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Work Background
Puente Southwest LLCCEO, Global Consultant, Co-Founder
Sep. 2019Santa Fe, New Mexico (Southwest USA) and southern FrancePuente Southwest is a consultancy providing fundraising and organizational development to nonprofits, foundations and NGOs. PSW focuses on resource mobilization, philanthropic partnerships, strategy, writing, funder mapping, facilitation, and 360° organizational development. We focus on Indigenous Peoples rights and philanthropy, climate justice, racial justice, LGBTQI+ justice, gender justice, and women’s rights. Partial Client list: Calala Fund for Women, DisCO, International Funders for Indigenous Peoples, Political Research Associates, Color Theory. Select Events and Conferences 2016-2023: --EDGE Funders, Berlin, 2023
--Degrowth, Zagreb, Croatia, 2023
--Philea- Sibinik, Croatia, 2023
--International Funders for Indigenous Peoples, Merida, Mexico, 2023
--Skoll World Forum, April 2022
--SOCAP- Virtual Conference, October 2020
--International Labor Organization- Gender Equity -- Nexus Global at the United Nations
--Delegate: Nexus Global, New York City, July 2019 and June 2023
--Women Deliver, Vancouver, June 2019
--UNPFII18- United Nations Permanent Forum for Indigenous Issues, April 2019
--SOCAP 18- and SOCAP PNW Social Capital Market Conference, San Francisco, October 2018
-- International Funders for Indigenous Peoples (IFIP), Santa Fe, October 2018 (Planning Committee)
--Social Innovation Summit, Silicon Valley, June 2018
--Hispanics in Philanthropy (HIP) Conference in San Francisco, April 2018
--North American Community Foundations Summit focused on the Sustainable Development Goals, Mexico City, Mexico, February 2018
--Nexus Global: Latin American Forum, Miami, Florida Dec. 2017- Presenter
--Central American Donors Forum organized by Seattle International Foundation, Panama City, Panama, October 2017
--Bioneers, October 2017, 2016, 2015 Marin County, California
--Environmental Grantmakers Association Annual Retreat, Seattle, Washington, September 2017
Cultural SurvivalDirector of Philanthropic Partnerships
Apr. 2017 - Aug. 2019Santa Fe, New Mexico & Cambridge, MA,• Collaborated with leaders to develop and coordinate strategies to ensure leveraging and pursuit of funds
• Cultivated Individual donors for special initiative for Indigenous Women and Leadership
• Planned, organized and executed donor events throughout the country including San Francisco, Seattle and Boston
• Managed individual and institutional donor portfolio
• Conducted, organized, and coordinated prospect research
• Wrote, edited, and submitted letters of inquiry, proposals, and reports
• Raised funds for programs through grant and RFP-driven opportunities
• Increased awareness of CS’s mission and work through personal contacts, presentations, conferences, special events, and other engagement opportunities
• Worked with leadership at CS to strengthen systems and organizational culture
• Traveled for CS (2017-2019) to: Berkeley, San Francisco, Panama City, Seattle, Mexico City, New York and Berkeley
• Contributed to the organization raising $5,000,000 in two years.
COP 21, NGO Climate Justice Activities outside the Green Zone - Paris, FranceVolunteer, Activist
Dec. 2015 - Dec. 2015Paris, France-December 2015Attended: • International Rights of Nature Tribunal- Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature. Dec. 4 and 5th
• Climate Zone- ZAC- Women’s March for Climate Action- December 8, 2015 Participated and Volunteered: • Pathways to Paris- Concert for 350.org- Table captain for WECAN at International Climate Concert with Naomi Klein and Bill McKibben—December 4
• Women’s Environmental Climate Action Network (WECAN) Conference at Marriott Opera, Paris Women on the Frontlines of Climate Change-- December 7
MATCH NM (Mentoring and Tutoring Create Hope)Executive Director
May. 2014 - Oct. 2015Santa Fe, New MexicoDeveloped program in multiple cities and school districts for regional mentoring program matching third-graders and college students in a one-on-one afterschool setting focusing on literacy and social and emotional growth. Budgeted for fiscal year and five-year plan. Trained mentors and taught university course, and provided ongoing supervision to staff of ten core staff of 45 mentors and mentees. Hired as first executive director for start-up nonprofit based on national Israeli program, PERACH. Served as primary community liaison for schools, colleges and universities including St. John's College, University of New Mexico and Central New Mexico Community College. Created and implemented donor database system. Created fundraising plan with development director. Established evaluation process for mentoring program. Recruited and interviewed college student mentors, mentor coordinators and volunteers. Set direction for the organization with board of directors. • Led efforts to bring volunteers and parental involvement to school-based community; • Managed a staff of ten and forty-five mentors; and
• Created innovative planning and facilitation with multi-city staff.
Santa Fe Girls' SchoolDevelopment and Marketing Director
Jun. 2013 - May. 2014Santa Fe, NMRaised money for small all girls’ school grades 6-8. Created and executed marketing plan. Created financial stability for the school with board development group. Created and implemented database system to record grants, donations and donor contacts. Raised major gift donations. Worked with school staff to promote collaborative marketing of the unique environmental curriculum. • Directed community relationships and marketing efforts for the school;
• Directed fundraising activities and events for the school; and
• Created targeted initiatives for funding.
Social Profit ConsultantSocial-Profit Consultant
Dec. 2011 - May. 2017New Mexico, San Francisco Bay Area, West Virginia and AbroadConsultation to create relational effectiveness, resource development and inspiring focus with social profit organizations. Focused on fundraising, marketing, strategic planning, strategic direction facilitation and organizational development. Strategized and consulted on staff and board issues and collaboration and partnerships with other organizations. Issues around justice and empowerment for women and girls, environment, arts, health, human rights, cross-cultural dialogue, community health and justice, climate justice advocacy, and international and educational justice and rights. Worked to connect the intersection of social justice, environmental justice and human rights by coaching and strategizing with changemakers acting upon the integration of justice, rights, health and the environment. Past clients include: The Write Choice Network and FQHC clients including Marin City Health and Wellness in CA and Williamson Health and Wellness Center in WV focusing on the social determinants of health, WECAN (Women's Earth Action Climate Network), Voices for Biodiversity, the Arcus Foundation, The Rape Crisis Center (now Solace), SAGE Council, POOR Magazine and the Native American Youth Leadership Project. --Impact Experience- Learning Journey with Stanford University and Williamson, WV 2/17 and 3/17
--BALLE Leadership Summit, Asilomar, California 2016 --Bioneers, October 2015, 2016, 2017
--Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders (SAFSF), Louisville, KY 2016
--Fundraising from the Heart with Lynne Twist, Santa Fe, NM 2015 & 2017
Academy for the Love of LearningCommunity Development Manager
Dec. 2009 - Dec. 2011Santa Fe, New Mexico AreaCommunity Development Manager 2009 – 2011 Primary efforts consisted of designing grassroots fundraising programs, creating and implementing volunteer systems, coordinating client/donor events and tours, and developing and managing project budgets. Initiated successful community development strategy to increase program participation, funding and community relationships. Served as primary liaison to the Academy both in the community and at the Academy center. • Raised special gift donations for targeted initiatives, such as Seton Archives, the El Otro Lado project and Teacher Renewal program;
• Created successful and thriving volunteer program to support community relations; • Directed community relationships and outreach;
• Developed rental procedures for 14,000 square foot Center; and
• Developed tours of the Center and the surrounding historic Seton Castle.
The Academy for the Love of LearningProgram Manager
Aug. 2007 - Dec. 2009Santa Fe, New Mexico AreaProgram Manager 2007 – 2009 Hired to plan, develop and execute transformative educational, leadership and arts-based programming. • Developed systems for incoming facilitators and new programming;
• Selected to serve on internal management and strategic planning teams;
• Implemented all aspects of the El Otro Lado: The Stories That Connect Us project to connect the community to their personal story through journaling, recorded story and sharing in a group. • Developed focus groups centered on leadership programs for youth and teachers to initiate pilot projects for youth leadership and teacher renewal programs with Santa Fe Public Schools; and
• Initiated, planned and executed educational, transformative, leadership and arts based programming. • Facilitated internal and external groups including arts-based groups and diversity and inclusion committee.
Institute for Collaborative ChangeOrganizational Development Consultant
Nov. 2006 - Jun. 2007Santa Fe, NMConsulting work included strategic planning, fundraising and financial systems design.
Permacultura America LatinaExecutive Director
Dec. 2003 - Oct. 2006Santa Fe, New MexicoRecruited to oversee operations for an environmental nonprofit supporting sustainable systems design and environmental education in eight sites throughout Latin America with an annual operating budget of over $1.5 million. Fundamental endeavors centered on managing grassroots environmental demonstration projects in Guatemala, El Salvador, Ecuador, Peru, Haiti and Brazil. Raised funds, administered grants, maintained and expanded donor relations, coordinated programs, events and international retreats and conferences, and provided technical assistance to international organizations. Managed fiscal sponsorship of other local entities. Hired, trained and supervised staff and interns, and served as liaison between the international staff and the Board of Directors. • Initiated new funding streams for the organization with innovative local foundations;
• Developed financial systems and yearly budgets for international projects;
• Created systems for office management, visiting project managers, and international travel and meetings; and
• Planned, funded and managed international permaculture conference in San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala;
• Developed comprehensive accounting, internship, volunteer and donor management systems from scratch for eight international projects.
Community Toolbox for Children's Environmental HealthGrants Manager
Feb. 2003 - Aug. 2003San Francisco Bay AreaGrants & Administrative Coordinator
Provided technical assistance to community-based organizations specializing in environmental justice issues in low-income communities of color. Key tasks involved organizing all aspects of grant administration, managing financial records and client database, researching funding prospects and authoring reports to funders. Participated in grant-making process to administer small grants (>$5,000) to nationally based parent-based organizations and providing technical assistance to these groups though weekly calls and annual conference.
Self EmployedProgrammatic & Development Consultant
Aug. 2002 - Mar. 2003San Francisco Bay AreaProvided nonprofit clients with grant-writing and event-planning services, as well as program development, public relations, marketing and media consultations. Clients included Los Cenzontles and POOR Magazine. • Authored successful grant proposals to fund a community media center to support low-income youth, homeless people and transitioning adults, raising over $50,000 in small grants;
• Developed an Individual Development Account (IDA) and financial series program;
• Designed and edited quarterly newsletter for traditional arts center; and
• Planned successful annual events for local nonprofits.
University of California, Berkeley: The Bancroft LibraryEvent Coordinator/Director’s Assistant
May. 2000 - Jan. 2001Berkeley, CaliforniaPlanned, staffed and executed successful, well-attended joint events, lunches, receptions and symposia for special collections library, focusing on Western Americana, Latin American and Free Speech Movement collections. Provided coordination for the affiliated non-profit “Friends of the Bancroft Library” and attended all collections meetings with group of eight curators. Organized travel and meeting arrangements for staff and special guests. Provided administrative support to director.
University of California, Berkeley: International and Area Studies Center for Latin American StudiesProgram/Events Management
Jul. 1998 - May. 2000Berkeley, CaliforniaCoordinated outreach and promoted involvement in Latin American/Southeast Asian events to campus and public constituencies. Wrote and designed flyers, newsletters, reports, invitations and annual conference papers. Planned and organized events including lectures, receptions and conferences. Conceived and developed Latin American Video Series based on Lannan Foundation videos. Publicized events in print, web and e-mail formats. Updated and designed website. Updated database. Coordinated travel arrangements and obtained visas for international visiting scholars and other visitors. Supervised student employees and volunteers. Coordinated and edited quarterly newsletter.
Sound Portraits ProductionsMedia/Production Assistant – Grant Writer
Feb. 1996 - Feb. 1997New York, New YorkEdited publications. Associate produced radio documentaries. Managed office for non-profit educational production studio. Photo-edited and transcribed tapes for publications and documentaries. Researched and fact checked for book based on radio documentaries produced for National Public Radio (Our America: Life and Death on the South Side of Chicago, Isay, Newman, Jones, Scribner, 1997). Wrote press releases and publicized events and documentaries. Developed and implemented fundraising campaign. Assisted in grant writing for various radio and book projects. Raised more than $180,000 in small grants.
The Fulbright CommissionTeacher of English as a Second Language
Aug. 1995 - Nov. 1996Quito, EcuadorTaught three classes per day to professionals learning English. Taught levels 4, 5, 6 of 6 levels.
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