Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

LISA FRANCESE

Astoria,NY

Summary

Dedicated, dynamic, and savvy Program Director with 16+ years of experience leading innovative, multi-generational community programs. Focused on consulting and volunteering since October 2023 and now seeking a full-time role as a non-profit programs leader.

Overview

17
17
years of professional experience

Work History

Consultant

Consultant
03.2008 - Current
  • Communications projects focusing on creating presentations, website and social media content, and marketing materials
  • Development projects focusing on providing grant writing, fundraising, and donor research expertise
  • Strategy projects focusing on program expansion, community outreach, and program recruitment
  • Clients include InnovateEDU, Brooklyn LAB Charter School, Eton Institute, Sports and Arts in Schools Foundation, Wonder-Space Computer and Technology Camp, Olympus Math, Knowledge Delivery Systems, Academic Advantage, Hezel Associates, Jelena Accessories, Plantaliers, The New Norm in Fashion, and Morse Code PR

Program Director and Interim Executive Director

The Books for Kids Foundation
08.2015 - 10.2023
  • Analyzed and managed FY2023 operating budget, financials, forecasts, and optimized fundraising via AI and CRMs
  • Applied crisis management and trauma-informed care expertise for 6 months during unexpected closure by Board
  • Safeguarded $250K of reserves, ensuring dissolution spend down was community-centered and mission-driven
  • Built and led team of two Program Officers, 20 Literacy Specialists, and 80+ volunteers in 24 cities in 15 states
  • Handled complex program budgets, logistics, operations, and ethically reduced costs by 44% in 2020
  • Created and headed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Board committee
  • Directed hybrid, intergenerational in-and-after-school literacy programs accessed annually by 21,000+ children
  • Grew programming 1,960% by expanding from 5 to 103 sites and integrated instructional technology at 58 libraries
  • Enhanced programs by incorporating art, movement, numeracy, and SEL, increasing Kindergarten readiness by 92%
  • Developed dialogic reading curriculum, teaching, and PD models, improving children's literacy skills by 98%
  • Curated 103 diverse, multi-language library collections, led 100+ Story Times, and distributed 400,000+ books
  • Produced 175 YouTube videos and won Successful Practices Honors from The Library of Congress in 2021
  • Built and renovated 82 libraries, 43 in NYC, in community hubs, family justice centers, Pre-Ks, schools, and shelters
  • Created outreach plans, family events, and caregiver workshops, boosting at-home reading rates by 68%
  • Calculated and released metrics data for 33 quarters using assessments, DUAs, feedback, observations, and surveys
  • Wrote Board and donor materials, grants, RFP responses, impact reports, and secured $1.5M in In-Kind donations
  • Helped generate $7.5M+ by contributing fundraising, relationship building, and research skills to development team
  • Crafted mission statement, website and social media content, speeches, contracts, and 16 visionary strategic plans
  • Established relationships with 200+ advocates, corporations, LEAs, publishers, and DHS to revitalize partnerships

Program Manager

ExpandED Schools
08.2013 - 10.2014
  • Led three 6th and 7th grade after-school reading programs in collaboration with Harvard EdLabs and NYCDOE
  • Ensured fidelity of research model by collecting and evaluating data for 296 students in 46 cohorts at three schools
  • Hired, observed, and observed 60 tutors and designed and delivered PDs to large groups of 250+ tutors
  • Served as trusted advisor to four Principals, grants/financial liaison to 20 schools, and tutor to 6th and 7th graders
  • Hosted monthly meetings and tours with foundations and media outlets, increasing funding and press coverage

Development & School Director

Edison Learning
08.2009 - 12.2012
  • Secured 28 school partnerships for ELA, math, and SEL after-school and weekend tutoring programs
  • Created 38 detailed neighborhood outreach plans and decks, presenting to top leaders in 19 NYC school districts
  • Led five K to 5th grade programs, enrolled 5,500+ students, mentored 15 fellow school directors, and taught ELA
  • Implemented caregiver events, incentives, and progress reports, bolstering student retention rates by 28%
  • Recruited and trained 150+ certified teachers, strengthening buy-in from families, school leaders, and students

Education

Continuing Professional Studies - Teaching & Leadership Programs

Bank Street College of Education
New York, NY

Bachelor of Arts - Political Science, concentration in International Studies

Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Skills

  • Advocacy
  • Board & Donor Relations
  • Budgeting & Forecasting
  • Communications
  • Community Outreach
  • Corporate Partnerships
  • Creative Problem Solving
  • Crisis Management
  • Cross-Cultural Intelligence
  • Data Analysis & Impact Reporting
  • Ethical & Transformational Leadership
  • Fundraising & Grant Writing
  • Program Growth & Expansion
  • Team Building
  • Research, Strategic Planning & Vision
  • Youth Development Programs

Timeline

Program Director and Interim Executive Director

The Books for Kids Foundation
08.2015 - 10.2023

Program Manager

ExpandED Schools
08.2013 - 10.2014

Development & School Director

Edison Learning
08.2009 - 12.2012

Consultant

Consultant
03.2008 - Current

Continuing Professional Studies - Teaching & Leadership Programs

Bank Street College of Education

Bachelor of Arts - Political Science, concentration in International Studies

Rowan University

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
LISA FRANCESE