Resume of Catherine M. Vera-Burgos

ADDRESS

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QUALIFICATION HIGHLIGHTS:
 

Mission-driven Creative thinker Open minded Calculated risk-taker Honest and ethical Compassionate and fair Effective at working with diverse groups

Strong analytical skills Excellent writing skills Sound grasp of fiscal concepts Self-directed Detail and big picture oriented Team builder/player Able to meet deadlines

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EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS:

• Fifteen years of experience in non-profit administration;
• Served on Administrative and Resource/Review Team and the following executive level standing and ad-hoc committees: Continuous Quality Improvement, Professional Growth and Development, Special Events, Management Information Systems, and Marketing and Development;
• Wrote proposals that have generated millions in funding from many levels of government, foundations and corporations;
• Instrumental in the achievement of financial stability for several human service agencies including one whose budget increased from a $70,000 annual subsidy to almost $900,000 in annual income;
• Effected one merger and two acquisitions of smaller nonprofits including proposals, due diligence and transition processes;
• Coordinated the mission/vision, strategic planning, and program board committees;
• Wrote management work plan to carry out organizational strategic plan;
• Oversaw organizational accreditation process;
• Effected the donation of land and buildings with a value of $2.4 million;
• Stepped into the position of Agency Executive Director on a temporary basis (3 months to 1 year) for two human service agencies to assist with financial and administrative concerns;
• Participated in the hiring process for many executive level positions;
• Led the development of Parsons Street Corporation, achieved Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) status for the corporation and won its first funding awards;
• Represented employer during union negotiations;
• Conducted a capital campaign to raise money for a new computer system;
• Directed the process of selecting equipment, software and a vendor for the installation and service for the new computer system;
• Served as co-project leader for an organizational review and opportunity assessment process; and
• Participated in the development of two divisional Boards of Directors.

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EDUCATION:

DEGREE:
    Bachelor of Arts with High Distinction
    Wayne State University, June 1982
MAJOR:
    Communications
OTHER COURSEWORK:
    Social Science/Psychology, Foreign Languages, Writing
FURTHER STUDIES:
    Post Baccalaureate coursework in Business/Accounting and Computer Science,
    Wayne State University
HONORS/ACTIVITIES:
    Graduate of Leadership Detroit (1993), Blue Care Network Regional Advisory
    Council (97-Present), International Cesarean Awareness Network (1990-97),
    Phi Beta Kappa, Mortarboard, Golden Key National Honor Society, Delta Zeta Sorority.

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EMPLOYMENT:

DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS, Matrix Human Services:

8/85 – Present

Former titles: Director of Program Development, Director of Special Projects

Responsibilities:

• member of administrative team for seventeen million dollar nonprofit;
• coordinating program services and program development;
• serving as staff to corporate board committees;
• developing agency boards;
• directing government, corporate and foundation fundraising including grant writing, grant review and coordination;
• contract negotiations;
• budget preparation/review and monitoring;
• project management of human service agencies (including supervising agency Executive Directors, overseeing agency operations, troubleshooting agency problems, serving as agency Executive Director when vacancies occur);
• preparing/reviewing narrative, statistical and financial reports for funding sources;
• consulting with staff regarding annual fundraising campaigns and membership newsletters;
• coordinating the placement of volunteers;
• planning and implementing fundraising events;
• special projects as assigned by President;
• marketing, public relations and other development duties as needed.

2/85 - 7/85

Responsibilities: fundraising; creating programs; compiling budgets; writing proposals for foundation and government grants; writing press releases; arranging luncheons; creating public service announcements and other public relations duties as needed.

PROGRAM COORDINATOR/OPERATIONS ASSISTANT, WJBK-TV:

8/83 - 2/85

Responsibilities: assisting Program Manager; coordinating program schedules; compiling monthly reports; handling business and viewer questions and concerns; directing utilization of micro computer; keeping departmental employee records; routing contracts; and assisting with special productions.

PROGRAM SECRETARY/ASSISTANT, WJBK-TV:

2/82 - 3/83

Responsibilities: operating CBS telex machine; answering viewer calls; responding to viewer mail; handling travel arrangements; typing and filing.

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT/INTERN, WDIV-TV:

9/81 - 1/82

Responsibilities: assisting the Director of Children's Programming in the studio and during field production; producing field pieces; writing the events segment for a local television show; and screening tapes for editing.

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Questions? Send me e-mail!