Lorrie Williams Conway
Camas,Washington
Summary
Mission-driven administrator and lay leader with 25+ years of experience in nonprofit finance, pastoral care, and organizational development. Known for building systems, mentoring others, and guiding mission-aligned strategy across diverse environments—including parish leadership, conservation, and small business. Grounded in faith-based values, a commitment to servant leadership, and an inclusive, equity-centered approach to building sustainable communities.
Overview
38
38
years of professional experience
Work History
Finance & Operations Manager
West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District
Portland, OR
01.2023 - Current
- Directed financial operations emphasizing diversity, equity, and inclusion while managing resources responsibly to serve all community members and promote long-term sustainability.
- Drive process improvements that enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and minimize environmental impact, integrating sustainable practices into financial and operational systems for future generations.
- Provide strategic financial oversight, balancing fiscal responsibility with a focus on inclusivity, ensuring that funds are allocated equitably to support both operational needs and community well-being.
- Create and deliver annual budget, guaranteeing fair allocation of resources in accordance with district’s mission to foster equity, environmental stewardship, and meet diverse community needs.
- Create innovative funding opportunities that eliminate financial barriers for underrepresented groups and communities, fostering inclusivity
- Guarantee financial integrity by supervising audits and ensuring compliance with industry standards, promoting transparency and cultivating trust within community.
- Formulate fiscal policies prioritizing equitable access to resources while supporting environmental sustainability, directing staff in executing practices that foster fairness and responsible resource management.
- Collaborate on long-term planning, using financial data to inform decisions that address both social and environmental goals, ensuring the district’s growth is inclusive and sustainable.
- Serve as a fiscal advisor to the Board of Directors, providing clear insights on financial matters that align with both equity-driven priorities and the district’s environmental impact.
- Negotiate contracts that reflect the district’s commitment to equitable terms and sustainable practices, ensuring that agreements support both financial stability and social responsibility.
- Direct and oversee management of Administrative Contractors
- Grants - both incoming and outgoing funding and all federal and state compliance requirements.
- Contract negotiation facilitation
Owner & Operations Manager
Conway Family Farms
Camas, WA
01.1996 - Current
- Manage operations for a 5-acre farm, overseeing facilities, client relationships, and both short- and long-term planning.
- Serve as a trusted liaison, facilitating partnerships and community engagement, including coordinating grant writing, marketing efforts, and product development.
- Mentor small business owners, leveraging industry expertise to unite people and build a strong network, while speaking at regional and statewide events to strengthen connections within the agricultural community.
- Coach and assist fellow small business owners in achieving success as a reliable liaison and subject matter authority
- Built a small, sustainable farm from the ground up, establishing facilities, licenses, vendor relationships, and operational systems to support long-term growth.
- Led efforts to expand market access and improve equity in the small dairy sector, contributing to a more inclusive and diverse agricultural community.
- Directed profitable portfolio of farm-based products for over 20 years, overseeing branding, marketing, events, and sales with strong customer-centered focus.
- Selected as keynote speaker for 100+ regional and statewide conferences, sharing insights, expanding networks, and promoting collaboration across agricultural sector.
- Launched a successful regional farm tour in partnership with six women-owned farms, creating a platform for local visibility and community engagement that welcomed over 1,500 attendees in its inaugural weekend.
- Among the first six micro-dairies licensed in Washington State following major policy changes—demonstrating leadership, advocacy, and persistence through regulatory challenges.
- Recognized as a 'Model Property' for small acreage conservation and sustainability; featured in a national publication for excellence in land stewardship and environmental design.
- Serve as Volunteer Superintendent for a large-scale county fair, coordinating event logistics, participant engagement, and educational outreach.
- Contribute to industry leadership as a Board Member for the Washington State Cheese Makers Association.
- Supported farmland protection efforts through service on the Clark County Agricultural Preservation Committee.
- Advocate for equity in agriculture as a member of the Washington State Barriers to Entry for Small Dairy Farmers Committee.
Director of Clergy Formation
Archdiocese of Seattle
Seattle, WA
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Act as informed opinion leader for evaluation and re-envisioning of current formation program.
- Establish strategic partnerships with collaborators to partner in providing innovative solutions to identified areas of deficiencies.
- Champion departmental efficiency initiatives through electronic file sharing
- Anticipate and formulate program offerings through 2024 alongside corresponding budgets.
- Launched permanent diaconate program including organizing and executing 12 informational sessions throughout western Washington.
- Organized and executed 5 major leaning events for clergy.
- Established 5 innovative education programs tailored for targeted groups.
Pastoral Coordinator
Archdiocese of Seattle
Seattle, WA
01.2020 - 01.2022
- Provide thought leadership, direct operational management, and support people leadership in high-pressure environments, promoting effective operations and timely decision-making amid crises.
- Led the strategic response to the COVID-19 pandemic as the appointed Pastoral Leader for two parishes, guiding both staff and leadership teams through the complexities of remote transitions, maintaining congregational engagement, and ensuring compliance with health regulations.
- Orchestrated closure and successful re-opening of operations, steering through uncertainty with focused leadership and upholding integrity of church services and community support.
- Worked collaboratively with staff, volunteers, and parishioners to foster a sense of connection and mission, even during physical distancing, ensuring ongoing engagement, morale, and spiritual care.
- Led the successful implementation of technology solutions, including CRM system transitions, to enhance operational efficiency and communication.
- Maintained full accountability for financial oversight of facilities and operations, balancing the need for fiscal responsibility with the mission of the Church.
- Collaborated with Pastoral and Finance Councils to facilitate problem-solving addressing successes, challenges, and opportunities
- Introduced transformative leadership model prioritizing Lay Ministry, leading two communities in effective temporary transition to lay leadership
- Secured $500K+ in funding via grants and private donors.
Pastoral Asst. Parish Admin
Archdiocese of Seattle
Seattle, WA
01.2014 - 01.2020
- Administered, led, and monitored all functions associated with finance, facilities, and human resources.
- Compiled financial statements from bookkeeping through month-end close encompassing accounts payable, receivables, payroll, and reconciliations for benefits, investments, assets, grants, and journal entries.
- Analyzed and summarized financial statements, providing insights to Finance Council monthly.
- Directed preparation and management of audit process
- Developed and tracked forecasting and budgets in collaboration with program directors while delivering continuous support and guidance.
- Guided management of $17M facilities via thorough needs evaluation and creation of comprehensive capital planning
- Executed contracts for capital improvements and directed work management processes.
Cultivated strong relationships with contractors to facilitate project success.
Streamlined contract review process to enhance efficiency in capital improvement projects. - Led and directed all recruitment and retention processes for the organization.
- Managed $6.4M in capital improvements while enhancing financial solvency by $7.4M
- Established and executed efficiency procedures, including codifying financial operational controls and creating paperless office protocols.
- Minimized carbon footprint by launching congregational composting program and implementing carpooling and hybrid incentives
Owner & Operations Manager
Northwest Accounting Service
Camas, WA
01.1987 - 01.2020
- Managed a portfolio of 85+ clients, delivering full-charge accounting services, developing budgets, and driving ROI for both individuals and businesses, ranging from home budgets to large-scale operations up to $5M.
- Optimized business operations through the implementation of internal controls, business plans, and management tools, resulting in streamlined processes and enhanced client relationships.
- Grew a small business from $1.5K investment to a $97K operation, fostering long-term relationships by continuously introducing innovative systems and policies to improve efficiency and customer experience.
Education
Nonprofit Executive Leadership Certification - Mendoza College of Business
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame07-2015
BS - Business & Management
Marylhurst University
Marylhurst, ORSkills
- Team leadership & empowerment
- Entrepreneurial leadership
- Delegation & prioritization
- Resource management
- Emotional intelligence
- Negotiation strategies
- Strategic development & roadmapping
- Execution & implementation
- Process optimization
- Problem-solving focus
- Organizational skills
- Adaptive thinking
- Resourceful solution architecture
- Effective communication
- Content creation
- Presentation & reporting
- Stakeholder engagement
- Budgeting
- Fiscal strategy development
- Financial authority
- Grant & funding management
- Program & project management
- Risk management
- Compliance & regulatory knowledge
- Event management
- Facilities management
- Construction management
- Marketing strategy
- Sales enablement
- DEI initiatives (diversity, equity, inclusion)
- Inuit QuickBooks
- MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, Publisher, PowerPoint, Forms, SharePoint, Outlook, Power BI)
- Google Suite
- Sage (Accpac, Peachtree)
- Lacerte
- Paycom
- UltiPro
Locations
- 360.834.0315, Portland, OR
- 360.903.1681, Seattle, WA
- Camas, Camas, WA
Affiliations
Board Member, Washington State Cheesemakers Association
Member, WA Barriers to Entry for Small Dairy Farmers Committee
Member, Clark County Agricultural Preservation Committee
Volunteer Superintendent, County Fair
Keynote Speaker, 100+ conferences (500+ attendees)
Accomplishments
- Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Award
- Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) - Pattrick Madden Award
Timeline
Finance & Operations Manager
West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District
01.2023 - Current
Director of Clergy Formation
Archdiocese of Seattle
01.2022 - 01.2023
Pastoral Coordinator
Archdiocese of Seattle
01.2020 - 01.2022
Pastoral Asst. Parish Admin
Archdiocese of Seattle
01.2014 - 01.2020
Owner & Operations Manager
Conway Family Farms
01.1996 - Current
Owner & Operations Manager
Northwest Accounting Service
01.1987 - 01.2020
Nonprofit Executive Leadership Certification - Mendoza College of Business
University of Notre Dame
BS - Business & Management
Marylhurst University
Similar Profiles
Sheila JaruseskiSheila Jaruseski
Office Coordinator at Colonial Soil and Water Conservation DistrictOffice Coordinator at Colonial Soil and Water Conservation District
Erin ShoupErin Shoup
Administrative Assistant at Vanderburgh County Soil & Water Conservation DistrictAdministrative Assistant at Vanderburgh County Soil & Water Conservation District
Andrew WalkerAndrew Walker
Resource Conservationist at Shelby County Soil and Water Conservation DistrictResource Conservationist at Shelby County Soil and Water Conservation District