Summary
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Websites
Work Availability
Honors Awards
Quote
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GINA WEST

GINA WEST

Marietta,GA

Summary

Innovative and results-driven corporate social responsibility (CSR) and philanthropy leader, committed to delivering impactful solutions, advancing equity, and leveraging inclusion for measurable business and social outcomes. Acknowledged as a trusted advisor and collaborative partner, with a proven track record in designing and executing effective fundraising, grantmaking, volunteer engagement, and employee giving strategies and programs. Adept communicator excelling in people management, agenda influencing, and cultivating meaningful partnerships to drive organizational success. Highly skilled in problem-solving and adept at managing multiple projects with precision, demonstrating a proven ability to thrive in complex, dynamic environments under tight deadlines.

Work History

Senior Advisor - Impact ROI

  • Delivering CSR & Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) advisory services and solutions that enable nonprofit and corporate tailored to achieve measurable financial, social, and environmental impact
  • Conducting stakeholder interviews, leading focus groups, developing surveys, and reviewing analytics to produce detailed assessments and solutions that support DEI, CSR, and ESG goals and objectives
  • Developed multi-year CSR strategy and program solutions that enabled Fortune 500 communications company to advance STEM education efforts in over 25 target communities facing educational and economic barriers
  • Contributed to global insurance conglomerate's multi-year assessment of DEI business practices and aided in drafting recommendations for revised global DEI strategy and KPIs based on assessment findings.

Director, Community Investment & Engagement – Fannie Mae

  • Created and oversaw all aspects of enterprise CSR strategy, implementation, objectives, and growth, including internal/external communications, annual impact reporting, and regulatory compliance
  • Managed Community Investment & Engagement (CIE) operations by overseeing financials and annual budget, KPIs, technology, vendors, data analytics, and employee performance to ensure optimal resource use and efficient ways of working
  • Advised executive management team on CSR matters and nonprofit partnerships, successfully influencing agendas to navigate conservator guidelines and regulatory requirements
  • Facilitated cross-functional collaborations to create and implement CSR projects in support of corporate objectives related to employee engagement, talent development, decommissioning, and long-term disaster recovery
  • Boosted employee satisfaction rates, achieving Net Promoter Score of 99 for all CIE programs, and received multiple awards for outstanding leadership, partnerships, and CSR programming
  • Represented company at housing finance industry events, on CSR advisory boards and conference panels; and, served on internal ESG Leadership Advisory Council to aid development of company's first ESG pillars, strategy, KPIs, and goals.

Manager, Community Investment & Engagement – Fannie Mae

  • Managed day-to-day operations of CIE team, overseeing budget, technology, vendors, strategy, and corporate donation, employee volunteerism, and employee giving programs
  • Successfully revamped CSR strategy in response to new conservatorship guidelines, creating bespoke programs that enhanced employee value proposition and increased volunteer participation by 52% in five years
  • Transformed CIE program governance and risk mitigation measures through comprehensive overhaul of guidelines, processes, policies, and procedures, earning conservator praise for improved controls and securing budget increases
  • Spearheaded development of custom online registration site and Apple/Google smartphone app for week of service program, and oversaw launch of new online employee volunteerism and giving platforms from concept to completion
  • Managed Employee Resource Group (ERG) community outreach and served as Vice President of African American ERG, actively contributing to DEI Leadership Council and playing pivotal role in securing external recognition for DEI efforts and multiple 'Top Places to Work' awards.

Sr. Program Officer, Community Investment & Engagement - Fannie Mae

  • Successfully created and executed '7 Days to SERVE,' Fannie Mae's inaugural enterprise week of volunteer service, including development of program strategy, budget, service projects, registration, communications, analytics, and impact reporting
  • Implemented and maintained process for driving continuous week of service improvements, establishing and regularly reviewing key performance indicators (KPIs), and developing extensive post-event evaluation of program execution, community partners, service projects, and stakeholder feedback
  • Oversaw enterprise-wide volunteer project leader committee, creating and leading training sessions to ensure successful management and implementation of employee service projects
  • Deployed $5M in community grants, managing application and awards processes, grantee communications, and reporting.

Director, Corporate & Foundation Relations – Howard University

  • Forged and managed donor relationships, overseeing corporate and foundation fundraising efforts of school/college development directors, collectively resulting in over $20M in gifts to University
  • Served on Policy Working Group, strengthening internal controls by creating first comprehensive university-wide development and alumni relations policies
  • Facilitated and managed cross-functional collaborations to develop web-based and print communications, contributing to achievement of student aid campaign goal of $125M.

Director, Alumni Relations – Howard University

  • Directed development and oversight of alumni relations strategy, team, and budget, actively supporting execution of various alumni events, including homecoming, class reunions, and regional receptions
  • Managed Alumni Association, enhancing association leadership relations through prompt issue resolution and exceptional stakeholder management
  • Identified and cultivated alumni donors, managed phonathons, forged affinity marketing partnerships, and created engaging alumni magazine content to elevate alumni engagement and giving
  • Implemented innovative solutions to enhance alumni database records, drive Alumni Brick Program purchases, and increase Alumni Association membership by 20%, leading to promotion to Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations.

Head of Civic Affairs & Assistant Director, CIGNA Foundation – CIGNA

  • Developed and championed CIGNA's annual enterprise civic affairs strategy, innovatively establishing new initiatives in cash and in-kind giving, employee volunteerism, and employee giving programs, while effectively managing civic affairs team
  • Managed day-to-day operations and oversaw Cigna Foundation's process for awarding $15M in community grants while providing coaching and guidance to Foundation team members
  • Collaborated closely with Executive Committee, Communications, DEI, and HR leaders to enhance employee engagement, sponsor and execute community events, and effectively communicate CIGNA's community investment stories
  • Orchestrated successful campaign to elicit employee ideas for nonprofit partnerships, resulting in CIGNA Foundation's $1M grant to MLK, Jr National Memorial Project and company's name being featured on monument in Washington, DC
  • Led Cause-Marketing Advisory Council, driving sales team efforts to maximize brand awareness in target markets through strategic corporate sponsorships linked to employee volunteerism and giving
  • Co-led development of CIGNA's inaugural Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy, overseeing committee of business unit leaders to support establishment of CSR pillars, programs, KPIs, goals, and investor reporting tools.

Education

Executive Leadership Certificate - Business Admin. & Mgmt.

Massachusetts Institute of Tech (MIT)
Cambridge, MA
01.2020

Corporate Citizenship Executive Management Certificate -

Boston College Carroll School of Mgmt.
Boston, MA
01.2013

Executive Nonprofit Management Certificate -

Indiana Univ-Purdue University
Indianapolis, IN
01.2007

MEd - Counseling Psychology (Summa cum laude) -

Howard University
Washington, DC
01.1998

B.A. - Sociology/Psychology (Magna cum laude) -

Howard University
Washington, DC
01.1994

Skills

  • Grantmaking & Fundraising
  • Strategy/Program Design & Implementation
  • Volunteer Management
  • Impact Measurement & Reporting
  • Policy & Procedure Development
  • Community Relations & Partnerships
  • Risk Management & Compliance
  • Budget & Process Optimization
  • Coaching & Staff Development
  • Event Planning & Execution
  • Data Analytics
  • Business Development
  • Data Management
  • Networking
  • Organization and Time Management
  • Public Speaking
  • Project Planning
  • Flexible and Adaptable
  • Excellent Communication
  • Organizational Skills
  • Supervision and leadership
  • Teamwork and Collaboration
  • Microsoft Word
  • Analytical Thinking

Timeline

Senior Advisor - Impact ROI

Director, Community Investment & Engagement – Fannie Mae

Manager, Community Investment & Engagement – Fannie Mae

Sr. Program Officer, Community Investment & Engagement - Fannie Mae

Director, Corporate & Foundation Relations – Howard University

Director, Alumni Relations – Howard University

Head of Civic Affairs & Assistant Director, CIGNA Foundation – CIGNA

Executive Leadership Certificate - Business Admin. & Mgmt.

Massachusetts Institute of Tech (MIT)

Corporate Citizenship Executive Management Certificate -

Boston College Carroll School of Mgmt.

Executive Nonprofit Management Certificate -

Indiana Univ-Purdue University

MEd - Counseling Psychology (Summa cum laude) -

Howard University

B.A. - Sociology/Psychology (Magna cum laude) -

Howard University

Work Availability

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Honors Awards

  • Profiles in Diversity Journal “Woman Worth Watching” – 2019
  • Volunteer Fairfax – 2019 Corporate Partner of the Year
  • PR News – 2018 Community Relations Professional of the Year
  • Rebuilding Together Alexandria – 2015 Community Partner of the Year
  • PR Week – 2014 In-house PR Team of the Year
  • Patricia Roberts Harris Public Affairs Fellow, Howard University

Quote

Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.
Muhammad Ali

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