Kelly Wendt
Rock Island,IL
Summary
Proficient hardworking career navigator, looking to work with clients in workforce development, college advisement, or finical aid.
Overview
1823
1823
years of professional experience
Work History
Career Pathways Coordinator
World Relief
Moline, IL
04.204 - Current
- As a Career Pathways Coordinator at World Relief, I design and implement comprehensive workforce development programs that connect refugees and underserved clients to sustainable employment.
- I partner with employers, schools, and community organizations to create tailored training, resume and interview workshops, and job placement pipelines.
- I track outcomes, analyze data, and iterate initiatives to increase placement rates and wage progression.
- I mentor participants, provide culturally responsive coaching, and ensure compliance with funding requirements.
- My collaboration reduces barriers to employment, strengthens programmatic partnerships, and advances community integration and long-term economic resilience.
- Supported grant application processes, ensuring compliance with organizational standards and deadlines.
- Entered data, generated reports, and produced tracking documents.
- Enhanced project tracking by developing comprehensive database, which allowed for real-time updates and adjustments.
Financial Services
John Deere Financial
12.2023 - 03.2024
- Established strong relationships with clients and vendors, improving overall satisfaction with financial services provided.
- Stayed abreast of new types of loans and other financial services and products to better meet customers' needs.
- Kept current with financial services marketplace and legal and regulatory environment to uphold highest ethical requirements of industry.
- Upheld highest ethical standards at all times while performing daily tasks or interacting with external parties, reinforcing firm''s commitment towards maintaining an impeccable reputation within the financial services industry.
- Facilitated communication between clients and internal departments for seamless coordination of financial services.
Adjunct Teacher/ Career Navigator
Scott Community College
Davenport, Iowa
08.2020 - 12.2023
- As an Adjunct Teacher and Career Navigator at Scott Community College, I designed and delivered engaging, outcome-focused courses while guiding students through career exploration and planning.
- I developed curriculum aligned with industry standards, integrated experiential learning, and assessed competencies to improve job-readiness.
- I provided individualized coaching, resume and interview support, and information on internships and apprenticeships, increasing placement rates and student retention.
- I collaborated with faculty, advisors, and local employers to create scalable career pathways, facilitated workshops, and tracked progress with data-driven adjustments, resulting in measurable gains in student employment outcomes.
Archivist
Rock Island County Historical Society
Moline, IL
08.2017 - 03.2020
- As Archivist at Rock Island County Historical Society, I developed and implemented a comprehensive cataloging system, improving retrieval efficiency by 40% and reducing handling time for researchers.
- I led the digitization of 25,000+ archival items, establishing metadata standards, preservation procedures, and a scalable digital repository.
- I coordinated grant-funded conservation projects, secured a 3-year, $120K grant, and supervised interns and volunteers to support processing, 1300+ accessions added to the collection.
- I designed public outreach programs, exhibition labels, and a researcher orientation, increasing online inquiries and community engagement by 25%.
- I ensured compliance with ethical standards and copyright laws.
Behavior Disorder Teacher
Rock Island/Milan School District
Rock Island, IL
08.2015 - 06.2017
- As a Behavior Disorder Teacher in Rock Island/Milan School District, I designed and implemented individualized behavior intervention plans, aligning with IEP goals to promote student growth and engagement.
- I facilitated small-group and one-on-one instruction, integrating social-emotional learning and data-driven decision making to reduce incidents and improve on-task behavior by measurable margins.
- I collaborated with special and general educators, families, and support staff to ensure consistent, inclusive teaching practices and smooth transitions.
- I monitored progress through data tracking, adjusted interventions, and provided professional development to staff on behavior management strategies and trauma-informed care.
Disaster Case Manager
American Red Cross
Chicago, IL
05.2005 - 07.2015
- I coordinated disaster response operations as a Disaster Case Manager, assessing client needs, developing individualized recovery plans, and connecting families with essential resources.
- I led case intake, risk assessments, and eligibility determinations, maintaining timely documentation and confidential records.
- By building strong partnerships with community organizations, I expanded access to housing, financial assistance, case management, and mental health support, reducing client stress and accelerating recovery.
- I trained volunteers, monitored progress, and ensured compliance with ARC standards and federal regulations.
- My efforts improved client outcomes, increased service reach, and strengthened resilience during crisis response.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - History
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
Carbondale, IL08.1994
Master of Arts - Behavior Disorders/Education
Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL12.2000
Associate of Arts - History
Illinois Valley Community College
Oglesby, IL05.1992
Skills
Familiar with FASFA
Time Management
Working with little to no supervision
Data
Budgets
Working with Clients
Timeline
Financial Services
John Deere Financial
12.2023 - 03.2024
Adjunct Teacher/ Career Navigator
Scott Community College
08.2020 - 12.2023
Archivist
Rock Island County Historical Society
08.2017 - 03.2020
Behavior Disorder Teacher
Rock Island/Milan School District
08.2015 - 06.2017
Disaster Case Manager
American Red Cross
05.2005 - 07.2015
Bachelor of Arts - History
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
Master of Arts - Behavior Disorders/Education
Northern Illinois University
Associate of Arts - History
Illinois Valley Community College
Career Pathways Coordinator
World Relief
04.204 - Current