Diar Kaussler
Remote, Harrisonburg,VA
Summary
SUMMERY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Cross-sector leader with over 15 years of direct experience of leveraging strategic partnerships, designing high impact programs and building resourceful organizational systems. Advanced knowledge of organizational strategies, financial management and contracting. Adept at seeing opportunities, connecting people, ideas and information to form creative and practical solutions. Fluent in English, Native in Persian (Farsi)and Swedish with proficiency in German.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Program Manager
Engooden Health Inc
01.2022 - Current
- Initiated and built companywide programs including the Engooden DEI Strategic Plan and Roadmap
- Built systems and processes for company-wide initiatives and projects for sustainability and long-term success
- Led cross-team organizational strategic project initiatives such as the External Partnership Roadmap which included the coordination and collaboration of four departments and several teams
- Identified and managed the risks and issues that emerged over the course of program life cycles as well as took measures to correct them when they occurred
- Drove continuous process improvements and supported departments and teams by facilitating and maintaining process
- Guides, flow charts and process outlines
- Managed and coached Program Coordinators
Director of Programs
Abrahamic House
02.2021 - 12.2021
- Recruited, managed and supervised Abrahamic House residents
- Developed organizational infrastructures by creating policies and procedures, drafting the resident and program handbook, and setting up effective management database and communication systems
- Developed and adapted program standards for residents and evaluation processes
- Supported fundraising efforts through drafting grant applications, collecting date and compiling materials
- Determined broadcast requirements to plan expansion, event coverage and regular programming.
- Developed proposals and operational plans.
Director of Business Development
Endless Horizons
01.2016 - 01.2021
- Horizons Learning Foundation Outdoor Enrichment Program
- Designed and implemented an outdoor enrichment program in response to the COVID pandemic to support 180 students K-7 in meeting their online school requirements for 2020-21 academic school year
- Created partnership with Harrisonburg City Public Schools to effectively meet student needs
- Raised over $488,000 in federal and local funds to provide over 110 needs-based scholarships
- Up with People Jr
- Designed and launched Up with People Jr., a comprehensive global programming model for an international day camp for children 8-12 years old that uses the arts to explore leadership, equality, social justice and cultural awareness
- Created an extensive 200-page programming manual for direct implementation to establish a successful business
- Recruited and established a global network of over 200 site camp counselors across 32 locations in the USA, Canada and Europe
- Expanded program from 3 sites in year one to 24 in year three year with a future projection of reaching 65 sites in the next five years
Director
Small Beginnings of the Shenandoah Valley
01.2013 - 01.2016
- Facilitated a systems change resulting in the development of a comprehensive and integrated regional early childhood program, including seven jurisdictions through organizational restructuring, change management and strategic planning
- Moved from local initiatives to five regional action teams in the areas of early childhood education, parent education, health, public engagement and parent council; recruited a total of 80 key community leaders to the action teams
- Recruited Board members with an 225% increase and increased annual giving by 100%
- Created and managed an annual budget of $208,250 and prepared reports for funding sources
- Organized a Business Leaders Executive Briefing Reception exceeding participation by 60% and resulting in the development and expansion of key relationships in the community
Project Manager and Research Associate
James Madison University
01.2010 - 01.2013
- Developed international programs in close collaboration with international partnership organizations to create frameworks for analysis and research
- Negotiated contracts between JMU, international sub-contractors and partnership organizations
- Planned, drafted, and oversaw the implementation of international programs as demonstrated with a budget of over $300,000
- Monitored, evaluated and reported on progress, including annual reports submitted to the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the U.S
- Department of State Bureau of Political-Military Affairs
Community Development Officer
Fife Council
01.2004 - 01.2007
- Motivated, empowered and educated local communities and the government in relation to equitable distribution of resources with 100% increase of access to employment benefits and 40% increase of female access to health opportunities
- Provided diversity training to government, academia and private industry and assisted in drafting of a legal document resulting in an average increase of 25% in compliance
- Formulated, drafted and successfully obtained funding of $200,000 for the creation of an integrated and web-based inter-agency referral system
- Recruited over 40 minority community groups by coordinating and running events to promote community cohesion and collaboration involving stakeholders from state, academia and private industry
Education
Master of Law (LLM) - Humana
University of Glasgow
Master of Arts (M.Litt) -
University of St. Andrews, East StudiesUniversity of Sussex
International Baccalaureate - undefined
United World College of the Atlantic
Bachelor of Arts - International Relations And Development Studies
University of Sussex
Brighton, United KingdomSkills
- Self-Management
- Management and Leadership
- Project Management
- Strategy and Operations
- Organizational Management
- Sales and Contract Negotiation
- Process Improvement
- Program Management
- People Leadership
- Presentation Design and Data Delivery
- Multilingual Communication
- Mentorship
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- Metabase
- Microsoft Office
- Confluence
- Paylocity
- Google Suite
Certification
- James Madison University Public Service Award for Diversity, Inclusion and Social Equity, 2019
- Online Facilitation Certification, Soliya, 2023
- Results Orientated Management and Accountability Training - 2015
- Certified Race Equality Trainer, 2007
Affiliations
- Go Virginia Region 8 Council member 2021 – Present
- Rocktown Rallies for Refugees (providing local refugee resettlement support) – Co-founder 2016 – Present
- The Harrisonburg Community Foundation – Board Member 2017 – Present
- Harrisonburg City Public School Strategic Planning Committee – Member 2020 – Present
- First Step, Executive Board Member 2012 – 2016
- United Way, Advisory Council Harrisonburg/Rockingham, 2013 - 2016
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Timeline
Program Manager
Engooden Health Inc
01.2022 - Current
Director of Programs
Abrahamic House
02.2021 - 12.2021
Director of Business Development
Endless Horizons
01.2016 - 01.2021
Director
Small Beginnings of the Shenandoah Valley
01.2013 - 01.2016
Project Manager and Research Associate
James Madison University
01.2010 - 01.2013
Community Development Officer
Fife Council
01.2004 - 01.2007
Master of Law (LLM) - Humana
University of Glasgow
Master of Arts (M.Litt) -
University of St. Andrews, East StudiesUniversity of Sussex
International Baccalaureate - undefined
United World College of the Atlantic
Bachelor of Arts - International Relations And Development Studies
University of Sussex
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