GORDON ELLIS
Atlanta,GA
Summary
Community centered & purpose driven. Nonprofit and social enterprise leader with extensive experience in managing multi-site workforce programs. Proven ability to train and coach managers and site supervisors, driving high-performing teams to meet operational and mission objectives. Expertise in strategic planning, resource management, and cross-department collaboration to enhance service quality and customer satisfaction. Focused on supporting justice-impacted individuals and families transitioning from homelessness, emphasizing employment access and economic stability. Service over self
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Regional Social Enterprise Director
Center for Employment Opportunities
01.2024 - Current
- Led regional social enterprise operations for CEO's transitional work crews in six cities (Memphis, Atlanta, Charlotte, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport), ensuring operational excellence and compliance with safety standards and contracts.
- Oversee workforce operations serving 250+ justice-impacted individuals returning from incarceration, supporting successful participation in transitional employment and skills development.
- Directly manage and coach 20 staff members across four states, including Social Enterprise Managers and Site Supervisors, strengthening leadership capacity, accountability, and performance.
- Collaborated with vocational leadership and cross-functional teams (finance, legal & compliance, HR, IT) to enhance job training, staffing, compliance, and service delivery.
- Traveled throughout the region to support site teams, monitor crew performance, and strengthen partner relationships while exemplifying CEO's values and trauma-informed leadership.
ACSS VP of Programs and Operations
Atlanta Center for Self Sufficiency
01.2010 - 01.2024
- Guided homeless veteran youth aged 25-30 (30-40 annually) in life skills development for employment and provided hard skills training through Department of Labor (DOL) grant initiative.
- Supported children of housing voucher recipients in accessing training and employment opportunities, aiding families in transitioning out of homelessness.
- Coordinated with Atlanta Center for Self Sufficiency, Career Rise, and Arthur Blank Foundation to assist children of housing voucher recipients in accessing training and employment opportunities, bolstering families' transition out of homelessness.
Job Developer Program Director
Grant & Associates
01.2007 - 01.2010
- Collaborated closely with Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) CaseWorker Specialists to identify and place participants in work experience opportunities.
- Supervised a team of 3 job developers, handling responsibilities such as hiring, training, and managing work schedules.
- Successfully placed 15+ job seekers monthly in full-time employment with benefits.
Job Developer
Fulton County Good Works Program
01.2002 - 01.2007
- Engaged in the 'Call to Manhood' summer youth program, providing mentorship and resources to homeless individuals aged 18-25, fostering personal growth and empowerment.
- Achieved an impressive 78% placement rate of job seekers within 90 days and maintained a 76% retention rate with employers offering full-time positions with benefits.
Education
High School Diploma -
Foster High School
Skills
- Contract compliance
- Workforce operations
- Staff coaching
- Performance management
Accomplishments
- Successfully maintained and managed the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) grant, overseeing funds totaling $300,000 annually for over 12 years.
- Managed a $250,000 Fulton County grant, demonstrating consistent fiscal responsibility and accountability.
- Effectively administered a $200,000 Department of Labor (DOL) grant, ensuring compliance with grant requirements and achieving program objectives.
- Developed and delivered life skills and job readiness training program, serving almost 3200 participants in transition from homelessness over 10+ years
- Recruited and managed relationships with over 50 employers, placing 175 people per year.
- Lead team of 5 life coaches, and 15 staff members driving 75% placement rate and 73% retention rate.
Timeline
Regional Social Enterprise Director
Center for Employment Opportunities
01.2024 - Current
ACSS VP of Programs and Operations
Atlanta Center for Self Sufficiency
01.2010 - 01.2024
Job Developer Program Director
Grant & Associates
01.2007 - 01.2010
Job Developer
Fulton County Good Works Program
01.2002 - 01.2007
High School Diploma -
Foster High School