LaMonika N. Jones
Gaithersburg,MD
Summary
Experienced nonprofit professional with strategic leadership in advancing knowledge and solutions in food systems. Results-driven leader collaborating with state agencies, community partners, school districts, and families to address anti-poverty initiatives and promote racial and health equity. Skilled in governance, policy advocacy, and strategic partnerships, committed to guiding organizations towards meaningful impact on food justice and equity.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Director
Maryland Hunger Solutions
2024.04 - Current
- Provide strategic leadership and direction to the organization. Oversee the development and implementation of programs and initiatives aimed at reducing hunger in Maryland. Ensure compliance with organizational policies, and procedures.
- Advocate for policies and programs that address food insecurity and poverty at local, state, and federal levels. Develop and maintain relationships with policymakers, community leaders, and other stakeholders. Monitor and analyze policy developments and legislative activities related to hunger and poverty.
- Design, implement, and evaluate programs that increase access to nutritious food for low-income individuals and families.
- Collaborate with community organizations, government agencies, and other partners to expand and enhance services. Ensure programs are culturally competent and responsive to the needs of diverse populations.
- Improved project efficiency with strategic planning, resource allocation, and time management practices.
- Develop and implement fundraising strategies to secure financial support from individuals, foundations, corporations, and government sources. Prepare grant proposals and reports. Cultivate and steward relationships with donors and funders.
- Serve as the primary spokesperson for Maryland Hunger Solutions.
- Develop and manage the organization’s budget. Ensure financial stability and sustainability through effective financial planning and management.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
- Strengthened financial health with rigorous cost control measures and revenue enhancement strategies.
Director
D.C. Hunger Solutions
2022.11 - Current
- Responsible for organizational oversight of eradicating hunger in District of Columbia including strategic planning, operations and administration of established goals, mission and vision
- Provide leadership, guidance and development of staff including full time employees, interns and fellows
- Cultivate and strengthen strategies centered on increasing advocacy and outreach to underrepresented communities
- Work with FRAC Development Team on opportunities to expand sources of funding; surpassing estimated $700,000 annual operating budget
- Actively increase participation and improve benefits of federal nutrition programs (SNAP, WIC, National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Summer Food Service Program, Child and Adult Food Care Program )
- Establish and initiate policy priorities addressing hunger and poverty in District of Columbia
- Cross collaborate with community leaders, state agencies and partners on efforts to expand access to available food resources in District of Columbia through budget and performance oversight process
- Serve as public voice and expert on hunger and poverty in District of Columbia
Child Nutrition Anti-Hunger Program Analyst
D.C. Hunger Solutions
2021.09 - 2022.10
- Actively increase participation and improve benefits of the federal nutrition programs (SNAP, WIC, National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Summer Food Service Program, Child and Adult Food Care Program )
- Conduct advocacy, research, coalition-building, outreach, technical assistance, public education and program monitoring
- Establish partnerships with community based organizations, D.C. Councilmembers, executive and government agencies maximizing reach in District of Columbia
- Conduct training and technical assistance opportunities on federal nutrition programs increasing overall participation
- Analyze data and conduct research in support of federal child nutrition programming
Procurement and Purchasing Compliance Officer
Georgia Dept. Of Early Care And Learning
2017.09 - 2021.09
- Monitor and ensure compliance of purchases made utilizing funds administered by Child and Adult Food Care
- Program (CACFP) and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)
- Analyze policy and other program data related to operation and administration of Summer Food Service and Child and Adult Food Care Programs
- Evaluate and approve policy and procedure documentation for new and experienced sub recipients of federal child nutrition programs
- Manage network of producers in support of building equitable food systems
- Draft technical assistance handbooks and manuals, toolkits, community food implementation plans and guidance materials to ensure satisfactory understanding of purchasing principles according to federal, state and local guidelines/regulations
- Maintain required records to support corrective action taken to meet federal approval and retention requirements
- Administer effective technical assistance and best practices to CACFP and SFSP participants on incorporating Farm to
- School/Early Care and Education purchasing practices in early care settings
- Provide recommendations on how to apply statutory and regulatory language to specific program operations ensuring thorough understanding of program expectations and overall program administration
- Establish and maintain partnerships with external stakeholders and other state departments that provide related services or share common goals, values, and mission
- Interface with internal and external stakeholders on developing goals, strategies and activities related to promoting initiatives expanding access to unprocessed, farm fresh foods in CACFP and SFSP meal service
- Engage with state agencies and community-based organizations on promoting access to locally grown products, vendors and suppliers in early care settings
- Collaborate with Training Unit to develop specialized training and resources for building just food systems in early childhood
- Develop relationships with community partners, vendors and suppliers advocating for use of local foods to child care centers, after school programs as well as summer meal sites and sponsors
- Work in partnership with Nutrition Services' Marketing and Outreach Manager on dissemination of resources and information highlighting benefits of purchasing locally sourced products in early care and education settings.
Purchasing/Contracts Administrator
KACO Supply Company
2009.01 - 2017.08
- Manage government purchasing schedule by ensuring timely completion of new product implementation and pricing analysis
- Evaluate contracts to ensure compliance with specifications and state/federal purchasing regulations
- Provide technical assistance to internal and external stakeholders in order to resolve
- Develop partnerships with key stakeholders across various industries
- Monitor category and product spend to ensure alignment with budget and purchasing targets
- Review and approve procurement documentation include Invitation for Bids and Requests for Proposals
- Attend and participate in key client meetings such as pre-bid conferences and bid openings
- Build fundamental relationships with strategic sourcing partners able to support wide product base
- Identify and establish sourcing partners able to provide competitive pricing aligned with quarterly budget goals and needs
- Negotiate monthly vendor pricing in order to create a tailored pricing strategy for growing customer base
- Conduct monthly account reconciliation evaluating savings versus spend
Lead Program Development Officer/Curriculum Advisor
Passion For Life Inc
2009.01 - 2015.05
- Design and implement curriculum tailored for student comprehension, retention and academic success
- Network with community partners and educational leaders to increase program participation and influence
- Advise and prepare students for higher education/postsecondary career while adhering to strict confidentiality and ethical standards
- Assess program effectiveness and efficiency utilizing data driven outcome analysis
- Collaborate with community stakeholders to garner financial and programmatic sponsorship
- Execute strategic student programming including registration, course scheduling and degree audits
- Administer and evaluate new program initiatives including student volunteer recruitment process
- Evaluate and improve student achievement through data utilization program
Education
Certification, Georgia Certified Purchasing Associate (GCPA -
Georgia Dept. of Administrative Services
Atlanta, GA09.2018
Master of Education - Urban Teacher Leadership
Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA05.2013
Post Bachelor's - Paralegal Studies
Oakland Community College
Farmington Hills, MI08.2006
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science, Communication
Oakland University
Rochester, MI05.2005
Skills
- Microsoft Office
- Adobe
- QuickBooks
- Strategic Planning
- Staff Development
- Operations Management
- Contract and Vendor Management
- Google G Suite
- Public Speaking
- Policy Implementation and Evaluation
- Research and Data Analysis
- Budget Management
Accomplishments
- Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (REDI) Co-Chair committed to creating an inclusive and diverse work environment for staff as well as internal and external partners
- Fair Budget Coalition Food Access Issue Group Co-Chair actively engaged in connecting with District of Columbia residents elevating policy and budget concerns around food justice, equitable food access and food/nutrition security
- ELAN Distinguished Fellow engaged in collaborative work to reduce race and health inequities in early childhood systems
- Trusted food system advocate conversant with providing understanding of beneficial child nutrition food access strategies to community partners and stakeholders.
- Project manager for USDA DoD Fresh Food Program in Georgia
- Farm to Early Care and Education Coalition Steering Committee leader focused on anti-hunger strategies with a strong network of providers, vendors and community stakeholders
- Systems and community builder able to marry and align child nutrition program goals and needs
- Successful implementation leader of project strategies with exceptional written and verbal communication.
Affiliations
- Co-Chair, Fair Budget Coalition Food Access Issue Group
- Regional Lead, Mid-Atlantic Anti-Hunger Coalition (MAAHC)
- Executive Committee Member, DC Chapter - Good Food Purchasing Program
- Co-Chair, FRAC Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (REDI) Committee
- Co-Chair, Advisory Board, National Farm to School Network
Timeline
Director
Maryland Hunger Solutions
2024.04 - Current
Director
D.C. Hunger Solutions
2022.11 - Current
Child Nutrition Anti-Hunger Program Analyst
D.C. Hunger Solutions
2021.09 - 2022.10
Procurement and Purchasing Compliance Officer
Georgia Dept. Of Early Care And Learning
2017.09 - 2021.09
Purchasing/Contracts Administrator
KACO Supply Company
2009.01 - 2017.08
Lead Program Development Officer/Curriculum Advisor
Passion For Life Inc
2009.01 - 2015.05
Certification, Georgia Certified Purchasing Associate (GCPA -
Georgia Dept. of Administrative Services
Master of Education - Urban Teacher Leadership
Georgia State University
Post Bachelor's - Paralegal Studies
Oakland Community College
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science, Communication
Oakland University
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