Sofia Pawlusik
Schenectady,NY
Summary
A highly-motivated individual with a desire to take on new challenges. Strong work ethic, adaptable, and exceptional interpersonal and communication skills. Adept at working effectively unsupervised and quickly mastering new tasks.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
Work History
Community Impact Manager
The Schenectady Foundation
Schenectady, New York
2025.01 - Current
- Managed and evolved community-based grant programs by developing accessible application processes.
- Led Schenectady County Food Council to foster collaboration among residents and partner organizations.
- Designed and facilitated inclusive meetings that promoted resident leadership and diverse participation.
- Streamlined backend systems to enhance efficiency and user-friendliness for staff and community members.
- Coordinated consistent communications across platforms to promote engagement and share resources.
- Conducted research on funding opportunities and community needs to inform programming decisions.
Coordinator
Schenectady County Food Council
Schenectady, NY
2024.04 - 2026.02
- Plan educational workshops, community gatherings, focus groups, and Steering Committee meetings to encourage knowledge sharing, active participation, and actionable outcomes.
- Lead community-driven efforts to tackle food insecurity, promote sustainable agriculture, and improve equitable access to nutritious food.
- Collaborate with local leaders, nonprofits, and government agencies to address systemic challenges, and develop community-informed solutions.
- Partner with community members, organizations, and food councils across the state to champion policies that create lasting solutions to hunger and food system inequities.
- Maintain accurate records, and manage resources to support the council's operational and strategic goals effectively.
Community Engagement Associate
The Schenectady Foundation
Schenectady, NY
2024.04 - 2025.01
- Coordinator for the Schenectady County Food Council, overseeing community-based grant programs and fostering collaboration among residents and grassroots organizations to develop community-informed programs and solutions.
- Manage communications across various platforms to ensure effective outreach and engagement, while organizing databases for streamlined access.
- Facilitate inclusive meetings that encourage active participation from diverse stakeholders.
- Research grant sources, opportunities, and topics in support of the Foundation’s various initiatives
- Provide essential administrative support to enhance organizational operations
Support Associate
The Schenectady Foundation
Schenectady, NY
2024.01 - 2024.04
- Provide administrative support such as organizing databases and documents
- Draft correspondence with donors thanking them for their contributions
- Type, format, and edit correspondence and other documents
- Collaborate with team members across departments to ensure successful completion of projects
Paid Intern - Food Insecurity Initiatives
The Schenectady Foundation
Schenectady, NY
2023.05 - 2023.08
- Developed visual aids to convey information to community partners
- Developed questionnaires for data collection
- Reviewed grant applications and collaborated with program staff to develop strategies for successful grants management
- Maintained records related to grant activities including reviewing applications, award letters, invoices, and expenditure documentation.
- Participated in program evaluation activities including focus groups and interviews
Community Engagement Intern
New Hampshire Hunger Solutions
Concord, NH
2023.01 - 2023.05
- Collaborated on an initiative that operationalized equity in food and nutrition security, community-clinical linkages, and social connectedness
- Created training modules for community partners on best practices for Community Engagement, Communication and Language Access, and Cultural Competency
- Facilitated discussions, created presentations, and recorded meeting minutes for community partners
- Developed questions for community engagement, generated SMART goals, and collected primary and secondary data
- Contacted and maintained correspondence with New Hampshire Schools to inform them about Farm 2 School grants and other funding opportunities
Education
Bachelor of Science - Health Science
Rivier University
Nashua, NH2023-12
Certification - Nutrition And Healthy Living
Cornell University
Ithaca, NYCertification - Classical Pilates Mat Instructor
Beacon Pilates
Beacon, NYCertification - CITI - Social & Behavioral Research
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative
Skills
- Team Collaboration
- Excellent Written and Verbal Communication
- Community Outreach
- Building Rapport and Trust
- Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
Timeline
Community Impact Manager
The Schenectady Foundation
2025.01 - Current
Coordinator
Schenectady County Food Council
2024.04 - 2026.02
Community Engagement Associate
The Schenectady Foundation
2024.04 - 2025.01
Support Associate
The Schenectady Foundation
2024.01 - 2024.04
Paid Intern - Food Insecurity Initiatives
The Schenectady Foundation
2023.05 - 2023.08
Community Engagement Intern
New Hampshire Hunger Solutions
2023.01 - 2023.05
Bachelor of Science - Health Science
Rivier University
Certification - Nutrition And Healthy Living
Cornell University
Certification - CITI - Social & Behavioral Research
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative
Certification - Classical Pilates Mat Instructor
Beacon Pilates