ELIZABETH "Liz" GARRISON
Glen Allen,Virginia
Summary
Results-driven, detail oriented professional with extensive experience in program administration. Adept at managing multiple projects simultaneously and known for improving operational workflows. Strong focus on team collaboration and achieving results, with excellent problem-solving skills and adaptability.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Program Administrator
The Virginia Department of Health
02.2022 - 05.2024
- Developed and maintained a comprehensive database of grant deadlines, helping to track progress and ensure appropriate follow-up actions were taken as needed.
- Assisted in grant application writing process to secure funding necessary for program operations and enhancements.
- Collaborated with external partners such as vendors or consultants as needed to execute projects efficiently within specified timelines successfully.
- Facilitated smooth communication between stakeholders by serving as a liaison between departments, promoting collaboration and information sharing.
- Provided exceptional customer service by addressing inquiries from stakeholders promptly and professionally.
Grants Manager
The Virginia Office of The Attorney General
02.2020 - 01.2021
- Managed grants efficiently, ensuring timely disbursement of funds and proper allocation to different departments.
- Coordinated with program managers to ensure grant-funded projects aligned with organizational goals and funder expectations.
- Monitored project timelines closely, ensuring timely completion of tasks to meet federal deadlines.
- Monitored grant expenditures against budgets, ensuring funds were utilized appropriately and within scope of funded projects.
Grants Administrator
The Virginia Department of Health
03.2017 - 02.2020
- Served as the Authorized Organizational Representative for submission of federal grant applications through Grants.gov for over 50 grants for the Office of Family Health Services and the Office of Health Equity
- Provided guidance on regulatory compliance issues, ensuring that funded programs adhered to applicable laws and regulations.
- Established strong relationships with funders through timely communication, progress updates, and acknowledgment of support.
- Increased accuracy in financial reporting by monitoring grant expenditures and ensuring compliance with funder guidelines.
- Improved organizational success rate with securing grants through comprehensive proposal writing and editing.
- Coordinated proposal submissions by meeting with team to discuss proposed resources, draft administrative components, review budget, and drive deadline achievement.
- Managed multiple concurrent deadlines while remaining detail-oriented when submitting progress and financial reports to funders.
- Collaborated with finance department staff to reconcile monthly expenses against approved budgets regularly.
- Supervised two contract employees by offering accurate and timely information to make decisions.
Grants Specialist
The Virginia Department of Health
04.2014 - 03.2017
- Spearheaded continuous improvement efforts within the Office of Health Equity by implementing updated policies and procedures for increased efficiency.
- Developed successful grant proposals by collaborating with team members to gather necessary information and data.
- Ensured compliance with grant requirements through diligent monitoring of program activities and timely submission of reports.
- Managed a diverse portfolio of grants, ensuring timely submission of applications and meeting all reporting deadlines.
- Managed complete grant lifecycle from preparation through final close-out.
- Improved financial management of grants through meticulous tracking and reporting systems.
- Provided technical assistance to colleagues in preparing grant applications, enhancing overall success rate.
- Managed post-award services and oversaw state and federal grant awards for compliance with uniform guidance and grant-specific requirements.
Grants Administrator
The Virginia Department of Health
06.2012 - 03.2014
- Provided guidance on regulatory compliance issues, ensuring that funded programs adhered to applicable laws and regulations for five federally funded grants/cooperative agreements.
- Duties included project and contract management for state contracts under federal grants, tracked invoices and verified supporting documentation, assured invoices and deliverables complied with contract terms and conditions before invoices were approved for payment
- Provided technical assistance, coordination of resources, research and program evaluation, policy development and analysis, and monitored contractor invoices for compliance with federal and state procurement
- Increased accuracy in financial reporting by monitoring grant expenditures and ensuring compliance with funder guidelines.
- Supported professional development within the organization by sharing best practices in grants management with colleagues.
- Improved organizational success rate with securing grants through comprehensive proposal writing and editing.
- Managed multiple concurrent deadlines while remaining detail-oriented when submitting progress and financial reports to funders.
- Optimized data collection processes for better evaluation of program outcomes and reporting to funders.
- Proactively identified potential problems or areas of concern within grant projects, working with program staff to develop appropriate solutions and mitigate risks.
Senior Contract and Grant Administrator
Virginia Commonwealth University
09.2007 - 04.2008
- Handled sensitive information discreetly, maintaining strict confidentiality at all times as required by company policy or legal regulations.
- Organized workflow and delegated tasks effectively to ensure timely project completion without compromising quality.
- Provided exceptional customer service to both internal and external stakeholders through prompt response times and thorough issue resolution efforts.
- Enhanced internal communication by creating a centralized information hub accessible to all staff members.
- Supervised three administrative staff members, offering guidance, feedback, and mentorship that contributed to their professional growth and program development.
Grants Management Specialist
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health
04.2000 - 08.2007
- Independently managed day-to-day grant requests for over 250 biomedical research grants and appropriated funds with a program budget of over $250M
- Interpreted complex award documents to provide guidance on allowable costs and spending restrictions.
- Distributed post-award grant requests for proposals, reviewed responses and recommended acceptance.
- Negotiated favorable terms for awarded grants, maximizing the impact of funds received.
- Managed budgets for internal events and campaigns, keeping financial goals on track.
Education
B.S. - Child Development and Family Relations
East Carolina University
Greenville, NCM.S.W. - Master of Social Work
University of Maryland
Baltimore, MDSkills
- Administration
- Grant writing
- Attention to detail
- Microsoft office
- Time management
- Contract administration
Committeesorganizations
- Grants Management Advisory Committee (GMAC), Business Practices Improvement Subcommittee, 2006-2007
- GMAC, Grants Guidance Subcommittee, 2004-2005
- GMAC, 2005 Grants Management Retreat Committee, 2004-2005
- GMAC, Electronic Consultants Subcommittee, 2003
- National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA), member, 2003
Workshopspresentations
- What is the Commons?, NIGMS Grants Guidance Meeting, Bethesda, Maryland, 2004
- Centralized Progress Report, DEAS NIGMS Orientation, Bethesda, Maryland, 2004
- NIH eRA Commons Update, Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students, Dallas, Texas, 2004
- Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students, San Diego, California, 2003
- Introduction to Grants Management, Bridges Program Directors’ Meeting, 2003
- NIH Update, NIGMS MARC/MBRS Program Directors’ Meeting, Tahoe City, California, 2003
- Advanced Grants Management, Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students, New Orleans, Louisiana, 2002
- NIGMS Bridges Program Directors’ Meeting, Columbia, Maryland, 2002
- Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students, Orlando, Florida, 2001
- NIGMS Bridges Program Directors’ Meeting, Elliott City, Maryland, 2001
Timeline
Program Administrator
The Virginia Department of Health
02.2022 - 05.2024
Grants Manager
The Virginia Office of The Attorney General
02.2020 - 01.2021
Grants Administrator
The Virginia Department of Health
03.2017 - 02.2020
Grants Specialist
The Virginia Department of Health
04.2014 - 03.2017
Grants Administrator
The Virginia Department of Health
06.2012 - 03.2014
Senior Contract and Grant Administrator
Virginia Commonwealth University
09.2007 - 04.2008
Grants Management Specialist
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health
04.2000 - 08.2007
M.S.W. - Master of Social Work
University of Maryland
B.S. - Child Development and Family Relations
East Carolina University
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