Monica "Shonda" Gosnell
Grant & Policy Specialist
Lakeland,FL
Summary
Accomplished Senior Grants Management Specialist, Policy Advisor, and Program Director at HRSA, skilled in federal compliance and strategic planning. Successfully directed significant projects, enhancing organizational adherence to OMB’s Uniform Guidance. Demonstrated leadership by managing over $1 billion in federal grants, fostering stakeholder engagement, and implementing innovative solutions to complex challenges. Recognized for excellence in grants management, thorough policy knowledge, leadership excellence, and process improvement.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Grants Management Specialist (Policy Advisor)
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Health and Human Services, 8262 Cypress Trace Blvd
Lakeland
02.2021 - Current
- Salary: USD 161,889.00 per year.
- Hours: 40
- Series: 1,109 Grants Management
- Pay Plan: GS - General Schedule.
- Duties, accomplishments, and related skills:
- Started with a 120-day detail within HRSA's Division of Grants Policy and transitioned to a newly created remote position.
- Supported Federal Assistance Planning Branch and Policy Implementation and Coordination Branch.
- Directed various significant projects across the Division.
- Enhanced organizational adherence to OMB’s Uniform Guidance (2CFR200) through the adoption of eight vital elements at HHS.
- Key contributor to the revision of the external Grants Policy Manual and internal HHS Grants Policy.
- Aligned internal and external policies with updated federal and departmental regulations.
- Contributed feedback that was incorporated into the new GPAM through an HHS Addendum weeks after its release.
- Enabled HRSA to transition into a change agent for HHS.
- Designed a more efficient and streamlined exception workflow for HRSA operations.
- Navigated uncertainties of ongoing policy changes while assisting multiple departments.
- Developed a compliant and efficient FWAN process supporting HRSA funding methods.
- Continuously refined procedures in line with new guidelines from HHS for GPAM and GPS.
- Increased transparency through public notices.
- Surpassed leadership expectations by enhancing process consistency.
- Served as liaison to the offices of Global Health, Intergovernmental and External Affairs, backup liaison to the Bureau of Health Workforce, the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, and the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth.
- Coordinated review of 25 NOFOs within 24 days, surpassing performance standards.
- Assisted in enhancing design initiatives.
- Assumed responsibilities of acting Branch Chief on a recurring basis across branches.
- Developed talking points for Associate Administrator meetings monthly.
- Delivered consistent technical support to B/Os on NOFO structure options to mitigate risk.
- Posted NOFOs on Grants.gov.
- Oversaw operations under supervision of Dvora Wilensky, 773-726-7925.
Acting Division Director Poison Control and Health
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville
11.2020 - 02.2021
- Salary: USD 172,500 Per Year
- Hours per week: 40
- Series: 0685 Public, Pay Plan: GS – General Schedule
- Grade: 15
- Duties Accomplishments and Related Skills:
- Chosen to fill a Division Director role in a program office previously supported through grants management.
- Secured position rapidly but offer rescinded due to organizational realignment.
- Led in formulating solutions to a longstanding agency problem.
- Mastered the intricacies of the National Poison Control System.
- Oversaw two active contracts in campaign marketing and technical assistance and support.
- Met frequently with Bureau leadership, staff, and contractors to discuss collaborative strategies, and to ensure communication was conducive to program outcomes.
- Under the supervision or Deputy Administrator, Onyeka Anaedozie (301) 443-3091
Supervisor, Chief/Grants Management Officer
Health Resources
Rockville
11.2014 - 11.2020
- Salary: USD 172,500 Per Year
- Hours per week: 40
- Pay Plan: GS – General Schedule
- Grade: 15
- Duties, Accomplishments, and Related Skills:
- Appointed as permanent Grants Management Officer for Maternal, Child Health and Systems Branch in March 2015.
- Directed and supervised a workforce exceeding 20 members, including 3 team leads.
- Managed and administered more than one billion dollars in federal grant programs.
- Contributed to creation of plans to align work with administrative, congressional, departmental, and agency priorities.
- Guaranteed compliance of programs with laws, regulations, and fiscal practices.
- Administered over 100 grant programs considering business needs, legal standards, and ethical guidelines.
- Developed and implemented strategies to enhance branch operations.
- Engaged in development, implementation, and clarification of policies and procedures.
- Facilitated understanding of statutory requirements, department policies, and agency rules to support stakeholder alignment with the agency mission.
- Suggest approval or disapproval of deviations from standard practices within departmental regulations.
- Manage all branch operations.
- Formulated and executed long-term and short-term work objectives.
- Report directly to Division Director, accountable to Associate Administrator.
- Maintained consistent performance standards and ratings across all employees within the branch.
- Acted as rating official for team leads.
- Provided recommendations regarding team leader and higher-graded staff appointments.
- Handled decision-making process for significant workforce corrections.
- Created a comprehensive training plan for the branch.
- Evaluated and sanctioned merit-based increases and performance awards.
- Implemented strategies to boost overall operational efficiency.
- Exceeded expectations consistently.
- Participated in additional activities beyond managerial workload expectations.
- Managed swift allocation of resources addressing crises like Opioid, Zika, Lead contamination, and Hurricane relief.
- Employed innovative strategies to achieve remarkable outcomes.
- Achieved commendation via emails from Deputy Associate Administrator.
- Discovered substantial risk for insecure PII submission while preparing to receive applications using unconventional methods per AA's direction.
- Promptly notified relevant management about the risk to safeguard HRSA.
- Implemented actions to secure highly confidential data.
- Received commendations for leadership excellence and proactive strategic vision.
- Invited by the Office of the Secretary to contribute insights during strategic performance management discussions.
- Proposed groundbreaking idea to drive pivotal change for a high-profile program.
- Implemented project in 2017 achieving greater time efficiency and significant cost savings for HRSA and HHS.
- Honored with multiple HRSA Honor Awards annually.
- Under the supervision of Division Director, Dorothy Kelley, 301-879-3423
Education
Technical or occupational certificate -
American International Security Specialists
Virginia Beach, VA, United States07.1996
Bachelor's degree - Criminology/Sociology, Communication
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA, United States05.1996
Skills
- Grants management
- Federal compliance
- Policy writing
- Risk assessment
- Budget analysis
- Project management
- Data analysis
- Process improvement
- Stakeholder engagement
- Team leadership
- Effective communication
- Problem solving
- Negotiation skills
- Training development
- Compliance monitoring
- Technical assistance
- Data management
- Grant reporting
- Budget monitoring
- Strategic planning
- Team collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Networking
- Strategic thinking
- Reliability
- Time management abilities
- Multitasking capacity
- Self-motivation
- Team building
- Research skills
- Resource management
- Decision-making
- Customer service
- Documentation and reporting
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Professionalism
- Professional demeanor
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Continuous improvement
- Problem-solving aptitude
- Relationship building
Affiliations
- HRSA Scholar's Program - Member/Scholar from FY02
- Alpha Phi Sigma - Member/Honor Society Graduate
- National Grants Management Association - Member/Grants Management Specialist
- CEO Experience
Professional Publications
- Co-authored OFAAM’s first Operational Procedures Manual.
- Collaborated on, reviewed, and edited numerous Notice of Funding Opportunities.
- Crafted and edited numerous letters to grantees and grant-specific terms and conditions for Notice of Grant Awards.
- Authored numerous HRSA Grant Policy Bulletins, Action Transmittals, and Standard Operating Procedures.
- Authored InsideHRSA articles and Federal Assistance Counsel (FAC) updates.
- HRSA Manage Your Grant guidance, and HRSA general (annual) terms and conditions.
- Co-authored and edited various articles for multiple business publications.
Additional Information - Noteworthy Honors
- White House invitee for contributions to national grant policy
- Recognized by HHS Secretary for strategic emergency response
- Selected for HRSA Senior Leadership Fellowship Program (top 18 leaders)
- Received the Administrator's Award for Innovation for creative efforts
- Selected to participate as the lead HHS representative on the OMB proposed Federal Financial Report (FFR) Committee
- Recipient of multiple HRSA Honor Awards for innovation and leadership
References
- Mike Nelson, Health Resources and Services Administration - Retired, Associate Administrator, Office of Federal Assistance Management, mzchaelnelson@gmail.com
- Gwen Johnson, Health and Human Services, Program Analyst (prior DGP Branch Chief/supervisor), 240-840-0543, GJohnson@hrsa.gov
- Patricia Vahey, Chick Fil A, Training Director, 757-435-2541, Plvahey@gmail.com
- Dr. Wilfred Johnson, Health Resources and Services Administration, Public Health Analyst, 301-443-3256, WJohnson2@hrsa.gov
- Matt Jones, Health Resources and Services Administration, Former Deputy Director, 301-443-0431, MJones@hrsa.gov
- Sondra Stevenson, Health Resources Services Administration, Retired Annuitant, 301-210-3188, sstevenson@hrsa.gov
- Richard Fogelson, American Association of Poison Control Centers, Chief Executive Officer, 703-894-1858, fogelson@aapcc.org
- Theda Duvall, Health Resources and Services Administration - Retired, Lead Grants Management Specialist, 301-355-4079, theda_duvall@comcast.net
- Denise Polk, Environmental Protection Agency, Deputy Director, Office of Grants and Debarment (SES), 202-564-5306, Polk.denise@epa.gov
Availability
Full-time
Desired Locations
- Florida, United States
- Lakeland, Florida, United States
- Tampa, Florida, United States
- Orlando, Florida, United States
Job Type
Permanent, detail, remote, telework
Timeline
Senior Grants Management Specialist (Policy Advisor)
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Health and Human Services, 8262 Cypress Trace Blvd
02.2021 - Current
Acting Division Director Poison Control and Health
5600 Fishers Lane
11.2020 - 02.2021
Supervisor, Chief/Grants Management Officer
Health Resources
11.2014 - 11.2020
Technical or occupational certificate -
American International Security Specialists
Bachelor's degree - Criminology/Sociology, Communication
Old Dominion University
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