Esther Gonzales
Cheyenne,WY
Summary
Business professional prepared for this role, bringing wealth of experience in strategic planning and operational management. Delivered impactful results through effective leadership and resource optimization. Focused on fostering team collaboration and achieving exceptional outcomes with adaptability and reliability. Skilled in financial management, strategic growth, and customer relations.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Business Coordinator
Wyoming Dept of Health Finance
06.2025 - 01.2026
- Executive Operations & Administrative Leadership Directed executive-level administrative functions and daily office operations, overseeing clerical, fiscal, and support staff to optimize departmental performance. This included managing public information requests, facilitating high-level communication between government entities and the public, and coordinating building maintenance and vendor services for facility safety and efficiency. By optimizing databases for accuracy and streamlining communication workflows, I ensured organizational consistency and regulatory compliance across all administrative channels.
Human Resources & Financial Management Managed comprehensive HR operations, including the recruitment and orientation of over 70 employees and the administration of HRM payroll systems. I led staff training and mentoring initiatives that significantly reduced turnover while educating personnel on complex benefits and legal compliance. My fiscal oversight included budget preparation, monthly financial reconciliations, and the management of AR/AP and project expenditures, ensuring all financial activities remained aligned with organizational goals and statutory requirements.
Strategic Project Management & Data Analysis Drove strategic decision-making by conducting thorough data research and analysis based on statutes, rules, and best practices. I oversaw project timelines and deliverables, utilizing research insights to draft policy manuals and implement innovative program improvements. By fostering strong relationships with clients and stakeholders, I identified training needs and improved business strategies, consistently delivering projects that met both regulatory standards and high client-satisfaction benchmarks.
Executive Director
Healthy Wyoming
09.2023 - 04.2025
- Dynamic leadership role driving strategic initiatives, program and Project Management, development, and community impact for a health-focused non-profit. Responsibilities include operations, budgeting, fundraising, advocacy, legislation, team leadership, and fostering collaborative partnerships to enhance community well-being. Working with local communities to find common. Created the 501C3 with all necessary paperwork, creating manuals and policy procedures.
Director of Development
WYHOP My Front Door
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Specialized in event and fundraising planning, orchestrating impactful initiatives to elevate program awareness and secure crucial funding. My role extended to managing social media accounts, newsletters, and public relations efforts, collaborating with media outlets. I actively conducted outreach and project programs to identify potential donors and contributed to grant writing, involving research, proposal creation, and reporting. Working closely with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, Advisory Council, and committees, I played a key role in planning and executing retreats, workshops, and informational sessions. My strengths also lay in effective networking to foster valuable connections for organizational growth.
Director of Business Development & Relations
Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce
01.2019 - 01.2022
- Collaborated with consumers, public interest groups, government, and community colleagues, coordinating calls, meetings, and dialogues between internal staff and Chamber members. Kept members informed about Chamber initiatives, implementing promotions, strategies, and policies to enhance ideas, products, or services. Networked one-on-one with members to develop business relationships. Effectively utilizing sales and marketing techniques, I increased membership retention. Additionally, I provided crucial support across multiple economic sectors, business opportunities for members, including Military Initiatives, Relocation Promotions, Education, Talent Pipeline Management, Cybersecurity, Political Advocacy and Lobbying, Funding and Resources, Cheyenne Frontier Days, and Tourism. My role extended to supporting environmental and social responsibility initiatives, as well as promoting Chamber accomplishments, perspectives, and programs. Earned the trust of members by recommending strategy and process improvements, assisting with permit requirements, bid processes at local, county, state, and national levels, and actively participating in marketing campaigns, team work, event planning, and social media initiatives.
Owner
Domestics/American Home Cleaning
01.1998 - 01.2020
- Founded and built Domestics/American Home Cleaning from the ground up, expanding operations to three offices across North Carolina and providing comprehensive cleaning and maintenance services. Managed a team of 28 employees, additional office staff, and over 20 contractors, ensuring smooth operations and exceptional service for a diverse client base. Secured a contract with 1 Stop Maintenance, a prominent New York-based firm, to provide services for some of the largest retail companies. Expanded the business by acquiring and merging with American Home Cleaning, broadening the client base and operational reach. Developed a portfolio of over 300 residential clients, along with restaurants, large office buildings, small offices, and churches across the state. Successfully sold the business in 2020 after years of consistent growth and strong client relationships.
Business Development Manager
Downtown Development Authority of Cheyenne
07.2016 - 06.2019
- Experienced project manager skilled in overseeing Design and Promotion Committees, business development initiatives, and special projects. Conducted market analyses, extracted trends from Market and Main Street studies, and educated business owners on leveraging digital and social media. Built strong relationships with business and property owners, preparing move-in packets and lobbying for investments. Instrumental in promoting downtown as a business hub in collaboration with real estate brokers while driving retention and growth strategies to attract private investors. Led a graffiti abatement project by identifying affected buildings, coordinating cleanup with property owners, and successfully advocating for a City Council ordinance to remove graffiti at no cost to owners. Additionally, played a key role in passing a mill levy tax project in the district, creating vital funding for area improvements. Fostered partnerships with Visit Cheyenne, LEADS, the Chamber of Commerce, and other local organizations and launched popular events, including Rock the Block, Hoe Down, and Shop Small Saturday, to enhance downtown’s appeal. Applied public speaking and relationship-building skills to advance Strategic Planning and the Connect the Dots Program, achieving recognition for high performance.
Education
Chamber of Commerce
Leadership Cheyenne
Cheyenne, WY06.2020
Bachelor's Degree - Business Administration
Salem College
Winston-Salem, NC01.2000
Skills
- Operations & Business Management
- Strategic Oversight: Small business operations, strategic planning, and project estimating
- Financial Administration: QuickBooks mastery, AR/AP, payroll, invoicing, and billing
- Office Administration: Expert-level office organization, multitasking, and equipment operation
- Leadership & Human Resources
- Personnel Management: Staff supervision, HR policies/procedures, and employee relations
- Professional Development: Training, mentoring, and team collaboration
- Project Leadership: End-to-end project management and corporate event planning
- Communications & Client Relations
- Relationship Management: Strategic relationship building and high-touch customer relations
- Marketing & Media: Brand marketing and social media management
- Communication: Advanced verbal and written communication skills
- Technical Proficiency
- Software: Microsoft Office 365 & Teams (Expert), QuickBooks
- Core Competencies: Critical thinking, detail-oriented execution, and workflow optimization
Languages
English
Spanish
Timeline
Business Coordinator
Wyoming Dept of Health Finance
06.2025 - 01.2026
Executive Director
Healthy Wyoming
09.2023 - 04.2025
Director of Development
WYHOP My Front Door
01.2022 - 01.2023
Director of Business Development & Relations
Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce
01.2019 - 01.2022
Business Development Manager
Downtown Development Authority of Cheyenne
07.2016 - 06.2019
Owner
Domestics/American Home Cleaning
01.1998 - 01.2020
Chamber of Commerce
Leadership Cheyenne
Bachelor's Degree - Business Administration
Salem College