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Work Background
Program Manager
Vibrent HealthProgram Manager
Nov. 2021 - Sep. 2024Remote▪ Led the execution of four mid- to large-scale projects aimed at advancing the goals of the NIH-led All of Us Research Program (budget $330M) by customizing a web and mobile SaaS platform, contributing to a comprehensive health database of one million participants nationwide to support precision medicine research ▪ Defined project scope and requirements by aligning with customer objectives and expectations ▪ Collaborated closely with governmental partners (NIH) and other key stakeholders (Scripps, GoInvo, Many Brains, CareEvolution) to establish and refine product specifications ▪ Identified, assessed, and mitigated risks throughout the project lifecycle ▪ Developed, revised, and managed project documentation utilizing various project management software ▪ Facilitated internal meetings to track progress on deliverables and address roadblocks ▪ Engaged stakeholders on project status regularly ▪ Orchestrated cross-functional collaboration across internal teams ▪ Effectively managed project schedules, resources, and dependencies to ensure seamless execution ▪ Directed user acceptance testing (UAT) to validate functionality and user satisfaction ▪ Spearheaded the resolution of defects identified during quality assurance (QA) testing, ensuring timely remediation
Project Coordinator, EPICS
Cook County Adult ProbationProject Coordinator, EPICS
Mar. 2019 - Nov. 2021Chicago, IL▪ Coordinate the execution of the EPICS program, a $1 million award from state and federal grants for the Cook County Adult Probation Department, focusing on the use of Cognitive Behavioral Interventions to lower rates of recidivism for high risk clients ▪ Monitored compliance to both state and federal grant requirements ▪ Generated grant reports for program auditing ▪ Advised judges on sentencing options for eligible clients, as EPICS point of contact ▪ Informed court officials about the eligibility criteria, processes, and requirements of the EPICS program ▪ Tracked and reviewed potential EPICS candidates as they progressed through the court system and within probation caseload ▪ Created documents, including external informational documents and internal guidelines for onboarding and process implementation ▪ Led monthly meetings with officers to review project progress, address challenges, and reinforce skills ▪ Acted as the representative for the CCAPD EPICS program at national grant conferences, promoting the program’s objectives and successes ▪ Cultivated partnerships with community organizations supporting justice-involved individuals such as READI Chicago, Reconnection Hub, Cook County Health, and others ▪ Engaged in meetings of the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Program committee, collaborating with Cook County Health to implement a Computer Adaptive Technology-based screening tool for substance use and mental health among probation clients ▪ Launched EPICS Internal Coaching program to ensure probation officers retain the skills acquired through training ◇ Set clear participation expectations and delegated responsibilities to internal coaches ◇ Mentored six probation officers in the implementation of the EPICS model ◇ Evaluated audio recordings of officer-client interactions to ensure alignment with the EPICS model and offered constructive feedback to improve officer performance
Development Coordinator
Freedom House Reentry Education and Employment CorporationDevelopment Coordinator
Jun. 2015 - Nov. 2015Chicago, IL• Research and compile information on more than 100 available grants and funding opportunities tailored to the organization • Research and compile statistics on reentry of former prisoners to communities and the affects of incarceration on the individual, family, health, under resourced communities, housing, prospective incomes, etc. on a national and statewide level • Write impact statements, including dollars saved versus dollars spent on prospective FREE programs, using current research on reentry and incarceration
Founder & Director
Intersection (Chicago nonprofit)Founder & Director
Mar. 2014 - Oct. 2021Chicago, IL▪ Established the first Human Library program in Chicago (HLC), creating events that provide space for community dialogue that challenges stigma and stereotypes in society ▪ Recruited and trained over 150 volunteers on sharing their stories with the public, de-escalation techniques, and event facilitation ▪ Coordinated all event logistics with partner venues to ensure smooth execution ▪ Maintained and organized an event calendar, marketing timeline, and pre-event tasks ▪ Represented HLC in meetings with potential venues, at international conferences, corporate engagements, panels, and during media interviews ▪ Built and nurtured collaborations with over 10 nonprofit organizations such as the Chicago Public Library, National Veterans Art Museum, Read/Write Library, and more ▪ Collected, analyzed, and input data from event surveys to assess program impact ▪ Created and updated website content, social media posts, and e-newsletters, driving a 300% growth in social media followers and a nearly 600% increase in e-newsletter subscriptions ▪ Managed an annual budget of $1000, ensuring financial resources were allocated effectively ▪ Completed and submitted all required documentation with the State of Illinois and the Federal Government, including tax filings, organizational reports, and Articles of Incorporation
Outreach Worker
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) ChicagoOutreach Worker
Aug. 2011 - Mar. 2019Chicago, IL▪ Informed residents/Class Members (>600 persons) of 6 Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Facilities (SMHRFs) across Illinois of their rights under the Williams Consent Decree, which included access to housing and community mental health services ▪ Partnered with the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health (DMH) to enhance the implementation of the consent decree and address obstacles in meeting metrics ▪ Engaged in meetings with key stakeholders to share updates on recurring issues and provide insights based on interactions with Class Members ▪ Advocated on behalf of Class Members by communicating with local Mental Health Agencies and DMH ▪ Led quarterly community meetings to respond to inquiries regarding the Consent Decree, explain program procedures, and share updates with Class Members ▪ Conducted surveys with eligible residents to evaluate the effectiveness of the Moving On program ▪ Participated in ongoing staff training sessions on the latest developments in mental health and counseling techniques
SUB-Community Support Specialist at Stroger Hospital
ThresholdsSUB-Community Support Specialist at Stroger Hospital
Jun. 2011 - Aug. 2011Chicago, IL• Assessed patients reporting mental health related difficulties in the ER • Referred and transferred the patients to hospitals with psychiatric units • Acted as a liaison between hospitals for the beneficial transfer of the patient
Crisis Liner
National Runaway SafelineCrisis Liner
Feb. 2011 - Jan. 2014Chicago, IL• Attended a 40 hour training resulting in providing support in a non judgmental manner, knowledge of current laws regarding runaways, and responsibility of being a mandated reporter •Provide both emotional support and referrals for callers •Guide callers through the Home Free Program which provides free Greyhound tickets to youth looking to reunite with family
Intern
Society for the Psychological Study of Social IssuesIntern
Sep. 2010 - Dec. 2010Washington, D.C.• Attend briefings at the House of Representatives on various social issues resulting in a better understanding of current research and knowledge of such issues • Update, organize, and format files and social networking sites • Prepare information and write press releases for various announcements
Intern in the Victims/Witness Assistance Unit
Cook County State's Attorney's OfficeIntern in the Victims/Witness Assistance Unit
Sep. 2009 - Jun. 2010Chicago, IL• Provide support and information to victims of sexual assault throughout their court case both in person and through the mail • Organize, update, and create new case files • Observe and gather information courtroom activity for court cases in trial, status updates, and bond court
Undergraduate Research Assistant, Project Uno
DePaul University Psychology DepartmentUndergraduate Research Assistant, Project Uno
Sep. 2009 - Dec. 2009Chicago, IL• Develop ways to achieve the study’s goal of assessing the relationship between mentoring and academic success • Collect and enter data from surveys, as well as from follow-up interviews, into SPSS • Created activity packets for students in both English and Spanish
Volunteer
La PosadaVolunteer
Jun. 2009 - Aug. 2009Chicago, IL• Observe and interact with clients in a homeless shelter designed specifically for families • Assist in conducting in-home interviews with clients who needed more services • Review cases and organize files
Academic Resource Center Volunteer
Umoja Student Development CorporationAcademic Resource Center Volunteer
Jan. 2009 - Apr. 2009Chicago, IL• Tutor students at an inner-city high school in various subjects including Math, English, and Spanish • Research students’ grades in order to assess the efficacy of the program

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