Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Kaliah Ligon

Charlotte,NC

Summary

Determined business professional with success boosting productivity and streamlining procedures for organizations. Focused on successfully overseeing financial, personnel and operational facets. Expertly balanced targets with resources and optimized long-term success.

Overview

25
25
years of professional experience

Work History

Strategic Business Consultant

Self Employed
10.2018 - Current
  • Optimized resource allocation by developing strategic plans based on data-driven insights, supporting sustainable growth initiatives.
  • Evaluated client needs and expectations, establishing clear goals for each consulting engagement.
  • Managed client relationships through regular check-ins and updates on project progress.
  • Identified areas of improvement for clients' operations, implementing targeted solutions to increase productivity.
  • Established trusted partnerships with key industry influencers, expanding the company's network of resources and contacts.
  • Generated reports detailing findings and recommendations.
  • Organized and analyzed primary and secondary research to understand industry, market and organization priorities trends.
  • Facilitated workshops with stakeholder groups to gain consensus on priorities and approaches for tackling identified issues or opportunities.

Credit Manager, Community Relationship Manager

Flagship Enterprise Center
03.2021 - 10.2023
  • Shaped development of a special loan fund; lending $2.3M in affordable capital for 125 small businesses.
  • Evaluated complex customer profiles using financial statements, credit reports, and industry data to make informed lending decisions.
  • Created a client focused credit counseling program, servicing over 40 credit challenged clients in year one in preparation for loan application.
  • Boosted funding opportunities through the successful grant writing process securing $600,000 in grant funds to support operations and business growth.
  • Developed strategic partnerships with ten entrepreneur service organizations to promote products to diverse business owners.
  • Cultivated cross-functional communication with sales, management, and other departments to maintain effective operations.
  • Supported financial director with special projects and additional job duties.

Local Director of Entrepreneurship

Forward Cities
01.2019 - 01.2021
  • Orchestrated a 35 member council to obtain input and financial support resulting in the development of pilot programs providing hundreds of entrepreneurs with support.
  • Launched 3 pilot programs - entrepreneur hub, marketing program, and an interest-free business loan program leveraging tax increment finance (TIF) funds and a community development financial institution partner.
  • Conducted primary and secondary research of small businesses and gaps in entrepreneur ecosystem support, culminating in published data to encourage entrepreneur-led economic vitality.
  • Facilitated cross-functional collaboration for improved decision-making processes within the organization.
  • Proactively identified potential risks and implemented mitigation strategies to minimize negative impacts on projects or business operations.

Manager of Outreach

Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation
10.2017 - 07.2018
  • Managed 2 direct reports and engaging more than 8,000 people through public meetings, neighborhood group presentations, street teams, and community events.
  • Presented a community stakeholder engagement plan to engineers, Department of Public Works officials, and Indiana Department of Transportation staff, contributing to built environment safety adjustments.
  • Developed standard operating procedures, managed communications with print and digital media resources and created outreach summary reports to comply with federal government requirements.
  • Developed network relationships with industry professionals to enhance community awareness and promote enhancements to the public transit system.
  • Pursued growth targets through strong leadership, analysis, problem-solving, team building, and coaching.
  • Generated interest in bus rapid transit (BRT) and educated prospective riders on benefits.
  • Liaised with corporate sales and marketing teams to develop and maintain social media promotion, email-based campaigns and other marketing programs.

Community Outreach and Engagement Project Manager

Indiana University Health
03.2013 - 10.2017
  • Restructured the community benefit grant process, providing over $500,000 in health improvement grants to over 70 non-profit organizations aligned to the hospital’s key priorities.
  • Facilitated process improvement for mobile food deployment program with 22 community-based organization partners resulting in 10% increase in customer transactions and anecdotal health improvements.
  • Leveraged staff and interns to conduct federally required community health needs assessment surveys, exceeding previous response rate by over 1000%.
  • Planned, designed, and scheduled phases for large projects- free flu vaccine clinics providing over 450 free vaccinations, assembling 2,000 Winter Ready kits for homeless neighbors, constructing a neighborhood pocket park.
  • Successfully managed multiple projects simultaneously by prioritizing tasks according to urgency, resource availability, and alignment with organizational goals.

Neighborhood Development Specialist

Indianapolis Neighborhood Resource Center
08.2009 - 03.2013
  • Identified training needs and developed content while evaluating existing programs.
  • Forged partnerships with local businesses, schools, and community organizations who provide additional resources or support necessary to expand our reach further than ever before.
  • Obtained, organized and developed training procedure manuals, guides and course materials.
  • Served as an AmeriCorps community engagement associate- created a grant report template that allowed 40 less experienced neighborhood-based organization grantees to become compliant with grant requirements.
  • Transitioned to Neighborhood Development Specialist- co-designed youth engagement project focused on reducing youth violence. Built partnerships with 22 youth serving organizations and regranted over $50K to the groups.
  • Promoted to Capacity Building Director responsible for managing project budget of $73K, co-designed and facilitated community leadership training series and community listening sessions; worked with volunteer committee and project teams to assist with executing 10 simultaneous neighborhood tours for the Neighborhoods USA Conference.

Senior Admissions Representative

Harrison College
09.2007 - 08.2009
  • Earned forty percent (40%) interview-to-application and eighty-five percent (85%) application-to-start conversion rates.
  • Received in-bound calls from prospective students and answered wide range of questions with knowledgeable assistance.
  • Facilitated communication between prospective students and staff members regarding financial aid, student assistance programs, and course specifics ensuring accurate and up-to-date information was provided.

Online Admissions Representative

ITT Technical Institute
06.2006 - 03.2007
  • Mentored prospective students, guiding them through the admissions process for a smooth transition into the program.
  • Meticulously maintained accurate records of all interactions with prospects, resulting in improved tracking and reporting capabilities for management review.
  • Wowed potential students with exceptional customer service during enrollment periods, addressing concerns and answering questions promptly to maintain applicant satisfaction levels.

Executive Administrative Assistant

Clark Foodservice
06.2004 - 05.2005
  • Promoted from National Accounts Sales Assistant.
  • Maintained confidentiality when handling sensitive information, protecting company interests and employee privacy.
  • Managed inventory levels for office supplies, reducing waste while guaranteeing availability when needed.
  • Verified timekeeping records and handled any discrepancies with employees.
  • Assisted new hires with onboarding paperwork related to direct deposit setup, tax forms, and benefit enrollment.
  • Analyzed reports for price changes and inaccurate data.

Sales Support Representative

CNO Financial Group Inc.
05.2002 - 04.2004
  • Awarded two awards for excellence in customer service.
  • Boosted sales performance by providing timely and accurate life insurance illustrations and marketing materials for agents’ sales presentations.
  • Mastered and utilized over ten computer systems; provided technical support.
  • Enhanced customer satisfaction by promptly resolving issues and addressing concerns.

Personal Banker

National City Bank
08.2001 - 05.2002
  • Closed over $250K in loans and lines of credit in a six-month period.
  • Entrusted with daily balancing of the cash vault and ATM.
  • Utilized strong interpersonal communication skills during client interactions, resulting in increased trust and fostering long-lasting relationships.
  • Assisted customers with setting up or closing accounts, completing loan applications, and signing up for new services.
  • Maintained compliance with bank policies and regulations while executing various financial transactions for customers.

Insurance Sales Counselor

Liberty Mutual Insurance
07.1999 - 07.2001
  • Served as a licensed property and casualty insurance agent providing quotes and meeting sales goals.
  • Processed policy change requests and maintained high quality service standards.
  • Improved overall sales results with proactive upselling of products and services based on clients'' needs assessment.
  • Explained features, advantages and disadvantages of various policies to promote insurance sales.

Education

Master of Public Affairs - Public Policy Analysis

Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Bachelor of Science - Business Administration And Management

Indiana University South Bend
South Bend, IN

Skills

  • Organizational Development
  • Strategic Planning
  • Relationship Building
  • Community Engagement
  • Partnership Development
  • Negotiations
  • Verbal and written communication

Timeline

Credit Manager, Community Relationship Manager

Flagship Enterprise Center
03.2021 - 10.2023

Local Director of Entrepreneurship

Forward Cities
01.2019 - 01.2021

Strategic Business Consultant

Self Employed
10.2018 - Current

Manager of Outreach

Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation
10.2017 - 07.2018

Community Outreach and Engagement Project Manager

Indiana University Health
03.2013 - 10.2017

Neighborhood Development Specialist

Indianapolis Neighborhood Resource Center
08.2009 - 03.2013

Senior Admissions Representative

Harrison College
09.2007 - 08.2009

Online Admissions Representative

ITT Technical Institute
06.2006 - 03.2007

Executive Administrative Assistant

Clark Foodservice
06.2004 - 05.2005

Sales Support Representative

CNO Financial Group Inc.
05.2002 - 04.2004

Personal Banker

National City Bank
08.2001 - 05.2002

Insurance Sales Counselor

Liberty Mutual Insurance
07.1999 - 07.2001

Master of Public Affairs - Public Policy Analysis

Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis

Bachelor of Science - Business Administration And Management

Indiana University South Bend

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Kaliah Ligon