Shaunte Gardener
Yonkers,NY
Summary
Versatile Senior Director highly experienced in policy development and strategic vision areas. Hands-on leadership and management background with a solid track record of success in process optimization and operational restructuring. Seeking a Director position with a growing operation.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Director of OST
The YWCA of The City of New York
New York
01.2022 - 02.2024
- Shaped the agency’s overall vision, approach, and strategy related to youth services and programming
- Established a robust framework of processes, policies, and research-based best practices to enable efficient and compliant program operations
- Developed control processes to identify deficiencies and implemented critical adjustments to ensure programs met KPIs and benchmarks
- Pioneered data collection and analysis tools and supporting dashboards and models to facilitate reporting and enable data-driven, real-time strategy adjustment and program restructuring
- Created and led training programs to build capacity and accelerate team development
- Conceptualized and introduced a hiring system to identify and secure highly qualified staff across all programs, delivering a measurable boost in impact
- Identified and integrated with a host of community partners and local businesses, unlocking additional tactical resources; established additional public and private funding streams, increasing the operating budget by $100K+
- Influenced policy-making as a member of the District 14 Superintendents Equity Advisory Board, establishing policies to advance diversity, inclusion, and equity
- Attained recognition as a top performer, securing the highest performance rating on two consecutive DYCD evaluations.
- Lead cross-functional teams in developing creative solutions to challenging problems.
- Revitalized hiring, procurement and onboarding policies to strengthen operations.
- Mentored junior staff members in their professional development journey.
- Evaluated training needs of employees based on job roles and responsibilities.
- Mediated conflicts between employees and facilitated effective resolutions to disputes.
- Coordinated activities with other departments to expedite work and improve interdepartmental performance.
- Planned and delivered training sessions to improve employee effectiveness and address areas of weakness.
- Held regular one-on-one meetings with employees to review performance and priorities and provide feedback.
- Established key performance indicators to track progress towards goals.
- Created and managed budgets for travel, training and teambuilding activities.
- Organized team activities to build camaraderie and foster pleasant workplace culture.
Deputy Director
St. Nicks Alliance
Brooklyn, NY
01.2015 - 01.2022
- Developed an organizational systematic approach to the recruitment, hiring and onboarding process of new employees
- Budget management including accounts payable monthly variance reviews and spending forecasting
- Increased the organizations overall revenue by 33% by securing new contracts in a year
- Reviewed disciplinary policies for staff and participants and revised program manuals for staff and families
- Oversee the development and implementation of operational strategies and processes to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and scalability
- Lead design and/or improvement of systems, processes and communication protocols to ensure organization performs at high level, while building a culture of inclusivity and collaboration
- Oversee compliance functions, maintaining strong compliance, program safety, and data protection
- Provide strategic direction and leadership fostering a culture of continuous learning, collaboration, and innovation
- Serve as a strategic advisor to the executive team and board of directors, providing financial, operational, and technology insights to support decision-making
- Represent the organization in relevant industry events, conferences, and forums to enhance its reputation and visibility
- Lead and coach a diverse team of professionals, promoting professional growth through guidance, coaching, support, and professional development
- Support the annual planning processes for the organization, driving and executing team roadmaps, to ensure a high level of teamwork and performance toward goals
- Manage cross-functional teams to drive process improvements and enhance organizational effectiveness
- Lead teams in setting and achieving annual goals, monitoring performance through regular feedback and performance evaluations.
- Supported departments in execution of purchase and service contracts, reviewing agreements and interfacing with vendors and clients to direct complete fulfillment of contractual obligations.
- Established relationships with external partners to expand services offered.
- Created program to promote new managers from within, leading to cohesive leadership structure.
- Coached and guided direct reports on day-to-day operations and company policies and procedures.
- Provided organizational leadership and collaborated with executive partners to establish long-term goals, strategies and company policies.
- Engaged stakeholders by providing regular updates on progress toward goals.
21st Community Learning Center Program Director
Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation
Brooklyn, NY
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Established relationships with key stakeholders to build trust in the organization's mission.
- Oversaw administrative support staff to facilitate day-to-day program activities.
- Directed staff training on technical aspects of programming activities.
- Initiated and set goals for programs according to strategic objectives of organization.
- Monitored program operations for compliance with policies and procedures, applicable standards and relevant contractual policy.
- Met regularly with program stakeholders to make program adjustments and assess progress.
- Hired and developed staff members to collaboratively achieve program goals.
- Facilitated staff meetings and educational work sessions to strengthen staff competencies.
- Monitored performance metrics to evaluate effectiveness of programs.
- Recruited, hired, trained, supervised, coached, evaluated, and disciplined personnel.
- Created and implemented new programming ideas to keep program relevant and growing.
Director of Programs
Foundations for Life
Brooklyn
01.2011 - 01.2015
- Conceived, planned, and directed multiple summer camp programs, directing all program functions from finance to resource management, HR management, scheduling, compliance, and reporting.
Education
Masters in Social Work - Community Organizing
Wurzweiler at Yeshiva University
01.2012
BA in Psychology -
CUNY Brooklyn College
01.2006
Skills
- Office Tools (MS Office, G Suite)
- Community Engagement
- Cross-functional Leadership
- Operations Management
- Project Development & Governance
- Relationship-Building
- Staff Performance Management
- Strategic Planning
- Talent Management
- Key Performance Indicators
- Organizational Development
- Policy Development & Implementation
- Staff Development & Mentoring
- Budget Control
- Program & Team Management
- Contract and Vendor Management
Affiliations
- National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Member, 01/01/12, Present
- National Association of Social Workers New York City Chapter (NASW-NYC), Member, 01/01/12, Present
Certification
- CRE Leadership Caucus Cohort, 06/01/23, Department of Youth & Community Development
- CPR Pro/First Aid/AED Certified Instructor, 04/01/22, Red Cross
- Seminar in Field Instruction (SIFI), 05/01/21, CUNY Hunter University
- Therapeutic Crisis Intervention in Schools (TCIS) Trainer (Recertified), 10/01/20, Residential Child Care Project
- Developing Leaders Program for Nonprofit Professionals Cohort, 03/01/19, Department of Youth & Community Development
- CRE High Performing Managers Initiative Cohort, 06/01/18, Department of Youth & Community Development
- CRE Collaboration Lab for School Partnerships Series, 06/01/18
- YDI Bringing the PYD Framework to Life at My Site PYD Cohort, 01/01/18
- SEL Girls Circle and The Council for Boys and Young Men Trainer, 08/01/16
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Senior Director of OST
The YWCA of The City of New York
01.2022 - 02.2024
Deputy Director
St. Nicks Alliance
01.2015 - 01.2022
21st Community Learning Center Program Director
Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation
01.2013 - 01.2015
Director of Programs
Foundations for Life
01.2011 - 01.2015
Masters in Social Work - Community Organizing
Wurzweiler at Yeshiva University
BA in Psychology -
CUNY Brooklyn College
- CRE Leadership Caucus Cohort, 06/01/23, Department of Youth & Community Development
- CPR Pro/First Aid/AED Certified Instructor, 04/01/22, Red Cross
- Seminar in Field Instruction (SIFI), 05/01/21, CUNY Hunter University
- Therapeutic Crisis Intervention in Schools (TCIS) Trainer (Recertified), 10/01/20, Residential Child Care Project
- Developing Leaders Program for Nonprofit Professionals Cohort, 03/01/19, Department of Youth & Community Development
- CRE High Performing Managers Initiative Cohort, 06/01/18, Department of Youth & Community Development
- CRE Collaboration Lab for School Partnerships Series, 06/01/18
- YDI Bringing the PYD Framework to Life at My Site PYD Cohort, 01/01/18
- SEL Girls Circle and The Council for Boys and Young Men Trainer, 08/01/16
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