Jill Gentry
Winter Park,Florida
Summary
Innovative and industrious leader with extensive experience in Florida non-profits dedicated to mission driven causes. Proven track record in cultivating strategic partnerships and driving fundraising campaigns, resulting in significant unrestricted funds and in-kind support. Highly successful grant writer and implementer of local, state, and federal initiatives, contributing millions to operational budgets with demonstrated sustainability. Skilled in management of budgets exceeding $22 million.
Successful in board membership engagement, legislative advocacy, and public speaking at both local and national levels. Analytical problem-solver fostering team collaboration, strategic planning, and significant revenue growth at Easter Seals Florida. Consistently demonstrates the ability to motivate employees, ensuring high satisfaction with services provided to clients, care givers, and stakeholders.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President of Programs
Easter Seals Florida
Winter Park, FL
09.2021 - Current
- Currently provide program and fiscal oversight to the agency’s most diverse program portfolio consisting of: two adult Centers, three adult community-based programs, and six children and adolescent programs.
- Drive agency growth through securing new funds and developing programs, maintaining the agency’s only region with disability services for clients ages birth through senior age.
- Delivers extensive revenue growth through grant writing efforts, resulting in the addition of 13 new programs to the agency and revenue exceeding 6m from time of hire.
- Champion data-driven decision-making to optimize program performance and ensure alignment with stakeholder expectations.
- Supervise the agency’s client data management system, which currently houses 14 agency programs and interfaces with two other Easter Seals Florida affiliates.
- Work directly with the Central Florida Advisory Board to ensure transparency in service delivery as well as mission engagement and impact.
- Engaged in community committees and efforts that support individuals with disabilities, increasing Easter Seals Florida’s visibility in the communities we serve.
- Actively participated in the development of the agency strategic plan, through serving on the Financial, Information Technologies, and Program workgroups.
- Responsible for community engagement within program catchment areas of Central and North Florida.
- Demonstrate exceptional leadership skills in guiding teams towards achieving ambitious goals while maintaining a positive work environment and low staff turnover.
- Conduct regular meetings with staff members to keep them informed about project progress, address concerns, provide guidance, set expectations, and continual feedback on performance achievements.
Associate Vice President
Easter Seals Florida
Winter Park, FL
07.2018 - 09.2021
- Secured over 4m in new funds for the agency to provide new client services, including but not limited to Disability Navigation and Behavior Therapy, and Senior Health and Recreation Programming.
- Reestablished agency's Orange County children's services, which had no longer been provided.
- Secured funds to add two additional adult and senior programs.
- Created the agency’s only service region providing disability services for clients ages birth through senior services.
- Fiscal and program responsible for all aspects of two adult care facilities, an adult day training program (ADT), and eight new county contracted programs.
- Maintained seven managed care contracts, two Veterans Affairs contracts each year, and a cadre of subcontracted therapy services.
- Identified, provided initial program development, and supervised the agency’s new client data management system, moving the agency towards electronic client records and performance reporting.
- Work directly with an Advisory Board in the efforts of mission engagement, donor cultivation, and board membership to strengthen agency sustainability.
- Represent the agency on disability advocacy committees, advancing the agency’s mission and marketing our service provision for clients within the Central and North Florida territory.
- Guided our two ADHC programs with safety operations, resulting in no program closure days due to COVID cross contamination during the two-year pandemic window.
Business Owner
Gentry Consulting, LLC.
Winter Park, FL
07.2015 - 07.2018
- Provided development and sustainability services to agencies in the areas of grant writing, organization strategies, accreditation, benefits enhancement, and innovative business practices.
- Served on the Seminole County Public Schools Business Advisory Board.
- Florida licensed in Health, Life and Annuities.
Executive Director
Community Based Care of Central Florida
Sanford, FL
03.2011 - 07.2015
- Built a diverse team of child welfare professionals, fostering a collaborative work environment, with 100% retention from initial date of hire.
- Built relationships with donors, government and legislative officials and other organizations to ensure support for the agency’s mission to protect children.
- Maintained the service center as a safe and productive environment for 90+ professionals.
- Responsible for services with a budget exceeding 12m
- Served as a Principal Investigator for a Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grant focused on access to care.
- Collaborated with external organizations including non-profits, businesses, and government agencies to create mutually beneficial partnerships and successful client outcomes.
- Contributed to national COA accreditation, grant writing and fundraising efforts.
- Worked directly with the Medical Team of Kid’s House and Seminole Sheriff’s Office Protective Investigations.
- Coordinated with legal, quality assurance, and other professional teams to maintain child safety and meet their unique and often complex needs.
- Certified in Child Welfare.
Executive Director
PACE Center for Girls
Orlando, FL
11.2006 - 03.2011
- Directed spending and implemented measures to maintain revenue to expense ratios, consistently met budget reserve requirement and six-figure fundraising goals; responsible for budget diversification through grant writing, business partnerships and securing funding streams.
- Forged strong relationships with board members, providing regular updates on organizational progress and engaging their expertise when needed.
- Ensured all contractual obligations and quality assurance expectations of multiple funders were met, resulting in the highest QA score of the 17 centers state-wide.
- Managed a diverse team of clinicians and education professionals, fostering a collaborative work environment for increased client and fiduciary success.
- Built relationships with donors, government officials and other organizations to secure funding and support for organization.
- Represented organization to local public by giving presentations and speeches and participating in community events.
- Led successful fundraising campaigns, securing critical resources for program development and census expansion.
- Developed strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to expand the organization’s reach and influence.
- Spearheaded new program initiatives to address unmet client needs and to advance Pace Center for Girls’ mission.
Senior Regional Vice President
Human Services Associates
Orlando, FL
06.2000 - 11.2006
- Delivered consistent growth in revenue by establishing partnerships with key industry players and stakeholders.
- Served as the primary spokesperson for all services in a six-county area; worked directly with a high-profile Board of Directors and strategic community partners.
- Developed sustainability and expansion strategies for programs and volunteers; managed a large multi-year federal and secured several state prevention grants.
- Oversaw operations of adult and adolescent programs in the areas of alternative education, prevention, intervention, behavioral health, substance abuse, juvenile justice, and family welfare; led 13 Master and/or licensed credentialed Directors and 100+ team members providing CARF accredited services.
- Expanded services to include children's behavioral health, adult outpatient treatment and family welfare services in Orange, Osceola, and Seminole.
- Certified Prevention Professional.
Vice President
Human Services Associates
Orlando, FL
06.2000 - 12.2005
- Cultivated strong relationships with key stakeholders, including elected officials, regulators, and community leaders to promote collaboration and long-term success for clients.
- Oversaw all education, prevention, intervention, and treatment programs; wrote an extensive number of proposals and grants for the establishment of new programs; assisted with agency securing CARF accreditation.
- Consulted on-site with a Texas-based governmental agency in the implementation of 14 alternative education charter schools within Houston and Dallas adolescent facilities.
- Secured and started the agency's first contract for Workforce Central Florida's clients.
- Expanded the Addictions Receiving Facility (ARF) from 10 beds to 20 beds and lead the implementation of the West Palm County JAC.
- Assumed responsibility for the agency's children mental health Medicaid services.
- Served as Chair of SEDNET 7A and was a member of the Orange Community Alliance.
- Developed and operationalized two privatized Alternative Education schools located within the Polk County Detention Center and Polk Halfway House.
- Demonstrated proficient leadership skills to motivate employees and build competent teams.
Director
Human Services Associates
Orlando, FL
07.1993 - 12.1995
- Managed daily operations while overseeing multiple county service locations foster impactful, sustainability client services.
- Administered a federal Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) grant; supervised staff providing life skills education, health, and nursing services to at risk youth and juvenile justice clients.
- Ensured transition and sustainability of the federal grant through alternate funding; further replicated those services into 11 sites including Orange and Seminole public schools, homeless shelter, and partnering treatment providers.
- Operationalized the agency's first two adult intervention programs which focused on access to substance abuse and mental health services.
Education
Master of Science - Health Science Administration
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FLBachelor of Science - Communicative Disorders
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FLSkills
- Partnership Building
- Team Leadership
- Employee Motivation
- Development Strategies
- Revenue Growth
- Stakeholder Cultivation
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Strategic Visioning
- Effective Decision Making
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
Community Service
- Family Care Council Area 7
- Orange County Disability Board
- Central Florida Interagency Council
- Leadership Seminole Graduate
- UCF Alumni Association Lifetime Member
- Deb Dickerson Task Force
- Chief Judge Perry Juvenile Justice Task Force
- Department of Juvenile Justice Prevention Conference Speaker
- National TASC Conference Speaker
- Daniel Memorial Independent Living Conference Speaker
- Center for Substance Abuse Treatment Conference Speaker
Timeline
Vice President of Programs
Easter Seals Florida
09.2021 - Current
Associate Vice President
Easter Seals Florida
07.2018 - 09.2021
Business Owner
Gentry Consulting, LLC.
07.2015 - 07.2018
Executive Director
Community Based Care of Central Florida
03.2011 - 07.2015
Executive Director
PACE Center for Girls
11.2006 - 03.2011
Senior Regional Vice President
Human Services Associates
06.2000 - 11.2006
Vice President
Human Services Associates
06.2000 - 12.2005
Director
Human Services Associates
07.1993 - 12.1995
Master of Science - Health Science Administration
University of Central Florida
Bachelor of Science - Communicative Disorders
University of Central Florida