Shiyana Valentine
Washington,USA
Summary
Forward-thinking leader adept at designing and implementing impactful programs rooted in partnership. A strategic thinker and hands-on problem solver with excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Twenty-plus years of experience across the US, Caribbean, Africa and South Asia, working with civil society, NGOs, donors, government institutions, and development agencies.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Reading Universe Senior Manager
PBS/WETA
01.2022 - 11.2023
- Strategized, developed, and launched Reading Universe - free digital platform that provides educators with practical, evidence-based strategies for teaching children to read
- Led development and execution of marketing strategy including communications, social media, partner recruitment and relationship management, event marketing, community building, and brand awareness
- Collaborated with national partners to produce authentic and inclusive content for multiple platforms
- Worked with contractors and partners on market research, digital marketing/SEO, paid search, social media, email, thought leadership initiatives, and promotions
- Managed national cadre of educators to collect insight and feedback to improve prototype
- Liaised across departments to reduce silos and effectively share information.
Education & Community Engagement Manager
PBS/WUCF
01.2019 - 12.2021
- Designed & managed educational and community engagement strategy for Central Florida
- Spearheaded early learning initiative to provide programs and resources to support Title I schools and families, resulting in 96% of participating caregivers strongly agreeing they were prepared for school
- Monitored and evaluated program effectiveness, using data for grant reporting and improvement
- Developed teacher development training plans and knowledge exchange
- Managed cross-departmental collaboration for successful implementation of large-scale initiatives
- Oversaw national grant-funded program and designed grantee selection process
- Directly supervised and mentored two full-time staff members and intern
- Partnered with civil society, municipalities, national organizations, and more
- Co-chaired staff committee for developing Diversity, Equity, & Inclusivity messaging and action items.
Youth Outreach Coordinator
Orange County Library System
04.2014 - 04.2017
- Cultivated strategic relationships within the community to promote awareness of youth services and programs for the Orange County Library System (OCLS) which consists of 16 locations serving 1.4M
- Identified needs and developed communication strategy to serve underserved populations
- Initiated collaboration to connect every public school student with a virtual library card
- Monitored and evaluated initiatives and generated recommendations for program improvement
- Developed partnerships and marketing promotions to increase youth library traffic
- Served as spokesperson, served on external committees, & led trainings at workshops and conferences
- Effectively conducted cross-team projects by cultivating strong working relationships with senior and mid-level colleagues across the library system.
Executive Director
Kerosene Lamp Foundation
10.2008 - 03.2014
- Spearheaded the development & operations of a startup nonprofit: strategy, budget, and fundraising
- Managed all communications including publications, press releases, website, and social media
- Designed & executed innovative programs & projects for at-risk youths in the Eastern Caribbean and USA ranging from large youth training initiatives to mentorship programs
- Piloted student-athlete mentorship program resulting in 8 attending college, 6 of whom were the first in their family to do so
- Scaled up the summer program from reaching 250 youths in St
- Vincent & the Grenadines to 1500 youths across all populated islands and replicated the program in multiple countries
- Created additional revenue stream by writing and publishing a children’s book series
- Cultivated strategic partnerships with NGOs, development agencies, foundations, and ministries.
Country Manager
Clinton Health Access Initiative
01.2008 - 09.2008
- Managed relationship with the Bahamas Ministry of Health (MOH)
- Expanded HIV treatment and care services into the Bahamas primary health care centers
- Piloted rapid HIV testing in the Bahamas primary health care centers
- Led relationship management with country partners, including ministries, civil society, development partners like PAHO amongst others.
Operations Analyst
World Bank
11.2004 - 12.2007
- Managed a team of 12 to execute $4-6 Million annual global social innovation grant competitions
- Established effective relationships with internal and external partners and worked collaboratively with multiple stakeholders, including executive or senior leadership
- Participated in the design of grant management and evaluation processes
- Supported development of online application portal
- Managed a portfolio of grant winners in Africa and South Asia for post-award monitoring and support
- Lead supporter to regional directors, project managers, and country office staff in executing grant competitions regionally in Africa, and nationally in Pakistan, Ghana, Mozambique, and Sudan
- Analyzed experiences and extracted best practices to improve the overall grant process.
Education
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Certificate -
University of South Florida
Tampa, FL06.2021
M.A., International Development -
American University
Washington, DC06.2004
B.A., History & Peace Studies (dual major) -
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY05.1998
Skills
- Program Management
- Grant Management
- Relationship Management
- Monitoring & Evaluation
- Problem Solving
- Innovation
- Cross-Cultural Communication
- Strategic Planning
Country Experience
- USA
- Sri Lanka
- Pakistan
- Ghana
- Uganda
- Kenya
- Sudan
- Bahamas
- Haiti
- Dominica
- Trinidad & Tobago
- St. Vincent & the Grenadines
Timeline
Reading Universe Senior Manager
PBS/WETA
01.2022 - 11.2023
Education & Community Engagement Manager
PBS/WUCF
01.2019 - 12.2021
Youth Outreach Coordinator
Orange County Library System
04.2014 - 04.2017
Executive Director
Kerosene Lamp Foundation
10.2008 - 03.2014
Country Manager
Clinton Health Access Initiative
01.2008 - 09.2008
Operations Analyst
World Bank
11.2004 - 12.2007
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Certificate -
University of South Florida
M.A., International Development -
American University
B.A., History & Peace Studies (dual major) -
Colgate University
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