Sandra M. Turner
COLUMBIA,MD
Summary
Adaptable Executive Administrator & Operations Strategist experienced in managing complex, confidential executive-level administrative affairs in higher education and nonprofit organizations. Delivered innovative solutions that advance equitable education while driving organizational success and fostering team collaboration. Developed and implemented high-impact strategies, ensuring operational efficiency and effective stakeholder engagement.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Strategic Partner to CEO
08.2024 - 08.2026
- Supported academic administrator's transition to CEO of nonprofit organization. Designed and implemented administrative workflows and strategic calendar practices to align executive attention with organizational priorities.
- Collaborated as a strategic thought partner to enhance organizational focus, align leadership, and drive execution. Prepared data-driven presentations, executive briefings, and meeting agendas; advised on effective communication of organizational change and supported engagement with senior leadership and the Board of Directors.
- Provided expert consulting services to improve organizational performance.
Executive & Special Assistant to the Dean
University of Rochester
Rochester, NY
05.2008 - 08.2018
- Acted as the first point of contact for the Office of the Dean. Resolved a broad range of operational and administrative issues, exercising sound judgment and discretion. Advised students, staff, and faculty on university policies and procedures while upholding the highest standards of professionalism and care.
- Transformed Dean's Office into a highly organized, service-oriented environment. Developed workflow systems that enhanced day-to-day operations, institutional record-keeping, and budget management. Improved response times to urgent requests while managing competing priorities with operational ease.
- Principal communicator and liaison among senior administration offices, the Board of Trustees, and external partners. Maintained strict confidentiality while managing highly sensitive information required for responsive decision-making and high-level execution. Established trust and clear communication channels that kept internal and external constituencies informed and engaged.
- Collaborated with Advancement offices to curate Dean's leadership portfolio for donor-facing meetings. Synthesized research to draft correspondence, speeches, presentations, and data-driven reports for Board of Trustees meetings. Aligned brand messaging with strategic goals and vision.
- Acted as the Dean's trusted strategic partner for ten years of expanding leadership. Anticipated needs, managed competing priorities, and worked adaptively to support his transition through three role expansions to become the University of Rochester's 10th Provost.
- Designed and led a year-long onboarding orientation for the incoming Dean. Created a foundation for the organizational vision. Managed her revised recruitment initiative to broaden faculty diversity, equity, and inclusion and coordinated the Dean's review of faculty promotion and tenure cases to ensure compliance and timely approvals.
- Supported school's mission through project, administrative, and finance management for Dean's Department Chairs and Senior Leadership team. Aligned tasks with strategic priorities. Created dashboards and timelines to track action items and deadlines, ensuring timely execution.
- Established a successful mentoring strategy for first-generation and underserved students that improved retention. Developed personalized action plans and coached students on time management, business communication, and leadership skills.
- Achieved the title of “Keeper of the Culture” for flawless coordination of logistics for the Dean's high-profile meetings, signature events, and annual retreats. Cultivated a culture of inclusive engagement and collaboration across university departments and with community partners.
- Executive Office Operations Management:
- Strategic Communication & Relationship Management:
- Special Projects & Engagement Management:
- “Sandra is outstanding in every way. She is organized, creative, detail-oriented, unflappable, a team player, and a consummate professional in everything she does.” – Dean Wendi Heinzelman
National Geographic Certified Educator, Explorer & Storyteller
National Geographic Society
08.2018 - 08.2026
- Designed and led mission-driven conservation and education projects as a two-time major grant recipient. Coordinated global and local partners while managing proposal development, grant budgets, expenditures, and reporting.
- Created award-winning instructional and multimedia content that integrated science, education, exploration, and storytelling, fostering awe and curiosity about the wonders of the world. Contributing writer for the National Geographic Education Blog.
- Independent Contractor
Education
MS - Professional Studies, Organizational Development & Project Management
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester, NY01-2009
Certificate of Completion - Strategy Execution
Harvard Business School Online
01-2022
Skills
- Grants management
- Executive support
- Document design
- Visual Communication
- Spreadsheet & Data Development
- Content creation
- Budget Oversight
- Data analysis
- Google Workspace
- Education research
- Adobe Creative Cloud & Graphic Design
- Education AI
- Interpersonal skills
- Customer-oriented
Timeline
Executive Strategic Partner to CEO
08.2024 - 08.2026
National Geographic Certified Educator, Explorer & Storyteller
National Geographic Society
08.2018 - 08.2026
Executive & Special Assistant to the Dean
University of Rochester
05.2008 - 08.2018
Certificate of Completion - Strategy Execution
Harvard Business School Online
MS - Professional Studies, Organizational Development & Project Management
Rochester Institute of Technology
Personal Information
Title: STRATEGIC PARTNER | PROJECT-DRIVEN | MISSION-DRIVEN