Sara J Kershaw

• Oversight for Disaster Services implementation and management for the Disaster Action Team Program in Central Arizona, covering 5 territories with a total population of 5 million.
• Managed Home Fire Campaign in partnership with the Regional Preparedness Manager.
  Recruited, trained, coached, counseled, and evaluated volunteers, setting individual and team performance goals.
• Collaborated with Disaster Workforce and Volunteer Services to design, develop, and implement a targeted annual volunteer engagement plan.
• Engaged a Disaster Workforce of 1,000 volunteer team members, planning engagement activities, and assigning tasks.
  

Achievements:

• Increased smoke alarm installations by 29% and exceeded the “Homes Made Safer” target by 23% through strategic partner engagement.
• Boosted DAT responder capacity for effective community preparation, response, and recovery.
• Engaged and retained volunteer teams across 5 territories, establishing a new GAP for sheltering.

• Managed the Disaster Program for Northern Vermont and led Training, Exercise, and Engagement initiatives.
• Provided support, development, and leadership guidance to all volunteers.
• Implemented performance measurements and partnered with volunteer services to achieve metrics.
• Maintained current understanding of local, state and federal guidelines for emergency response.
• Built and strengthened relationships with area governments, departments and agencies to manage effective planning and implementation of emergency response strategies.

Achievements:

• Increased Northern Vermont territory volunteer engagement by 53% YTD.
• Developed and executed Boot Camp Training, Disaster Institute, and Learning Academy Training.
• Created monthly educational meetings for the Northern Vermont team.
• Collaborated with the Massachusetts Workforce Manager and Team for Northeast Divisional Trainings.
• Led Volunteer Recruitment for Preparedness, Duty Officer, and Mass Care Disaster Response.
• Implemented DCS Virtual Boot Camp and established Regional Training program guidelines for consistency.

• Served as Volunteer Partner to Disaster Program Specialist providing training support,
  facilitating exercises, securing, and completing shelter assessments.
• Basic Instructor for Mass Care and Workforce Development.
• Served as capacity building lead for Recovery Care positions and developed a targeted
  volunteer recruitment plan for the regional recovery program.
• Aided in empowering a strong volunteer workforce to ensure a successful experience.
• Volunteer Recruitment Lead for Disaster Program Manager. Established the engagement, scheduling and 100% retention of sufficient numbers of the workforce to meet operational needs within assigned leadership territory.
• Collaboration with AmeriCorps supporting CAS (RC Care) training and Shelter Training.

Deployment Experience:
DRO 313-22 MO / IL Tornado - Recovery
DRO 015-19 OK / AR FLD/TOR – Workforce Staff Planning and Support

• External partner coordinator for providing mission critical resources to the Hurricane Katrina response.
• Supported and maintained partnerships for local preparedness, response, and recovery programs.
• Ability to Initiate the workforce care section on regional disaster relief operations.
• Coordinated Onboarding and Training of volunteers to prepare for deployment.

Achievements:

• Coordinated response and support for multiple disaster operations, including tornado and flood relief.
• Delivered public speaking engagements for the Preparedness programs.
• Initiated the workforce care section for regional disaster relief operations and volunteer onboarding.

• Oversight and management of Procurement and Billing Division for 341 Living Centers, Therapy and Rehab Centers with a combined workforce of 10,000 administrative, clinical, and facilities management.
• Budget management of over $50 million in contracts and $30 million for 2 divisions.
• Negotiated over $3 Million in cost savings and cost avoidance initiatives annually for company’s procurement division while managing over $20 million in medical and outsourcing services contracts.
• Supervision, training and development of department staff And field personnel.
• Created and Lead monthly and as needed Communication and Training to Living Centers and field clinical staff, administration, and leadership.
• Assisted Human Resources and recruiting with job description updates, payroll, and compliance with new system processes.
• Administered internal and coordinated external audits providing confidential and time-sensitive information to Company Leadership.
• Coordinator and event planner for supplier events at the corporate office and off-site for introduction of new and updated products and services from the company and its suppliers.