Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Erica C. Schlenker

White Lake,MI

Summary

Organized Senior Program Manager committed to excellence with over 15 years of strategic goal and key objective development experience. Leverages innovative mindset to cultivate and grow relationships with key clients and manage program portfolios. Skilled in Community Engagement and Volunteerism best practices for program success. Business-driven Manager with exceptional skills in Community stewardship and cultivation, enterprise alignment, data analytics and change management . Expert in analyzing program performance and implementing actionable improvements to drive growth. Composed and calm in high-pressure environments by maintaining strong focus on action and customer satisfaction.

Overview

14
14
years of professional experience

Work History

Senior Program Manager

DTE Energy
05.2017 - Current
  • Identified system needs and designed processes to support business goals.
  • Collaborated with development teams, internal customers and stakeholders to verify delivery of desired outreach and engagement to community partners.
  • Designed infrastructure solutions to resolve business issues and improve delivery processes.
  • Developed Corporate Engagement strategy for Community Engagement and Impact in conjunction with Executive Team, DTE Foundation, Oversite Committee and Regional Engagement Managers.
  • Responsible for meeting corporate volunteerism metric goals, new program development annually, along with localized KPI targets for geographical focused engagement. Qualified partner prospects and designed effective partnership programs based upon knowledge of partner CSR objectives and alignment with enterprise priorities.
  • Recruited and Developed Top Volunteer Leadership: Identify candidates for top volunteer leadership roles including volunteer ambassadors and community leads within enterprise. Recruited qualified candidates and articulate goals, outcomes, and objectives for performance in order to enable candidates to make good decisions regarding acceptance of critical engagement goals related to program success.
  • Identified prospective community partnerships, Researched and analyzed development options in order to predict opportunities. Built and maintained robust pipeline of prospects through systematic and ongoing prospecting activities; proactively pursue business networking opportunities and establish relationships with small business and community leaders in to seek qualified leads. Developed comprehensive solicitation plans and pitches that outline stakeholder involvement and strategic approach for cultivation and solicitation of partner commitment.
  • Developed and delivered creative and powerful presentations and proposals for corporate partnership opportunities. Opportunities to include but not limited to: Mission Program support, Events, cause marketing, grants, employee and volunteer engagement.
  • In conjunction with Oversite Committee identified new and expansion opportunities for programmatic innovations and strategic partnerships.
  • Remained current on constituent needs, market trends, and community actions in order to create reliable forecasts and to identify opportunities for program development. Ensured accurate data reporting, tracking of program progression, and departmental success across enterprise.
  • Developed, executed and monitored strategies to enhance employee engagement, and stewardship of community partners. Planed and implemented effective cultivation and recognition in association with colleagues, partners, and volunteers to enhance connection and involvement of corporate partners with Community Engagement and Impact department.
  • Gained thorough understanding of enterprise – its values, history, culture, traditions, communities, programs, personalities, constituencies and governance structure; understand its base of financial support and short and long-term priorities of all segments of organization.
  • Utilized electronic data management tools in order to review and analyze pertinent information and monitor programmatic and mission related results.

buildOn Director of Development

01.2015 - 05.2017
  • Strategically develop and manage portfolio of donors and community partners while building strong relationships and securing new opportunities
  • Cultivate strategic partnerships that will lead to increase in incremental revenue in cash and in-kind donations
  • Research and identify local or national foundations that focus funding in Detroit
  • Serve as key ambassador of buildOn programs and brand in Detroit area, committing to educating new partners about organizations work and impact
  • Analyze data to find new partnership opportunities, ensure all activities are measurable to drive efficiencies and maximize results
  • Demonstrate ability to manage logistics for large-scale special events

Manager

Volunteers of America Michigan
Southfield, MI
04.2012 - 01.2015
  • Donor Relations & Fund Development
  • Nurture and leverage key donor relationships, while fostering 25% growth of organization’s donor pool through regional outreach initiatives
  • Coordinate with executive leadership to set fundraising goals and targets
  • Design and develop strategic annual fundraising plan to raise $1.2 million from individuals, corporations and events
  • Manage support staff of 6 to harmonize donor and fundraising initiatives in alignment with organizational objectives
  • Track and report key metrics to ensure accountability and effectiveness of organization’s fundraising objectives
  • Manage budget for events and other community initiatives

Coordinator, Community Engagement

Volunteers of America Michigan
Southfield, MI
10.2009 - 04.2012
  • Developed, coordinated and oversaw fundraising events and acknowledgement activities
  • Assessed funding climate and developed strategic plan for fundraising and community development
  • Served as public relations and media contact
  • Developed, implemented and managed database to optimize outreach and acknowledgement process
  • Created and distributed all organizational marketing materials
  • Established and maintained organizational website and e-commerce store
  • Provided content to increase exposure and awareness through social media channels
  • Educated potential donors and current contributors about organization

Assistant

Volunteers of America Michigan
Southfield, MI
05.2009 - 10.2009
  • Composed targeted press releases and op-eds of organizational activities and initiatives
  • Assisted Community Engagement Coordinator in event production
  • Oversaw end of year solicitation and acknowledgement process
  • Supported creation of marketing initiatives

Associate

Strategic Federal Affairs
Novi, MI
09.2008 - 05.2009
  • Established and maintained cooperative relationships with community, client and company representatives
  • Researched and tracked legislative updates
  • Website and publication design
  • Coordinated legislative meetings, event and gatherings
  • Produced press releases to highlight grant and legislative actions and initiatives

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Communications, Public Relations

Michigan State University
2008

Skills

  • Community stewardship and cultivation
  • Event management, including fundraising events, board meetings, trainings and large conventions
  • Public relations and building strategic partnerships
  • Establishing new business relationships
  • Developing proposals and marketing materials
  • Software Proficiencies:
  • Microsoft Office, Access, SharePoint, Adobe Acrobat,
  • Photoshop, Flash, Dreamweaver, Illustrator, Adobe

Timeline

Senior Program Manager

DTE Energy
05.2017 - Current

buildOn Director of Development

01.2015 - 05.2017

Manager

Volunteers of America Michigan
04.2012 - 01.2015

Coordinator, Community Engagement

Volunteers of America Michigan
10.2009 - 04.2012

Assistant

Volunteers of America Michigan
05.2009 - 10.2009

Associate

Strategic Federal Affairs
09.2008 - 05.2009

Bachelor of Arts - Communications, Public Relations

Michigan State University

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Erica C. Schlenker