,NY
Summary
Strategic Executive Director known for high productivity and efficient task completion. Fifteen years of experience writing grants with a 95% success rate totaling over $10M. Visionary leader bringing over 23 years of experience working in government and specializing in youth services, budgeting, program development, and management. Possess strong leadership, financial management, and strategic planning skills crucial for driving organizational success. Exceptional analytical skills which capitalize on operational efficiencies that aligns with government mission, goals, and vision. Excel in communication, problem-solving, and team motivation, ensuring seamless operations and stakeholder satisfaction. Ready to leverage these abilities to contribute to and grow within a forward-thinking organization.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Executive Director
City of Mount Vernon Youth Bureau
Mount Vernon, NY
01.2018 - Current
- Co-wrote and spearheaded the launch of two federally funded programs that received national recognition, worth over $4.75M.
- Create budget forecasts, analyze, and prepare financial reports for a variety of grants over $10M in 5 years.
- Develop comprehensive programs that foster equity, inclusion, tackles racism, mental health wellness, and equality which also expose, empower, and educate youth residing within the community
- Cultivate and create a supportive and intellectually curious atmosphere in which program directors feels meaningfully supported in their position
- Responsible for fiscal management that generally anticipates operating within the approved budget, ensures maximum resource utilization, and maintains the organization in a positive financial position.
- Responsible for enhancing the Mount Vernon Youth Bureau's image by being active and visible in the community, and by working closely with other professional, civic, and private organizations, as well as elected officials.
- Accountable for composing legislation and other instruments necessary for the mayor to enter into agreements with organizations on behalf of the Mount Vernon Youth Bureau.
- Ensure staff feels optimally positioned to implement programs to their respective program participants in a manner that generates positive development, which directly contributes to youth's self-sufficiency.
Youth Employment Service Director
City of Mount Vernon Youth Bureau
Mount Vernon, NY
01.2000 - 12.2018
- Co-created the VICTORY Program, which provided youth ages 10-18 with volunteering opportunities that create a positive use of their leisure time.
- Implement internal human resource controls and timesheet within the Bureau, which is being used by all 21 departments year to date.
- Created employment prospects for youth, including at-risk youth, ages 13-24.
- Coordinated with schools, colleges, and private sectors' summer employment initiatives for more than 500 youth annually, as well as cultural and educational excursions.
- Managed, supervised, and trained Summer Program Director, Project Coordinators, Youth Case Manager, and Community Worker Aides.
- Worked collaboratively and successfully with the Finance and Law Departments, Personnel, and Human Resource Offices.
- Built and grew relationships with students, parents, faith-based community, shareholders, stakeholders, and local elected officials.
- Developed and hosted job fairs, town hall meetings, positive youth development workshops, and enrichment events.
- Compiled and presented data to the New York State Legislator to secure funding for various youth programs.
- Recruited youth and parents for city and county budget hearings.
- Drafted resumes, cover letters, and reference letters on behalf of youth seeking employment, volunteer opportunities, and college enrollments.
- Worked with personnel at the Mount Vernon Police Department, Department of Social Services, Youth Shelter of Westchester, Inc. and Westchester County Probation.
- Counseled youth on a variety of positive youth development topics, such as finding your career path, exploring a college education, and becoming an entrepreneur.
- Trained new employees on the organization's mission, code of conduct, health benefits, sexual harassment policies, and rules and regulations, such as leave and termination policies.
- Supported the Executive Director with researching funding sources and writing proposals.
- Negotiated with vendors regarding program supplies and services.
- Ensured all employee folders are in meticulous order for city, state, and federal audits.
- Secured over 120 private sector jobs for youth ages 18-24 in Fortune 500 companies after teaching soft skills training and provided over 5000 job opportunities for youth ages 14-24.
- Doubled participation among local businesses to underwrite salaries and training for youth.
- Created the Safe Place 4 Our Girls (SP4OG) Program funded on a federally level
- Co-founded the V.I.C.T.O.R.Y Program, which provides volunteer opportunities and internships for youth ages 10-18.
Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Public Administration
Southern New Hampshire
05.2018
Bachelor of Science (BS) - Finance
Fordham University
05.2005
Skills
- Personnel/Interviewing/Hiring
- Motivator/Coaching/Team Leadership
- Grants/Contract Management
- Youth Advocacy & Services
- Business Management & Development
- Program monitoring
- Staff Management
- Strategic Planning & Quality Control
- Program & Project Management
- Grant Writing
- Government & Stakeholder Relations
- Operations Management
- Community Engagement
- Fundraising
- Compliance and Regulations
- Operational Planning
- Program Leadership
- Coaching and Counseling
- Budgeting and Financial Management
- Leadership Development
- Team Leadership, Training, and Staff Development
- Innovation and Creativity
- Relationship Building
- Business Administration
- Outreach Programs
- Partnership Development
Awards & Affiliations
Uplift Award, Omega Phi Psi Fraternity Incorporated, 01/01/23; SHERO Award, Westchester County Youth Bureau, 01/01/22; Human Service Appreciation Award, Monroe College, 01/01/21; Service Award, Mount Vernon Community That Cares, 01/01/12;
Hudson Valley Youth Bureaus, Treasurer, August 2024-Present; Yonkers Montessori Academy PTSA, Treasurer & Fundraiser Chair, 06/22-6/2023; Superintendent’s Advisory Board, 09/22-06/23; Mount Vernon City School District Community School Board, 05/21-12/22; Alliance Community Board, 01/18- 12/21, Sustainability Committee, 01/13- 12/18; City of Mount Vernon, Mayor’s Fun Committee – Member, 01/16-1/18;
Certification
- NYS-OCFS ACES, 01/01/22 & 9/25/24
- Youth Mental Health First Aid, 01/01/22
- Opioid Overdose Prevention, 01/01/22
- Mandated Reporting, 01/01/22
- Understanding Trauma, 01/01/22
- Financial Literacy & Pay Equity, 01/01/21
- Mind Matters, 01/01/20
- Love Notes, 01/01/20
- Grants Writing- Fund Development for Sustaining High Quality Programs, 01/01/20
- DEIB Best Practices, 01/01/19
- Covid-19 Contact Tracing, 01/01/19
- First Aid & CPR, 01/01/18
Signaturecompetencies
- Program & Job Development
- Personnel/Interviewing/Hiring
- Forecasting/Budgeting
- Motivator/Coaching/Team Leadership
- Problem-Solving/Time Management
- Detailed Orientated
- Grants/Contract Management
- Community Outreach and Advocacy
- Youth Services
Summaryofqualification
- Fifteen years of experience writing grants with a 95% success rate totaling over $10M.
- Visionary leader bringing over 23 years of experience working in government and specializing in youth services, budgeting, program development, and management.
- Successfully passed numerous federal, state, and local audits while adhering to compliance guidelines.
- Built and led teams of employees to maximize their full potential to excel within the workplace.
- Exceptional analytical skills which capitalize on operational efficiencies that aligns with government goals and vision.
- Expert in transforming strategic plans into tactical initiatives for local programming within the youth sector.
- Offers innovating solutions to operational challenges and leverage positiveness to implement solutions while minimizing risk and maximizing performances.
- Experience building and growing relationships with stakeholders and shareholders to create positive youth development.
Affiliations
- Secured over 120 private sector jobs for youth ages 18-24 in Fortune 500 companies after teaching soft-skills training.
- Created the Safe Place 4 Our Girls (SP4OG) Program funded on a federally level.
- Co-founded the V.I.C.T.O.R.Y Program that provides volunteer opportunities and internships for youth ages 10-18.
Accomplishments
- Mentorship Award - Mount Vernon Young Professional- 2024
- Human Service Award - Monroe College School of Criminal & Social Justice- 2022
- SHERO Award - Westchester County - 2022
- Uplift Award - Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated - 2022
- Continuous Support Award - Mount Vernon City School District Award - 2019
- Partnership Award - Mount Vernon Seventh-day Adventist Church - 2018
- Service Award - Mount Vernon Community That Cares - 2012
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Executive Director
City of Mount Vernon Youth Bureau
01.2018 - Current
Youth Employment Service Director
City of Mount Vernon Youth Bureau
01.2000 - 12.2018
- NYS-OCFS ACES, 01/01/22 & 9/25/24
- Youth Mental Health First Aid, 01/01/22
- Opioid Overdose Prevention, 01/01/22
- Mandated Reporting, 01/01/22
- Understanding Trauma, 01/01/22
- Financial Literacy & Pay Equity, 01/01/21
- Mind Matters, 01/01/20
- Love Notes, 01/01/20
- Grants Writing- Fund Development for Sustaining High Quality Programs, 01/01/20
- DEIB Best Practices, 01/01/19
- Covid-19 Contact Tracing, 01/01/19
- First Aid & CPR, 01/01/18
Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Public Administration
Southern New Hampshire
Bachelor of Science (BS) - Finance
Fordham University
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