Maria Claudia Vanegas
Dallas
Summary
Community organizer and nonprofit leader with 13+ years of experience driving grassroots power, advancing immigrant rights, and leading multi-location programs. Skilled in coalition building, volunteer leadership, political education, and multilingual engagement. Proven ability to mobilize communities, manage complex projects, and inspire action for systemic change.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Education Program Coordinator (Citizenship Program Manager)
Light of Hope Immigration Law Center
03.2024 - Current
- Lead multi-location citizenship classes, workshops, and outreach programs.
- Manage 100+ volunteers annually, fostering immigrant leadership.
- Designed curriculum aligned with USCIS’ 128-question format.
- Direct 'Citizenship Wednesdays/Thursdays' and Know Your Rights workshops reaching 1,000+ annually.
- Designed and implemented educational programs tailored to immigrant communities' needs.
- Coordinated training sessions for staff and volunteers, enhancing program delivery efficiency.
- Developed partnerships with local organizations to expand resource access for program participants.
- Organized community outreach initiatives, increasing awareness of legal education resources available.
- Evaluated program effectiveness through participant feedback, ensuring continuous improvement in offerings.
- Analyzed trends in immigration law to inform curriculum updates and resource materials for educators.
- Prepared course schedules and managed classroom staffing requirements for enrollment up to 100 students.
Regional Office Director
Longhorn Strategies
12.2023 - 12.2024
- Oversaw staff, volunteers, and regional campaign operations.
- Directed grassroots outreach mobilizing hundreds of community members.
- Built coalitions to expand civic engagement.
- Streamlined office operations by implementing efficient scheduling systems and optimizing resource allocation.
- Coordinated communication between regional teams to improve project alignment and operational effectiveness.
- Developed training materials for new staff, enhancing onboarding processes and fostering team cohesion.
- Led performance reviews for team members, providing constructive feedback to promote professional growth and accountability.
Regional Organizer
Battleground Texas
12.2023 - 03.2024
- Coordinated voter registration drives and canvassing campaigns.
- Recruited, trained, and managed volunteer leaders across counties.
- Developed strategic plans for voter registration initiatives, enhancing local democratic involvement.
- Coordinated grassroots outreach efforts to mobilize community engagement and volunteer participation.
- Streamlined data collection processes for tracking volunteer activities and voter engagement metrics.
- Cultivated relationships with local organizations to strengthen alliance-building and resource sharing efforts.
- Managed logistics for community events, ensuring seamless execution and positive participant experiences.
Organizer
SEIU
12.2022 - 12.2023
- Organized immigrant and low-wage workers to advance labor rights campaigns.
- Coordinated membership meetings and leadership development initiatives.
- Coordinated grassroots campaigns to mobilize members and increase participation in key initiatives.
- Developed training materials to educate members on labor rights and union benefits.
- Implemented outreach strategies to expand membership base and improve retention efforts.
- Collaborated with leadership to design effective communication plans for union activities.
- Demonstrated exceptional time management skills while working on multiple projects simultaneously without compromising quality or deadlines.
- Led negotiations with management, advocating for member interests and workplace improvements.
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
AZ Import Sales
03.2020 - 03.2023
- Directed operations, logistics, and vendor relationships in international markets.
- Managed budgets and implemented systems improving efficiency and growth.
- Streamlined operational processes to enhance efficiency and reduce costs across multiple departments.
- Led cross-functional teams in developing and implementing strategic initiatives for market expansion.
- Established performance benchmarks and monitored outcomes to ensure alignment with company goals.
- Implemented technology solutions to automate workflows, resulting in increased productivity and accuracy.
- Oversaw day-to-day operations to keep organization running smoothly while meeting business goals.
- Promoted a positive corporate culture by implementing employee engagement programs that recognized achievement and fostered collaboration among teams.
Consultant, Nonprofit & Community Strategy
Independent Consultant
06.2017 - 03.2020
- Supported nonprofits with fundraising, program design, and organizational development.
- Analyzed client needs to design and implement tailored consulting strategies.
- Led cross-functional teams to develop strategic solutions for client challenges.
- Conducted market research to support informed decision-making for clients' initiatives.
- Liaised with customers, management, and sales team to better understand customer needs and recommend appropriate solutions.
- Delivered high-quality presentations to stakeholders, effectively communicating project objectives and results.
Education Organizer
Workers Defense Project
06.2014 - 06.2017
- Developed and facilitated worker education programs on labor rights.
- Organized immigrant and working-class communities for campaigns and advocacy.
- Coordinated community outreach initiatives to educate workers on rights and available resources.
- Developed training materials for workshops, enhancing participant engagement and retention of information.
- Organized events that connected workers with legal resources, improving access to necessary support services.
- Adapted swiftly to unforeseen circumstances during events, implementing contingency plans that minimized disruptions to attendees'' experience.
- Scheduled and organized catering, transportation and staffing to manage event logistics.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure smooth execution of large-scale events, resulting in positive feedback from stakeholders.
Program Manager
Kids-U
08.2012 - 01.2014
- Directed multi-site after-school educational programs.
- Supervised staff and volunteers, ensuring compliance and quality outcomes.
- Led program development, aligning initiatives with organizational goals and community needs.
- Analyzed program data, identifying trends and insights to inform strategic decision-making.
- Developed training materials, equipping staff with necessary skills to effectively execute programs.
- Managed and supervised administrative and daily program operations, complying with policies and regulations.
Education
Master of Arts - Community Development and Political Action
Universidad Francisco De Vitoria
Madrid, Spain06-2010
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science & Community Development
Universidad De Los Andes
Bogota, Colombia05-2004
Executive Certificate - Nonprofit Leadership
Skills
- Grassroots Organizing & Campaigns
- Volunteer & Team Leadership
- Political Education & Curriculum Design
- Strategic Planning & Program Management
- Coalition Building & Partnerships
- Equity-Centered Communication
- Multilingual Outreach (English, Spanish, Italian)
- Educational leadership
- Volunteer management
- Partnership development
- Training facilitation
- Organizational leadership
Languages
Spanish – Native
English – Professional Proficiency
Italian – Professional Proficiency
Timeline
Education Program Coordinator (Citizenship Program Manager)
Light of Hope Immigration Law Center
03.2024 - Current
Regional Office Director
Longhorn Strategies
12.2023 - 12.2024
Regional Organizer
Battleground Texas
12.2023 - 03.2024
Organizer
SEIU
12.2022 - 12.2023
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
AZ Import Sales
03.2020 - 03.2023
Consultant, Nonprofit & Community Strategy
Independent Consultant
06.2017 - 03.2020
Education Organizer
Workers Defense Project
06.2014 - 06.2017
Program Manager
Kids-U
08.2012 - 01.2014
Executive Certificate - Nonprofit Leadership
Master of Arts - Community Development and Political Action
Universidad Francisco De Vitoria
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science & Community Development
Universidad De Los Andes
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