MS Office (especially Excel)
Open To Work
Karen Zellars
Administrative Coordinator
Pittsburgh,PA
Work Preference
Summary
Experienced Administrative Coordinator with a proven record in financial management and operational compliance at the University of Pittsburgh. Skilled in budgeting, communication, and departmental initiative oversight. Known for enhancing productivity and team engagement through problem-solving and attention to detail.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Administrative Coordinator / Sponsored Accounts
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
03.2014 - 10.2025
- Company Overview: Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship
- Processed and managed post-award subaccounts for NSF programs and Chancellor GAP Awards.
- Assist in monthly NSF HUB invoicing
- Tracked, reconciled and managed departmental budget forecasts and expenses.
- Oversee financial transactions, including travel reimbursements and journal entries.
- Prepare and assist travel preparation and travel expenses reporting utilizing Concur
- Prepared and submitted monthly budget reports and expense projections.
- Coordinate departmental events and competitions, ensuring smooth execution.
- Submit external vendor contracts for processing via the Panther Express system.
- Submit external vendor invoices against departmental contracts
- Purchased and maintained office supplies.
Program, Administrative, and Marketing Coordinator
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
01.2007 - 03.2014
- Company Overview: Office of Enterprise Development
- Managed financial reconciliation, budgeting, and expenses for department and departmental programs.
- Oversaw program registration, invoicing, and tuition processing.
- Designed and maintained departmental website using Drupal.
- Coordinated logistics for major university events, including the Annual Technology Showcase and Benchtop to Bedside course.
- Developed marketing materials and maintained outreach initiatives to engage the Pittsburgh biotech community.
Administrative Assistant
University of Pittsburgh
01.2004 - 01.2007
- Company Overview: Office of Enterprise Development
- Processed financial forms, disbursements, and travel reimbursements.
- Managed the bi-weekly newsletter and department-wide communications.
- Coordinated complex meetings between university leaders and national biomedical companies.
- Maintained departmental website and supported outreach efforts.
- Processed purchasing office supplies.
- Processed invoices for departmental vendors and suppliers.
Program Coordinator
Lemington Community Services
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
05.2002 - 04.2003
- Supervised three Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging nutritional sites.
- Managed budgets, supplies, and event coordination for senior programs.
- Developed educational health series and safety programs for seniors.
- Created and distributed department newsletters and activity calendars.
Education
B.A. - Public Service, Public Administration, Non-Profit Management Certificate
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA04-2011
Webmaster Certificate - Web Authoring
University of Pittsburgh – Computer Learning Center
Pittsburgh, PA02-2001
B.A. - Sociology, Africana Studies
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA04-1998
A.S. - Liberal Arts
Community College of Allegheny County
Pittsburgh, PA05-1993
Skills
- Financial management and budgeting
- Project management and support
- Administrative expertise
- Effective communication skills
- Event planning and coordination
- Technology proficiency
- Leadership development initiatives
- Problem-solving abilities
- Attention to detail
- Calendar and meeting management
- Inbound call handling
- Verbal and written communication skills
- Policy enforcement
- Productivity enhancement
Volunteer Experience
- Project Bundle-up
- Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix
- United Way Day of Caring
Leadership And Community Involvement
- Board Member, Family House, 01/01/10 - 12/31/12
- Leadership Development Initiative XII Graduate, Leadership Pittsburgh, 10/15/04 - 06/17/05
- Member, University of Pittsburgh Staff Association Council, 01/01/2009 - 12/31/2012
- Vice-Chair, University of Pittsburgh Staff Association Council, 01/01/11 - 12/31/12
- Program & Planning Committee Chair, University of Pittsburgh Staff Association Council, 01/01/11 - 12/31/11
Accomplishments
- Participant in AmeriCorps (PA Service Corps) - 1993-1995
- Former Board member of: Family House and The Alloy School at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater (Formerly Dance Alloy) 2004 - 2007
- Graduate of Leadership Pittsburgh's Leadership Development Initiative LDI XII - 2005
Certification
- Completion of Research Development certificate program - Jan 2024
- Completion of Administrative Professional Certificate Program - June 2025
Affiliations
- Urban gardener who enjoys farm-to-table initiatives
- Enhancing my skills via LinkedIn learning and other educational opportunities.
- Learning to write grants for non-profit organizations.
References
References available upon request.
Software
Google Suite
Adobe Acrobat
Gemini, CoPilot, ChatGPT
Cognos
Salesforce & Monday
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
swipe to browse
Timeline
Administrative Coordinator / Sponsored Accounts
University of Pittsburgh
03.2014 - 10.2025
Program, Administrative, and Marketing Coordinator
University of Pittsburgh
01.2007 - 03.2014
Administrative Assistant
University of Pittsburgh
01.2004 - 01.2007
Program Coordinator
Lemington Community Services
05.2002 - 04.2003
B.A. - Public Service, Public Administration, Non-Profit Management Certificate
University of Pittsburgh
Webmaster Certificate - Web Authoring
University of Pittsburgh – Computer Learning Center
B.A. - Sociology, Africana Studies
University of Pittsburgh
A.S. - Liberal Arts
Community College of Allegheny County
Similar Profiles
Noah ZimmermanNoah Zimmerman
First-Year Engineering Research Project at University of PittsburghFirst-Year Engineering Research Project at University of Pittsburgh
Olivia WaiteOlivia Waite
Archival Assistant at University of PittsburghArchival Assistant at University of Pittsburgh
Danae PoteatDanae Poteat
Student Nurse at University of PittsburghStudent Nurse at University of Pittsburgh
Tyler HendersonTyler Henderson
Teacher at University of PittsburghTeacher at University of Pittsburgh
Destiny HickeyDestiny Hickey
Bartender at Shawn Ryan's PubBartender at Shawn Ryan's Pub