LAKEISHA N. FRANKLIN
Boston,MA
Summary
Talented Director with over 10 years of experience, adept at handling complex administrative, operational, and outreach program functions. Skilled in multitasking to achieve dynamic objectives. Accomplished at fostering and building relationships with employers and community partners to meet programming needs and drive organizational growth. Demonstrates a strong history of successful project management and execution of deliverables. Proficient in Microsoft Office System, Google G Suite, Microsoft Windows operating system. Experienced in Salesforce, ETO, CIVI CRM, Constant Contact, Survey Monkey, Go-to-Meeting, and type 60 wpm.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of YouthWorks
Commonwealth Corporation
04.2024 - Current
- Provides leadership to the YouthWorks team overseeing $31M in state and federal funding, supporting outreach and engagement across the state
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Managed budgets effectively to ensure optimal use of resources while maintaining financial stability.
- Strengthened financial health with rigorous cost control measures and revenue enhancement strategies.
- Led cross-functional teams to exceed benchmarks for SLA delivery, staying on top of challenging schedules with multiple competing timelines.
- Enhanced data-driven decision-making by implementing advanced analytics and reporting tools.
- Enhanced stakeholder satisfaction with timely and transparent communication strategies.
- Tracked labor market trends and suggested enhancements to both challenge and refine the scope and impact of the YouthWorks program across the sixteen super regions
Associate Director of YouthWorks
Commonwealth Corporation
12.2021 - 04.2024
- Provide guidance to grantees regarding program design improvements; requests to modify contracts and budgets; and general grantee policies and practices; identifies and coordinates the deployment of resources to meet regional support needs
- Assisted senior leadership in managing all aspects of operations.
- Managed cross-functional teams for multiple large-scale projects, successfully completing each on time and within budget constraints.
- Fostered a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging staff to share innovative ideas and providing resources for professional development.
- Superintend the Young Adults with Disabilities grant, develop the Request for Proposals and facilitate grant administration
- Collaborate with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and other state offices to implement strategic plans for the YouthWorks and Young Adult with Disabilities grant administration.
Program Director (Consultant)
Breaktime
03.2021 - 09.2021
- Led Breaktime’s Programming team and oversaw recruiting and onboarding of young homeless youth into program; Coordinated training sessions around financial literacy and career development
- Launched a new youth mentorship program with students from area colleges to empower and provide added support around job coaching, and professional and personal development
- Re-energized partnerships and built new relationships with non-profits to strengthen the continuum of care and developed new pipelines for long term program sustainability
- Improved success of program by making proactive adjustments to operations
- Redefined Double Impact Initiative from ground up, laying out framework and defining staff roles.
Director of Workforce Development & Learning Resource Center
St. Mary's Center for Women & Children
03.2019 - 03.2021
- Oversaw all aspects of program administration, including fundraising and grant management, outcomes management and strategic planning practices
- Provided educational consultation to all agency programs by training professional staff in areas of educational assessment, goal setting and outcomes reporting
- Monitored all training costs and prepared budget reports to justify expenditures
- Conducted quality review of occupational skills training programs and performed review of placement outcomes to ensure continuous quality programs to meet grants and funding requirements; made programmatic changes as needed to maintain progressive outcomes
- Collaborated with area adult community learning centers, MassHires, Workforce Investment Boards, employer partners, and community planning partnerships to ensure seamless integration of ABE and Workforce Development in program curriculums
- Worked with team to continuously improve career and placement opportunities for students
- Oversaw job seeker aptitude and interest testing, reviewed results with job seekers, and presented suitable career alternatives
- Notified employers and community organizations of workforce development programs and services.
Senior Program Manager
Mayor's Office of Workforce Development-City of Boston
02.2017 - 03.2019
- Participated in the planning process and procurement of Neighborhood Job Trust (NJT) programs; Reviewed proposals and provided recommendations for funding; Superintended $1.2M in grant management to fund programs
- Initiated contract process for funded programs, conducted contract negotiation process and developed and disseminated contract materials to new grantees; Provided technical assistance to funded programs as needed; Planned and facilitated quarterly best practices meetings
- Oversaw project management for the Tuition Free Community College Program and coordinated requirements, scheduling, and execution
- Identified and mitigated project risks and improvements and communicated recommendations to various stakeholders
- Prepared deliverables to drive continuous improvement resulting in a 200% increase in applications for the Tuition Free Community College Program.
Affiliated Network Membership Senior Manager
YouthBuild USA, Inc
09.2014 - 03.2017
- Responsible for managing a network of 200+ Affiliated programs that are funded by the US Department of Labor and other foundation funders, ensuring engagement among programs and compliance with performance standards and membership guidelines
- Oversaw overall membership application process including educating potential applicants on requirements, benefits of affiliation and status of membership, responsible for timely collection of annual dues, licensing agreements and reporting of activities to internal stakeholders
- Created, planned, and implemented a training series of workshops and webinars that align with the Affiliated Networks leadership components and program designs to foster a learning community amongst programs
- Worked with internal stakeholders to guarantee that affiliated programs were compliant with reporting performance outcomes for various funded initiatives and served as an intermediary for outreach to program staff to guarantee fulfillment of all data requirements of all funded initiatives
- Assisted with planning, designing, and executing events such as the annual National Directors Association Conference; worked closely with the CEO, President and VP of Program Operations to support the various subcommittees of the National Directors Council, the Policy Council, and the Alumnae Council.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
Norfolk State University
Norfolk, VACertificate - Project Management
Fred Pryor Seminars
Boston, MACertificate - Facilitative Leadership
Interaction Institute for Social Change
Skills
- Contract Negotiation
- Grant Management
- Facilitation
- Team Building
- Event Planning
- Project Management
- Budget Management
- Strategic Planning
- Technical Assistance
- Program Performance Assessment
- Business Administration
- Relationship Building
- Verbal and written communication
- People Management
Meryl's Safe Haven-VP of Board of Directors
- Works closely with Executive Director to provide strategic oversight
- Collaborates with executive team with hiring executive level staff and other board members
- Assist with fundraising activities
- Collaborated with other nonprofit organizations to develop joint initiatives that benefited the broader community at large.
Timeline
Director of YouthWorks
Commonwealth Corporation
04.2024 - Current
Associate Director of YouthWorks
Commonwealth Corporation
12.2021 - 04.2024
Program Director (Consultant)
Breaktime
03.2021 - 09.2021
Director of Workforce Development & Learning Resource Center
St. Mary's Center for Women & Children
03.2019 - 03.2021
Senior Program Manager
Mayor's Office of Workforce Development-City of Boston
02.2017 - 03.2019
Affiliated Network Membership Senior Manager
YouthBuild USA, Inc
09.2014 - 03.2017
Certificate - Facilitative Leadership
Interaction Institute for Social Change
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
Norfolk State University
Certificate - Project Management
Fred Pryor Seminars
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