Kaee N. Ross
Summary
Dynamic management and operations leader with over 18 years of experience in managing large-scale, complex organizations within the United States and Africa. Immense passion for social justice, decolonization, and re-envisioning Black liberation. Expertise in leading organizational strategy related to workforce planning, improving efficiency of administrative functions through design/implementation of new systems, astute budget forecasting and managing organization change. Talent for building, leading, and training small, multi-lingual, and geographically distributed teams. Demonstrated ability to provide insights and guidance in creating team cultures that aligns to an institution’s vision.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Deputy Country Director for Management & Operations
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
08.2022 - Current
- Company Overview: Global Health Center
- Provided strategic leadership in management operations, organizational planning, and financial oversight of CDC overseas country offices, including Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo
- Directed a multidisciplinary team of 18 staff (six directly supervised), including administrative assistants, IT specialists, grants managers, and procurement and travel personnel, supporting a 35-member technical team responsible for managing a $65 million budget
- Ensured sound fiscal management practices within the management and operations team, achieving full compliance with CDC and Department of State fiscal reporting requirements
- Provided oversight for all CDC procurements, optimizing resource allocation to address competing fiscal demands and support emergent priorities, such as staffing, training, and travel
- Led the implementation of new systems to enhance administrative support, improving efficiency and adherence to operational guidance
- Spearheaded workforce strategy planning to align staffing patterns with programmatic needs and budget fluctuations
- Recruited, on-boarded, and mentored staff while prioritizing wellness initiatives and fostering an inclusive, collaborative environment
- Created feedback channels that improved morale and advanced CDC Zimbabwe's mission and broader agency goals
- Designed and implemented a change management strategy following leadership transitions, facilitating discussions to cultivate a culture of open communication, trust, and constructive feedback
- Global Health Center
- Provided strategic leadership in management operations, organizational planning, and financial oversight of CDC overseas country offices, including Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo
DGHT Program Deputy for Management and Operations
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
06.2020 - 08.2022
- Company Overview: Global Health Center
- Served as a key member of the CDC DRC Executive Leadership Team, collaborating with the Country Director to shape strategic direction and advance the agency’s health mission throughout the country
- Provided strategic oversight of management, operations, and administrative activities, ensuring alignment with organizational needs
- Supervised multidisciplinary team of nine staff, including finance specialist, IT manager, operations specialist, administrative specialist, and motor pool dispatcher
- Fostered a collaborative, high-performing, and accountable culture within the team
- Designed and implemented workforce strategies, balancing operational needs with long-term planning to ensure mission sustainability
- Expanded both office space and staffing footprint by 60% in alignment with increasing outbreak response funding and anticipated programmatic requirements
- Oversaw a $32 million Division of Global HIV and Tuberculosis (DGHT) budget, ensuring sound fiscal management and compliance with U.S
- Government financial regulations and reporting requirements
- Provided leadership in the development and implementation of operational strategies to improve efficiency, sustainability, and program impact
- Represented CDC DRC in high-level discussions with interagency and Embassy partners, including the U.S
- Department of State and the U.S
- Agency for International Development (USAID), ensuring coordinated efforts in addressing critical health and administrative priorities
- Served as the primary point of contact for CDC management-related matters at the Embassy, including International Cooperative Administrative Support Services (ICASS), Human Resources (HR), General Services Office (GSO), and Regional Security Office (RSO)
- Acted as Budget Council Chair, Emergency Action Committee delegate, and member of the Embassy Housing Board, advocating for equitable and effective resource allocation
- Coordinated across interagency platforms to address emergent issues such as COVID-19 response, Country Operational Plan (COP)/President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) planning, and public health emergency management
- Supervised the management of PEPFAR-funded programs, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and sustainable impact
- Supported COP development and budget formulation, representing CDC DRC in interagency processes to justify resource allocation and programmatic needs
- Supported oversight of PEPFAR implementing partners, ensuring compliance with cooperative agreement terms and fostering accountability in program execution
- Represented CDC and the Country Director during Embassy-wide crisis management meetings, including Emergency Operations Council and COVID-19 Interagency Council, to ensure alignment with public health goals and operational continuity
- Provided leadership during office transitions, implementing strategies to maintain team morale, ensure operational stability, and uphold CDC’s mission-driven priorities
- Global Health Center
- Served as a key member of the CDC DRC Executive Leadership Team, collaborating with the Country Director to shape strategic direction and advance the agency’s health mission throughout the country
Compliance and Cooperative Agreement Manager
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
07.2017 - 09.2019
- Company Overview: Global Health Center
- Led compliance and grants management for all clinical implementing partners on behalf of CDC Mozambique, ensuring alignment with agency goals and compliance with federal regulations
- Mentored and developed program staff, fostering a collaborative culture focused on innovation and professional growth
- Designed and implemented multi-country programs centered on youth empowerment and advocacy, creating sustainable impact across communities
- Collaborated with global health organizations to develop policies and programs addressing systemic inequities in healthcare delivery, promoting inclusive practices and outcomes
- Facilitated youth-driven initiatives and community engagement to advance social and racial justice within global health frameworks
- Established metrics and evaluation frameworks to assess program outcomes, leveraging data insights to refine strategies and improve impact
- Cultivated partnerships with stakeholders across sectors to amplify program sustainability, ensuring cross-sector collaboration for long-term success
- Global Health Center
- Led compliance and grants management for all clinical implementing partners on behalf of CDC Mozambique, ensuring alignment with agency goals and compliance with federal regulations
Public Health Analyst/Project Officer
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
11.2013 - 11.2016
- Company Overview: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Bureau of Primary Health Care
- Managed community health center programs to provide comprehensive primary care and preventive services to underserved populations throughout the United States
- Portfolio totaled over $20 million in USG funding
- Conducted site visits, monitored project plans and provided strategic guidance and management to ensure that health center services complied with Federal requirements
- Served as Project Officer for 18 grantees by conducting operational site visits, maintaining ongoing communication with health center leadership, and monitoring written progress reports
- Performed data analysis of programmatic targets, tracked program outcomes and budgets to determine project status and identify emerging needs
- Identified programmatic challenges and communicated with agency leadership to determine program and policy implications to ensure the availability of health care services
- Created and monitored performance plans
- Facilitated trainings for new administrative, governance and financial programmatic areas
- Solicit technical assistance and expertise to assist health center programs, as needed
- Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Bureau of Primary Health Care
- Managed community health center programs to provide comprehensive primary care and preventive services to underserved populations throughout the United States
Public Health Advisor/Project Officer
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
11.2010 - 11.2013
- Company Overview: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health/Office of Family Planning
- Oversaw regional implementation of the HHS Title X Family Planning Program by managing a network of over 300 family planning clinics
- Synthesized progress reports, work plans, and competitive and non-competitive applications for Title X funding
- Developed, managed, and monitored funding opportunity announcements, contracts, inter-agency agreements, and other grants and procurement activities
- Managed HIV Family Planning Systems Integration Projects in accordance with CDC guidelines
- Built partnerships with other federal agencies (CDC and SAMHSA) to support national efforts to enhance HIV/AIDS education, training, and retention of clinicians
- Negotiated and established partnerships with universities to promote quality HIV/AIDS care and treatment
- Increased institutional capacity for the delivery of HIV-prevention services at Title X family planning service delivery sites
- Led multi-sector review team in the annual assessment of Title X funded agencies
- Ensured compliance with federal regulations, monitored action plans, identified resource needs, and made ongoing recommendations
- Established partnerships with human trafficking, child welfare, and law enforcement agencies and assisted with the creation of policies to identify potential victims
- Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health/Office of Family Planning
- Oversaw regional implementation of the HHS Title X Family Planning Program by managing a network of over 300 family planning clinics
Presidential Management Fellow/Budget Analyst
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
06.2006 - 03.2007
- Company Overview: Office of Budget
- Coordinated HHS budget and performance deliverables of the President’s Management Agenda
- Supported budget and performance monitoring of HHS programs, including guidance on agency performance plans, policy proposals, and other management priorities
- Coordinated the Fiscal Year 2008 HHS Annual Budget Plan through review and analysis of various program performance information (including PART), performance justifications, and other special reports; information was presented to the Assistant Secretary for Resources and Training for decision making across HHS programs
- Maintained active communication with the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), responded to informational requests in a timely manner through both written and oral communication
- Office of Budget
- Coordinated HHS budget and performance deliverables of the President’s Management Agenda
Education
M.P.H. - Health Behavior and Health Education
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MIM.S.W. - Policy and Evaluation
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MIB.S. - Biology
Clark Atlanta University
Atlanta, GASkills
- Project Management
- Strategy Development
- Budgeting
- Finance
- Resource Allocation
- People Management
- Culture Management
- Team Supervision
- Business Development
- Proposal Writing
- Leadership Coaching
- Mentoring
- Continuous Improvement
- Prioritization
- Organization
- Relationship Building
- Relationship Management
Areasofemphasis
- Project Management & Oversight
- Strategy Development
- Budgeting/Finance
- Resource Allocation
- People & Culture Management
- Team Supervision
- Business Development
- Proposal Writing
- Leadership Coaching & Mentoring
- Continuous Improvement
- Prioritization & Organization
- Relationship Building & Management
Timeline
Deputy Country Director for Management & Operations
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
08.2022 - Current
DGHT Program Deputy for Management and Operations
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
06.2020 - 08.2022
Compliance and Cooperative Agreement Manager
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
07.2017 - 09.2019
Public Health Analyst/Project Officer
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
11.2013 - 11.2016
Public Health Advisor/Project Officer
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
11.2010 - 11.2013
Presidential Management Fellow/Budget Analyst
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
06.2006 - 03.2007
M.S.W. - Policy and Evaluation
University of Michigan
B.S. - Biology
Clark Atlanta University
M.P.H. - Health Behavior and Health Education
University of Michigan
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