Modou Nyang
Tacoma,Washington
Summary
Strategic and results-driven leader with extensive experience in policy advocacy, program management, government relations, and community development. Adept at leading multimillion-dollar initiatives, driving systemic reforms, and building cross-sector partnerships to create lasting social impact. Passionate about advancing housing stability, strengthening youth services, and influencing policy at both local and national levels.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Director
Friends of Youth
05.2024 - Current
- Lead the Homeless Youth Services division, ensuring the development and execution of programs that meet the diverse needs of youth experiencing housing instability.
- Oversee emergency shelters, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, housing assistance, and affordable rental housing programs.
- Manage the division’s multimillion-dollar budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility, cost efficiency, and alignment with funding requirements.
- Ensure contractual compliance, regulatory adherence, and risk mitigation, while optimizing program effectiveness.
- Engage with lawmakers at local and national levels to influence policy, bills, and appropriations that impact youth experiencing homelessness.
- Provide expert insights on local trends, challenges, and policy impacts, ensuring decision-makers have data-driven recommendations.
- Write policy memos and briefs for the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, offering strategic guidance on legislative and funding priorities.
- Lead policy advocacy efforts by collaborating with legislators, nonprofit leaders, and community partners to shape systemic solutions.
- Offer technical guidance and leadership support to program directors, ensuring data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement.
- Strengthen partnerships with government agencies, nonprofits, and community organizations to enhance youth services and drive policy change.
Regional Community Capacity Specialist
King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA)
02.2022 - 05.2024
- Led regional policy initiatives to address homelessness, ensuring alignment with strategic advocacy goals, public system reforms, and regional priorities.
- Developed and managed complex RFPs and funding notices, overseeing the full grant-making cycle while ensuring regulatory compliance and strategic alignment with organizational objectives.
- Provided expert technical assistance and capacity-building support to partner agencies, assessing organizational readiness for managing government contracts and offering tailored growth strategies.
- Delivered professional training on grant writing, resource mobilization, shelter operations, HUD Continuum of Care regulations, and best practices in homelessness services, fostering a skilled and informed network of service providers.
- Facilitated cross-team collaboration and stakeholder engagement, driving coordinated, high-impact initiatives across government agencies, nonprofits, and community organizations.
- Conducted research, policy analysis, and landscape assessments to identify service gaps, regional capacities, and opportunities for systemic improvements.
- Organized resource-sharing events and community listening sessions, ensuring that stakeholder input informed policy development and program implementation.
- Monitored project deliverables and outcomes, ensuring timely completion and alignment with strategic goals, while supporting continuous improvement efforts across funded programs.
- Drafted policy briefs and synthesized research findings into actionable insights for stakeholders, influencing regional housing stability strategies and funding decisions.
Program Manager
Open Doors for Multicultural Families
07.2021 - 03.2022
- Directed policy and program development for Adult and Aging Services, ensuring alignment with advocacy goals
- Managed program budgets and operational workflows to optimize service delivery
- Led strategic planning initiatives and contributed to policy development efforts
- Fostered partnerships with stakeholders to enhance program impact and effectiveness
- Managed multiple strategic projects with numerous sub-projects or workstreams.
- Managed cross-functional teams for successful project completion within deadlines and budgets.
- Established strong relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring support for program initiatives.
- Engaged and worked alongside cross-functional stakeholders to manage strategic initiatives.
- Implemented risk management strategies to mitigate potential barriers to project success.
- Developed strategic plans, setting clear objectives and achievable milestones for the team.
Program Manager - Young Adult Shelter Services
YouthCare
03.2017 - 08.2021
- Managed shelter operations, ensuring compliance with policy and regulatory standards
- Developed and implemented strategic plans to improve program outcomes
- Coordinated cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration and accountability
- Conducted performance assessments and used data-driven insights to inform policy decisions
- Managed cross-functional teams for successful project completion within deadlines and budgets.
- Managed multiple strategic projects with numerous sub-projects or workstreams.
- Established strong relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring support for program initiatives.
- Built teams to address project goals and objectives for multiple projects.
- Engaged and worked alongside cross-functional stakeholders to manage strategic initiatives.
- Met with project stakeholders on regular basis to assess progress and make adjustments.
- Implemented risk management strategies to mitigate potential barriers to project success.
- Addressed and resolved technical, financial, and operational concerns by working with team members and directors.
- Conducted comprehensive program evaluations, identifying areas for improvement and recommending actionable solutions.
Program Manager – Housing Stability
Mary’s Place
03.2017 - 08.2021
- Managed an $8 million budget, ensuring operational efficiency and fiscal accountability
- Led policy development initiatives focused on homelessness prevention and housing stability
- Provided technical assistance and capacity-building support to community organizations
- Conducted data analysis and performance assessments to inform strategic planning and advocacy efforts
- Managed cross-functional teams for successful project completion within deadlines and budgets.
- Collaborated with organizational leadership to set priorities based on business needs, resource capacity and risk exposure.
- Established strong relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring support for program initiatives.
- Developed strategic plans, setting clear objectives and achievable milestones for the team.
Strategic Planner
Forum for African Women Educationalist
02.2009 - 06.2016
- Led strategic planning and policy-aligned programs focused on women's education and community development
- Developed performance tracking frameworks and ensured continuous improvement
- Managed partnerships and secured funding from international stakeholders
- Reported on project progress and policy impacts to stakeholders and partners
- Influenced internal and external stakeholders by presenting compelling strategic insights, winning buy-in for critical initiatives.
- Supported organizational change management efforts by communicating strategic vision clearly to all relevant stakeholders.
- Implemented performance measurement systems to track progress against targets, identify areas for improvement, and enable informed decision-making processes.
- Evaluated potential mergers or acquisitions for fit with overall strategic objectives, ensuring seamless integration post transaction.
- Streamlined operations by conducting comprehensive business analyses and identifying areas for optimization.
- Cultivated strong relationships with key stakeholders to facilitate collaboration and optimize outcomes.
- Enhanced organizational performance through the implementation of innovative strategies and continuous improvement initiatives.
Education
Master of Public Administration (MPA) - Public Policy
Evergreen State College
Olympia, WA06.2025
Master of Arts - Community Planning
School of Urban Studies, University of Washington
Tacoma, WA06.2023
Bachelor of Science - Youth Behavioral Health And Development
Highline Community College
DesMoines, WA06.2023
Associate of Applied Science - Youth Development Work
University of Ghana
Accra Ghana12.2012
Skills
- Policy implementation
- Practice operations management
- Grant writing
- Budgeting and financial management
- Growth management
- Government relations
- Program leadership
- Community engagement
- Program management
- Contract management
- Operations management
- Team leadership, training, and development
Affiliations
- Public Management Network (PMN)
- National League of Cities (NLC)
- Council for Nonprofit Management (CNM)
- American Society of Public Administration (ASPA)
- National Council of Nonprofits (NCN)
- American Planning Assocition
Personal Information
Title: Senior Director
Conference Presentations & Papers
- Innovative Strategies in Housing Stability: Lessons from Mary’s Place," National Conference on Ending Homelessness, 2021.
- "Tenant Protection Policies and Their Impact on Urban Communities," Urban Affairs Association Annual Meeting, 2023.
- "Cross-Sector Collaboration for Homelessness Prevention," American Planning Association National Conference, 2022.
- "Community-Driven Approaches to Youth Development," National League of Cities Summit, 2020.
- "The Role of Data in Shaping Housing Policy," American Society of Public Administration Annual Conference, 2024.
- "The Elements of Sanctuary: Strategies and Environments to Advance Health, Wellbeing, Universal Accessibility, and Empower Those We Serve," National Health and Housing Symposium, 2025.
- "Youth Homeless Shelters: Engagement, Education, and Empowerment," National Youth Services Conference, 2025.
Leadership and Communication
I am transformative leader committed to fostering equity, innovation, and sustainable community development. I have proven ability to inspire cross-sector collaboration, leverage data-driven insights, and champion policies that drive systemic change. I am dedicated to creating inclusive, resilient communities where children and families thrive.
Timeline
Senior Director
Friends of Youth
05.2024 - Current
Regional Community Capacity Specialist
King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA)
02.2022 - 05.2024
Program Manager
Open Doors for Multicultural Families
07.2021 - 03.2022
Program Manager - Young Adult Shelter Services
YouthCare
03.2017 - 08.2021
Program Manager – Housing Stability
Mary’s Place
03.2017 - 08.2021
Strategic Planner
Forum for African Women Educationalist
02.2009 - 06.2016
Master of Public Administration (MPA) - Public Policy
Evergreen State College
Master of Arts - Community Planning
School of Urban Studies, University of Washington
Bachelor of Science - Youth Behavioral Health And Development
Highline Community College
Associate of Applied Science - Youth Development Work
University of Ghana
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