SHERRY L. BAILEY
Rosston
Summary
Award-winning nonprofit executive with a proven track record in driving sustainable community growth through strategic partnerships and enhanced funding initiatives. Expertise in community engagement and relationship building, guiding individuals toward career opportunities through tailored coaching and impactful workshops.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
Work History
Career Coach
Lafayette CountyHigh School
Stamps
07.2025 - Current
- Facilitated workshops on job search techniques and resume writing skills, enhancing participants' employability.
- Guided students in exploring career options through individualized coaching sessions.
- Developed tailored action plans aligning student goals with career aspirations.
- Conducted mock interviews and role-playing sessions to enhance interviewing capabilities.
- Organized career fairs to connect students with industry experts and potential employers.
- Established partnerships with businesses, expanding job placement opportunities for clients.
- Collaborated with local businesses to generate job leads, connecting clients to potential employment opportunities.
- Identified financial aid resources to support access to essential educational programs.
ONE STOP OPERATOR, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Eckerd Connect
Hope
01.2021 - 07.2025
- Ensured smooth daily operations while delivering comprehensive WIOA services.
- Collaborated with employers to coordinate local business service activities, addressing specific workforce needs.
- Coordinated employment education and training providers across nine counties to streamline service delivery.
- Analyzed 300 surveys to identify key opportunities and barriers within the WIOA program, informing strategic improvements.
- Established strong partnerships through quarterly meetings with stakeholders.
- Reported operational performance and improvement recommendations to local workforce development board.
- Promoted events and content on Facebook, increasing community engagement by 43 percent.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES
Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)
Arkadelphia
01.2017 - 01.2021
- Proactively led strategic direction in partnership with board of directors.
- Developed and implemented plans to engage community organizations, increasing funding by 60%.
- Recruited and trained volunteer team to effectively advocate for children in foster care, enhancing support services.
- Managed online media outreach, boosting awareness of foster care and increasing new volunteer advocates by 30%.
- Organized CASA Hero Run, raising over $10,000 for children in foster care.
- Promoted events and programs, increasing community involvement by 40%.
- Supervised staff service programs and daily operations, driving alignment with organizational goals.
SENIOR MANAGE, RELAY FOR LIFE
American Cancer Society, Inc.
Little Rock
01.2013 - 01.2017
- Achieved $1.2 million yearly through 35 successful community fundraising events and 800+ volunteers.
- Managed $4.8 million income target for event-related and advocacy activities, ensuring financial accountability.
- Ranked first in state for staff and volunteer retention over four consecutive years.
- Coached and mentored five full-time employees, fostering professional development across Southwest and Central Arkansas.
- Increased awareness of mission-related events, facilitating improved care access for underserved patients.
AREA DIRECTOR, RELAY FOR LIFE
American Cancer Society, Inc.
Little Rock
01.2008 - 01.2013
- Executed 25 community fundraising events, generating $1.2 million and mobilizing over 600 volunteers for community engagement.
- Achieved $6.0 million in revenue by fostering an aggressive sales culture while meeting territory objectives.
- Achieved highest staff and volunteer retention rates in state for five consecutive years through strategic management practices.
- Coached and trained a team of seven full-time employees, enhancing operational effectiveness and team cohesion.
COMMUNITY MANAGER, RELAY FOR LIFE
American Cancer Society, Inc.
Little Rock
01.2002 - 01.2008
- Led initiatives that increased participation in community events, including Relay for Life and golf tournaments.
- Achieved $1.6 million in funding by advocating for revival of fundraising events.
- Supervised recruitment and training of 500+ volunteers, enhancing community engagement and support.
- Restored relationships with dissatisfied volunteers across six counties, fostering improved collaboration and trust.
- Received Association Commendation of Excellence for surpassing program income goals for two years.
- Established corporate payroll deduction accounts to support financial targets.
REGIONAL DIRECTOR, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Arkansas Human Development
Hope
01.1994 - 01.2002
- Managed team of four workforce development staff to achieve job placement targets for over 200 migrant and seasonal farmworkers annually.
- Forged partnerships and executed 15 MOUs with community organizations and employers to enhance workforce development initiatives.
- Conducted hiring, supervision, training, and evaluation of staff to optimize outcomes.
- Supported staff through targeted professional development opportunities.
- Facilitated access for participants to supportive services and job placement resources, leading to successful full-time employment outcomes.
QUALITY CONTROL REVIEWER, CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES
Arkansas Department of Human Services
Camden
01.1992 - 01.1994
- Maintained comprehensive case files for 300 clients enrolled in childcare assistance program.
- Managed state childcare block grant, ensuring effective support for low-income families.
- Recruited and engaged childcare providers for participation in voucher reimbursement system, enhancing service availability.
- Processed vouchers for vendor reimbursement, coordinating with finance for prompt payment.
- Presented to churches and community organizations, increasing client and vendor participation in programs.
Family Service Worker
Arkansas Department of Human Services
Prescott
01.1990 - 01.1992
- Ensured protection for abused and neglected children within child welfare system.
- Provided case management and crisis intervention services, ensuring clients received timely support.
- Created tailored case plans to address unique client needs, facilitating effective service delivery.
- Collaborated with families to support completion of established case plans.
- Conducted regular home visits and monitored children in placement or treatment programs.
- Attended court hearings to represent client interests and facilitate legal processes.
- Connected clients with community resources, enhancing their access to essential support services.
Education
Certificate - Career Coach
Coursera
07-2026
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
Southern Arkansas University
Magnolia, AREvent Management and Design -
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, ARSkills
- Career coaching and counseling
- Job readiness training
- Career development strategies
- Resume writing assistance
- Job search
- Networking strategies
- Diversity hiring practices
- Client relationship management
- Client advocacy techniques
- Workshops coordination
- Partnership development
- Community engagement
- Public speaking
- Relationship building
- Budget management
Training
- Certified Suicide Prevention Trainer
- Proposal and Grant Development
- Outreach and Marketing
- Developing and Managing Board of Directors
- Program Evaluation
- Building and Managing Volunteer Programs
Timeline
Career Coach
Lafayette CountyHigh School
07.2025 - Current
ONE STOP OPERATOR, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Eckerd Connect
01.2021 - 07.2025
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES
Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)
01.2017 - 01.2021
SENIOR MANAGE, RELAY FOR LIFE
American Cancer Society, Inc.
01.2013 - 01.2017
AREA DIRECTOR, RELAY FOR LIFE
American Cancer Society, Inc.
01.2008 - 01.2013
COMMUNITY MANAGER, RELAY FOR LIFE
American Cancer Society, Inc.
01.2002 - 01.2008
REGIONAL DIRECTOR, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Arkansas Human Development
01.1994 - 01.2002
QUALITY CONTROL REVIEWER, CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES
Arkansas Department of Human Services
01.1992 - 01.1994
Family Service Worker
Arkansas Department of Human Services
01.1990 - 01.1992
Certificate - Career Coach
Coursera
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
Southern Arkansas University
Event Management and Design -
University of Arkansas