Verna Brooks
Summary
Dynamic Senior Strategic Operations Manager with a proven track record at LPBuilders / PADIR Consulting Engineers, driving a 25% increase in funding through strategic partnerships and community outreach. Expert in budget management and stakeholder engagement, successfully leading cross-functional teams to deliver impactful quality-of-life initiatives for underserved and under-resourced populations.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Strategic Operations Manager
PADIR Consulting Engineers / LP Builders, Inc
01.2017 - Current
- Developed and implemented fundraising strategies to secure funding for housing initiatives benefiting over 150 individuals and families annually.
- Cultivated relationships with donors, sponsors, and community partners, increasing funding by 25% over three years.
- Spearheaded strategic planning efforts to align organizational goals with community impact initiatives.
- Supervised cross-functional teams to execute large-scale construction and housing rehabilitation projects in East Oakland.
Board Member and Housing Director
Family Shelter
- Current
- Provided strategic guidance and oversight for shelter programs serving 300 individuals annually, focusing on women and children transitioning out of homelessness.
- Developed case management frameworks and secured grants to expand shelter services by 30%.
- Strengthened community relationships through targeted outreach and advocacy efforts.
Senior Project Management Consultant
Engage Integrated Systems Technology / Sisters N Professional Services
01.2010 - 01.2017
- Managed end-to-end grant application processes, resulting in the approval of multiple multi-year funding contracts.
- Collaborated with nonprofit organizations to design and implement programs addressing homelessness and low-income housing.
- Oversaw budgets exceeding $2 million, ensuring compliance with financial and operational goals.
- Conducted workshops and presentations to educate stakeholders on effective fundraising strategies.
Senior Technical Project Manager
Charles Schwab & Bank of America
01.1979 - 01.2002
- Directed multimillion-dollar technical projects, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and contractual obligations.
- Developed performance dashboards to measure impact, streamline reporting, and support data-driven decision-making.
- Negotiated SLAs and contracts with vendors, optimizing resource utilization and service quality.
Education
Post-Master’s Certificate - Doctoral Business Management
National University
M.A. - Management: Human Resources
National University
B.A. - Political Science: Humanities
University of California, Berkeley
Skills
- Stakeholder engagement
- Community outreach
- Organizational development
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Team building/leadership
- Contract negotiations & management
- Operations management
- Budget development and management
- Staff development
- Cross-functional communications
- Budgeting and cost control
- Business administration
- Business development understanding
- Operations monitoring
- Operational excellence
Contract negotiations and compliance
- Program development and management
- Stakeholder engagement and advocacy
- Budget development and financial oversight
- Community partnerships and outreach
- Public Speaking and Communication
- Proficient AI-powered tools and platforms
- Microsoft 365 Office
- Data visualization tools
Date Added
03/16/25
Professional Experience
- Senior Strategic Operations Manager, PADIR Consulting Engineers / LP Builders, Inc, 01/17, Present, Developed and implemented fundraising strategies to secure funding for housing initiatives benefiting over 150 individuals and families annually., Cultivated relationships with donors, sponsors, and community partners, increasing funding by 25% over three years., Spearheaded strategic planning efforts to align organizational goals with community impact initiatives., Supervised cross-functional teams to execute large-scale construction and housing rehabilitation projects in East Oakland.
- Senior Project Management Consultant, Engage Integrated Systems Technology / Sisters N Professional Services, 01/10, 01/17, Managed end-to-end grant application processes, resulting in the approval of multiple multi-year funding contracts., Collaborated with nonprofit organizations to design and implement programs addressing homelessness and low-income housing., Oversaw budgets exceeding $2 million, ensuring compliance with financial and operational goals., Conducted workshops and presentations to educate stakeholders on effective fundraising strategies.
- Board Member and Housing Director, Family Shelter, Ongoing Engagement | CDBG (Community Development Block Grant), Provided strategic guidance and oversight for shelter programs serving 300 individuals annually, focusing on women and children transitioning out of homelessness., Developed case management frameworks and secured grants to expand shelter services by 30%., Strengthened community relationships through targeted outreach and advocacy efforts.
- Senior Technical Project Manager, Charles Schwab & Bank of America, 01/79, 01/02, Directed multimillion-dollar technical projects, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and contractual obligations., Developed performance dashboards to measure impact, streamline reporting, and support data-driven decision-making., Negotiated SLAs and contracts with vendors, optimizing resource utilization and service quality.
Community Impact
- Advocated for housing solutions addressing low-income and vulnerable populations in the Bay Area.
- Developed and managed support services that provided long-term housing stability to over 150 families across five properties.
- Led diversity and inclusion research, focusing on underrepresented communities in leadership positions within global corporations.
Technology Skills
- Proficient in AI-powered tools and platforms to enhance operational efficiency and decision-making.
- Microsoft 365 Office, and data visualization tools.
- CRM systems for donor and client management.
- I.T. Vision and Strategy Development: Leading the development and execution of an organization’s I.T. strategy to align with its overall goals.
- Systems and Network Optimization: Overseeing I.T. infrastructure, systems, and network utilization to enhance efficiency.
- Security Mitigation: Identifying and addressing security vulnerabilities and future technology challenges with effective strategies.
- Performance Monitoring Tools: Experience in creating performance dashboards and utilizing data analysis tools for reporting and decision-making.
- Technology-Driven Solutions: Proficient in recommending innovative technological solutions to improve operations.
- I.T. Helpdesk Supervision: Managing teams to ensure SLA compliance and effective technical support.
- Contract and SLA Management: Developing, negotiating, and administering contracts and Service Level Agreements.
- Global Team Collaboration: Managing cross-functional, global, and highly technical teams in a 24/7 operational environment.
Primary Industry
Consulting
Personal Information
- Specialization: Strategy
- Title: Director, Service Management
Timeline
Senior Strategic Operations Manager
PADIR Consulting Engineers / LP Builders, Inc
01.2017 - Current
Senior Project Management Consultant
Engage Integrated Systems Technology / Sisters N Professional Services
01.2010 - 01.2017
Senior Technical Project Manager
Charles Schwab & Bank of America
01.1979 - 01.2002
Board Member and Housing Director
Family Shelter
- Current
Post-Master’s Certificate - Doctoral Business Management
National University
M.A. - Management: Human Resources
National University
B.A. - Political Science: Humanities
University of California, Berkeley
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