David Varnado
Alexandria,VA
Summary
Strategic and results-driven operations leader with over a decade of experience managing educational programs focused on STEM access, community engagement, and student success. Proven expertise in process improvement, cross-functional leadership, stakeholder partnerships, and operational scaling. Adept at using data to drive programmatic decisions and deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in education and workforce development.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Program Director
College Park City University Partnership
College Park, MD
04.2024 - Current
- Lead day-to-day operations of a multi-million-dollar housing program
- Maintain high-impact relationships with university, government, and community stakeholders.
- Led program expansion that led to over 400% participation rate over the previous year
Campus Director
iCode Schools
Vienna, VA
08.2023 - 04.2024
- Directed daily operations for two STEM centers, managing budgets, staff, payroll, and scheduling.
- Established partnerships with schools and local organizations to grow student participation.
- Recruited and supervised instructors and program coordinators.
Senior Manager, Partnerships
Close Up Foundation
Washington, DC
05.2022 - 08.2023
- Oversaw the implementation of a $1.4 million grant from the United States Department of the Interior, providing civic education programs to underserved students.
- Cultivate strategic partnerships to expand Close Up programming reach
Project Manager (Seasonal)
ILMxLab, a Walt Disney Company Subsidiary
06.2022 - 08.2022
- Supervised interns through a 5-week career-readiness program focused on creative tech fields.
- Delivered results through design sprint methodology and weekly performance milestones.
Senior Manager, Pre-College Programs
National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
06.2016 - 09.2022
- Promoted three times in five years due to leadership impact, partnership development and the demonstrated ability to form lucrative partnerships, resulting in generating over $857,000 in annual revenue.
- Establish and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders; securing $400K partnership with Apple, and a $300K partnership with Sony.
- Oversaw all logistics and coordination for the virtual implementation and growth of NSBE’s signature program the Summer Engineering Experience for Kids (SEEK), a free engineering summer camp with a $3M budget, attended by 1,400 third through fifth grade students in 2020 to an international virtual program with approximately 4,500 students participating from 42 states and seven countries 2021.
- Managed NBSE Jr. Program portfolio, including an annual $800,000 budget; developed and implemented Summer Engineering Experience for Kids (SEEK) to NSBE Jr. matriculation plan.
- Led event planning and logistical support for the PCI Mini-Conference for the NSBE Annual Convention; Oversaw budget of $300,000 and vendor relations. Developed agenda for pre-college events and event support.
- Conducted program evaluations to ensure programmatic success.
- Served as the Regional Director for FIRST Robotics and VEX Robotics Programs.
Budget and Logistics Manager
National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
Arlington, VA
11.2014 - 06.2016
- Led fiscal tracking, vendor contracts, and reporting for federally funded STEM programs.
- Produced monthly budget reports and multi-year forecasts.
Tenant Services Manager
Stout & Teague Management
Bethesda, MD
11.2011 - 11.2014
- Implemented safety and emergency procedures across nine commercial sites.
- Oversaw tenant communications, repairs, and building operations.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Criminal Justice
Tennessee State University
Skills
- Program and Operations Management
- Strategic Planning and Execution
- Process Optimization
- Cross-Functional Team Leadership
- Data Collection and Evaluation
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Budget and Grant Management
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Event Planning and Facilitation
- Training and Staff Development
Certification
- Project Management Professional (PMP), 2025-11-01
- Google Professional Certificate – Agile Project Management
- NASBA – Foundations of Project Management
- Team Management: Diversity (PMI)
- Diversity & Inclusion – Udemy
Volunteer Experience
- Coach, Special Olympics, 2011-01-01, 2013-12-31
- Coach and Board Member, Fort Washington Boys & Girls Club, 2008-01-01, 2011-12-31
Timeline
Senior Program Director
College Park City University Partnership
04.2024 - Current
Campus Director
iCode Schools
08.2023 - 04.2024
Project Manager (Seasonal)
ILMxLab, a Walt Disney Company Subsidiary
06.2022 - 08.2022
Senior Manager, Partnerships
Close Up Foundation
05.2022 - 08.2023
Senior Manager, Pre-College Programs
National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
06.2016 - 09.2022
Budget and Logistics Manager
National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
11.2014 - 06.2016
Tenant Services Manager
Stout & Teague Management
11.2011 - 11.2014
Bachelor of Arts - Criminal Justice
Tennessee State University