Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
References
Skills
Affiliations
Timeline
Generic

Melinda Cianos

Baltimore,Maryland

Summary

Knowledgeable training leader with proven skills in program and team management. Successful at evaluating program operations to make effective decisions. Excellent communicator, multitasker and problem-solving abilities. Advanced skills in software packages with in-depth understanding of training requirements for different departments and levels.

Overview

15
15
years of professional experience

Work History

Development Manager

Itineris Foundation, Inc.
Baltimore, MD
04.2024 - 03.2025
  • Executed internal communication strategies during event planning
  • Launched Giving Tuesday campaign that surpassed fundraising target by 25%
  • Enhanced tournament offerings by including pickleball in the event lineup, exceeding goals by 35%
  • Supervised and guided direct team member
  • Directed CRM operations while data processor was unavailable
  • Supervised development department in director's absence
  • Engaged with committees to design and execute fundraising events
  • Designed engaging activities for staff professional development days

Interim Director

Thread
Baltimore, USA
03.2023 - 09.2023
  • Mentored and coached three direct reports to achieve key goals
  • Developed and maintained relationships with corporate, community, and university partners, resulting in 50-73% of total volunteers recruited
  • Created and executed events and presentations to increase brand awareness and attract volunteers
  • Collaborated with internal teams to develop effective marketing approaches and materials for recruitment events
  • Demonstrated composure and professionalism in a fast-paced and dynamic environment
  • Led innovative initiatives to enhance volunteer engagement
  • Worked collaboratively with internal teams to continuously improve volunteer recruitment processes and procedures
  • Supported hiring efforts for additional managers and staff

Partnership and Recruitment Manager

Thread
Baltimore, United States
01.2022 - 03.2023
  • Developed and executed effective partnership strategies to secure over 65% of the total volunteers
  • Led a cross-functional team to identify and cultivate partnerships with industry influencers, resulting in a 25% increase in brand visibility
  • Streamlined volunteer recruitment processes by implementing applicant tracking systems
  • Cultivated and developed key partnerships

Medical Resource Coordinator, KPWF

Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter
Baltimore, United States
09.2020 - 10.2021
  • Led the implementation of the Keeping Pets with Families (KPWF) program, following the acquisition of the Buddy Foundation of Maryland, in an organization-wide initiative to mitigate euthanasia and pet surrender resulting from the financial burden of veterinary care
  • Served as the primary point of contact between the shelter, veterinary partners, and pet owners, ensuring the provision of affordable life-saving treatments
  • Established and nurtured collaborative relationships with veterinarians to ensure access to medical care, procedures, and treatments that were unavailable within the shelter
  • Conducted thorough assessments of community needs and continuously monitored resource availability, resulting in the development of more streamlined pathways to quality care

Executive Director

The Buddy Foundation of Maryland
Baltimore, United States
01.2015 - 10.2021
  • Orchestrated two large-scale events in Baltimore City, securing corporate sponsors and overseeing all aspects of planning and marketing
  • Worked closely with Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter to facilitate and foster the organization's seamless acquisition
  • Initiated and managed peer-to-peer fundraising efforts
  • Successfully secured and managed grant funding from prestigious organizations such as Grey Muzzle, Banfield, and Band Foundation
  • Developed and nurtured strong relationships with donors and partner organizations, ensuring continued financial support and individual contributions
  • Established and fostered strategic partnerships with relevant organizations across Maryland
  • Employed strategic stewardship practices to sustain annual revenue and advance the mission and vision through donor and corporate sponsor relationships
  • Developed and managed multiple revenue streams, consistently increasing overall income on a yearly basis
  • Successfully recruited and maintained a highly effective board of six active members
  • Oversaw the recruitment, hiring, and supervision of interns in the fields of communications, marketing, and website management
  • Cultivated a strong social media presence on Facebook and Instagram, creating engaging content and graphics to expand the audience and raise awareness
  • Led successful rebranding efforts in collaboration with an external firm in 2019
  • Expertly implemented and maintained the annual budget
  • Collaborated closely organizational leadership and the board of directors to shape operational strategy

Adjunct instructor

Community College of Baltimore County
Baltimore, United States
01.2010 - 01.2015
  • Taught Composition 101 and 102, as well as Accelerated Learning Program courses
  • Developed motivating and directed lesson plan, enhancing the learning process and encouraging analytical thought
  • Led writing workshops in fiction, non-fiction, poetry
  • Tracked student progress, regularly checking in with struggling students to identify root causes of problems
  • Increased student participation through engaging lectures and assignments
  • Optimized learning plans based on student performance and feedback
  • Created and developed lesson plans tailored to meet students' academic needs

Education

MFA - Creative Writing and Publishing Arts

University of Baltimore
Baltimore, United States
03.2025

Bachelor of Arts - English/Writing

Notre Dame of Maryland University
Baltmore, United States
05.2011

Associate of Arts - Liberal Studies

Community College of Baltimore County
Baltimore, United States
05.2008

Skills

  • Collaboration
  • Communication
  • Motivation
  • Teamwork
  • Partnership Development
  • Computer Skills
  • Marketing
  • Event planning
  • Project management
  • Creative writing
  • Content editing
  • Relationship building
  • Team development strategies
  • Active listening

References

  • Jay Dackman, 410-241-5726, jaydackman@yahoo.com, Founder, The Buddy Foundation of Maryland
  • JoAnn Goldberger, 443-838-1741, JoGoldberger@aol.com, Director of Development, Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter
  • Maria Goodson, 540-454-3512, maria.goodson@thread.org, Business Data Analyst, Thread

Skills

Collaboration, Active Listening, Communication and Interpersonal Interaction, Motivation, Teamwork, Creativity, Partnership Development, Computer Skills, Management, Resource Allocation, Marketing, Coaching

Affiliations

  • Started MAC Racquet Sports, LLC in November 2023 to build community-centered pickleball and junior tennis clinics and tournaments: www.macracquetsports.com

Timeline

Development Manager

Itineris Foundation, Inc.
04.2024 - 03.2025

Interim Director

Thread
03.2023 - 09.2023

Partnership and Recruitment Manager

Thread
01.2022 - 03.2023

Medical Resource Coordinator, KPWF

Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter
09.2020 - 10.2021

Executive Director

The Buddy Foundation of Maryland
01.2015 - 10.2021

Adjunct instructor

Community College of Baltimore County
01.2010 - 01.2015

MFA - Creative Writing and Publishing Arts

University of Baltimore

Bachelor of Arts - English/Writing

Notre Dame of Maryland University

Associate of Arts - Liberal Studies

Community College of Baltimore County

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