Maria Soriano
Bloomfield
Summary
Accomplished Arts Education and Workforce Development Professional with an emphasis on social justice and equity. Confident in ability to liaise with community organizations, DOE administration. Proven track record of expanding programming to meet ever evolving needs. Skilled in managing budgets, contract management and payroll and data driven program evaluation. Director of Education implements and maintains education programs and services and serves as trusted resource to patrons, school personnel and executive board. Successfully maintains staffing and resources to achieve program objectives within budget. Leverages research-based interventions, strategies and instruction and analyzes data to drive academic achievement and social-emotional growth.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Program
Wille Mae Rock Camp
Brooklyn
08.2024 - Current
- Managed program budgets and timelines, ensuring projects stayed on track and within allocated resources.
- Conducted regular meetings with team members to review progress and address any issues or concerns arising from the program execution process.
- Coordinated with internal stakeholders to ensure successful implementation of the program initiatives.
- Identified areas of improvement in existing processes, procedures and systems related to the program delivery cycle.
- Developed project plans, identified risks, set objectives and monitored progress towards completion.
- Created presentations outlining proposed solutions for addressing challenges encountered during program execution.
- Negotiated contracts and agreements with vendors and suppliers.
- Analyzed data collected during the course of the program operations and reported results accordingly.
- Collaborated with teams across departments to develop effective strategies for executing programs.
- Participated actively in brainstorming sessions focused on improving existing processes or creating innovative approaches for delivering services more efficiently.
- Assisted in developing training materials for new hires involved in the program activities.
Director of Education
Hook Arts Media
01.2015 - Current
- Planning and oversight for all of Hook Arts Media school-based and community-based arts education programs, including serving as liaison with faculty and staff of schools, working with E.D., schools, and teaching artists (TAs) to plan and implement in and after school arts programs as well as community-based arts education programs
- Preparing budgets for programs, and working with Director of Finance and Operations and E.D
- To integrate said budgets into organizational budget; budget oversight
- Hiring TAs; preparing school and TA contracts, and communicating with Director of Finance and operations about school billing
- Planning and scheduling TA professional development events
- Tracking schedules and performances for 15-20 programs yearly.
- Managing evaluation and reporting for 15-20 in school programs and 3 community based workforce development programs in collaboration with TAs, teachers and school administrations.
- Troubleshooting programs for curriculum content, student satisfaction and school administration support.
- Reporting on programs to HAM staff and Board, assisting with program assessment including visiting all programs each cycle to document classes and workshops (pics, videos, and final reports) as needed for final reports to grant making agencies.
- Outreach to additional schools/agencies/community to build network and grow programming, growing programming yearly and expanding reach.
- Recruitment of community based Media Program participants ITM, DBC and DC
- Assist as needed with grants related to educational programming providing content, summary statistics and budget information
- Established a culture of continuous improvement by regularly reviewing programmatic outcomes and making necessary adjustments based on data analysis.
- Evaluated teacher performance using rigorous observation protocols designed to promote professional growth while ensuring instructional excellence.
- Increased student retention rates through implementation of effective academic support services and resources.
- Evaluated programs and monitored implementation and compliance with regulations to achieve objectives.
- Advocated for equitable access to high-quality educational opportunities for all students regardless of background or ability level.
- Strengthened curriculum design by collaborating with faculty and implementing innovative teaching methodologies.
- Recruited, trained and mentored faculty and staff in best practices for instruction.
- Built rapport with young clients and families using tailored emails and newsletters.
Front End Coordinator
Marshalls
Bloomfield
09.2023 - 04.2024
- Assisted management with training new staff members on customer service techniques and operational procedures.
- Organized items on shelves in order to maintain neatness of store.
- Reconciled daily sales reports at end of shift to ensure accuracy of funds received.
- Processed returns and refunds in accordance with company policy.
- Encouraged customers to sign up for loyalty programs or promotional offers.
- Provided advice on product selection to customers based on their individual needs.
- Stocked shelves with new merchandise when shipments arrived.
- Adhered to loss prevention procedures including bag checks as customers exited the store.
- Completed price changes by adhering labels to merchandise or entering information into computer system.
- Set up promotional displays or arranged merchandise on counters or tables to promote sales.
- Provided excellent customer service throughout each transaction while maintaining a friendly demeanor.
- Operated cash register to process cash, check, and credit card transactions.
Tour Manager
Dance Theatre of Harlem
01.2013 - 01.2014
- Book all domestic and International travel details for group of 25; plane tickets, charter buses and visa requirements
- Interact directly with personnel at each theatre regarding company needs and requirements
- Liaison any disputes arising during travel i.e; hotel management disputes, venue disagreements etc
- Resolve disputes between company members and crew
- Meet VIP guests pre- and post-performance
- Provide donor material, encourage donations
- Manage company merchandise sales at each performance venue
- Present full budget, marketing materials, and day by day report at end of each tour.
- Managed complex logistics for international tours, including securing visas, accommodations, transportation, and local guides.
- Anticipated problems with meeting tour deadlines and developed alternative plans.
- Strategically planned and executed group transportation to minimize delays and maximize time spent exploring destinations.
- Developed comprehensive budgets for each tour, ensuring financial goals were met without sacrificing quality or client experience.
Director of Performance Programs
Community Works NYC
01.2010 - 01.2013
- Develop and monitor budgets in collaboration with Theater Connections staff; Accountable for budget compliance including meeting revenue projections, approve payments for all programs
- Maintain accurate weekly and monthly income reporting
- Negotiated contracts with vendor to secure favorable terms while maintaining quality standards for products and services used by organization
- Program over 100 performances for all ten performance venue’s, as well as negotiate dates, fees, process contracts and payments to artists.
- Confirm technical requirements for all performances and disperse information to 10 venues accordingly, conduct site checks before each performance
- Create and implement marketing/media strategy, audience development campaigns, website administration, and social media
- Create marketing strategies, including targeting constituencies, develop marketing materials for brochure, flyers, postcards, ads, website, e-mail blast and social media., including writing or approving text and supporting material
- Collaborate with development department in support of Performance Program programs, exhibits and in-school residencies and workshops
- Implement funded programs and maintain compliance with programmatic and budgetary requirements of grants
- Serve as primary source of contact for schools, community centers and partner organizations
- Initiate or respond to developing collaborations with other organizations
- Process reservations, invoice payments, track sales, process payments, submit weekly reports on sales for each performance.
- Streamlined operations and prioritized tasks, increased revenue by 25%
Education
No Degree - Leadership Program
Columbia University in The City of New York
New York, NYBachelor Fine Arts Degree -
Eckerd College
Certificate REI Racial Equity Institute -
Racial Equity Institute
Skills
- Word
- Excel
- Photoshop
- Google Suite
- Airtable
- Adobe
- Keeper
- Project planning
- Training development
Timeline
Director of Program
Wille Mae Rock Camp
08.2024 - Current
Front End Coordinator
Marshalls
09.2023 - 04.2024
Director of Education
Hook Arts Media
01.2015 - Current
Tour Manager
Dance Theatre of Harlem
01.2013 - 01.2014
Director of Performance Programs
Community Works NYC
01.2010 - 01.2013
No Degree - Leadership Program
Columbia University in The City of New York
Bachelor Fine Arts Degree -
Eckerd College
Certificate REI Racial Equity Institute -
Racial Equity Institute
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