Delisa Johnson
Chicago,IL
Summary
Detailed, highly flexible, multi-faceted, team player with solid progressive experience in public relations, community outreach, meeting and conference planning, partnership development, recruitment, project/program management, marketing, quality client services and career development . Adaptable; able to multi-task and thrive in a fast-paced environment. Exceptionally competent, dependable and a motivated self-starter who is coachable and open to learning new skills.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Network/Communication Liaison
Chicago Public Schools
07.2019 - Current
- Overall responsibility of managing the early college and career strategies/ activities within high school network (22 high schools), while managing and monitoring the Department of Early College and Career Education's key performance indicators
- Serve as the lead communication liaison between ECCE and stakeholders, working in conjunction with networks, school-based staff, community, parents and CPS Departments (Communications, Marketing and Teaching & Learning) to ensure successful implementation, marketing of programs and outcomes for assigned network
- Co-lead developing continuous improvement plans for CTE programming
- Lead in developing and implementing marketing materials and conduct presentations to community, parents, counselors and students
- Set-up and facilitate meetings with team and other stakeholders in-person or virtual (Google meet, Zoom)
- Conduct Needs Assessment with network schools, teachers and link resources as needed
- Lead ECCE Planning and Performance Management (i.e. Goal setting, progress monitoring) within assigned high school network
- Assess data to measure attrition and/or growth of programs to make reasonable recommendations for planning
- Lead successful implementation of programs, new initiatives and monitor progression
- Work with Network Chiefs and school Principals to strategically look at equity and access of ECCE programs and initiatives; outline strategies to address
- Oversee/support annual budgeting allocations and expenditure efforts in network schools, work with school-based personnel to monitor budgets and ensure funds are used in a timely manner and according to grant guidelines
- Professionally and diligently worked to resolve all issues and problems that may arose regarding programming
- In conjunction with school-based and network personnel, identify and coordinate resources to address teacher needs (i.e. Professional development, CTE teacher recruitment, dissemination of CPS policies and procedures, etc.)
- Facilitate program evaluation and improvement planning and coordinate collection and reporting of data
- Assist in development and facilitation of network Industry Advisory Councils to support ECCE program success
- Formulate and communicate new ideas and suggestions that improved overall operation.
- Managed multiple stakeholders' interests and needs.
Workforce Development Consultant
Aurora Health Care
04.2016 - 07.2019
- Employment needs and skill preparation of workforce to further the mission, fully developed and implemented an workforce development model that trains external candidates and upskill internal employees through the Healthcare Workforce Initiative (HWI)
- Established partnerships with colleges, universities, governmental funding and training agencies, community based organizations and cross-departmental disciplines to effectively train community residents for hard to fill positions
- Monitored resource allocation, budget development and personnel recruitment and interviewing for open positions within department.
- Co-designed framework and curriculum for Advocate's incumbent and community-facing training program, “NAVIGATE" through a grant awarded from JP Morgan Chase for 3 million dollars that increased employee retention, trained, developed and upskill employees for high-need positions for a 70,000 employee regional health system
- Set-up and facilitated meetings with team and other stakeholders in-person or virtual (Google meet, Zoom)
- Co-created brochures, invitations, cards and other event and marketing materials with the PR department
- Effectively coordinated, led, marketed and communicated all program roll outs and initiative to staff, administration and trainees at assigned hospital sites
- Professionally and diligently worked to resolve all issues and problems that may arose during program cohorts
- Assisted in recruiting talent by sourcing candidates using social media, job boards, and employee referrals, screened qualified persons and assisted in setting up interviews
- Recruited health care professionals from organizations for a roundtable consortium to address the employment gaps and needs
- Co-developed and implemented hiring and training solutions to meet forecasted staffing needs for in-demand healthcare careers
- Worked with HR management to bring awareness and assist in resolving disputes between incumbent staff and their managers through coaching sessions
- Assisted in creating and monitoring RFP process and act as the central point of contact on assigned proposals, and lead and guided the work of the bids and proposals team
- Facilitated job readiness training and organizational development workshops to prepare, retain and upskill talent conducted scenario-based interviews and coordinated mentorships
- Created a comprehensive framework for partnering with postsecondary institutions through RFP to train and develop incumbent and community members in preparation for entry-level and advance-level positions at Advocate Aurora Health
- Analyzed data to assess skills gaps and identify career pathways to conduct training and managed local growth plans of the workforce initiatives
- Educated staff on organizational mission and goals to help employees achieve success.
- Developed effective improvement plans in alignment with goals and specifications.
Career Readiness Instructor
Lights Of Zion Training Institute
01.2016 - 01.2017
- Facilitated outreach activities to build community awareness.
- Facilitated communication between clients and other service providers.
- Monitored progress towards service plan goals.
- Developed and maintained accurate records of programs and services.
- Provided support to social service clients in navigating available resources and career opportunities.
- Developed and maintained relationships with community organizations and agencies.
- Assisted in conducting needs assessments to identify key areas of service needs.
Partnership Development Manager
Chicago Public Schools
08.2012 - 04.2016
- Developed, implemented and established strong partnerships to secure opportunities for work-based learning (job shadow, site visits, internships, clinical, practicums, speakers, service/project based learning and mentorships) to enhance student learning, postsecondary preparation and life skills in partnership with MRHT (Michael Reese Health Trust) and the Youth Workforce Collaborative
- Developed annual account objectives and formalized client communications for communication of goals and plans.
- Collaborated with 35 teachers, 12 Academy Coordinators and over 100 business partners working with 4,000 students to provide and secure work-based learning opportunities
- Strategized and rolled out a communication plan to effectively meet team timelines and goals
- Recruited businesses and organizations to partner with Chicago Public Schools programs (Health, Education/Training and Cosmetology and Barbering) to create and develop workforce pipeline through a student development continuum
- Structured and coordinated career-specific events for students in CTE Programs
- Professionally and diligently worked to resolve all issues and problems that may have around work-based learning opportunities
- Set-up and facilitated meetings with team and other stakeholders in-person or virtual (Google meet, Zoom)
- Managed, recruited, and coordinated speakers through a Health Speaker's Bureau in conjunction with HMPRG (Health & Medicine Policy Research Group)
- Worked with MRHT funder in identifying new schools and partners to provide supplemental funding for training and internships
- Assessed data to measure attrition and growth of programs to make reasonable recommendations for planning
- Secured professional development opportunities to provide information about upcoming partnership initiatives/opportunities for teachers and students in the Career and Technical Education programs
- Collected data from all participating stake-holders to compile reports and data-sharing
- Facilitated strategy development and planned with cross-functional teams.
- Enforced use of required processes and tools for partnership management.
- Joined business development meetings and supported market outreach plans to improve business development.
- Conducted market research to identify new opportunities and target markets.
- Oversaw preparation of marketing copy, images, videos, emails, and other collateral.
- Devised content strategy to effectively engage target audiences.
- Analyzed and reported on KPIs to validate and demonstrate success of partnership opportunities.
- Developed creative presentations, shared trending reports, work-based learning opportunities and partnership progressions.
- Mentored local personnel on best practices and protocols to maximize productivity.
Public Relations Director
BRL Chicago
03.2011 - 11.2014
- Produced and distributed internal and external communications.
- Communicated with media weekly to build relationships and optimize press coverage.
- Coordinated press releases and handled press inquiries for organization.
- Developed brand media relations strategies that bolstered community awareness and knowledge.
- Reported on press coverage recaps to determine areas for improvement.
- Created and distributed press releases to media outlets.
- Oversaw social media presence and aligned posts to include branding and trending ideas.
- Increased brand awareness through development and implementation of successful public relations campaigns.
- Collaborated with other departments to develop integrated branding and public relations strategies.
- Taught in-house employees strategies for successful internal and external communications.
- Managed editorial calendars and rescheduled PR events and meetings.
- Oversaw team of communications and media relations professionals with focus on achieving PR results.
- Wrote engaging and successful press releases to control information and public opinion.
- Authored fresh and engaging press releases and prepared complete press kits.
- Determined target demographics and devised strategic marketing initiatives to reach target audiences.
- Promoted program to funders through direct appeals and special publications or online appeals.
Academy Coordinator
Chicago Public Schools
01.2007 - 01.2012
College and Career
Coach Chicago Public Schools
01.2006 - 01.2007
Career Development Facilitator
Chicago Public Schools
01.2005 - 01.2006
ETC Coordinator
Chicago Public Schools
01.2001 - 01.2004
Education
Public Relations Consultant
IAP Career College
Online 02.2022 - 02.2022
COVID 19 Compliance Officer - COVID Compliance Regulations
Health Education Services
Online 03.2021 - 03.2021
Global Career Development Facilitator - Career Development Facilitation
Center For Credentialing Education
Chicago 05.2006 - 08.2006
Bachelor of Art Sociology -
Chicago State University
Chicago, IL01.2001
Skills
- Communications (written & verbal)
- Training and Development
- Talent Management and Succession Planning
- Facilitator/Public Speaking
- Problem Solving, Solution Oriented
- Data Collection, Management & Sharing
- Workforce Development
- Performance Management
- Monitor Budget Expenditures
- Coaching
- Partnership Development
- Public Relations
- Project/Program Management
- Content Development
- MS Office Suite, Salesforce, Taleo, Kronos Timekeeper, PeopleSoft/Oracle, BrassRing, Creative, Sharepoint
- Policy, Safety and Procedures
- Corporate Communications
- Community Relations
- Team Communication
- Strategic Communication
- Leadership
Additional Information
- Advocate Health MVP Award Recipient, Leadership &Respect
- Featured in Advocate Health Social Media Campaign- Workforce Development
- Numerous awards for Top Performer
- Performance ratings of "Exceeds Expectations" and "Significantly Exceeds Expectations" in various roles
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Timeline
Public Relations Consultant
IAP Career College
02.2022 - 02.2022
COVID 19 Compliance Officer - COVID Compliance Regulations
Health Education Services
03.2021 - 03.2021
Network/Communication Liaison
Chicago Public Schools
07.2019 - Current
Workforce Development Consultant
Aurora Health Care
04.2016 - 07.2019
Career Readiness Instructor
Lights Of Zion Training Institute
01.2016 - 01.2017
Partnership Development Manager
Chicago Public Schools
08.2012 - 04.2016
Public Relations Director
BRL Chicago
03.2011 - 11.2014
Academy Coordinator
Chicago Public Schools
01.2007 - 01.2012
Global Career Development Facilitator - Career Development Facilitation
Center For Credentialing Education
05.2006 - 08.2006
College and Career
Coach Chicago Public Schools
01.2006 - 01.2007
Career Development Facilitator
Chicago Public Schools
01.2005 - 01.2006
ETC Coordinator
Chicago Public Schools
01.2001 - 01.2004
Bachelor of Art Sociology -
Chicago State University
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