Kayla Thompson
Summary
Project Manager with a strong background in managing HUD and DOT projects, specializing in technical assistance and event planning. Demonstrated success in securing significant grants and enhancing project workflows. Skilled in coordinating cross-functional teams and ensuring compliance with quality standards. Seeking to leverage expertise in public policy and project management in a challenging new role.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Project Manager
Abt Global
Rockville, MD
02.2024 - Current
- Led Housing Choice Voucher technical assistance engagement supporting the Jersey City Housing Authority under the HUD Community Compass TA Cooperative Agreement (November 2025 - June 2026).
- Obtained $22 million in FY24 and FY25 grants serving as proposal manager for HUD Community Compass technical assistance bid.
- Led the development and implementation of the grant reporting process for 37 HUD Community Compass Technical Assistance grants and 135+ work plans, enhancing efficiency and compliance.
- Delivered technical assistance to Section 108 program staff at U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Performed stakeholder interviews for data gathering and case study creation.
Managed project communications, ensuring collaboration between clients and subcontractors.
Coordinated work plan updates to maintain project timelines and objectives. - Managed subcontractor outreach, invoice management, and performance monitoring under the Department of Transportation Thriving Communities Technical Assistance award.
- Received multiple SPOT bonuses for excellence in project management and systems development.
Virtual Event Production Lead
Abt Global
Rockville, MD
04.2021 - 02.2024
- Developed and managed the internal processes for file management, event tracking, and resource development.
- Established the onboarding process for new and ongoing event requests.
- Managed the successful execution of over 200 virtual and hybrid events, ensuring seamless coordination among internal and external stakeholders.
- Led the onboarding process for the team’s Virtual Event Production Coordinator, providing comprehensive training and guidance on team processes, Abt technologies, meeting platforms, and event planning practices.
- Developed a staff-wide resource library for Cisco Webex and Microsoft Teams platforms, including best practices for planning and facilitating accessible virtual and hybrid events.
- Received multiple SPOT awards in recognition of outstanding client event management.
Professional Development Manager
National Association of Student Personnel Administrators
Washington D.C.
08.2020 - 04.2021
- Served as the event logistics manager for one-third of NASPA’s virtual conferences, workshops, and events. Oversee coordination of virtual event staffing, technical support before and during the event, video production, closed captioning, and post-event metric reporting.
- Supported leadership in transitioning the NASPA in-person event calendar to a virtual event workflow in response to the global pandemic.
- Part of the team that implemented NASPA’s virtual event execution process, along with templates and standard event communications.
- Acted as the in-house expert for Socio, one of the Association’s commonly used virtual event platforms. Managed the planning and execution of five NASPA virtual conferences, workshops, and events totaling over 150 sessions, 200 speakers, and 700 attendees.
Program Execution Coordinator
National Association of Student Personnel Administrators
08.2019 - 08.2020
- Assisted with NASPA’s call for programs/submission process. Oversaw the process of recruiting and assigning program reviewers, maintaining the application lists, and coordinating the final program selection process.
- Managed onsite event logistics on smaller NASPA events, including: onsite room set-up, coordination with AV vendors and/or preparation of NASPA-owned AV hardware, registration and help desk support, customer service, and processing onsite registration.
- Founded and led the NASPA Service Committee to provide NASPA staff with meaningful volunteer and service opportunities. Responsible for outreach and relationship-building with nonprofit organizations to build community service initiatives.
Student Trainee
National Nuclear Security Administration
Washington D.C.
06.2018 - 06.2019
- Developed, reviewed, and analyzed results of eight Defense Programs’ organizational development workshops.
- Designed a feasibility plan for the Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program (SESCDP).
- Analyzed workforce and succession trends to aid Learning and Career Management in determining the organizational allocation for the NNSA Graduate Fellowship Program.
Education
Master of Public Policy -
GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY
Fairfax, VABachelor of Arts - Political Science
UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON
Fredericksburg, VASkills
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Process optimization
- Problem solving
- Project scheduling
- Collaboration tools
- Video conferencing solutions
- Project management
- Cross-functional teamwork
- Process improvement
- Team leadership
- Training and development
- Client relations
- Stakeholder communication
- Project planning
- Compliance monitoring
- Vendor management
- Quality assurance
- Virtual event management
- Event logistics coordination
- Proposal writing
Timeline
Project Manager
Abt Global
02.2024 - Current
Virtual Event Production Lead
Abt Global
04.2021 - 02.2024
Professional Development Manager
National Association of Student Personnel Administrators
08.2020 - 04.2021
Program Execution Coordinator
National Association of Student Personnel Administrators
08.2019 - 08.2020
Student Trainee
National Nuclear Security Administration
06.2018 - 06.2019
Master of Public Policy -
GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON