KELLY MCCULLEY
Salt Lake City,UT
Summary
Dynamic, people-centered program manager with 18+ years of experience leading volunteer programs, staffing coordination, and community engagement across nonprofit, government, and mission-driven organizations. Proven success in developing new programs, modernizing systems, managing teams, and improving operational efficiency through data-driven decision-making. Skilled in scheduling, training, compliance, stakeholder collaboration, and building inclusive, community-focused engagement strategies. Recognized for strengthening organizational capacity, enhancing member and patron experience, and fostering strong cross-departmental relationships.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Volunteer Manager
Utah’s Hogle Zoo
Salt Lake City, UT
01.2018 - Current
- Leads and manages the volunteer and internship teams supporting public-facing operations, guest engagement, and organizational initiatives across multiple departments.
- Increased volunteer participation by 64% and expanded service hours by 3,000+ in the first year, significantly improving operational capacity.
- Strengthened program infrastructure by developing policies, procedures, risk-management protocols, and training materials aligned with compliance requirements.
- Coordinate complex scheduling needs across departments, ensuring adequate coverage for guest-facing programs and special events.
- Manage and coach volunteer leads and department liaisons, providing performance feedback, support, and professional development.
- Improved volunteer retention from 62% to 71% through enhanced onboarding, communication, and engagement strategies.
- Served on cross-functional committees focused on employee recognition, guest engagement, animal welfare, and science review.
- Maintain accurate records of volunteer hours, training, and impact for reporting and program evaluation.
- Leads and manages the volunteer and internship teams supporting public-facing operations, guest engagement, and organizational initiatives across multiple departments.
- Collects, analyzes, and interprets volunteer and internship data to produce comprehensive monthly and annual reports that inform program performance, participation trends, and operational decision-making.
- Achieved the UServeUtah Volunteer Programming for Maximum Impact (VPMI) Gold Designation for our program.
- Developed and implemented strategic and operational plans with clear priorities, goals, and metrics to ensure programs were aligned with organization strategic plan.
- Coordinated with community stakeholders for successful implementation of social and community service initiatives.
- Conducted outreach activities to engage local stakeholders in programs.
- Created and managed budgets, efficiently allocating resources for social and community service projects.
- Coordinated volunteer schedules to optimize staffing levels during peak zoo events.
- Developed and implemented training programs for volunteers to enhance engagement and retention.
- Utilized volunteer and internship programs to create a talent pipeline for the organization.
Volunteer Manager
Loveland Living Planet Aquarium
Draper, UT
01.2015 - 01.2018
- Directed a large-scale volunteer program supporting education, guest services, and community outreach across multiple operational areas.
- Increased volunteer service hours by 53%, improving staffing coverage and visitor experience.
- Managed a team of volunteer leads and program assistants, ensuring consistent training, communication, and performance standards.
- Designed and launched a comprehensive internship program, including role descriptions, training plans, and evaluation processes.
- Leveraged corporate volunteer engagement to help secure the Dell Legacy of Good Community Engagement Grant.
- Expanded the Easter Seals Peer Connections program, earning Community Partner of the Year recognition.
- Collaborated with fundraising, animal welfare, and diversity committees to support organizational initiatives and community engagement.
Literacy Coordinator
AmeriCorps — Park City School District
Park City, UT
01.2011 - 01.2014
- Implemented volunteer-led literacy programs across multiple schools, coordinating schedules, training, and performance expectations for volunteer tutors.
- Supervised and coached volunteer teams; 90%+ of participating students met reading benchmarks annually.
- Built partnerships with community organizations and businesses to support program resources and outreach.
- Collected and analyzed student reading data, preparing reports for state program leadership.
Wildlife Rehabilitator
Ohio Wildlife Center
Columbus, OH
01.2004 - 01.2010
- Supervised volunteer clinic teams, ensuring high-quality client engagement, accurate medical care, and proper record management in a facility serving 4,000+ patients annually.
- Provided rescue services and home-care support, strengthening community trust and organizational responsiveness.
Education
BA - English & Creative Nonfiction Writing
Southern New Hampshire University
Microbiology & Wildlife Management Studies
The Ohio State University
Skills
- Program Development & Management
- Program Leadership
- Substitute Coordination
- Team Management & Coaching
- Scheduling Systems
- Community Outreach
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Customer & Patron Experience
- Training & Facilitation
- Data Tracking & Reporting
- Policy & Procedure Development
- Project Management
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Grant & Proposal Writing
- Leadership
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Team Building
- Time Management
- Adaptability
- Problem-Solving
- Equity & Inclusion
- Relationship Building
- Mentoring
- Department management
- Marketing strategy
- Mission-oriented
- Delegation and supervision
- Volunteer orientation and onboarding
- Client relationship management
- Risk management
- Program management
- Social media
- Community outreach
- Volunteer recruitment strategy
- Data analytics proficiency
- Budget administration
- Volunteer needs assessments
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Adaptability and flexibility
Affiliations
- Association of Zoos & Aquariums — Volunteer Management Committee, Vice Chair Utah’s
- Association of Zoos & Aquariums — Orangutan Species Survival Plan Education Team
- Professional Association for Volunteer Engagement
- Utah Nonprofits Association
- The National Society of Leadership and Success
Certification
- Certification in Volunteer Administration (CVA) — Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration
- University Grant Certification — Fort Hays State University
- Certified Interpretive Guide — National Association for Interpretation
Timeline
Volunteer Manager
Utah’s Hogle Zoo
01.2018 - Current
Volunteer Manager
Loveland Living Planet Aquarium
01.2015 - 01.2018
Literacy Coordinator
AmeriCorps — Park City School District
01.2011 - 01.2014
Wildlife Rehabilitator
Ohio Wildlife Center
01.2004 - 01.2010
Microbiology & Wildlife Management Studies
The Ohio State University
BA - English & Creative Nonfiction Writing
Southern New Hampshire University