Sheika Reid
Linkedin.com/in/sheika-reid
Summary
Results-driven Economic Development Manager with 7+ years of experience in municipal strategic planning, business retention and expansion (BRE). With proven track record of supporting regional development projects to partner with CBE's and locally owned businesses. An advocate for locally owned businesses, helping them navigate permitting processes, and secure grants. Skilled in cross-departmental collaboration, financial incentive packaging, and stakeholder engagement.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Director of Economic Development, Office on African American Affairs
Executive Office of the Mayor
Washington, DC
01.2023 - Current
- Coordinated external programming for Serve DC and the Mayor's Office on Women's Policy, collaborating with DISB, DMPED, DGS, and other District agencies to inform business owners of available processes and opportunities.
- Coordinated Black Wealth Series, to connect business owners with Main Streets and BIDs to increase awareness about contracting and grant opportunities
- Nurtured partnerships with local businesses and community organizations, enhancing delivery of constituent-facing programs and events.
- Drafted talking points, briefing memos, and stakeholder correspondence for office leadership, aligning with the Mayor's community engagement priorities.
- Produced and directed the Black Business Month feature series highlighting Anacostia small businesses.
Transaction Analyst
Cushman + Wakefield
Washington, DC
01.2022 - 12.2022
- Managed deals, leases, acquisitions, and sales from proposal through closing and post-close review to optimize transaction outcomes.
- Collaborated with brokers, landlords, buyers, sellers, and corporate leadership to negotiate terms, pricing, and space requirements for lease or purchase agreements.
- Monitored contracts and client opportunities to ensure compliance and address potential issues.
Founder and Principal Consultant
Ascertainable Solutions
Washington, DC
01.2019 - Current
- C DAdvised organizations on navigating District government, funding streams and policy changes, translating regulatory requirements into plain-language memos and strategy documents.
- Key result: a client tax abatement approved by unanimous vote of the DC Council.
- Worked with DMPED and DHCD to produce 35 units of affordable housing.
- Obtained grant funding for Long Live Go Go initiative
- Coordinated Art All Night Programming with U Street Main Street and DSLBD.
- Secured partnership with Governor West Moore and Afro Plus Fest.
- Supported Techsgiving's workforce development program and government affairs strategy.
- DC Start-Up Week government contracting track.
HR Manager
Full Measure Education
Washington, DC
01.2021 - 03.2022
- Managed internal communications to ensure clarity in policy documentation, staff announcements, and organizational updates.
- Designed and implemented onboarding program for new staff to align with organizational strategy and enhance integration.
U Street Main Street Director
DC Department of Small and Local Business Development
Washington, DC
01.2020 - 11.2020
- Established U Street Main Street program during its inaugural year in collaboration with DSLBD and Main Street national organization.
- Oversaw a $200K+ micro-grant portfolio for small businesses.
- Raised $500K+ in corporate contributions and grants by mobilizing business owners, city officials and corporate donors.
- Managed marketing efforts including newsletter production and social media strategy.
Candidate, Ward 1 Council
Reid for Ward 1
Washington, DC
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Grew the constituent contact list to 35,000+ and raised $100K+ through donor cultivation and events.
- Led and managed team of 15+ staff and 100+ volunteers to effectively engage diverse constituency.
- Crafted campaign messaging, including policy position papers, op-eds, and constituent correspondence to communicate key initiatives.
Education
B.A. - Business
Georgetown University, School of Continuing Studies
In ProgressSkills
Strategic Planning
Public Policy Analysis
Grant Writing
Stakeholder Collaboration
Economic Forecasting
Data Analytics
Sustainability Planning
Project Management
Accomplishments
- DC Young Dems Executive Board | 2019 - 2021
- Run Hope Work Board members | 8 cohorts of DC residents successfully certified in HVAC, plumbing, construction specialties and more.
- $200K+ micro-grant portfolio supporting small businesses through COVID-19 across all 8 wards.
- Unanimous DC Council vote approving a tax abatement
- Fluent in Spanish
Timeline
Associate Director of Economic Development, Office on African American Affairs
Executive Office of the Mayor
01.2023 - Current
Transaction Analyst
Cushman + Wakefield
01.2022 - 12.2022
HR Manager
Full Measure Education
01.2021 - 03.2022
U Street Main Street Director
DC Department of Small and Local Business Development
01.2020 - 11.2020
Founder and Principal Consultant
Ascertainable Solutions
01.2019 - Current
Candidate, Ward 1 Council
Reid for Ward 1
01.2016 - 01.2018
B.A. - Business
Georgetown University, School of Continuing Studies