Gloria Spruce
Cypress,TX
Summary
Results-oriented non-profit executive with demonstrated record of accomplishment in streamlining operations, increasing profits, reducing deficit and maximizing market penetration. Decisive leader promoting operational improvements, market expansion and positive corporate culture as keys to success.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
President & CEO
Adult Education Center
01.2023 - Current
- Hired and managed employees to maximize productivity while training staff on best practices and protocols.
- Cultivated strong relationships with over 20 external partners to foster collaboration and maximize resources.
- Developed and implemented new strategies and policies to establish long-term business objectives and provide strong and sustainable organizational leadership.
- Monitored financial performance and implemented measures to enforce compliance with budgetary standards.
- Prepared annual budget forecasts and monitored performance to meet organizational objectives.
- Reduced operational costs through strategic cost management initiatives resulting in organizational budget surplus.
- Represented organization at industry conferences and events
- Managed financial, operational and human resources to optimize business performance
- Collaborated with legal, accounting and other professional teams to review and maintain compliance with regulations
- Oversaw business-wide changes to modernize procedures and organization
- Created succession plans to provide continuity of operations during leadership transitions
- Maintained P&L and shouldered corporate fiscal responsibility
- Founded performance- and merit-based evaluation system to assess staff performance
- Devised and presented business plans and forecasts to board of directors
- Monitored key business risks and established risk management procedures
- Mitigated regulatory risks by overseeing adherence to insurance and safety regulations
Chief Program Officer
Adult Education Center
05.2022 - 01.2023
- Fostered team cohesiveness, positive workplace culture and support of staff.
- Collaborated across disciplines to build high-quality infrastructure to support programs.
- Managed relationships with partner organizations and led integration of program models with internal programs.
- Led processes to set program goals, recommended timelines and organized resources needed to achieve goals.
- Developed feasible strategy for program growth meeting organizational vision and mission.
- Analyzed internal reports to evaluate program effectiveness by using outcomes-based approach.
- Created and implemented program frameworks, performance standards and quality assurance requirements.
- Kept programs in line with established mission parameters.
- Determined staffing plans to achieve program goals and objectives and participated in hiring decisions for new program staff.
- Collaborated with finance department to budget and monitor program operations, ensuring sound fiscal and system management.
- Negotiated with local and state officials to secure additional resources, enhancing program offerings without exceeding budget.
- Turned strategic mandates into actionable program plans.
- Analyzed and assessed program performance data and implemented corrective measures.
- Worked closely with trustees and grantees to develop goals, approaches, initiatives and evaluations of grants.
- Recruited and oversaw personnel to achieve performance and quality targets.
- Facilitated workshops to collect project requirements and user feedback.
Instruction & Professional Development Manager
Adult Education Center
01.2019 - 01.2022
- Managed grants to support and sustain core programs.
- Prepared instruction and professional development budget for programs
- Helped prepare program and operational budgets
- Ensured the development of appropriate curriculum plans agency-wide, which are also consistent with AEL academic standards.
- Developed procedures and policies for safe and effective operation of overall programs.
- Planned, developed, and provided training and staff development programs, using practical knowledge and best practices of methods as classroom instruction, training, coaching, meetings, conferences, and workshops.
- Hired, oriented, and supervised instructional and program staff
- Evaluate employee performance, professional development programs, instruction, and materials.
- Developed or coordinate professional development and curriculum support workshops opportunities for program staff on best practices and AEL, TWC and HGAC updates and standards.
- Developed and oversee learner recruitment plan along with Career Navigator/Coach.
- Facilitated partnerships with appropriate public and private agencies that provide services to students and families to broaden the impact and reach of AEC's services and help position AEC as a community resource
- Participate on local and state committees or meetings related to adult literacy and workforce programs, as necessary.
- Conducted learner surveys and needs assessments.
- Established a system for evaluating programs and content to measure satisfaction and effectiveness.
- Established performance standards for all personnel to assure that contractual service objectives are attained.
- Ensured performance targets are met.
- Developed and maintain records needed for program administration.
- Monitored program budget and provide needed information for financial reporting.
- Prepared information for funder reports and assist to secure donations and funding for the program as needed.
- Performed other duties as assigned.
CEO/ Founder
Refined Solutions Group
01.2018 - Current
- Serve as business developer & consultant to various individuals and organizations through entrepreneurship assistance, data collection, evaluation, financial literacy, community building/outreach/engagement and adult education.
- Provides keynote presentations at conferences and fundraising events as well as conducting training workshops.
- Develop curriculum, toolkits and new training methods to assist with business startups.
- Serve as Individual & Business Tax Professional
- Small Business Accounting
- Computerized Bookkeeping using QuickBooks
- Financial statements (monthly)
- New Business Formation (Sole-proprietor, LLC, S Corps, Non-Profits)
- Business startup consultations
Data Management & Compliance Manager
Houston Center for Literacy (HCL)
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Manage and supervise data entry staff for HCL and other partnering organizations to ensure student and staff information was entered timely and accurate.
- Professional Development Coordinator, planning and implementing staff development trainings for HCL and partnering organizations.
- Manage and supervise organizations compliance for alignment with regulations and guidelines of H-GAC and TWC for HCL and partnering organizations.
- Develop and execute internal audits, looking for lapses in processes and suggesting adjustments as needed.
- Collaborate with department heads of HCL and partnering organizations leadership to prepare for external audits.
- Serve as the liaison between state agencies and local organizations.
- Facilitate and participate in meetings and training monthly with partnering organizations to provide updates and instructions when needed.
- Monitor budget and grant requirements for Adult Education and Vocational programs.
- Hire, develop, and train support and data entry staff to meet program needs.
Founder & CEO
Level Up Education & Enrichment Program
01.2015 - 01.2017
- Developed and implemented educational, enrichment, and skill-based programs for students
- Hired, developed, and mentored staff that specialized in providing Culinary Arts and DJ Science during HISD after school programs and Tax Credit Properties.
- Monitored staff performance and conducted annual staff evaluations.
- Organized fundraising programs that continued to attract clientele.
- Budget management of the program including expenditure reports and receipts.
- Coordinated and facilitated staff development trainings.
- Coordinated with staff to develop a comprehensive, yet enjoyable curriculum for students.
- Utilized database systems for accuracy of customer, student, and staff records to ensure compliance of program with 21 century grant and HUD's LARA laws.
- Conducted internal audits of program files to maintain compliance of records.
Teacher
BlazinBrook Management
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Earned high marks for quality and creativity of teaching techniques, lesson plans and instructional materials used while teaching diverse subjects (e.g., language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, history, and culinary arts).
- Developed innovative approaches which were held as model standards for meeting district goals in areas including technology integration across the curriculum, experiential learning, literacy and diversity.
- Taught general education students as well as individuals with learning challenges and special needs within a mainstreamed, inclusive classroom.
- The ability to redirect students exhibiting behavior problems by replacing disruptive, unproductive patterns with positive behaviors.
Regional Manager
Favored with Hope After-School Program
01.2012 - 01.2013
- Facilitated after school program for children ranging from ages 5-18 for residents of different low-income housing communities within Houston.
- Ensured compliance to state and company policies and procedures.
- Designed calendar of events on monthly basis to ensure compliance with state LARA Laws.
- Handled the tasks of monitoring and supervising the day to day operations of the program.
- Researched and prepared proposals for funding through private and public sectors to support community and program development.
- A liaison between the service provider, state and local organization.
- Maintained program files and service reports for various locations.
- Coordinated and facilitated staff development trainings.
- Conducted internal audits of various program sites to maintain compliance with state rules and regulations.
- Hired, supervised, and evaluated staff.
- Monitored staff performance and conducted annual staff evaluations.
Education
BS - Business Management
University of Phoenix
Online12.2023
BA - Music
Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH12.2004
Skills
- Microsoft Office
- Contract Negotiation
- Business Development
- Financial Management
- Business Administration
- Event Planning
- Staff Training
- Strategic Partnership
- Board Oversight
- Monitoring
- Organizational Leadership
- Operational Excellence
Certification
Grant Compliance & Procurement Certification
Accomplishments
- Highly effective and transformation leadership.
- Demonstrates respect for others.
- An innovative spirit, ability to create or seize opportunities to improve service effectiveness.
- Understands and values quality improvement. Applies managerial and technical skills to measure and improve efficiency.
- Adaptable and reliable in face of conflict, crisis, or changing priorities.
- Able to lead a team in managing multiple tasks and creating a work environment recognized for high level of organization, timeliness, cost-effectiveness, accuracy, and results.
- A demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Literate in business and understands financial reports, applies data to assess business effectiveness and efficiency, and acts in a fiscally responsible manner.
- Politically astute and tactful
Timeline
President & CEO
Adult Education Center
01.2023 - Current
Chief Program Officer
Adult Education Center
05.2022 - 01.2023
Instruction & Professional Development Manager
Adult Education Center
01.2019 - 01.2022
CEO/ Founder
Refined Solutions Group
01.2018 - Current
Data Management & Compliance Manager
Houston Center for Literacy (HCL)
01.2016 - 01.2018
Founder & CEO
Level Up Education & Enrichment Program
01.2015 - 01.2017
Teacher
BlazinBrook Management
01.2013 - 01.2015
Regional Manager
Favored with Hope After-School Program
01.2012 - 01.2013
BS - Business Management
University of Phoenix
BA - Music
Cleveland State University
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