Gina Castano
PLEASANTON,CA
Summary
Dynamic Program Manager with 10 years of experience in designing, executing, and scaling high-impact public engagement initiatives and partnerships. Proven ability to orchestrate complex events, curate compelling content, and foster relationships with diverse stakeholders in the education and public sectors. Passionate about expanding AI literacy and connecting critical audiences to mission-driven organizations.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Customer Support Specialist
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
Redwood City, CA
04.2020 - Current
- Developed and executed customer support protocols to optimize operational processes and enhance program delivery efficiency by 35%.
- Drove partnerships across engineering, UXR, and design teams to launch features and address high-priority user issues, boosting platform adoption.
- Led onboarding efforts for 10 districts, including technical setup of API keys and SSO authentication, delivering detailed product walkthroughs.
- Streamlined editing of over 70 Help Center articles to improve clarity and accessibility for a wide range of users.
- Trained 16 team members on inclusive language and empathy to strengthen public communication strategies and community culture.
- Created and edited over 20 short-form video pieces for the Help Center to improve user understanding of platform functionalities.
- Collaborated with the Brand Team to select color schemes for the Help Center, ensuring visual consistency across educational tools.
- Designed engaging slide decks for district onboarding and training programs to facilitate effective platform adoption.
DEI Content Designer & Facilitator
Teach for America
Remote
05.2024 - 08.2024
- Spearheaded corps-wide DEI initiatives to enhance pedagogy and promote inclusive classroom practices.
- Created multimedia content, including e-learning modules and interactive materials, to accommodate diverse learning styles.
- Analyzed survey data to identify trends and drive strategic improvements in program effectiveness.
External Affairs Stewardship & Events Manager
KIPP : Bay Area Public Schools
Oakland, CA
08.2019 - 03.2020
- Orchestrated planning and execution of large-scale events, enhancing project management and stakeholder engagement.
- Increased event attendance by 50% through targeted digital invitations, boosting donor engagement.
- Managed three high-profile donor events, achieving a 40% increase in donor retention and a 35% rise in donations.
- Coordinated a diverse team to secure donor attendance at KIPP events, exceeding fundraising goals.
- Developed KIPP’s first social media fundraising campaign, raising online giving by 15% and attracting younger donors.
3rd Grade Teacher
Teach for America
Orlando, FL
07.2017 - 05.2019
- Developed and evaluated diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives to enhance pedagogy.
- Implemented region-wide strategies based on insights from engagement surveys.
- Designed and facilitated professional development activities focused on DEI and instructional training.
Director of Donor Relations
Hope CommUnity Center
Apopka, FL
06.2016 - 06.2017
- Increased donor contributions by $200K through targeted stewardship and major gifts cultivation.
- Executed the annual Hearts for Hope Luncheon, achieving a 15% increase in event revenue to $150K.
- Fostered relationships with key stakeholders to ensure compliance with complex requirements.
Education
Master of Nonprofit Management -
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FLBachelors of Arts - Sociology
University of Florida
Gainesville, FLSkills
- CRM software and database management
- Data analysis and technical troubleshooting
- Presentation design and video editing
- Project management and root cause analysis
- Customer support and relationship management
- Support ticketing systems (Zendesk, Salesforce)
- Adaptability and attention to detail
- Content creation and curation
- Critical thinking and innovation
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Instructional design and problem solving
- Stakeholder management and team operations
- Visual communication
Certification
- Leverage Diversity and Inclusion for Organizational Excellence Certificate, Stanford Business School
- Certificate in Project Management, Stanford University
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Certificate, Cornell University
Leadership
Children Beyond Our Borders
Board of Directors, Fund and Event Development Chair
2011-2019
Languages
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
Portuguese
Professional
Timeline
DEI Content Designer & Facilitator
Teach for America
05.2024 - 08.2024
Senior Customer Support Specialist
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
04.2020 - Current
External Affairs Stewardship & Events Manager
KIPP : Bay Area Public Schools
08.2019 - 03.2020
3rd Grade Teacher
Teach for America
07.2017 - 05.2019
Director of Donor Relations
Hope CommUnity Center
06.2016 - 06.2017
Master of Nonprofit Management -
University of Central Florida
Bachelors of Arts - Sociology
University of Florida
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