Nicolee Mensing
Apple Valley,MN
Summary
Knowledgeable early childhood leader with proven track record in driving program development and operational excellence. Adept at strategic planning, program leadership, and leveraging data to inform decisions. Strong focus on fostering team collaboration and adapting to changing community needs. Highly skilled in leadership, communication, and delivering impactful results.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Director, Head Start and Early Head Start
Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties
04.2019 - Current
- Lead the Head Start program serving approximately 1,200 infants, toddlers and preschoolers across Ramsey County. The program employs approximately 280 staff and serves children in a variety of program options including home visiting, therapeutic preschool, child care partners, and full day center-based services.
- Responsible for the day-to-day management, long term planning and continuous quality improvement of the Head Start program, in compliance with the Head Start Performance Standards and State of Minnesota child care licensing regulations.
- Responsible for ensuring appropriate supervision, monitoring, and evaluation of all Head Start staff.
- Lead all Head Start budget planning and management. Total program budget is approximately $29 million and includes multiple funding streams including federal Head Start and Early Head Start, State Head Start, state of Minnesota Pathway I and Pathway II Scholarships, Child Care Assistance Program and Child and Adult Care Food Program.
- 2021 Awardee of the National Head Start Association BOLD Leadership Award
Director of Family Financial Assistance
Think Small
10.2017 - 03.2019
- Work closely with four direct reports to manage the distribution of Minnesota Department of Education Early Learning Scholarships ($19 million annually), Child Care Assistance in Ramsey County ($15 million annually), and several other scholarship programs ($4 million annually).
Head Start Program Design Manager
Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. - (Head Start)
10.2016 - 10.2017
- Assist in the development and management of multiple program budgets with a combined total of over $12 million across multiple funding streams
- Assist in the writing and management of federal and state grants
Head Start Program Area Manager
Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. - (Head Start)
08.2012 - 10.2016
- Manage a team of five Head Start Center Managers
- Oversee the operations of five Head Start centers including staffing, fiscal management, transportation, licensing, program design and collaborations
- Develop and monitor, as part of a team, five separate program budgets
Head Start Family and Community Services Specialist
Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. - (Head Start)
11.2010 - 08.2012
- Hired and supervised a team of Recruiter and Family Advocates across the state
Education
Masters - Nonprofit Management
Hamline University
Bachelor of Arts - Spanish Liberal Arts, Mass Communication: Public Relations, Marketing
University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire
Skills
- Program leadership
- Collaboration with external stakeholders
- Strategic planning
- Oversight of government grants and contracts
Timeline
Senior Director, Head Start and Early Head Start
Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties
04.2019 - Current
Director of Family Financial Assistance
Think Small
10.2017 - 03.2019
Head Start Program Design Manager
Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. - (Head Start)
10.2016 - 10.2017
Head Start Program Area Manager
Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. - (Head Start)
08.2012 - 10.2016
Head Start Family and Community Services Specialist
Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. - (Head Start)
11.2010 - 08.2012
Bachelor of Arts - Spanish Liberal Arts, Mass Communication: Public Relations, Marketing
University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire
Masters - Nonprofit Management
Hamline University