Debra Gaetano
Floyds Knobs,IN
Summary
To seek and maintain full-time position that offers professional challenges utilizing interpersonal skills, excellent time management and problem-solving skills. Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals. Goal-oriented professional well-versed in operational practices and regulatory requirements of a Community Action Agency environment. Skilled leader and analytical problem-solver well-versed in budget planning, staff oversight and program management. Skillfully use relationship-building talents and diplomatic communication style to forge long-lasting connections.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Early Childhood Education
River Ridge Learning Center, Inc.
2022.08 - Current
- Maintained high-quality child care standards based on developmentally appropriate practices.
- Stayed current on guidelines to maintain compliant program operations.
- Attended professional meetings and conferences to maintain and improve professional competence.
- Oversaw safety requirements, inspection, and certification procedures to facilitate annual licensing review.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in team environment.
- Self-motivated, with strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and fast-paced environment.
Director of Fund Development
River Ridge Learning Center, Inc.
2021.07 - 2022.08
- Monitored processes and procedures, making sure company met compliance regulations.
- Collaborated with company leaders to support consistency and best practices.
- Oversaw training and onboarding process for all newly hired employees within River Ridge Learning Center, Inc..
- Assisted with internal financial planning, analysis and budgeting.
- Collaborated cross-functionally with planning and other teams to cement partnerships and achieve mutual goals.
- Prepared, maintained and updated files, land use data and statistics.
- Brought in over $500,000 in funding for development projects by writing and submitting grant requests.
- Compiled costs of goods and services for projects to present decision-makers with accurate estimates and enhance budget planning.
- Advised planning officials on project feasibility, cost-effectiveness and possible alternatives.
- Monitored activities for adherence to vital milestones and deliverables.
- Planned resources, conducted costing activities and managed bid and proposal phases.
- Oversaw inventory replenishment strategies and processes for programs.
- Worked closely with project managers to create project work scopes and schedules.
- Streamlined HR efficiencies, coordinated new hire orientations and provided onboarding and training for new employees
Head Start Director
Community Action Southern Indiana
2014.08 - 2021.07
- Evaluated and contributed to creative team ideas and translated into actionable project plans.
- Developed strategic communication and marketing plans.
- Formulated and monitored budgets to manage expenses and control costs.
- Created creative briefs and timeline to manage creative process from concept to completion.
- Mentored and trained leadership and education staff to help enhance skills and capabilities.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors and suppliers to establish timely delivery of materials and achieve mutually beneficial agreements.
- Monitored progress of projects, keeping on schedule and within budget.
- Analyzed data and metrics to measure success of program goals and adjust strategies accordingly.
Small Business Co-Owner
Jimmy's Music Center Inc.
2008.08 - 2019.09
- Promoted business via social media to generate leads and maximize brand identity.
- Advertised products and services online, social media and through traditional campaigns to target ideal consumers.
- Designed business plan to define concept, short-term and long-term goals and strategies.
- Fulfilled customer shipping needs by completing all purchase orders and customer invoices.
- Provided elite customer service by resolving escalated problems and calmly responding to shifting priorities.
- Evaluated sales reports and financial statements to manage cash flow and develop techniques to improve business.
- Participated in business events, conferences and trade shows to promote products and network with business owners and prospective clients.
- Devised processes to boost long-term business success and increase profit levels.
- Implemented process improvement to shape organizational culture, optimize procedures for higher efficiency and help company evolve and grow.
- Interacted well with customers to build connections and nurture relationships.
- Negotiated price and service with customers and vendors to decrease expenses and increase profit.
- Cultivated and strengthened lasting client relationships using strong issue resolution and dynamic communication skills.
- Implemented business strategies, increasing revenue and effectively targeting new markets.
- Handled problematic customers and clients to assist lower-level employees and maintain excellent customer service.
- Reduced budgetary expenditures by effectively negotiating contracts for more advantageous terms.
- Raised property accuracy and accountability by creating new automated tracking method.
Head Start Education Manager
Community Action Southern Indiana
2012.06 - 2014.08
- Managed educational program budget and prepared monthly reports.
- Planned and coordinated educational events and activities such as Back to School and Family Fun Night Events.
- Conducted annual surveys with parents to gather feedback for improvement.
- Scheduled and facilitated staff meetings and recorded meeting minutes for staff..
- Reviewed child specific data gathered three times per year to review, analyze trends, areas needing improvement and made recommendations for improvement, set new goals.
- Organized and edited training manuals, multimedia visual aids, and other educational materials.
- Conducted orientation sessions and organized on-the-job training for new hires.
- Communicated all learning and performance objectives, schedules, and training assessments to upper management.
- Reviewed and edited all training materials for accuracy and company policy compliance.
- Developed departmental systems and procedures to better align workflow processes.
- Developed surveys to identify training needs based on projected production processes and changes.
Early Head Start Program Manager
Community Action Southern, Indiana
2010.02 - 2012.06
- Attended professional meetings and conferences to maintain and improve professional competence.
- Modernized instructional plans and educational approaches to enhance Home Visit procedures..
- Established and optimized program schedules to cover planned needs while capitalizing on opportunities to improve Home Visiting practices.
- Implemented program policies, procedures, and systems to promote safe and healthy environment in compliance with state standards.
- Maintained high-quality home visiting child-care standards based on developmentally appropriate practices.
- Stayed current on guidelines to maintain compliant program operations.
- Oversaw safety requirements, inspection, and certification procedures to facilitate annual licensing review.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Worked well in team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Supervised Home Visiting Staff and oversaw facility to meet state requirements for education and training.
Education Manager
Floyd County Head Start
2000.08 - 2008.09
- Managed educational program budget and prepared monthly reports.
- Planned and coordinated educational events and activities such as Back to School and Family Fun Nights.
- Conducted surveys with students upon course completion to gather feedback for improvement.
- Scheduled and attended student meetings and recorded meeting minutes for faculty.
- Prepared course schedules and managed classroom staffing requirements for enrollment up to 276 students.
- Attended continuing education workshops to enhance skills and apply new education and family services methodologies.
- Trained staff during demonstrations, meetings, conferences, and workshops.
- Conducted orientation sessions and organized on-the-job training for new hires.
- Communicated all learning and performance objectives, schedules, and training assessments to upper management.
- Implemented new learning strategies depending upon employees' skill levels.
- Developed departmental systems and procedures to better align workflow processes.
- Developed surveys to identify training needs based on projected production processes and changes.
Education
Head Start Fellows Management Graduate -
UCLA School of Management
Los Angeles, CA07.2018
Bachelors Education -
FSSA Administration
Indianapolis, IN07.2013
GED -
State of Indiana Department Workforce Development
Indiana05.2012
Bachelor of Arts - Early Childhood Education
New Zealand Qualification Authority
Wellington, New Zealand12.1992
Bachelor of Arts - Early Childhood Education, Minor Special Education
Faroese Teachers College
Torshavn, Faroe Islands06.1992
Skills
- Self-Motivated
- Training and Development
- Problem-Solving
- Microsoft Office Software Proficiency
- Team building
- Cultural Awareness
- Flexible and Adaptable
- Attention to Detail
- Excellent Communication
- Organization and Time Management
- Decision-Making
- Analytical and Critical Thinking
- Excellent Communication
- Organization and Time Management
- Decision-Making
- Analytical and Critical Thinking
Accomplishments
- Instrumental in stopping the potential CSBG De-Designation in 2020 by providing written and verbal support to Megan Eldrige (CSBG Manager) until the new liaison was hired.
- Successfully helped write two competitive grants for our Head Start program facing recompetition, that resulted in receiving 100% of our funds back each time.
- Supervised team of 70 staff members receiving great reviews.
Additional Information
My goal is good, better, best don't let it rest until the good gets better and the better becomes best. My life's work has centered around helping families in poverty by showing them opportunities, opening doors and holding their hands as they make their first step towards a new life, that impacts themselves and the history of their family for the rest of their lives.
Why you ask have I dedicated my whole life to this vision to serve and help....because one cold, dark, dreary day when I felt all hope was lost, someone held out their hand and introduced me to the door of unlimited possibilities. All I had to do was step through.....I'm here today to "shout" that I stepped through and my life changed forever....now I want to give back and help others to step through.
Languages
English
Full Professional
Maori
Limited Working
Spanish
Limited Working
Faroes
Full Professional
Timeline
Director of Early Childhood Education
River Ridge Learning Center, Inc.
2022.08 - Current
Director of Fund Development
River Ridge Learning Center, Inc.
2021.07 - 2022.08
Head Start Director
Community Action Southern Indiana
2014.08 - 2021.07
Head Start Education Manager
Community Action Southern Indiana
2012.06 - 2014.08
Early Head Start Program Manager
Community Action Southern, Indiana
2010.02 - 2012.06
Small Business Co-Owner
Jimmy's Music Center Inc.
2008.08 - 2019.09
Education Manager
Floyd County Head Start
2000.08 - 2008.09
Head Start Fellows Management Graduate -
UCLA School of Management
Bachelors Education -
FSSA Administration
GED -
State of Indiana Department Workforce Development
Bachelor of Arts - Early Childhood Education
New Zealand Qualification Authority
Bachelor of Arts - Early Childhood Education, Minor Special Education
Faroese Teachers College
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