Ruben A. Johnson
North Wales,PA
Summary
Visionary strategist and change agent who bring extensive experience leading nonprofit, education, and community service organizations through transformative growth and mission-centered innovation. Proven expertise in cultivating high-performance teams, aligning strategy with service delivery, and directing multimillion-dollar budgets across complex funding structures. Successes include expanding agency budget from $10 million to $12 million, securing over $1 million in new funding, and increasing service reach by 30% through strategic integration. Skilled in designing and implementing strategies to strengthen program infrastructure, optimize compliance, and elevate stakeholder engagement. Known for driving organizational success through unifying siloed departments, reengineering outdated systems, and boosting client satisfaction by 20%.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Nonprofit Strategy and Operations Consultant
PARADIGM CONSULTING SERVICES, INC.
04.2023 - Current
- Company Overview: Offers consulting services to nonprofit management on strategic planning, team building, new program design/implementation, and evaluation of existing programs, budgets and fiscal management.
- Guide mission-driven organizations through complex planning and transformation efforts that align leadership vision, resource development, and program execution. Coordinate cross-functional teams comprising 10+ specialists to develop tailored strategies for diverse client operations. Deliver strategic guidance to leadership teams. Provide support across program planning, performance assessments, and technical infrastructure design. Facilitate internal organizational assessments to uncover service gaps and define operational improvements.
- Collaborate with boards and executive leadership on governance issues, strategic visioning, and resource allocation. Review budgets for current and prospective funding cycles. Assist organizations with policy development for key areas including personnel and finance. Support federal program clients. Provide coaching and consultation on organizational development, board structuring, and change management.
- Directed planning and implementation efforts that achieved average completion rates 7% under budget across client initiatives in both small and large organizations.
- Led needs assessments that contributed to 15% expansion in services provided by client organizations.
- Facilitated performance standards implementation for Head Start and Early Head Start programs, resulting in 30% improvement in program benchmarks.
- Supported strategic planning initiatives that led to 5% increase in funding streams for client agencies.
- Partnered with management to develop and apply comprehensive personnel and fiscal policies that improved compliance readiness across all operational areas.
Chief Executive Officer / Chief Operating Officer
BURLINGTON COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
01.2016 - 04.2024
- Company Overview: Provides services to low-income residents in Burlington County through childcare, housing, senior support, energy assistance, homelessness prevention and related programs, with $12 million in grants and 200+ staff members.
- Directed day-to-day administration, overseeing all organizational operations including fiscal planning, human resources, contract oversight, grant management, facility operations, policy development, insurance, and risk mitigation. Led strategic planning initiatives in collaboration with 23-member board of trustees to align agency activities with mission goals. Supervised executive management team (CFO, COO, CPO, CIO, CDO, and directors of administrative services and quality assurance). Guided financial strategy for $10 million operating budget sourced from over 15 funding streams.
- Oversaw grants supporting 430+ early education slots while managing compliance for $7 million in federal program funding. Administered Head Start and Early Head Start programs across 3 child development centers; ensured compliance with federal standards and timely submission of grant renewals and federal progress reports. Directed agency technology, infrastructure, and facilities. Engaged with local organizations to cultivate community partnerships and expand access to services.
- Expanded agency budget from $10 million to $12 million despite the threats of major funding reductions.
- Reduced costs by $300,000 through implementation of new payroll and human resources systems.
- Streamlined operations by cutting $250,000 in underperforming programs and associated staffing.
- Secured over $1 million in new funding by developing partnerships with corporations and foundations.
- Boosted outreach reach by 30% through strategic plan execution and interdepartmental alignment.
- Directed organizational restructuring through 5-year agency-wide integration plan that unified departmental operations.
- Increased client satisfaction by 20% following implementation of new service delivery model.
President and CEO
COMMUNITY INNOVATIONS INC. / COMMUNITY RESPONSE
05.2000 - 04.2016
- Company Overview: Serves low-income families in Trenton and surrounding communities through early childhood education, women’s substance-use residential facility, family and single-men homeless shelters, and outreach initiatives.
- Directed strategic planning, program development, and fiscal oversight for multi-service nonprofit agency supporting vulnerable populations across Trenton. Supervised delivery of integrated services through multiple facilities and outreach initiatives. Managed human resources functions including recruitment, development, and retention of 70 full- and part-time staff.
- Collaborated with 10-member board on governance, policy direction, and strategic growth planning.
- Maintained regulatory compliance with Bureau of Licensing, NJ Department of Health and Human Services, and Division of Youth and Family Services.
- Advanced community impact by leading community engagement and legislative advocacy to strengthen funding channels and expand public service access.
Executive Director
TRENTON EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (TEDCO)
05.1995 - 05.2015
- Company Overview: Nonprofit organization offering subsidized childcare for low-income families in Trenton, NJ, serving as a model cities program.
- Directed all operational, fiscal, and programmatic functions while overseeing day-to-day operations including human resources, policy development, facilities management, grant writing, contracts, and community engagement. Supervised team of 2 directors and 2 coordinators, managing staff of 50 across childcare centers. Reported to 7-member board and facilitated governance processes including strategic planning retreats.
- Developed and implemented state-approved early childhood curricula and certification programs for internal staff. Advanced community presence through city partnerships and expansion into homeless services for families, women, and men. Ensured full regulatory compliance while restructuring financial systems to enhance fiscal oversight. Negotiated contracts with state, county, and local governments to fund new housing initiatives.
- Introduced agency's first strategic plan and restructured systems for board reporting and administrative control.
- Launched customer participation plan that increased enrollment by 15%.
Education
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) - Organizational Leadership and Systems
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FLMaster of Human Services (M.H.S.) - Human Services Administration
Lincoln University
Lincoln University, PABachelor of Science (B.S.) - Criminal Justice
The College of New Jersey
Trenton, NJSkills
- Program Development
- Fiscal Management
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Governance Support
- Nonprofit Management
- Community-Based Program Design
- Internal Controls Optimization
- Community Partnership Building
- Public Sector Collaboration
- Executive Oversight
- Grant Acquisition/Management
- Succession Planning
- Nonprofit Fund Development
- Outcome Measurement
Affiliations
- National Association for the Education of Young Children
- Child Welfare League of America
- Mercer County Work Investment Board
- Mercer County Continuum of Care (Homeless Services)
- National Association of Curriculum Development
- National Alliance to End Homelessness
- Mercer County Emergency Assistance Program
Timeline
Nonprofit Strategy and Operations Consultant
PARADIGM CONSULTING SERVICES, INC.
04.2023 - Current
Chief Executive Officer / Chief Operating Officer
BURLINGTON COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
01.2016 - 04.2024
President and CEO
COMMUNITY INNOVATIONS INC. / COMMUNITY RESPONSE
05.2000 - 04.2016
Executive Director
TRENTON EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (TEDCO)
05.1995 - 05.2015
Master of Human Services (M.H.S.) - Human Services Administration
Lincoln University
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Criminal Justice
The College of New Jersey
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) - Organizational Leadership and Systems
Nova Southeastern University
Publications
- Thriving Communities Business Planning, Volume (1). August 2023 | The Big Question (Strategic Planning), Volume (1). January 2022
- Rethink Community, Volume (1), 76. January 2021 | Emergency Governance Policy, Volume (1). July 2020
- Nonprofit Governance (Organizational Processes), Volume (1). 2018
- Increasing the Level of Knowledge of Group Teachers with Insufficient Classroom Management Skills – Nova Southeastern University, May 1999
- Quality Childcare Services in Urban Areas – Child Welfare League of America, August 1998
- The Black Church Responding to Juvenile Delinquency Within Its Community – Lincoln University, May 1995
Board & Committee Involvement
- NJ Human Service Advisory Board
- Board Member, NJ Child Care Policy Board
- Trenton Board of Education Committee on Youth Homelessness
- Trustee Board Member, Trenton Chapter, Habitat for Humanity
Awards
National Honor Society for Social Services
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