Kaylee Evans
Cortland,NY
Summary
Knowledgeable and driven undergraduate with a proven track record in leading strategic initiatives and fostering organizational growth. Guided multiple high-impact projects, driving policy changes and enhancing operational efficiency. Demonstrated expertise in leadership and decision-making.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
Work History
Chairperson
NYPIRG Board of Directors
06.2024 - Current
- Represent NYPIRG’s students across New York State as a whole
- Run board meetings, discussing and making decisions regarding NYPIRG’s program, funding, budget, etc
- Run weekly Executive Committee meetings with NYPIRGs executive director, deputy director, the Vice-Chair of the board, and the three elected at-large committee members
- Run additional weekly meetings for social media planning, campus expansion, and additional program ideas
- Meet weekly one-on-one with the Executive Director of the organization
- Meet weekly one-on-one with the Deputy Director of the organization
- Travel around the state to host and attend NYPIRG Board meetings and conferences
- Write proposals, meeting minutes, and other official documentation for NYPIRG
- Work creatively and constructively with college students from all over New York to come up with ways to encourage more college students to engage with our organization and with politics in general
- Assist in resolving and mediating interpersonal conflicts and heated conversations within NYPIRG and the Board of Directors, helping to create a more safe, accepting, and understanding environment for a diverse range of perspectives and opinions
- Uphold the sense of community and comradery among NYPIRG students and the Board of Directors
- Organizing and speaking at academic conferences for NYPIRG
- Heading the board’s search and interview process to hire a new Executive Director
Intern
New York Public Interest Research Group
08.2024 - 12.2024
- Table, clipboard, present, and meet for the SUNY Cortland NYPIRG Chapter for 6-8 hours per week
- Be knowledgeable on the organization, climate change, renewables, fracking, home heating accessibility, hunger, homelessness, democracy, American voter empowerment, local public transit initiatives, public health, student health services, consumer protection, small claims, contraception accessibility on campus, and more
- Teach students how to fill out a voter registration form, register at their dorm addresses, and inform them of where their polling place is on campus
- Create spreadsheets and documents to aid the Project Coordinator and the chapter throughout the semester
- Use experience in environmental policy to help lead initiatives at SUNY Cortland to get NYPIRG’s environmental legislation passed
Canvasser/Trainer
New York Public Interest Research Group Fund
05.2024 - 08.2024
- Door-to-door canvassed for NYPIRG and the Climate Change Superfund Act in Albany, Delmar, Saratoga, Red Hook, and more
- Spent several hours canvassing on holidays and during extreme heat advisories
- Requested and received donations from community members ranging from $1 to $400 and adding up to over $7,000 made for the organization over the summer
- Promoted to Trainer
- Trained many new canvassers, canvassed in front of new canvassers, and observed new canvassers as they learned how to canvass, giving live feedback, and helping them improve
- Received and gave workshops about NYPIRG, the Climate Change Superfund Act, and New York State weather patterns
- Received member-only canvassing days as a reward for performing well as a canvasser and trainer
Environmental Policy Associate
New York Public Interest Research Group
01.2024 - 05.2024
- Was selected as one of five students for the inaugural 2024 class of the NYPIRG Donald K. Ross Future Leader Program
- Researched New York State's past and current environmental legislation and bills regarding the environment, climate change, renewable energy (vehicles, home heating, public transportation, etc.), the fossil fuel industry, climate-related weather emergencies, etc
- Organized rallies and days of action for students and community members inside and outside of the Capital
- Working with Capital security to set up events and bring in props
- Organizing rallies in coalition with legislators
- Wrote letters to the editors and responses to speeches such as the State of the State address from Governor Hochul
- Attended committee meetings for the Senate and the Assembly regarding Environmental Protection and Energy, submitting a summary of each meeting thereafter
- Meeting with legislators and their staff to lobby them on bills NYPIRG endorses including but not limited to the NY HEAT Act, the Climate Change Superfund Act, the Bigger Better Bottle Bill, the Public Banking Act, the Campuses with Emergency Contraception Act, and the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act
- Lobbied legislators 'off-the-floor' outside of the Senate and Assembly chambers and created materials to teach other students and community members how to lobby legislators off-the-floor
- Maintained hospitable relationships with legislators in the Capital, effectively increasing NYPIRG’s influence
- Received workshops on New York State policy, the NYS Budget process, and how the Senate and Assembly function with one another and the governor to pass bills into law
- Created visually appealing and informational social media posts for NYPIRG’s Instagram and X accounts
- Created promotional content for NYPIRG to fundraise for the 2025 Donald K. Ross Future Leader Program
Intern
Cannabis Association of New York
08.2023 - 12.2023
- Worked as an intern for Hal McCabe, Mayor of Homer and Director of the Cannabis Association of New York
- Did extensive research on the New York State cannabis rollout and the legislation involved in the recreational legalization of marijuana in New York State
- Created social media graphics for the organization
- Wrote a 15+ page research paper on the New York State cannabis rollout including research about the lab testing process, the social justice licensing policy, the bankruptcy faced by cannabis farmers across the state, and more
- Participated in workshops and presentations related to projects to gain and share knowledge.
Cashier
Antonio’s Italian Kitchen
11.2020 - 08.2023
- Answered phones and mediating customer conflicts both on the phone and in person
- Sweeped, mopped, wiped down counters, and sanitized daily including upholding COVID-19 protocol while in place
- Training several staff members and keeping friendly, professional relationships with coworkers
- Assisting in food prep, cooking, and washing dishes frequently
- Greeted customers entering store and responded promptly to customer needs.
- Worked flexible schedule and extra shifts to meet business needs.
- Built relationships with customers to encourage repeat business.
- Restocked and organized merchandise in coolers in lobby
Server
Bistro Off Broadway
08.2022 - 03.2023
- Served a variety of foods to students at SUNY Cortland
- Took and documented temperatures of all food products every hour and a half
- Operated fryers
- Maintained a clean and orderly dining area for an enjoyable guest experience
- Bussed and reset tables to keep dining room and work areas clean
Student Representative
Baldwinsville Central School District Board of Education
07.2021 - 06.2022
- Acted as a liaison between the student body and the faculty
- Gave bi-weekly reports on student life and events
- Gave a student perspective on important issues at the time including vaccine mandates, mask mandates, book banning, and student LGBTQ+ rights
- Advocated for student needs, resulting in improved resources and support services on campus.
- Enhanced student experience by addressing concerns and providing feedback to administration.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
SUNY Cortland
Cortland, NY12.2025
High School -
C. W. Baker High School
Baldwinsville, NY06.2022
Skills
- Effective leadership
- Consensus building
- Onboarding and training
- Board development
- Meeting management
- Media relations
- Effective communicator and public speaker
- Community outreach
Projects
Model Senator, Somos El Futuro Model Senate, Albany, NY, 03/01/23, 03/01/24, Participated in debates representing a New York State congressional district. Student Lobbyist, Higher Education Action Day, Albany, NY, 03/01/23, 03/01/24, Lobby for lower tuition and other higher education issues. Student Representative, Shared Decision-Making Committee, Baldwinsville, NY, 03/01/22, 04/30/22, Discussed decision-making power within the school district. Founder, President, Acceptance Coalition, Baldwinsville, NY, 09/01/21, 06/30/22, Founded an LGBTQ+ support and activism group. Founder, Organizer, B’ville Pride Walk, Baldwinsville, NY, 06/01/21, Present, Organized a local LGBTQ+ pride event.
Timeline
Intern
New York Public Interest Research Group
08.2024 - 12.2024
Chairperson
NYPIRG Board of Directors
06.2024 - Current
Canvasser/Trainer
New York Public Interest Research Group Fund
05.2024 - 08.2024
Environmental Policy Associate
New York Public Interest Research Group
01.2024 - 05.2024
Intern
Cannabis Association of New York
08.2023 - 12.2023
Server
Bistro Off Broadway
08.2022 - 03.2023
Student Representative
Baldwinsville Central School District Board of Education
07.2021 - 06.2022
Cashier
Antonio’s Italian Kitchen
11.2020 - 08.2023
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
SUNY Cortland
High School -
C. W. Baker High School
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