Emmanuel Nwala, PhD
Minneapolis,MN
Summary
Seasoned Mental Health Professional, Industrial and Organizational Psychologist, and Complex Projects Coordinator with a proven track record in grants and contracts management, showcasing strong strategic planning and effective communication skills. Excelled in roles requiring cultural competency and interpersonal relationships, significantly contributing to organizational development and mental health services. Demonstrated expertise in project management, executive leadership, organizational development and crisis intervention, enhancing service delivery and operational efficiency.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Complex Projects Coordinator
Homeless, Housing, and Support Services Administration (HHSSA)
St. Paul, MN
09.2024 - Current
- Serves as a chief advisor to the Assistant Commissioner, Division Director, Operations Manager, and Chief Administrative Officer in managing HHSSA initiatives
- Perform special projects, and provide liaison with agency personnel, human services partners and others
- Serves as a key advisor/leader to other members of the HHSSA leadership team
- The incumbent directs the oversight and development of HHSSA strategic plans and alignment with DHS and enterprise-wide strategies and goals
- Participate in developing the HHSSA budget of over $500 million in program activities, grants, personnel and administrative costs
CRISIS RESPONDER (Remote Overnight)
Veteran and Military Crisis Line
01.2023 - 10.2024
- Implement suicide/mental health crisis prevention strategies
- Conduct interviews and utilizes assessments tools to assess emotional, functional, and/or psychological conditions
- Assist Veterans and their family/friend/significant other with issues regarding the Veterans' mental health issues, referrals, benefits, support groups
- Provide psychoeducation and directs advice regarding suicide/mental illness crisis
- Provide support for the identification of veterans at high risk and coordinates enhanced care
- Complete structured diagnostic and clinical assessments
- Keep a caller, texter, or chatter engaged while multi-tasking to document work, look up resources, and instant message for assistance when needed
- Prepare and maintain records and reports in accordance with program guidelines
- Work collaboratively with other members of the VA Crisis Hotline Program to identify appropriate services for Veterans in crisis
- Make outgoing calls to Veterans if a Veteran has sent an email or letter to the White House, or some others
Deputy to the Assistant Commissioner
Aging and Disability Services Division (ADSA)
St. Paul, MN
11.2023 - 09.2024
- Company Overview: Dept of Human Services, St Paul, MN
- Maintain oversight of the grants (pre-award, award, post-award, monitoring, closeout, audit) lifecycle and contracts management (contract negotiations, contract execution and monitoring till closeout etc) processes within the administration while collaborating and engaging internal and external stakeholders
- Manage different programs within the Administration
- Facilitates the resolution of issues; manages and leads operational activities that cross divisions, administration and agency boundaries, including focus on state agency collaboration to simplify and align Minnesota's longterm services and support system
- Ensure representation for all areas in agency-wide policy and administrative activities, while focusing on grants and compliance management
HUMAN SERVICES MANAGER
Mn State DHS-DSD
St Paul, MN
11.2020 - 11.2023
- Company Overview: Dept of Human Services, St Paul, MN
- Participate in grants and contracts management
- Evaluate staff performance and Manage the HCBS Services and Standards section and staff responsible for planning, administering, innovating and coordinating home and community-based service (HCBS) programs and policies
- Manage three different team units: Informed Choice/ Support Planning policy Team, Regional Resources Specialist policy Team, and Waiver Policy and Standards Team
- Direct the day-to-day waiver policies, operations of the section programs and projects; manage and supervise staff; manage initiatives and strategies for transforming HCBS policy administration, programmatic and related activities to assure HCBS funding and quality improvement, and provide management-level leadership and consultation to the Division Director and staff
- Review staffing needs and supervise the development of employment policy initiatives to increase competitive, integrated employment and the development of community options that enable people with disability to live as independently as possible in inclusive community settings
- Wrote and presented program reports
- Direct and develop external communications, cross-agency participation, and stakeholder plans and engagements with federal relations and center for Medicare/ Medicaid Services on policies impacting people wit disability etc, and conduct other duties as assigned, and manage contracts and grants related to HCBS work
- Engage in workforce planning, employment hiring process (position description writing, job classification assessment/ analysis, recruitment, employment screening, job interviewing etc), strategic planning, performance management, change management and continuous improvement activities etc
- Participate as a member of the management team which establishes priorities and monitors contracts and personnel for the division's administrative budget of $17.1 million plus; the division is responsible for the policies and administrative oversight of over $3 billion of MA home and community based services
Interim Deputy Assistant Commissioner
Operations Division | BHDH Administration
St Paul, MN
11.2022 - 02.2023
- Company Overview: Dept of Human Services, St Paul, MN
- Provide managerial oversight and strategic direction to the Administration on grants and contracts management, administrative activities; initiate and implement operational solutions to Behavioral Health, Housing, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, and the Commission of Deaf, Deaf Blind and Hard of Hearing Minnesotans and integrate activities associated with BHDHA management, including grants and contracts management
- Facilitate cross-administration planning, program coordination and program integrity activities, to ensure that BHDHA work aligns across BHDHA's divisions and meet stated goals, including legislative processes
- Facilitate the resolution of issues, manage and lead activities that cross division, administration and agency boundaries, and ensure BHDHA and DHS representation for all areas in agency-wide policy, operations and administrative activities
EMPLOYEE WHOLE HEALTH COORDINATOR
St Could Veterans Health Administration
, MN
07.2022 - 01.2023
- Company Overview: Dept of Veterans Affairs, St Cloud, MN
- Administering all aspects of the local initiative to support the health and well-being of employees
- Planning and implementation of the local employee wellness program based on national guidance provided by the national Employee Whole Health program office
- Assembling and coordinating the activities of a diverse planning team of health professionals and representatives from various services who will assist the coordinator in planning and implementing educational opportunities, wellness activities, and programs for employees
- Establishes and chairs the Employee Whole Health Committee
- Assembles a diverse planning team of interdisciplinary health professionals and representatives from various services within the medical center including labor partners
- Conducts needs assessment(s) of employees to determine program needs and interests; and develops core program components based on assessment results
- Collaborates with other services on the assessment of the health needs of employees
- Develops and delivers classes, seminars, workshops, etc
- On various Employee Whole Health topics including but not limited to nutrition, physical activity, and mental health topics or works to identify and collaborates with relevant subject matter experts
- Develops training materials for staff educational needs
- Ensures newly hired employees are trained and oriented to the Employee Whole Health program and key activities as part of new employee orientation (NEO)
- Liaises with the medical center leadership team and VACO on issues of policy, planning, budgeting, and results
- Reports annually to medical center leadership on program goals and accomplishments
Social Worker - Behavioral Health Crisis (.5 FTE)
Carver County
Carver County, MN
02.2022 - 07.2022
- Company Overview: Carver County, Chaska, MN
- Performs client screening and intake functions and activities for the division or program area
- Performs and conducts a variety of activities, tasks and functions associated with treatment planning, evaluation and assessment
- Implements and provides professional social/human services to clients, their families and/or the community
- Implements and performs all case management requirements, documentations and monitoring required to meet mandates, to document services, and to meet the needs of clients
- Performs a variety of community relations, public relations and outreach services in assigned program areas
- Collaborates with other professionals, providers, therapists, health professionals, internal departments, law enforcement, community or governmental agencies in coordinating resources and in meeting the needs of clients
- Responsible for telephone crisis responses including the local and National Suicide Prevention lifeline and will actively engage with callers to provide crisis screening, assessment of risk, intervention and triage for immediate needs including dispatching of the mobile Crisis Therapist or initiate life-saving services
RESEARCH PSYCHOLOGIST
United States Army
Fort Rucker, AL
06.2017 - 03.2021
- Company Overview: US Army Aeromedical Research Lab, Fort Rucker, AL
- Conducted applied research in aircrew health and performance areas and presented research to stakeholders
- Wrote research proposals, research designs/ research protocols, engaged in data collection, and report writing
- Co-authored published research works and presented research works at research conferences
- Conducted personnel assessments as well as organizational needs assessments and implemented them
- Engaged in development of workplace policy, personnel management programs and strategic planning; managed housing programs; managed budget of over 4,800,000; and advised Senior Managers on programs
- Worked in Plans, Analysis and Integration Office (PAIO) at the Garrison level managing program systems such as: Interactive Customer Evaluation (ICE), Army Stationing and Installation Plan (ASIP), and Installation Status Report (ISR) etc; and worked as Garrison Executive Officer
DIRECTOR OF MISSION SERVICES
Avera Holy Family Hospital
Estherville, IA
03.2016 - 06.2017
- Company Overview: Avera Holy Family Hospital, Estherville, IA
- Trained and supervised managers on mission leadership skills development and engaged stakeholders
- Supervised and coordinated hospital chaplaincy and spiritual care programs in a residential setting to include outreach programs; and advised management teams on programs
- Engaged in organizational management and strategic planning for key decision-making processes
- Conducted organizational budget activities that involved board members and stake-holders
- Engage in development of workplace policies, workforce planning, employment hiring process (position description writing, job classification assessment/ analysis, recruitment, employment screening, job interviewing etc), strategic planning, performance management, change management and continuous improvement activities etc
- Prepared and presented program reports
MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR - Residential Treatment
James River Correctional Center
Jamestown, ND
01.2014 - 03.2016
- Company Overview: James River Correctional Center, Jamestown, ND
- Provided mental health assessments, crisis intervention and led conflict resolution programs for inmates at a residential setting including the nearby state hospital; performed mental health screenings/assessments to identify mental health levels and service needs
- Directed cognitive behavioral intervention programs for clients diagnosed with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and Opioid Use Disorder (OUD); directed cognitive behavioral intervention programs for sex offenders
- Provided emotional and mental support to clients with severe and persistent mental illness (including trauma) in a residential psychosocial rehabilitation program
- Worked with Native American Three Affiliated Tribes
- Participated in employment hiring processes (employment screening and interviewing)
MENTAL HEALTH THERAPIST/CASE MANAGER
Community Counseling Services
Huron, SD
12.2010 - 07.2012
- Company Overview: Community Counseling Center, Huron, SD
- Provided mental health assessments, crisis intervention, diagnosis and treatment with psychotherapies for clients; collaborated with internal and external teams on different services and programs to include disability services etc
- Conducted and managed home and school-based counseling; discharge planning and case management services
- Developed and updated treatment plans, progress reports and case records for assigned clients; provided liaison services including work with local child protective services program
- Worked with Native American Tribes (Santee Sioux Tribe and Three Affiliated Tribes)
- Participated in employment hiring processes (employment screening and interviewing)
Social/Human Services Administrator
St. Francis Catholic Parish Church
, Nigeria
01.1995 - 01.2007
- Company Overview: St Francies Parish, Rivers State, Nigeria
- Helped coordinate and provide residential behavioral health treatment programs in hospital setting for adults and mentorship programs for at risk children and teens (ages 7 to 17) in an orphanage home
- Provided administrative support including employment hiring process, budgeting, and engaged in employee management and selection process activities
- Provided daily supervision of staff, performance management, strategic planning, budget monitoring, training and development, and project planning
- Monitored, supervised and administered human services outreach programs in rural areas, including disability programs, housing programs, low-income programs etc
- Engaged in program policy writing, analysis and interpretation; and writing and presenting program reports
Education
Master of Science - Human Resources Management
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN01.2018
PhD - Industrial / Organizational Psychology
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN01.2015
Master of Science - Counseling
Campbellsville University
Campbellsville, KY01.2011
Bachelor of Arts - Philosophy
St. Joseph Major Seminary Ikot-Ekpene
Ikot-Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria01.2007
Skills
- Effective communication
- Customer service
- Grants management
- Contracts management
- Project management
- Cultural competency
- Interpersonal relationships
- Strategic planning
- Employment hiring process
- Budgeting
- Scientific research
- Personnel management
- Case management
- Mental health services
- Crisis intervention
- Clinical documentation
- Organizational development
- Psychotherapy
- Treatment planning
Training
- Grants Management Body of Knowledge training, 01/2024
- National Grants Management Training, Washington, DC, 01/2024
- Acquisition Program Management Training, Defense Acquisition University, 12/2020
- US Army Basic Officer Leadership Course, Fort Sam Houston, TX, 12/2017
- US Army Captains Career Course, Fort Sam Houston, TX, 12/2018
- US Army Aeromedical Psychology Training, Fort Rucker, AL, 12/2019
Timeline
Complex Projects Coordinator
Homeless, Housing, and Support Services Administration (HHSSA)
09.2024 - Current
Deputy to the Assistant Commissioner
Aging and Disability Services Division (ADSA)
11.2023 - 09.2024
CRISIS RESPONDER (Remote Overnight)
Veteran and Military Crisis Line
01.2023 - 10.2024
Interim Deputy Assistant Commissioner
Operations Division | BHDH Administration
11.2022 - 02.2023
EMPLOYEE WHOLE HEALTH COORDINATOR
St Could Veterans Health Administration
07.2022 - 01.2023
Social Worker - Behavioral Health Crisis (.5 FTE)
Carver County
02.2022 - 07.2022
HUMAN SERVICES MANAGER
Mn State DHS-DSD
11.2020 - 11.2023
RESEARCH PSYCHOLOGIST
United States Army
06.2017 - 03.2021
DIRECTOR OF MISSION SERVICES
Avera Holy Family Hospital
03.2016 - 06.2017
MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR - Residential Treatment
James River Correctional Center
01.2014 - 03.2016
MENTAL HEALTH THERAPIST/CASE MANAGER
Community Counseling Services
12.2010 - 07.2012
Social/Human Services Administrator
St. Francis Catholic Parish Church
01.1995 - 01.2007
Master of Science - Human Resources Management
Capella University
PhD - Industrial / Organizational Psychology
Capella University
Master of Science - Counseling
Campbellsville University
Bachelor of Arts - Philosophy
St. Joseph Major Seminary Ikot-Ekpene
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