Laurie Leverette
Medina,OH
Summary
A dedicated non-profit professional with a keen eye for detail. A change agent, excelling in capacity building, process development and improvement, building and overseeing large teams, grants management, compliance, and quality control.
Professional Bio
Laurie is a nonprofit professional and is a Certified State of Ohio, Mobile Notary and Signing Agent.
In her most recent position as Director of Utilities & Emergency Services for CHN Housing Partners in Cleveland, OH, she provided strategic direction and oversight for emergency and safety net programs. In that role, she was responsible for several multi-million dollar grants, a staff of over 100, and service delivery to over 40,000 low-income families each year.
Laurie has over 20 years of experience working with low-income and other high-risk populations in housing, early childhood education, prison ministry, youth outreach, and food insecurity.
Work History
Director, Utilities & Emergency Services
CHN Housing Partners
Cleveland, OH
10.2021 - 01.2024
- Oversaw the CARES Act, Emergency Rental Assistance program deploying just under $100mm, serving over 23k households. ERA department staff of 50, direct reports, 6.
- Oversaw the State, City and County funded utility programs: HEAP, PIPP, LIHWAP, PRC, First Energy Fuel Fund, Water Affordability, Sewer Affordability, and Sewer Crisis. Budgets totaling $7mm. Utility department staff of 60, Direct reports, 4.
- Developed and implemented comprehensive strategies to improve operational processes and organizational efficiency.
- Collaborated with senior leadership to set long-term objectives for the company.
- Managed budgeting and financial planning processes for utility and safety net programs.
- Identified opportunities for improvement in operational performance metrics.
- Conducted regular meetings with department heads to review progress on strategic initiatives.
- Developed policies and procedures to ensure quality and compliance.
- Coordinated resources across departments to maximize productivity levels.
- Created detailed plans outlining timelines, goals, budgets, staffing needs and other requirements for projects.
- Implemented systems for tracking progress on key initiatives or projects.
- Developed and presented new ideas and conceptualized new approaches and solutions.
- Coordinated activities with other departments to expedite work and improve interdepartmental performance.
- Organized and led meetings with stakeholders to discuss progress and strategy implementation.
- Developed annual budgets and collaborated with finance team to monitor expenditures against approved budgets and to ensure accurate tracking and reporting of grant expenditures.
- Participated in the grant writing process. Pre and post - research, budget and scope of work.
- Delegated work to staff, setting priorities and goals.
- Produced thorough, accurate and timely reports of project activities.
- Resolved customer inquiries and complaints requiring senior-level escalation.
- Held regular one-on-one meetings with employees to review performance and priorities and provide feedback.
- Planned and led team meetings to review business results and communicate new and ongoing priorities.
Sr. Operations Manager, Utilities & ERA
CHN Housing Partners
Cleveland, OH
09.2018 - 10.2021
- Oversaw State and County funded utility programs: HEAP, PIPP, PRC, LIHWAP, and First Energy Fuel Fund programs, ensuring compliance with State, County, and utility company guidelines. Combined annual utility budgets of over $6m.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors for materials or services
- Drafted budgets, kept financial reports and presented results to supervisors.
- Significant experience supervising a large department of 44 staff. Direct supervision of 4 program managers. Oversaw recruitment, training, scheduling, performance reviews, and disciplinary actions.
- Oversaw all aspects of reporting, audit, compliance, and quality assurance. Maintained a thorough understanding of all contract requirements related to internal and external sites.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop process improvements that increased productivity.
- Organized regular meetings with department heads to review ongoing projects and discuss new initiatives.
- Advised senior leadership on potential changes or modifications needed for current processes and procedures.
- Developed comprehensive plans for emergency situations such as natural disasters or power outages
- Represented organization to governmental agencies, funding agencies and general public.
Project Manager
GREATER CLEVELAND FOOD BANK
CLEVELAND, OHIO
04.2016 - 09.2018
- Managed the School Market Program – planning and implementation for 44 partner locations to include, MOU’s, annual partnership agreements, program forecast, budget, variance reports, distribution schedule, stats collection, training, compliance, communication, program evaluation and site support
- Coordinated the SFSP and CACFP Programs – 6 county footprint, 100- 105 partner locations, Train the Trainer - adult learning (attendance 100+), planning, document review, reporting procedures, compliance, site visits and site support
- Application and document entry into the Ohio Department of Education's CRRS system for SFSP and CACFP
- Prepared written reports for submission to Director of Programs and VP of Agency Services and Programs
- Promoted Food Bank products and services at events and collaborative meetings
- Organized files for audits and internal documentation
- Attended and participate in required, ongoing educational programs and training
- Maintained GCFB Web Portal (Wordpress), Database and Smartsheets
- Interviewed, hired, trained and supervised Americorps Vistas
- Managed team of Nutrition Educators to include Budget and Scheduling
- Trained and oversaw department volunteers
Outreach Program Assistant/Client Help Services
GREATER CLEVELAND FOOD BANK
CLEVELAND, OHIO
07.2015 - 04.2016
- Database Management
- Engaged in Community Events and attend community collaborative meetings to promote Food Bank products and services
- Assisted income eligible clients in applying for SNAP and other community benefits via The Ohio Benefits Bank
- Provided re-entry support and assistance
- Sourced and shared community resources and programs to holistically support clients
- Cultivated and maintained relationships with community partners
- Made direct referrals for service
- Assisted clients in articulating and accessing need-specific services • Support Help Center and Outreach Teams
- Trained and oversaw Help Center interns and volunteers
Education
Bachelor of Arts - CHILD AND FAMILY PSYCHOLOGY
- Graduated cum laude
Associate of Applied Science - EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
- Graduated magna cum laude
Associate of Arts - ARTS AND HUMANITIES
- Graduated magna cum laude
Timeline
Director, Utilities & Emergency Services - CHN Housing Partners
10.2021 - 01.2024
Sr. Operations Manager, Utilities & ERA - CHN Housing Partners
09.2018 - 10.2021
Project Manager - GREATER CLEVELAND FOOD BANK
04.2016 - 09.2018
Outreach Program Assistant/Client Help Services - GREATER CLEVELAND FOOD BANK
07.2015 - 04.2016
Cleveland State University - Bachelor of Arts, CHILD AND FAMILY PSYCHOLOGY
Cuyahoga Community College - Associate of Applied Science, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Cuyahoga Community College - Associate of Arts, ARTS AND HUMANITIES
Accomplishments
CHN Housing Partners
- CARES ACT, Emergency Rental Assistance - involved in the stand up and implementation of the CARES Act, Emergency Rental Assistance Program to include all aspects of staffing and operations, contracts, budget, compliance, and reporting. Over 23k households were served, and $99m was expended from program inception in July 2020 through final closeout in March 2023.
- Social Determinants of Health - Developed partnerships with MetroHealth and Cleveland Clinic Hospitals to provide direct, on site service of CHN programs/services.
- Developed partnerships with 3 Cuyahoga County Public Library Systems: South Euclid,Garfield and Brooklyn.
- Utilities 2.0 - Utilizing three years of actual data, established a realistic staff to client ratio to improve client experience and overall service delivery. Presented to and approved by the Ohio Department of Development, who funds the HEAP programming.
- Partnered with Step Forward and United Way of Greater Cleveland, to plan, develop and implement a Cuyahoga County, utility specific call center purposed to increase the rate of live answer for utility assistance calls made to CHN and Step Forward.
Greater Cleveland Food Bank
- Made several major improvements to an application system that was time consuming and disorganized; greatly reducing the time and energy needed to complete the application process for CACFP/SFSP by updating the application itself, the related training and records keeping systems
- 84% Program Growth for School Markets from pilot position
- 2015 Holiday Ad Campaign Model
- 2018 Voice Over work for Kids Cafe and SFSP training videos
- Author - Spotlight on Service - https://clefoodbank.wordpress.com/category/help-center/
Certification
- Certified, State of Ohio Mobile Notary and Signing Agent
- Serv Safe
- Ohio Administrator's Concentration Award, Early Childhood Education
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