Experienced and engaging researcher, epidemiologist, and social worker focused on the development and implementation of high quality research with the goal of addressing critical community needs related to public health, social determinants of health, mental health, community-level stressors, community development, social and economic development.
Former not-for-profit executive with nearly a decade of project and program development and management experience.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Professor
Wayne State University
08.2019 - Current
Engage in independent research resulting in the publication of three or more articles per year in peer-reviewed journals
Collaborate with research colleagues across the country as well as community partners in metro Detroit
Numerous publications and experience with emergency department/electronic health records data
Teach a range of undergraduate and graduate (master’s and doctoral) classes on public health, community practice, organizational development and management, social policy and theory
MSW/MPH Joint Program Director (2021-present). Activities include student recruitment, student advising, and collaborating across university departments to ensure effective programmatic implementation, other general administration duties
Innovation in Community, Policy, and Leadership MSW Concentration Chair (2022-present). This includes leading the development and modification of curriculum (e.g., classes, syllabi), program marketing and recruitment, advising, and scheduling/course planning
Mentor and advise graduate students on the research and writing process, serve on and chair PhD students qualifying exam committees and dissertation committees
Chair and/or serve on multiple department and university committees.
Graduate Research Assistant
Saint Louis University
08.2016 - 05.2019
Led and collaborated on a range of research activities such as first- and second-author publications, advanced quantitative data analysis, qualitative data collection via interviews, qualitative data coding and analysis, and conference presentations.
Economic Development Specialist
Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development (SCOPED)
01.2015 - 06.2016
Led the drafting of Schuyler County’s portion of the Upstate Revitalization Initiative Plan, resulting in a $4,000,000 grant to the community
Assisted Executive Director in formulating and implementing strategic priorities related to a cluster-based economic development strategy
Revamped micro-finance loan program and increased participation by 100%
Led the effort to form a 501(c)3 community development corporation.
President & Executive Director
Lemay Development Corporation
07.2012 - 12.2014
Oversaw all aspects of the organization’s operations and implemented the strategic plan
Secured more than $2,300,000 in grant funding for economic development initiatives through area foundations and governmental entities
Collaborated with other non-profits, governmental entities, and other groups in a manner that allowed the organization to advance its mission
Supervised graduate-level practicum students.
Economic Development Director
Lemay Development Corporation
06.2011 - 07.2012
Led the planning and implementation of the organization’s redevelopment efforts
Worked with residents, local businesses, potential developers, architects, engineers, planners, and other relevant professionals to facilitate revitalization efforts
Managed property assemblage and land banking for future development activities
Worked with the local government and other nonprofits to plan and implement streetscape and community branding initiatives.
Housing & Economic Development Manager
Emerson Park Development Corporation
06.2007 - 06.2011
Secured over $2,350,000 in grant funding from federal, state, and local source
Developed or redeveloped multiple housing projects that resulted in the organization’s portfolio of owned and managed rental properties increasing from 3 to over 50 units
Served as the organization’s liaison to numerous community boards and taskforces
Assisted or led on organizational activities such as board governance support and strategic plan development and implementation
Supervised graduate-level practicum students.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work -
Saint Louis University, College for Public Health and Social Justice, School of Social Work
05.2019
Master of Social Work - Social and Economic Development
Washington University in St. Louis, Brown School of Social Work
12.2006
Bachelor of Science in Social Work and Psychology -
State University of New York at Plattsburgh
05.2005
Skills
Published 34 peer-reviewed articles in peer-reviewed academic journals (312 citations, h-index: 10, i10-index: 13)
32 peer-reviewed conference presentations (eg, Society for Social Work Research Annual Conference, American Heart Association’s Annual Scientific Sessions, Northwest Rural Health Conference)
Over $85 million in programmatic and project-specific funding was secured throughout professional grant writing career
Skills
Statistical data analysis: multiple regression, structural equation modeling, factor analysis (confirmatory and exploratory), causal inference techniques, survival/time-to-event analysis, latent variable analysis (latent class and profile analyses), multi-level modeling.
Business System Analyst II at Wayne State University – Fiscal Operation/Technical Support Services /University Information SystemsBusiness System Analyst II at Wayne State University – Fiscal Operation/Technical Support Services /University Information Systems