Dynamic non-profit senior consultant with expertise in organizational development, program & training design, project management and transformation initiatives.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Consultant
The Learning Agenda
01.2021 - Current
Led the design, facilitation and evolution of two robust ADSY PEP Summer Learning Communities for 50 Texas school districts funded to learn and apply summer learning evidence based design principles in elementary summer programs with an emphasis on the role of positive climate and culture. Facilitated monthly workshops with district administrators to identify pain points, establish goals, and define actionable steps towards achieving desired outcomes.
Developed signature peer learning structures which strengthened learning and program planning support pathways among hundreds of district administrators and positively shifted mindsets and practices around positive and engaging learning climate and culture for students and staff.
Consistently and intentionally connected dots between key partners including statewide education agency, national research firm, five other summer learning technical assistance providers and funders to coordinate evaluation, support, and ongoing continuous improvement efforts.
Presented engaging and highly rated national conference sessions on summer learning evidence based design principles with an emphasis on positive climate and culture.
Founder and Principal Consultant
Monica Armendariz Consulting
06.2018 - Current
Support non-profit organizations articulate/strengthen/align their organization identity, workplace culture, desired impact, business models and strategy development processes.
Support intentional and equitable program design and evaluation in alignment with organizational values and goals.
Build and strengthen strategic thinking mindsets, project management, and facilitation skills for over 100 non-profit leaders and youth development professionals.
Support design and facilitation of organizational processes and events designed to strengthen/repair/operationaliize positive organizational values and advance goals.
Collaborate with colleagues across various sectors to bring in diverse perspectives and help organizations increase their capacity.
Project Director
EngenderHealth, Inc.
06.2019 - 06.2020
Centered intentional equity approaches to teamwork and organizational culture, increasing staff participation and leadership opportunities across project, strengthening authentic embodiment of anti-racist values and approaches, and resulting in development of company wide authorship policy.
Monitored, coached and supervised team of 4 employees and coordinated all team-building initiatives, retaining full team through close-out.
Co-authored, reviewed and spearheaded dissemination of all Re : MIX study publications, reaching over 30 local and national partners whom collectively serve thousands of youth.
Coordinated and led project and U.S. office close-out process, resulting in timely close-out of all deliverables and graceful exit from key stakeholders and partners.
U.S. Programs Manager
EngenderHealth, Inc.
10.2016 - 06.2018
Hired, supervised and coached team of eight staff implementing several adolescent sexual health programs; Led re-design of hiring and exiting processes resulting in more intentional onboarding, training and graceful exits.
Resolved staff member conflicts (of which they were many) through actively listening and implementing solutions to repair workplace culture and relationships.
Updated, streamlined and created operational processes to improve office efficiencies in contracts managements, financial management, staff HR and development, and project management.
Coordinated, co-authored and presented detailed five year strategic plan for U.S. Programs office.
Supported $1M project budget management and over 12 major vendor contracts; enhanced financial forecasting and spend down processes for office; supported additional budget and resource management across entire U.S portfolio.
Interim Coordinator
Austin Community College
05.2016 - 10.2016
Managed instructors and logistics for special populations cohort trades and business courses for high school youth, ESL and immigration students.
Spearheaded redesign of Building Maintenance and Business Administration courses for special populations in ELL and juvenile justice.
Helped department staff navigate and work through challenging team dynamics and toxic work culture, resulting in new hiring and training practices.
Technical Assistance Consultant & Quality Coach
Westat Inc.
08.2013 - 08.2015
Monitored, evaluated and case managed 20 federally funded 21st CCLC programs throughout Texas on behalf of Texas Education Agency.
Conducted yearly state assessment and review of grant compliance and program quality for all grantees; all grantees met or exceeded yearly assessments.
Developed and provided ongoing regional training and support systems for grantees related to program development & evaluation, sustainability, family & community partnerships and general OST best practices; significantly improved family engagement initiatives and outcomes for grantees.
Director of Education
The BeHive, Heart House
08.2010 - 05.2013
Managed program content, services and evaluation across three K-5 out of school time community centers in Title I schools and communities in Austin, TX.
Created and coordinated The BeHive Training System for every staff position.
Created signature legacy programs and program models.
Coached and mentored over 40 program staff and volunteers each year in innovative instructional methods, general professional performance and quality improvement plans.
Managed over 20 high level diverse social sector and corporate partnerships.
Worked closely with Development team in grant writing and data management, yearly fundraising events and donor stewardship.
Education
B.A English Literature -
St. Edward's University
Skills
Staff Management, Coaching & Team-Building
Organizational Development
Strategy Development
Program Design & Implementation
Meeting/Learning Design & Facilitation
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Approaches
Project Management
Quality Monitoring & Evaluation
Certifications & Courses
National Equity Project's Coaching for Equity Immersive
Forward Movement Consulting's Consultants Grappling w/ Equity Course
ITP3 Design Thinking Bootcamp
Waters Center Systems Thinking Training
PMD Project Management Level 1
White-Riley-Peterson Policy Fellowship
Finance Project Sustainability Toolkit TOT
Trainer & Coach, Weikart Youth Program Quality Methods
Awards
Central Texas Afterschool Network Hero Award
Presentations
Designing and Delivering Evidence-Based Summer Programs: Lessons from Texas. BOOST Conference. Palm Springs, CA. 2024.
An Intentional Approach to Recruiting, Hiring, & Training Summer Program Staff. National Afterschool Convention. Las Vegas, NV. 2022.
Wallace Foundation Summer Learning Toolkit: Launch & Improve Summer Programs. National Afterschool Association Convention. Las Vegas, NV. 2022.
Looking Through a DEI Lens. Social Sector Consultants Un-conference. Austin, TX. 2019.
Design for Change: Fostering Empathy and Student Agency. Austin Design Week. Austin, TX. 2019.
Design Thinking for OST Professionals. OSTI-CON. San Antonio, TX. 2018.