Thesha Woodley
Charlotte,NC
Summary
Mission-driven leader with a deep commitment to advancing the HBCU community and fostering inclusive, purpose-filled engagement. With a foundation in alumni relations, nonprofit strategy, and higher education advancement, I specialize in building impactful partnerships, curating transformative events, and mobilizing communities around shared goals. As a servant leader, I create spaces where people connect, learn, and grow—whether through cultural programming, strategic collaborations, or innovative outreach. Recently I served as Director of Alumni Engagement at my alma mater supporting the Winston-Salem State University alumni network, university initiatives, and promoting and fundraising for student success. Adept at cultivating cross-sector partnerships, leading dynamic teams, and designing experiences that uplift institutions and the communities they serve.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Alumni Engagement
Winston-Salem State University
10.2021 - 04.2025
- Created signature alumni events including Rams in the Vineyard and Alumni House Check-In to increase engagement and school pride.
- Enhanced Homecoming programming by serving on the university’s Homecoming Committee, supporting record-level participation and giving.
- Partnered with Class Reunion leaders to plan reunion experiences and raise $200K+ annually during Homecoming.
- Administered GiveSmart peer-to-peer fundraising platform, capturing 7,775+ donations through digital campaigns.
- Served on the WSSU National Alumni Association Board as university liaison, promoting membership and alumni engagement.
- Led alumni cultivation efforts through new and traditional campaigns, resulting in sustained growth and visibility.
- Developed high-performing teams through mentorship and collaborative leadership.
- Negotiated vendor contracts and built community partnerships to support cost-effective, high-impact events.
- Advanced alumni participation and annual giving through targeted outreach and stewardship strategies.
- Promoted HBCU culture and legacy through inclusive storytelling and alumni-centered programming.
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF VISITOR EXPERIENCE
MINT MUSEUM OF ART
12.2016 - 09.2021
- Leads the front-line associates (10-15 part time employees) and 1-2 full time associates to effectively provide hospitality and customer service to an average of 135,000 museum visitors annually.
- Assists with annual budget and sales projections - Manages on average of 2,500-3,000 household memberships by cultivating relationships, creating enhanced membership programs, events, and experiences.
- Serves as member of the Employee Engagement Team (2020-2021), Strategic Planning Committee (2020-2021), COVID-19 Re-Opening Committee (2020-2021) and New Pathways committee (2019-2020)
- Works alongside colleagues to provide support, solutions, marketing materials and customer experience for all museum visitors.
- Serves as an administrator for Blackbaud Altru and tracks, distributes, and analyze museum data.
- Onboarded new employees, including training, mentoring and new hire documentation.
- Reviewed performance data to monitor and measure productivity, goal progress and activity levels.
- Led teams of up to 13 part time staff, two fulltime and coordinated volunteers, supervising daily front desk operations and visitor experience needs.
- Assisted senior leadership in managing all aspects of museum operations.
- Trained and developed department leaders and management staff for specific projects and ongoing operational needs.
- Mentored junior staff members, providing guidance on professional development opportunities and career progression paths within the company.
- Oversaw annual budget planning processes, ensuring financial goals were met while maintaining optimal resource allocation across departments.
- Maintained positive customer relations by addressing problems head-on and implementing successful corrective actions.
- Improved staffing during busy periods by creating employee schedules and monitoring call-outs.
VISITOR EXPERIENCE AND VOLUNTEER MANAGER
MINT MUSEUM OF ART
07.2015 - 12.2016
- Trains, leads, and coaches Team Lead & 10-12 part-time Guest Services Associates to greet and provide customer service to museum visitor. Including: Promoting front-line fundraising through membership sales and annual fund donations
- Develop and direct the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards in all public areas of the Museum to optimize the visitor experience.
- Promotes positive visitor & member experience by communicating regularly with other departments to create operational awareness of visitor experience and membership functions.
- Regularly collaborates with Membership Manager, Mint affiliate group liaisons, and affiliate members to promote the membership initiatives and engagement.
- Interfaces regularly with museum departments to ensure that program attendance is tracked and can be strategically used to drive memberships, sponsorships, and grants.
- Establishes and tracks industry metrics and visitor and member data to increase satisfaction.
- Maintains accurate records and financial controls of front desk deposits and membership payments.
- Oversees the volunteer program by encouraging staff to create consistent volunteer opportunities.
- Recruits, trains and motivates staff and community volunteers to assist staff in completing museum tasks and needs.
- Finalizes monthly Guest Services schedules and payroll.
- Work with leadership staff to plan, facilitate, and support Guest Services & Volunteer training and skill-building sessions where appropriate.
GUEST SERVICES ASSOCIATE
MINT MUSEUM OF ART
02.2014 - 07.2015
- Greeted and served all 100,000+ visitors annually at both museum locations.
- Cash handling and daily deposits
- Supported advancement team with administrative support and special event needs.
MEDICAL PAYMENT CLAIMS ADJUSTER
METLIFE AUTO & HOME
06.2003 - 09.2012
- Review medical payment claims for automobile accident claims. Licensed NC, SC, KY, DE Claims Adjuster
- Responsible for closing over 400 assigned medical claims annually.
- Maintained contact with claimants and attorneys to determine treatment status.
- Reviewed new files to determine status of injury claim and to develop plan of action.
- Evaluated insurance policies and analyzed damages to determine coverage.
- Answered questions posed by insured and attorneys.
- Mentored and trained INROADS Summer interns and assisted them in acclimating to cooperate environment.
- Provided exceptional customer service during emotionally difficult situations for policyholders following accidents or natural disasters.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
Winston-Salem State University
Winston-Salem, NC05-2007
Skills
Technical & Administrative
- Blackbaud Altru (CRM) and GiveSmart Fundraising Platforms
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
- Data Management and Reporting
- Budget Oversight and Fiscal Management
- Program Evaluation and Market Research
Fundraising & Donor Relations
- Fundraising Campaign Development and Execution
- Donor Stewardship and Cultivation
- Donor Database and CRM Management
- Alumni Engagement and Volunteer Coordination
- Digital Fundraising and Social Media Campaigns
Leadership & Collaboration
- Hiring, Interviewing, and Staff Development
- Cross-Functional Team Collaboration
- Strategic Planning and Implementation
- Partnership Building and Community Engagement
- Mentorship and Training
Communication & Engagement
- Public Speaking and Presentation Skills
- Strong Written and Verbal Communication
- Customer and Donor Experience Management
- Relationship Building and Stakeholder Engagement
Event & Operations Management
- Event Planning and Execution (including alumni reunions and mixers)
- Operations and Project Management
- Creative Problem Solving and Innovation
- Detail-Oriented with Strong Organizational Skills
Accomplishments
- Named "40 Under 40" by The Young Alumni Council of Winston-Salem State University in (April 2017)
- Graduate of Leadership Charlotte- Class 38 (June 2017)
- 1st Associate Director of Visitor Experience & Membership at the Mint Museum Assisted in the creation and implementation of the 1st Art Museum podcast in the Southeast titled "Art Crush."
Affiliations
- President of the Charlotte- QC Rams Alumni Association (2014-2020)
- President of INROADS Alumni Association - Charlotte
- Leadership Charlotte Alumni Committee Member (2019 - 2023)
Certification
- Principles & Techniques of Fundraising, Indiana University-Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. June 2024
- Leadership U for Humanity, Korn Ferry, February 2025
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Director of Alumni Engagement
Winston-Salem State University
10.2021 - 04.2025
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF VISITOR EXPERIENCE
MINT MUSEUM OF ART
12.2016 - 09.2021
VISITOR EXPERIENCE AND VOLUNTEER MANAGER
MINT MUSEUM OF ART
07.2015 - 12.2016
GUEST SERVICES ASSOCIATE
MINT MUSEUM OF ART
02.2014 - 07.2015
MEDICAL PAYMENT CLAIMS ADJUSTER
METLIFE AUTO & HOME
06.2003 - 09.2012
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
Winston-Salem State University
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