Karen Brown
Waynesboro,VA
Summary
Versatile Executive Director focused on promoting mission and increasing effectiveness of key programs. Passionate about managing and overseeing implementation of company's daily operations. Quick and firm decision-maker possessing first-rate communication and organizational skills. Recognized for successfully collaborating with management to develop work plans, financials and strategies. Seeks out opportunities to go beyond basics and positively impact the team.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Program Officer
EnCourage Preschools
02.2018 - 12.2022
- Developed best practices to improve overall program performance
- Developed personnel, organizational, and program policies
- Created budgets for project costs and program expenditures
- Coordinated and designated work tasks among team members
- Identified budget issues and resolved discrepancies
- Provided authoritative advice on interpretation of federal laws, regulations, and policies about program activities
- Maintained partnerships and relationships with other organizations to expand resources and educate public on organization's work
- Assisted program Directors with preparing work plans and budget forecasts
- Identified and contacted potential grantees for funding - raising over $1M in government grants for three campus locations in 2021 & 2022
- Coordinated overall preparation and submission of quarterly, annual, and ad-hoc reports.
- Led processes to set program goals, recommended timelines, and organized resources needed to achieve goals.
- Fostered team cohesiveness, positive workplace culture, and support of staff by creating a 90-day onboarding process and ongoing culture-building activities throughout the school year
- Determined staffing plans to achieve program goals and objectives and participated in hiring decisions for new program staff.
- Collaborated with finance department to budget and monitor program operations, ensuring sound fiscal and system management.
- Created and implemented program frameworks, performance standards and quality assurance requirements.
- Mentored 6 directors to improve program management.
- Kept programs in line with established mission parameters.
Master Coach
Child Care Business Professionals
03.2021 - 12.2022
- Provided authoritative advice on interpretation of federal laws, regulations and policies as pertaining to assigned program activities
- Conferred with center personnel to identify and resolve problems
- Assessed client's personal and financial picture and determined action plan to support start-up, recovery and expansion of business.
- Identified workflow inefficiencies to formulate and implement operational improvements at campus level.
- Troubleshot, brainstormed and collaborated with owners and directors on ways to make systems more efficient.
- Fostered positive, proactive and professional relationships to achieve short- and long-term business goals.
Executive Director
Tomball Joy School (non-profit)
03.1999 - 05.2018
- Oversaw and managed organizational operations in alignment with brand mission and values
- Improved processes and quality of services through staff training and development
- Created smooth-functioning environment to foster operational efficiency
- Reviewed and approved staff hiring and termination decisions
- Supervised staff performance and implemented professional development opportunities to reward employees and promote internal growth
- Developed personnel, organizational, and program policies
- Supported financial integrity of the organization as contract signatory
- Prepared budgets for approval and presented documentation to board members
- Stayed on top of industry trends and changes to support agile and responsive strategy
- Bolstered compliance with periodic audits and stringent enforcement of regulatory requirements
- Reviewed operational records and forecasted trends to manage both income and expenses successfully
- Implemented improved policies and procedures to optimize resources.
- Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to strategically affect operational direction.
Education
Some College (No Degree) - Nursing
Angelo State University
Developmental Psychology
Tyler Junior College
Troup, TXSome College (No Degree) - Early Childhood Education
Stephen F. Austin University
Nacogdoches, TXNational Directors Credential - Early Childhood Education
National Louis University
Chicago, ILSkills
- Collaboration
- Planning
- Organization
- Creative thinking
- Teamwork
- Problem-solving
- Verbal communication
- Creating culture where employees thrive
- Manager Coaching and Training
- Training and Development
- Program Administration
- Customer Needs Assessments
- Best Practices
- Business Development
- Education Program Management
- Program Planning
- Payroll Coordination
- Active Listening Skills
- Managing Program Activities
- Operational Procedures
- Safety Standards
- Executive Leadership
- Managing Operations and Efficiency
- Performance Tracking and Evaluations
- Employee Motivation and Performance
- Human Resource Information System (HRIS)
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Quote
Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.
Steve Jobs
Timeline
Master Coach
Child Care Business Professionals
03.2021 - 12.2022
Chief Program Officer
EnCourage Preschools
02.2018 - 12.2022
Executive Director
Tomball Joy School (non-profit)
03.1999 - 05.2018
Some College (No Degree) - Nursing
Angelo State University
Developmental Psychology
Tyler Junior College
Some College (No Degree) - Early Childhood Education
Stephen F. Austin University
National Directors Credential - Early Childhood Education
National Louis University
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