DIDIER (DJ) ROUZEAU
New York,United States
Summary
Experienced professional with history of impactful decision-making and strategic vision. Proven ability to drive organizational growth through collaborative leadership and adaptability to changing needs. Strong background in governance, financial oversight, and stakeholder engagement. Known for fostering teamwork and consistently delivering results.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Executive Director
Norwalk/Stamford Grassroots Tennis & Education
Norwalk, CT
10.2024 - Current
- Provide full oversight to the entire organization (Human Resources, Compliance, Fiscal, Fundraising, Board Relations, and Program Management) as the Executive Director. Currently, I oversee a $1.2M budget with a projected $2.5M target for upcoming year.
- Finalized the securing of $1.5M in donations for a new tennis dome.
- Solicited $800k in restricted funds for capital improvement ($200k) and a Scholarship Fund ($600k) to distribute to participants.
- Developed a full strategic plan around fee-based tennis programming, in partnership with the Norwalk Parks and Recreation Department, to fundraise for the organization and free community programs.
- Increased Revenue of organization by 32% in Year 1.
- Re-aligned salaries and wages for all staff to meet current market standards within 3 months of hire.
- Acquired medical and dental benefits for eligible staff which the organization never had before my tenure.
- Increased our government contracts revenue by 20% through Request For Proposal processes.
- Cut organizational expenses by 15%, which allowed for the restructuring of staffing patterns.
- Solicited a comprehensive payroll processing system and HR solutions platform through Paychex.
- Supported staff in the finalization of a new employee handbook, organization policy and procedures, new partnerships, and organizational systems.
- Norwalk based youth development organization that uses Tennis and Education to support underserved communities. Serves Norwalk and Stamford, CT participants.
Independent Executive Educational Consultant
Self Employed
03.2018 - Current
- Provide organizations with support in Professional Development - Executive, Senior Management, Manager, Program Director, Line Staff, Teachers, Parents, Volunteers, Coaches
- Guidance with Grant Management (Federal, State, Local, Private Funding) - Budget Management, Human Resource support, Contract Management, Program Evaluation, Compliance, etc.
- Direct Support to programs with leadership temporarily during organizational vacancy
- Executive and Senior Management mentorship and coaching
- Support organizations with outside partnership linkages
- Facilitator of Professional Development to organizations
Chief Program Officer (Interim - Leadership Transition)
New York Junior Tennis League
Long Island City, NY
08.2023 - 10.2024
- Oversaw contractual duties of 35 school-based programs within 32 NYC Department of Education/Charter schools totaling close to $17 million
- Led the writing for a Request for Proposal (RFP) process (LEAPS funding) in March 2024 adding $5.5 million for the FY25 year bringing the portfolio to a total of $22.5 million
- Supervised 12 Senior Staff who supervise/support 35 Program Directors and close to 500 part-time staff
- Created school-based program models, budgets, and approach for providing services
- Monitored the achievement of program milestones
- Established formal linkage agreements with a variety of agencies and organizations to enhance program effectiveness
- Represented organization at NYC Department of Education, NYC Department of Youth and Community Development, NYS Office of Child and Family Services, and NYC Department of Health meetings
- Identified RFPs to answer and new school partners for future funding
- Coordinated staff meetings for all Program Managers and Senior staff
- Assisted key staff in preparing and managing program budgets
- Met with principals for program oversight
- Coordinated meetings, trainings, and outings for staff
- Attended meetings, trainings, and workshops
Executive Director
Kids Creative 404 Inc.
New York, NY
07.2019 - 11.2023
- Provided full oversight to the entire organization (Human Resources, Compliance, Fiscal, Fundraising, Board Relations, and Program Management) as the Executive Director. Currently, Kids Creative has a $1.6M budget.
- Re-aligned salaries and wages for all staff to meet current market standards within 3 months of hire.
- Acquired medical and dental benefits for eligible staff which the organization never had before my tenure.
- Increased our government contracts revenue by 20% through Request For Proposal processes.
- Increased NY City Council funding by 20%.
- Applied and received foundational grants such as William T Grant, Hyde and Watson, Communities of Color, and more.
- Cut organizational expenses by 25% which allowed for the establishment of a Senior Leadership team.
- Solicited a comprehensive payroll processing system and HR solutions platform through Paychex.
- Eliminated all of the organization's financial debt. Changed our Net Equity from (negative $110,000) to a (positive $280,000) in 3 years.
- Supported staff in the finalization of a new employee handbook, organization policy and procedures, new partnerships, and organizational systems.
- Applied and granted 2 rounds of Payroll Protection Program(PPP) loan that kept staff employed during the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Harlem based youth development organization that uses the Arts through Peace Education to support underserved communities. Served Manhattan and Bronx and expanded into Brooklyn under my tenure.
Senior Director of School-Based Operations
New York Junior Tennis League
Woodside, NY
11.2012 - 03.2018
- Oversaw contractual duties of 30 school-based programs within 32 NYC DOE/Charter schools totaling close to $11 million
- Supervised 9 Senior Staff who supervise/support 32 Program Directors and close to 600 part-time staff
- Created school-based program models, budgets, and approach for providing services
- Monitored the achievement of program milestones
- Established formal linkage agreements with a variety of agencies and organizations to enhance program effectiveness
- Represented organization at DOE, DYCD (OST), OCFS, TASC, PASE, and DOH meetings
- Managed, created, and modified all budgets for each program
- Coordinated staff meetings for all Program Managers and Program Directors
- Assisted key staff in preparing and managing program budgets
- Met with principals for program oversight
- Coordinated meetings, trainings, and outings with staff
- Attended meetings, trainings, and workshops
- Monitored quality of care
Manager of School Based Programs
New York City Mission Society
New York, NY
04.2008 - 11.2012
- Oversaw contractual duties of 7 school-based programs within 7 NYC DOE schools totaling close to $4 million
- Managed 7 Site Coordinators who supervised 25 full-time staff and over 75 part-time staff
- Oversaw daily operations of the programs
- Oriented staff to school-based program models and approach for providing services
- Monitored the achievement of program milestones
- Established formal linkage agreements with a variety of agencies and organizations to enhance program effectiveness
- Represented organization at DOE (LTW), DYCD (Beacon and OST), OCFS, TASC, DOH meetings
- Managed, created, and modified all budgets for each program
- Coordinated staff meetings for all Site Coordinators
- Assisted key staff in preparing and managing program budgets
- Met with principals for program oversight
- Coordinated meetings, trainings, and outings with staff
- Attended meetings, trainings, and workshops
- Monitored quality of care
Site Supervisor
CAMBA (After School Program)
Brooklyn, NY
08.2005 - 03.2008
- Oversaw OST Program Option I After School Program
- Planned and organized program activities to maximize program contract goals and performance targets.
- Communicated effectively with students, direct reporting staff, and supervisors.
- Coached and counseled direct reporting staff.
- Motivated direct reporting staff to excel.
- Improved teamwork among direct reporting staff as well as among peers.
- Troubleshooted student and direct reporting staff programmatic concerns, and made decisions within the boundaries of authority level, in accordance with programmatic policies, procedures, and protocols.
- Worked with direct reporting staff to improve work performance through student feedback, training, and other appropriate mechanisms.
- Coordinated programmatic activities to maximize time of direct reporting staff.
Elite Travel Soccer Club Coach (Boys and Girls - multiple teams)
Asphalt Green Upper East Side campus
New York, NY
01.2007 - 06.2022
Athletic Director
New York SCORES
New York, NY
12.2004 - 01.2005
- Trained and evaluated 18 Public School Teachers in teaching inner city youth in our program
- Organize soccer clinics.
- Was responsible for ordering and maintaining all inventories.
- Maintained the company website.
- Maintained relationships with sponsors, local community, and donors such as.
Assistant Athletic Director, Boys Varsity Head Soccer Coach, Indoor Track (Boys and Girls) Head Coach, Physical Education Teacher
Riverdale Country School
Riverdale, NY
08.2001 - 01.2004
Board Member
Connecticut Network for Children and Youth
Wethersfield, CT
12.2024 - Current
Education
Master of Arts, Education - Administration and Supervision
St. John's University
Jamaica, NY, United States03-2026
Bachelor of Arts - French
St. John's University
Jamaica, NY, United States05-2001
Skills
- Organizational leadership
- Strategic planning
- Nonprofit experience
- Leadership experience
- Strategic thinking
- Organizational growth
- Diversity and inclusion
Certification
- New York State Teaching Certificate - Liberal Arts and Science (LAST)
- New York State Teaching Certificate - Elementary ATS-W
- National Soccer Coaches Association of America - National Diploma
- Member of Positive Coaching Alliance
Languages
Fluent in French (oral and written)
Fluent in Haitian Creole
Understanding of Spanish
Timeline
Board Member
Connecticut Network for Children and Youth
12.2024 - Current
Executive Director
Norwalk/Stamford Grassroots Tennis & Education
10.2024 - Current
Chief Program Officer (Interim - Leadership Transition)
New York Junior Tennis League
08.2023 - 10.2024
Executive Director
Kids Creative 404 Inc.
07.2019 - 11.2023
Independent Executive Educational Consultant
Self Employed
03.2018 - Current
Senior Director of School-Based Operations
New York Junior Tennis League
11.2012 - 03.2018
Manager of School Based Programs
New York City Mission Society
04.2008 - 11.2012
Elite Travel Soccer Club Coach (Boys and Girls - multiple teams)
Asphalt Green Upper East Side campus
01.2007 - 06.2022
Site Supervisor
CAMBA (After School Program)
08.2005 - 03.2008
Athletic Director
New York SCORES
12.2004 - 01.2005
Assistant Athletic Director, Boys Varsity Head Soccer Coach, Indoor Track (Boys and Girls) Head Coach, Physical Education Teacher
Riverdale Country School
08.2001 - 01.2004
Bachelor of Arts - French
St. John's University
Master of Arts, Education - Administration and Supervision
St. John's University