Remy Sirls
Detroit
Summary
Pragmatic professional with over 15 years of experience in leadership roles. Adept at implementing strategic plans, change management, driving a people-centered approach that increases access for underserved and marginalized communities.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Executive Director
Joblio Foundation
Buffalo, NY
07.2025 - Current
- Led strategic planning initiatives to enhance program design and community/NGO/government engagement in Brazil, Portugal, Kenya, US, Canada and Ghana
- Developed and implemented policies to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and best practices related to global labor migration
- Led all fundraising/donor advised funds, major gifts and corporate giving
- Coordinated with host country partners in the NGO/government and business sector to manage programming, human rights mechanisms and basic needs for migrant workers entering from South America and West Africa
- Collaborated with stakeholders to secure funding and resources for workforce development projects specific to labor migration strategies
- Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide operational strategy.
- Guided staff through periods of organizational change, maintaining morale and engagement during transitions.
- Forge strong relationships with board members, providing regular updates on organizational progress and soliciting their expertise when needed.
- Monitored compliance with international labor and migration laws and regulations to protect organization from legal liabilities and penalties.
- Built relationships with donors, government officials and other organizations to secure funding and support for organization.
- Represented organization to local public by giving presentations and speeches and participating in community events.
- Collaborated with external organizations including non-profits, businesses and government agencies to create mutually beneficial partnerships.
- Developed strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to expand the organization''s reach and influence.
- Drove strategic improvements to enhance operational and organizational efficiencies.
- Led successful fundraising campaigns, securing critical resources for program development and expansion.
- Advocated for organization and company mission to raise awareness and support.
- Championed diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts within the organization to create a more inclusive work environment.
- Developed grant award processes internally for fund allocation
- Presented regularly at conferences or industry events showcasing the accomplishments of the organization.
CEO
INTENT Consulting
Detroit, MI
10.2024 - 07.2025
- Lead operational and fund development consultant for nonprofits and small business
- Grant writing, reporting and compliance
- Development of financial management systems
- Manage and operationalized fund development, donor stewardship for clients
- Operationalized data strategy for clients
- Led Board and staff training
- Capacity assessment and planning
- Infrastructure development (CRM systems, data management, grants management and compliance)
- Spearheaded strategic initiatives to enhance organizational growth and market positioning for clients
- Developed and implemented long-term business strategies aligning with market trends.
- Oversaw financial planning, budgeting, and resource allocation to ensure fiscal responsibility.
- Led executive team in performance evaluations, setting measurable goals for continuous improvement.
Senior Director, Operations and Programming
Detroit Parent Network
Detroit, MI
03.2024 - 01.2025
- Lead programming across DPNs strategic focus areas
- Lead data strategy, reporting, analysis and collection
- Prepare and submit funding applications to state and local funders
- Manage all program staff
- Lead strategic development and planning
- Develop and manage community partnerships
Assistant Vice President Community Outreach
United Way of Greater Houston
Houston, TX
12.2022 - 02.2024
- AVP of Community Outreach and 211 Texas Helpline
- Manage, direct and innovate the second largest 211 nationwide
- In partnership with the state department of health and human services, maintain and operate the 211 helpline across over 70% of the state
- Collaborate with local county and non profit housing partners to create integrated access for those experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness
- Develop change management framework focusing on top statewide needs with targeted approaches for programming (housing, food security, utility assistance)
- Create and maintain partnerships with local, state and county agencies
- Develop and grow state advocacy efforts through communications and advocacy with state leaders both elected and state appointed
- Manage, maintain and analyze all 211 Gulf Coast, Fort Worth and Costal Bend needs and demographic data
- Manage outreach and disaster efforts across 3 regions throughout east Texas
- Lead data analytics team
- Analyse and report needs data to local partners, service agencies, elected officials and policy makers
- Lead disaster and emergency response and long term recovery across Harris, Fort Bend, Waller and Montgomery counties
- Coordinate outreach and disaster for Gulf Coast, Costal Bend and Fort Worth regions
- Maintain staffing levels and KPIs for state and federal funders
- Manage and maintain annual budget ($3.5M)
- Hire, manage, coach and train senior staff
- Prepare budget and program reports to state agencies
- Manage operations for a department of 87 staff
- Participate in national and regional planning and innovation committees
- Coordinate with United Way Worldwide in preparing funding and program submissions for national partnerships
- Maintain strong relationships with local and state partner agencies
- Create donor engagement experiences for large and mid size corporate giving strategies
Chief Operating Officer
ONTARIO 211 SERVICES
Ontario, CA
12.2022 - 01.2023
- Develop and implement business model transformation strategy for health and human services across Ontario
- Lead organizational culture building and system transformation
- Provide leadership, thought partnership and tactical support to ensure O211 values are incorporated operationally
- Implement change management strategy to communicate and implement 2024 vision/strategy
- Drive strong cross-system teams across 6 regions
- Manage relationships with regional service providers and their respective boards
- Manage vendor/partner and funder contracts
- Oversee annual budgeting and audit functions ($12M)
- Manage/mitigate organizational risk
- Manage human resources and related policies
- Oversight and management of IT services, security and operations
- Management of all internal staff
- Lead provincial data strategy
- Work with national team to create system wide digital and data pricing strategy
- Manage/develop all administrative staff
- Serve as government relations/external partnership lead through local, regional, municipal, provincial relationships
- Act as change agent, leading teams through strategic priorities
- Work alongside board of directors and related committees to develop and implement system performance and province wide goals
- Work collaboratively with senior leadership team to prepare and manage budgets, system contracts, and deliverables from service providers
- Design and implement change management strategy
- Lead digital innovation strategy
Director of Operations and Strategy Management
ASSISTED LIVING SOUTHWEST ONTARIO (ALSO)
Windsor, ON
01.2020 - 12.2022
- Development and implementation of all operational strategies for the organization to best provide PSW home care services and programming to adults with physical disabilities and seniors
- Serve as lead for housing with supports collaborative to ensure advocacy and appropriate representation of those with lived experience
- Management of each physical building and administration site (11 buildings, 600 residents)
- Oversight and management of all capital projects including maintenance, operations, renovations, security and IT (supportive housing, housing with supports, administrative offices and 11 local sites)
- Liaise with municipal and provincial leadership to build and support development and programming
- Lead fundraising and volunteer teams
- Oversight and management of all IT services
- Oversight and management of all procurement including IT, PPE, supplies and contracted services
- Lead the development and implementation of new operational software (AlayaCare) across the organization
- Coordinating and communicating with Union representatives and HR team to resolve staffing issues/performance manage unionized staff
- Management of administrative (non-union) staff
- Management of all fund development activities and strategies
- Provision of overall management of ALSO agency, consumer and human resources data
- Provision of overall direction and management of ALSO facilities and infrastructure
- Management and oversight of AlayaCare implementation across 17 sites engaging 320 staff
- Management of multiple capital renovations in coordination with municipal and provincial funding agencies
- Oversight of co-op and summer student programs
- Participating as part of the senior leadership team to develop strategies and policies across the organization
- Create, manage and maintain budgets ($23M annual operating budget)
- Coordinating with board of directors to increase engagement opportunities
- Engaging community partners/client advocacy groups to develop and implement effective and responsive solutions to operational concerns
- Management of all communications strategies, with a focus on increasing advocacy and championing services for adults with physical disabilities
- Work in collaboration with BOD to implement and amend Strategic Plan and Vision
Southwest Ontario Senior Manager, Fund Development and Community Engagement
VON CANADA
Windsor, ON
01.2018 - 12.2020
- Develop and implement strategic plan to address programmatic and funding gaps across Southwest Ontario (Windsor Essex, Chatham Kent, Sarnia Lambton, Perth Huron, Grey Bruce)
- Coordinate with care teams to develop collaborative approaches with community partners to better service client needs through in-home nursing and PSW services
- Coordinate across the region with a development and operations team to increase organizational capacity to deliver service
- Develop, design, implement and evaluate new and on-going programs
- Communicate work-plan deliverables to staff, board members and community partners
- Prepare clear communication tools showcasing the impact of programming to clients, participants and community stakeholders
- Research potential funding partnerships and engage in communications with individual, corporate and foundation donors
- Plan, develop and implement annual fundraising and community engagement strategy
- Manage, coach and mentor development staff across the region
- Act as a community liaison to corporate, individual and foundation donors
- Ensure all development goals and project enhance strategic vision and organizational goals
- Prepare and administer annual programmatic budgets (between $1M-3.5M)
- Report on financial and programmatic progress on all programs to funders, corporate and individual donors
- Monitor and control budget expenditures and variances
- Develop, communicate and implement strategic work-plans across all sites
- Work in partnership with the boards of directors in each site to achieve goals, determine community needs and allocate funding
Executive Director of Development and Programming
DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
Detroit, MI
01.2016 - 12.2018
- Develop and implement strategic plan to address programmatic and funding gaps within Detroit Public Schools Community District’s 112 schools
- Research and coordinate strategies for District’s 7,000 children experiencing homelessness
- Research and engage in communications with individual, corporate and foundation donors
- Plan, develop and implement fundraising and community engagement strategy engaging students, caregivers, and other stakeholders
- Act as community liaison to corporate, individual and foundation donors
- Increase monthly and annual giving as part of an overall fund development strategy
- Develop program-based financial management and protocol system related to fund development
- Ensure all development goals and project enhance strategic vision and organizational goals
- Serve as grants and program manager for over 50 projects at 45 schools
- Review incoming grants, prepare funding decisions and communicate outcomes to grantees/stakeholders
- Prepare and administer annual programmatic budgets
- Report on financial and programmatic progress on all programs to funders, corporate and individual donors at $3.5M annual budget (overall District budget $667M USD)
- Monitor and control budget expenditures and variances
- Develop and manage Foundation programs, including program evaluation and reporting
- Create and chair committees related to fundraising, development, program, management and marketing/communications
- Oversight of hiring and managing all programs and development stuff and student interns
- Actively engage partner organizations, fundraisers and donors in programmatic volunteer opportunities
- Research, prepare and manage all competitive and non-competitive grants
- Work in collaboration with board of directors to implement and amend organization’s overall Strategic Plan as needed
- Coordinate cross-department programming and services for families and students across 112 schools serving 57,000 students in 4,500 staff
- Ensure program impact clearly communicated to the community, funders, private donors and district administration
- Manage all print, television, radio and social media communications
Director of Development/community Engagement
WELCOME CENTER SHELTER FOR WOMEN
Windsor, ON
01.2014 - 12.2016
- Develop and implement strategic marketing, development and community engagement plan focused on women and children experiencing homelessness due to poverty and/or addiction/mental illness
- Engage local partnerships to leverage the best use of funds and programmatic outcomes
- Solicit individual, corporate and foundation contributions to provide sustainable programming options
- Work with community partners to identify/unmet needs of women and families/children experiencing homelessness
- Develop programming to service/un-met client needs
- Design, prepare and research potential funding opportunities and prepare applications to funders
- Manage food bank operations, including donors, volunteers and distribution
- Prepare and submit reports to funders, partners and board of directors
- Establish linkages and explore potential partnerships with provincial and government agencies
- Create and manage community partnerships focusing on increasing access to stable affordable housing and related services
- Increase awareness of the organization and the impacts of poverty and homelessness throughout the community
- Increase donor base annually in addition to securing funding for provincial, federal and local funding agencies through evaluation of current structure and amend as needed
- Act as a spokesperson for the organization, including coordinating media and event messaging
- Work in collaboration with board of directors to implement and amend Strategic Plan and Vision
- Represent the agency within the community
- Prepare a regular financial program reports to funding agencies
- Prepare and implement annual 5-year budgets/forecasts, adjust when necessary
- Manage communications with funding agencies/granting agencies
- Manage food bank operations
- Oversee all volunteer operations
- Ensure and report on-going program evaluation
- Create used and on-going volunteer opportunities for potential volunteers
- Actively engage partner organizations, funders and donors through recognition programs, events, sponsorship opportunities
- Create opportunities to work with non-traditional agencies in organization to increase the capacity of the agency to serve its client base
- Act as a spokesperson and liaison for the organizations in the community
- Ensure budgets are adhered to, allocated correctly and reported on regularly
- Implement a performance management process for staff and volunteers, including monitoring the performance of staff on an on-going basis and conducting an annual performance review
- Act as an advisor to the Board of Directors, reporting activities, committee meetings
Executive Director
RCIC YOUTH CENTER
Windsor, CA
01.2009 - 12.2014
- Oversee the planning, implementation and evaluation of the organization’s programs and services
- Develop, design, implement and evaluate new and on-going programs specific to at-risk and underserved youth
- Prepare and manage applications to government, local and foundation funders
- Liaise with funding/granting agencies to ensure proper reporting and evaluation
- Increase donor base annually in addition to securing funding from provincial, federal and local funding agencies
- Prepare regular financial and program reports to funding agencies
- Prepare and implement annual and 5-year budgets/forecasts as part of an $11.5M annual national budget
- Oversee the planning, implementation, execution and evaluation of special projects
- Determine staffing requirements for organizational management and program delivery including hiring and staff development
- Oversee the implementation of the human resources policies, procedures and practices including the development of job description for all staff
- Implement a performance management process for all staff, including monitoring the performance of staff on an on-going basis and conducting an annual performance review
- Act as an advisor to the Board of Directors on all aspects of the organization’s activities
- Actively engage partner organizations, funders and donors through on-going communications and reporting
- Design, develop and implement national priority strategy and evaluation
- Expand revenue generating and fundraising activities to support existing program operations and expansion of national/regional programs
- Communicate with stakeholders to keep them informed of the work of the organization, and to identify changes in the community served by the organization
- Represent the organization at community activities to enhance the organization’s community profile
Project Manager/stephen Jarislowski Chair in Conflict and Regional Program Manager
JERUSALEM OLD CITY INITIATIVE UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
Windsor, ON
01.2005 - 12.2010
- Coordinate activities of the Jerusalem Old City Initiative both regionally and internationally
- Prepare grant applications to federal funding agencies
- Research and write funding applications to international and domestic agencies
- Prepare quarterly and annual reports to funding agencies
- Prepare budgets and monitor regularly
- Coordinate all financial records for the Initiative
- Communicate with Canadian and US foreign diplomacy representative regarding the Project
- Manage evaluation of local (Canada wide) programming
- Facilitate meetings with regional and international partners
- Prepare contracts for partners in the region (US and Middle East Project consultants)
- Assist in editing major publication for print
- Ensure payment for all contractors, partners, employees and staff
- Supervise student research assistant staff
Education
Bachelor of Science - English
WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY
Detroit, MI01.1999
Skills
- English (fluent language and written)
- French (reading fluent/language intermediate)
- Arabic (language intermediate)
- Strong experience in managing remote working municipal, provincial and federal level both staff in the US, Canada
- Knowledge of all data privacy laws including GDPR
- Project management
- Strategic planning
- Program management
- Community engagement
Accomplishments
Successfully ed $35M capital campaign to build a family shelter
Secured over $12M in funding in 2 years for the underserved Detroit Public Schools Community District post conservatorship
Awarded Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for work with women and children
Led disaster relief response with United Way of Greater Houston to support victims of tornados and flooding
Increased stagnant funding (12 years without increase) through contract amendments and state government advocacy by $3M annually
Certification
Driver's License
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
French
Professional Working
Arabic
Elementary
Portuguese
Limited Working
Timeline
Executive Director
Joblio Foundation
07.2025 - Current
CEO
INTENT Consulting
10.2024 - 07.2025
Senior Director, Operations and Programming
Detroit Parent Network
03.2024 - 01.2025
Assistant Vice President Community Outreach
United Way of Greater Houston
12.2022 - 02.2024
Chief Operating Officer
ONTARIO 211 SERVICES
12.2022 - 01.2023
Director of Operations and Strategy Management
ASSISTED LIVING SOUTHWEST ONTARIO (ALSO)
01.2020 - 12.2022
Southwest Ontario Senior Manager, Fund Development and Community Engagement
VON CANADA
01.2018 - 12.2020
Executive Director of Development and Programming
DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
01.2016 - 12.2018
Director of Development/community Engagement
WELCOME CENTER SHELTER FOR WOMEN
01.2014 - 12.2016
Executive Director
RCIC YOUTH CENTER
01.2009 - 12.2014
Project Manager/stephen Jarislowski Chair in Conflict and Regional Program Manager
JERUSALEM OLD CITY INITIATIVE UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
01.2005 - 12.2010
Bachelor of Science - English
WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY