Erin Freeman

8 years of progressive work experience within the humanitarian sector. As executive director, our programs primarily focus on but are not limited to extended case management, behavioral health, economic empowerment, and supporting family and individual needs such as education, language skills, and youth programming. As executive director, I focus on building strong partnerships with local, regional, and national resource partners while helping to build and maintain well-functioning systems for finance, human resources and other operational activities. I establish and articulate the vision and strategy for our local office. I actively engage with local leaders and communities to advance our mission and maintain and nurture collaborative working relationships with state and local agencies and other service providers, donors, advocacy partners, and community organizations. I hold a deep belief and demonstrate respect for clients’ resilience, strength, and wisdom. I set the strategic vision for the team while building and maintaining unity among staff and volunteers. I help ensure compliance with local, State, and Federal labor laws and organizational policies, procedures, and standards are in place. Host board and donor visits; engage in and support community and policy outreach efforts on behalf of PH4K. Oversee annual budget development; regularly review the operating budget and monthly budget-to-actuals; Track monthly in-kind donations and monitor all other program budgets. Provide vision and leadership for overall resource development strategy and develop a local fundraising plan based on program strengths, service gaps, and local environment. I increased donor retention rate by 50% from 2022 to 2023 and increased monthly donors by 35% in 2023. Oversaw and managed different fundraising goals, including an online auction that exceeded our fundraising goal by 25%. Also implemented a walk-a-thon that generated new monthly donors and exceeded our fundraising goal by 42%. Maintain a professional and positive public image of PH4K and engage with the local media outlets and develop working relationships; Build strong partnerships in public, private, and non-profit sectors and refugee communities to meet strategic objectives. Collaborate with partners to address refugee needs and support an enabling environment for refugee integration.

Chosen as one of twenty-six participants out of a nationwide search for upcoming and emerging leaders to participate in a year-long fellowship program through The Hello Neighbor Network, which works with grassroots and community-based nonprofits that work with refugees, helping them via leadership development, peer support, education, and funding.

Gained hands-on knowledge and expertise in trauma-informed care among refugee clients, how to implement cultural and social adjustment programming, effective grant-writing skills, implementing youth development programs, World Refugee Day best practices, and Developing a strong Board and community key stakeholders. Learned some key best finances for nonprofits, and best Giving Tuesday practices to maximize fundraising.

Achieved a highly sought-after grant for Building Resiliency within refugee communities and implemented the program for refugee teens in 2023.

Led a team of aid-relief workers from all over the world working in true collaboration with many individuals from different cultures with various skills and perspectives. As in-country project director, I was responsible for implementing the education systems for refugee children in different refugee camps throughout the Epirus Region of Greece. Working in close partnership with Oxfam and UNHCR, Project Hope 4 Kids was tasked with creating and implementing safe, child-friendly education spaces within refugee camps. I was responsible for the overall management of the programs, which included education, social-emotional workshops, trauma-informed care for children and families, and protection of children's rights. I attended weekly meetings in coordination with other partner organizations chaired by the UNHCR. Also a key partner during the Urban working group meetings hosted by the municipality of Ioannina, Greece.Successful in building strong partner relationships with other actors in the humanitarian sector. Worked in coordination with Terres De Hommes to start a community center for refugees in the city of Ioannina, Greece, and was tasked with taking over their education and child-friendly space within the community center. Served over 150 children weekly by providing English and Greek language lessons, emotionally supportive workshops, and STEM-based programming for children ages 3 - 18 years of age. Worked and partnered with Intersos, an NGO that asked us to implement education programs for refugee children in three additional remote sites throughout Filippiada and Ioannina, Greece. Built solid and lasting relationships with donors, government officials, and other organizations to secure funding and support for the organization. Represented the organization to the local public by giving presentations and speeches and participating in community events, as well as being the spokesperson and face of the organization to news outlets and media, highlighting key messages and enhancing the organization's reputation within the community.

I have proven management skills, demonstrated the ability to deliver key results, and translate my words into action. Through my international work, I have keen diplomatic and interpersonal skills and always the utmost integrity and respect in cross-cultural environments working with diverse populations.

Impacted by the Syrian Refugee Crisis, I fundraised $30,000 in two weeks for the refugees arriving in Greece off the coast of Lesbos, and as an independent volunteer, I arrived in Greece and worked on the shores of Lesbos during the height of the Syrian Refugee Crisis. Daily arrivals ranged from 2,000 - to 6,0000 refugees fleeing Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq, among a few other countries. To put this into context, approximately 5.6 million people fled Syria during this timeframe to different parts of the world, seeking safety. On one October day in 2015, Lesbos received 10,000 refugees to their shores. Our roles and responsibilities on the shores of Lesbos were ensuring once people arrived from the boats they were not suffering injuries or shock. Wrapped people in emergency blankets and providing them with food and water were the first steps before taking them to different buses where they would be transported to start the asylum process.

A resourceful stay-at-home mother with strong organizational and time management skills. Managed household responsibilities while volunteering in many volunteer roles including chairing and successfully organizing my children's school annual fundraiser with a goal of $125,000 but raising $240,000 for disadvantaged children. Taught children basic life skills, manners and personal hygiene.

Managed and oversaw major hospitals, clinics, multi-specialty groups, and single-specialty groups on a nationwide basis to meet their physician staffing needs in the specialty of Medical Oncology and Hematology. Managed and maintained key relationships with C-level executives, cancer center directors, and physician recruiters in helping them meet their physician staffing needs. Targeted and helped win vital major accounts. Consistently helped oversee team meetings, as well as trained and mentored new salespeople. Exceeded gross profit in 2012 from a budget of $2.5 million to 2.65 million. In 2011 budget was set at 2.2 million and grew it to 2.4 million. I achieved the prestigious Presidents Club award two years in a row. 2011 and 2012.
Top employee in Senior Sales Program and completed three-month leadership training course, which consisted of numerous classes, exams, and a final solo presentation at the end of the program in front of the top leaders in our company.