STEFAN LAKO
Broomfield,CO
Summary
Professional researcher with comprehensive experience leading projects and driving impactful outcomes. Skilled in data analysis, project management, and strategic planning. Strong focus on team collaboration and adaptability to evolving research needs. Known for delivering actionable insights and fostering innovation.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Human Resources Partner
JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS
01.2023 - Current
- Provide leadership and partnership to management to deliver a spectrum of strategic and tactical HR support and programs to 17 schools, comprising of over 1,500 employees
- Partner, counsel, and assist school and department leaders on a broad range of human resource issues, including employee staffing and retention; employee performance management; employee training and development; and labor/employee relations
- Elected to the Culture Champions Team to enhance employee wellness and engagement
Human Resources and Development Director
SUMMIT INTEGRATED SYSTEMS
01.2020 - 01.2023
- Served as a thought partner to C-Suite, identifying best practices and implementing learning strategies, training, and tools that created a culture of cohesiveness and productivity
- Maintained company compliance with local, state, and federal laws, in addition to established organizational standards.
- Evaluated HR metrics regularly to assess program effectiveness and make data-driven decisions for continuous improvement.
Director, Programs, Research and Education
ORPHAN RELIEF AND RESCUE (ORR)
01.2015 - 01.2022
- Championed the development, execution, and management of all programs in West Africa designed to enhance children’s health and educational outcomes while minimizing the ongoing risk of trafficking in Liberia and Benin
- Pioneered the 'Break the Silence' educational initiative to combat child sexual abuse in Liberia, training over 10K children within 12 months and securing Safe Homes for 16 children
- Established and executed a Microfinance Program in Benin to mitigate kidnappings for slave labor
- Conducted research revealing economic factors, leading to the development of a microloan initiative fostering entrepreneurship and sustainable community income
- Designed and implemented ‘Evaluation and Monitoring’ systems using qualitative and quantitative research skills to learn and understand the intended and unintended impact of programs, focusing on impact and outcome metrics
- Implemented innovative solutions to solve complex problems, resulting in increased productivity and streamlined operations.
- Obtained funding and worked with backers to assess research goals and implement relevant plans.
- Established partnerships with external organizations to enhance data sharing opportunities and expand project scope.
- Performed accurate analysis of targeted data research, collection and report preparation.
- Applied ethical considerations throughout all stages of the research process, safeguarding participant welfare and data integrity.
Program Design Manager
MERCY SHIPS
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Supported leadership in achieving the mission of serving nations and transforming lives by utilizing state-of-the-art hospital ships to deliver surgeries to children and adults who would have gone without
- Created detailed project plans, crafted achievable goals, and delivered status reports to Directors on progress to ensure objectives and outcomes were attainable and sustainable
- Conducted program reviews and evaluations, delivering recommendations to enhance program effectiveness
- Researched design trends, technology and processes and directed work of design team .
Education
Master of Art - Global Development and International Management
BRIDGEPORT UNIVERSITY
Bridgeport, CTBachelor of Art - International Affairs
COLORADO UNIVERSITY AT BOULDER
Boulder, COSkills
- Global Nonprofit Leadership
- Monitoring
- Evaluation
- Learning
- Development
- Servant Leadership
- Partnership
- Empirical Research
- Qualitative Research
- Research presentation
- Quantitative Research
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Data Analysis
- Relationship Cultivation
Certification
SHRM Certified Professional, 2022
Valueproposition
- Highly skilled in global nonprofit management overseeing teams, managing budgets, and large-scale projects.
- Adept at designing global programs that elevate organizational performance while creating belonging.
- Experience as nonprofit Executive Director leading Operations, HR, Monitoring and Evaluation and more.
- Cross-functional collaborator that excels in driving engagement across diverse teams, leaders, and cultures.
- Enthusiastic and innovative thinker with a penchant for creativity, dynamism, and optimism. Thrives on exploring novel opportunities to enhance operational effectiveness and drive forward-thinking approaches.
Timeline
Human Resources Partner
JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS
01.2023 - Current
Human Resources and Development Director
SUMMIT INTEGRATED SYSTEMS
01.2020 - 01.2023
Director, Programs, Research and Education
ORPHAN RELIEF AND RESCUE (ORR)
01.2015 - 01.2022
Program Design Manager
MERCY SHIPS
01.2013 - 01.2015
Bachelor of Art - International Affairs
COLORADO UNIVERSITY AT BOULDER
SHRM Certified Professional, 2022
Master of Art - Global Development and International Management
BRIDGEPORT UNIVERSITY
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