Maria Morales
Holland,MI
Summary
Dynamic, results-driven leader with extensive experience in operations management, workforce development, and partnership building. Renowned for implementing systemic solutions that enhance efficiency, drive organizational growth, and champion equity, diversity, and inclusion. Skilled in strategic leadership, financial oversight, and process optimization, consistently fostering collaborative, high-performing environments.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Sr. Director of Workforce & Strategic Impact
Latin Americans United For Progress
01.2023 - Current
- Operational Leadership: Provided high-level oversight, tripling team size from three to twelve by leveraging KPI-driven insights, data-driven processes, and robust policies—maximizing daily efficiency and delivering high-impact results.
- Workforce Development: Developed and led the Educate, Elevate! program, surpassing enrollment targets, generating $1.42M+ in participant wages, and attaining 100% employer retention.
- Strategic Funding & Partnerships: Secured $550K+ in grants and negotiated $150K+ in strategic collaborations to launch the Community Health Worker Program and Healthcare Collaborative, significantly expanding LAUP’s reach and influence.
- Grant Management: Oversaw a $700K grant portfolio with responsibility for fiscal integrity, compliance, and strategic budget alignment, ensuring sustainable organizational growth.
- Facility Expansion: Acquired a new facility to broaden LAUP’s community impact, operations and equity-focused vision to better serve BIPOC populations.
- Cross-Sector Collaborations: Forged partnerships with educational institutions, employers, and community agencies at national and state levels, leveraging $35K+ in in-kind language access services to boost participant outcomes and amplify language access.
- Leadership and Execution: Guided program directors in setting strategic goals, aligning resources, and managing initiatives for measurable organizational impact.
BIPOC Affinity Group Lead
Lakeshore Nonprofit Alliance
10.2022 - 12.2022
- Program Development & Inclusivity: Conceptualized, developed, and launched the BIPOC Annual Friendsgiving & Nonprofit “Highs and Lows” event, creating a dynamic, empowering space for BIPOC communities to connect, share diverse experiences, and foster meaningful engagement.
- Community Engagement & Outreach: Led events aimed at strengthening connections, encouraging active participation, and addressing the needs of underrepresented groups in the nonprofit sector.
- Data-Driven Strategies & Impact: Leveraged data analysis to identify service gaps and refine initiatives for sustained impact in alignment with organizational goals.
- Inclusive Workshop & Trainings: Developed and facilitated data-informed workshops embedding equity and inclusion best practices across operations, cultivating a culture of belonging and forging strong community relationships, which significantly increased engagement among underrepresented populations.
Chair of Vaccine Equity Advisory Council
Ottawa County Department of Public Health
03.2022 - 09.2022
- Culturally Relevant Program Design: Led the development and implementation of culturally and linguistically tailored COVID vaccine access programs, significantly increasing vaccination rates within the Hispanic community.
- Community Education Initiatives: Spearheaded educational campaigns that addressed vaccine hesitancy through culturally relevant messaging, effectively enhancing community understanding and trust.
- Stakeholder Collaboration: Fostered strategic partnerships with community leaders and organizations to amplify outreach efforts, ensuring alignment with cultural values and community needs.
- Bilingual Engagement: Developed and executed a strategic, bilingual marketing campaign resulting in the creation and distribution of over 1,000 Spanish/English informational packets in collaboration with local community centers, ensuring accessible and culturally relevant content for diverse audiences.
- Community Outreach Leadership: Led a 10-member community outreach team by casting a clear vision, delegating tasks based on individual strengths, and implementing a strategic marketing plan—resulting in a significant increase in vaccine education engagement and outreach effectiveness.
Manager of Family Advocacy
Ed & Nancy Hanenburg Children’s Advocacy Center
03.2021 - 09.2022
- Team Management & Advocacy: Supervised a two-person advocacy team and handled a 25–30 family caseload monthly, providing bilingual, trauma-informed support.
- Equity & Inclusion Leadership: Chaired the JEDI Committee, advancing organizational equity, diversity, and inclusion through culturally responsive outreach initiatives.
- Community Engagement & Partnership: Built stronger connections between Spanish-speaking communities and law enforcement via bilingual communication channels, facilitating trust and collaborative problem-solving.
- Staff Development & Process Improvement: Streamlined referral workflows and introduced cross-functional training, boosting monthly family outreach by 30% and shortening case closure times, resulting in faster access to critical services.
Business Manager
Ready For School
01.2017 - 03.2021
- Cost Reduction & Procurement Strategies: Reduced overhead by 15% through contract renegotiations, consolidated supply purchases, and strategic vendor partnerships, bolstered by systematic annual service audits.
- Operational Excellence With EOS: Implemented Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) processes to streamline workflows : by 25% and boost scholarship determination rates by 30%, enhancing turnaround times and client satisfaction.
- Enhanced Collaborations & Resource Expansion: Increased in-kind contributions via targeted outreach and updated partnership agreements, minimizing reliance on budgeted funds while expanding resource availability.
- Financial Oversight & Compliance: Supported the creation of the annual operating budget and oversaw audits, Form 990 filings, and LARA certification, ensuring strong governance, transparency, and regulatory adherence.
Dietary & Transitional Aide
Resthaven
10.2007 - 11.2016
- Resident Care & Customer Service: Provided personalized assistance that prioritized comfort, dignity, and resident satisfaction, ensuring a high standard of care and a positive living experience.
- Process Improvement & Efficiency: Streamlined workflows through close collaboration with healthcare and dietary teams, optimizing meal service procedures and care routines for improved timeliness and safety.
- Communication & Collaboration: Maintained open communication with residents, families, and staff, fostering transparency, cultural sensitivity, and more effective decision-making.
- Relationship Building & Family Engagement: Established trust-based connections by actively involving families in care considerations, ensuring alignment with resident preferences and robust emotional support.
- Attention To Detail & Compliance: Monitored resident conditions meticulously and adhered to strict dietary and care guidelines, ensuring prompt issue escalation and consistent regulatory compliance.
Education
Certificate - Dimensions of Diversity
The University of Chicago Graham School
Chicago06-2024
Business Administration
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI12-2021
Certificate - Leadership And Supervision
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI12-2021
Skills
- Budgeting & Financial Management with Proven Grant Acquisition Success
- Superior Operations Performance through EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System)
- Comprehensive Organizational Administration
- Champion of Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion
- Innovative Training & Development Program Design
- Advanced Project Management Leadership
- Employee Growth & Development Leadership
- Strategic Visioning & Planning Excellence
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Sr. Director of Workforce & Strategic Impact
Latin Americans United For Progress
01.2023 - Current
BIPOC Affinity Group Lead
Lakeshore Nonprofit Alliance
10.2022 - 12.2022
Chair of Vaccine Equity Advisory Council
Ottawa County Department of Public Health
03.2022 - 09.2022
Manager of Family Advocacy
Ed & Nancy Hanenburg Children’s Advocacy Center
03.2021 - 09.2022
Business Manager
Ready For School
01.2017 - 03.2021
Dietary & Transitional Aide
Resthaven
10.2007 - 11.2016
Certificate - Dimensions of Diversity
The University of Chicago Graham School
Business Administration
Ferris State University
Certificate - Leadership And Supervision
Ferris State University
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