XIAOYU 'YVONNE' ZHAO
Hartford,CT
Summary
Economic and entrepreneurship development professional with experience in community development, real estate development and financing, and public program management. General familiarity with Souther Tier economic issues and public policy. Demonstrated ability to manage public programs, foster economic growth, and build strong relationships. Strong written and oral communication skills, with a focus on achieving results within tight timelines. Proactive, resourceful, and organized, with a track record of supporting elected officials and executives in various economic development activities.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Small Business Initiatives and Support
City Of Hartford
06.2022 - Current
- Lead the City of Hartford's Division of Small Business Initiatives and Support, overseeing over $16MM funding in 5 programs and 5 special projects assigned by theMayor and Department Director. The programs largely focus on business attraction and retention in the City and include a space activation program, a façade improvement program, a small business investment program, a microgrant program, and a merchant coordinator program.
- Maintain a deep understanding of the economic development landscape in the Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford metro area ($1.2MM in population), identifying opportunities and challenges. Propose solutions in line with federal funding regulations and the City's business environment.
- Cultivate and nurture strong working relationships with the chamber of commerce, 3 merchant associations, 13 neighborhood associations, and 5 community advocacy groups. Foster positive relationships with current and former recipients of City funding assistance, ensuring alignment with program objectives and compliance with City assistance obligations.
- Play a significant role in evaluating applications for City assistance, preparing funding recommendations for the Department Director, Mayor, and City Council, and guiding projects through public hearings and final approval.
- Represent the City of Hartford at announcement events, workshops, ceremonies, seminars, conferences, and training programs as needed.
- Manage and design the City of Hartford's small business program management database for all projects and deliver progress reports and economic impact assessments to the Department Director, Mayor's office, media inquiries, and City Council.
- Organize events, maintain the Division's website, generate reports, prepare meeting materials, and issue notices. Coordinate the creation and dissemination of information related to small business programs and economic development projects.
Senior Economic & Community Development Specialist
Schuyler County Partnership For Economic Development
09.2021 - 06.2022
- Worked closely with New York State, Schuyler County, Council of Governments, regional economic development offices, Chamber of Commerce, Community Development Corporation, Industrial Development Agency, and other public and quasi-governmental entities in economic development efforts.
- Managed grant-funded programs including the Village of Watkins Glen Downtown Revitalization Initiative ($10MM) funded by NYSHCR and the Downtown Improvement Program ($350K) in Schuyler County funded by ARPA. Lead review committee meetings and scoring process to award projects.
- Oversaw a $400K revolving loan fund, partially funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission, to aid in COVID relief, entrepreneurship development, small business support, succession planning, and transitions in Schuyler County.
- Pioneered efforts to attract adult-use marijuana entrepreneurs of various sizes to Schuyler County and secured a tenant for cultivation in the Schuyler County Business Park.
- Participated in budget development, audit, and finance committee meetings to present key projects and their budgetary impact.
- Co-led the onboarding and training of new team members and the Board of Directors.
Economic and Community Development Specialist
Schuyler County Partnership For Economic Development
09.2020 - 09.2021
- Prepared data-centered proposals and presentations to attract developers and answer the essential question of “Why Schuyler County.”
- Developed the organization’s website and manage all social media accounts. Directed microfilm that aims at attracting young families and remote workers to the County.
- Participated in several committees, including the business attraction and diversification committee, the loan committee, the communications committee, and the workforce development committee.
- Provided administrative support to the Schuyler County Industrial Development Agency and the Finger Lakes Gateway Community Development Corporation.
- Earned the privilege of delivering business development consulting service to a manufacturing company to reactivate the state-owned site of Monterey Shock Camp in the Town of Orange.
Founder and President
Global Citizens Empowerment
08.2016 - 08.2020
- Founded and managed a nonprofit in international education, specifically on Global Citizenship education, which connects middle school students from suburban and rural Indiana with peers in China and provides learning opportunities in international affairs, global competency, and cross-cultural communication skills.
- Spearhead the course content development team in studying the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal, the United Nations Global Impact, and other relevant global topics. Foster strategic relationships from scratch with school corporations while simultaneously setting goals and tracking progresses to ensure goals are met.
- Managed prompt and direct communication with partner schools at the local level, ensuring that the program runs smoothly and all stipulated goals are met.
- Coordinated meetings with school corporations, partner schools, and volunteer teachers and teaching assistants. Facilitate preparation of the Global Citizens Showcase in all aspects.
- Documented development plans, Memorandum of Understandings, advocacy emails, storytelling emails, and other fundraising emails and invitations.
- Transferred the nonprofit under New York Institute of Finance as their philanthropy arm.
8-Week Course Champion/Academic Advisor
Ivy Tech Community College
04.2018 - 04.2019
- Selected to serve on the statewide strategic planning team of the College's transition into a predominantly 8-week course institution
- Lead the resource redevelopment subcommittee at the Bloomington campus
- Attend statewide and local meetings and webinars to engage in discussions of goal setting, planning, and implementation steps
- Designed and distributed surveys on campus resource satisfactory to student, faculty, and staff and conducted data analysis
- Drafted plan of campus resource redevelopment for the Bloomington campus as part of the campus strategic plan
- Managed over 300 student accounts by building rapport, communicating via phone and email, conducting meeting appointments
- Participated in student success initiatives, including workshops, registration labs, and new student orientations
- Advised students in program selection, course selection, and registration
- Collaborated with workforce development, secondary education initiatives,
- Worked closely with Assistant Director of International Admissions and served as a liaison between the college and international students to interpret college policies, SEVIS records requirement, and I-20
- Provided training to new employees on the team through developing a training plan in advising competency, theories, and best practices
- Maintained a high level of professionalism and confidentiality regarding students academic performance and all other issues should they arise
Education
Master of Public Affairs -
Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN05.2017
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science And Economics
Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN08.2015
Skills
- Economic Development
- Real Estate Development and Financing
- Community Development
- Entrepreneurship Development
- Public Programs Management
- Law and Regulation Interpretation
- Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
- Marketing Platform
- Data Visualization
- Event Planning and Public Speaking
Certification
- Certified Entrepreneurship Development Processional, IEDC - expires September 2025
Languages
Chinese (Mandarin)
Native or Bilingual
French
Limited Working
Timeline
Director of Small Business Initiatives and Support
City Of Hartford
06.2022 - Current
Senior Economic & Community Development Specialist
Schuyler County Partnership For Economic Development
09.2021 - 06.2022
Economic and Community Development Specialist
Schuyler County Partnership For Economic Development
09.2020 - 09.2021
8-Week Course Champion/Academic Advisor
Ivy Tech Community College
04.2018 - 04.2019
Founder and President
Global Citizens Empowerment
08.2016 - 08.2020
Master of Public Affairs -
Indiana University Bloomington
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science And Economics
Indiana University Bloomington
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