Expert Details
Strategic Management, Educational Policy & Public Administration: Government, Educational, Non-Profit, and Private Sectors
ID: 740215
Florida, USA
Previously, Expert held influential roles such as Chief Strategy Officer for Miami-Dade County Public Schools, where she led district-wide initiatives and strategic planning, including the Vision 2020 Blueprint. She also served as Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the Mayor of Miami-Dade County, overseeing large departments and budgets while leading major cultural and educational initiatives.
Her career began in education, where she taught and earned recognition as a National Board-Certified teacher and a two-time Teacher of the Year nominee. Expert holds advanced degrees in Educational Leadership and Elementary Education from Florida International University and has completed executive programs at Harvard University and FIU.
Currently, she serves on various boards and continues to influence education and policy through her consulting work.
Education
| Year | Degree | Subject | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year: 2003 | Degree: Ed. S. | Subject: Educational Leadership | Institution: Florida International University |
| Year: 1998 | Degree: MS | Subject: Elementary Education | Institution: Florida International University |
| Year: 1993 | Degree: BA | Subject: Elementary Education & English | Institution: Florida International University |
Work History
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 2018 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: CEO/Founder | Department: |
Responsibilities:Strategic management and business-consulting firm, specializing in serving the needs of governmental, educational, non-profit, and private sector entities.Areas of expertise include strategic public/private partnerships, cross sector policy development and implementation, organizational and community strategic planning; program development and support; compliance and oversight; grant development, management and monitoring (federal, state, and local grants); community outreach, engagement and advocacy. Clients include Miami-Dade County Public Schools Miami Homes for All, Health Foundation of South Florida, Catalyst Miami, Townsquare Neighborhood Development Corporation, Broward County Public Schools, Unity on the Bay and Miami Foundation/Together for Children Project. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2014 to 2018 | Employer: Miami Dade County Public Schools | Title: Chief Strategy Officer | Department: Office of the Superintendent |
Responsibilities:Responsible for directly assisting the Superintendent of Schools in creating, communicating, executing, and sustaining strategic initiatives district-wide. Responsibilities included leading the strategic planning process, implementing high priority initiatives, overseeing the Office of Economic Opportunity; leading corporate/business development initiatives, and overseeing the achievement of objectives consistent with Miami-Dade County Public Schools' strategic plan. Led the development of the Vision 2020 5-Year Strategic Blueprint. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2011 to 2014 | Employer: Miami Dade County | Title: Chief of Staff, Senior Advisor | Department: Office of the Mayor |
Responsibilities:Chief of Staff: Responsible for the day-to-day operations for the Office of Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez including the coordination of policy and legislation, external affairs and communications. Responsible for strategically facilitating and supporting the Deputy Mayors and Department Directors to move their work forward.Senior Advisor to the Mayor: Oversaw the Cultural Affairs; Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces; and Library Departments. County liaison on School Readiness, Education, and youth related issues and projects; and Mayor's liaison to local museums, performing arts centers including the Adrienne Arsht Center, and other cultural institutions. Mayor Gimenez's representative on the Early Learning Coalition, Community Action Agency Advisory Board, Vizcaya Trust, Zoo Oversight Board, the Miami-Dade Sports Commission, and The Children's Trust. Responsible for the countywide United Way Employee Campaign and other related United Way activities and events. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2007 to 2011 | Employer: Miami Dade County Public Schools | Title: Executive Director of Human Resources Office of Intergovernmental Affairs & Director of Grants Administration | Department: Office of Human Resources |
Responsibilities:Executive Director of Human Resources: Led the $73 million Race to the Top federal through state grant award targeting comprehensive education reform with a focus on teacher and school administrator effectiveness and its impact on student achievement. Required close collaboration with the Florida Department of Education, labor unions, charter schools and community stakeholders.Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and Grants Administration: Managed 13 Municipal Education Compacts; led the coordination of new local government partnerships including municipal, county and government agencies; collaborated with community groups to coordinate information and awareness campaigns and events dealing with state and federal legislative policy issues; managed a broad grant portfolio inclusive of out-of-school programming, prevention and intervention programs, digital inclusion programs and collaboration grants; has a proven track record in securing national, state, and local funding from public and private sources. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2003 to 2007 | Employer: City of Miami | Title: Director of Policy & Legislation | Department: Office of the Mayor |
Responsibilities:Spearheaded key policy initiatives and oversaw all City of Miami Mayor policy staff, including Special Aide on Faith-based and Community-based organizations, Special Aide on Youth and Family, Special Aide on Environmental Affairs; and was responsible for all policy areas, legislative items and other related matters. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1994 to 2003 | Employer: Miami-Dade County Public Schools | Title: Teacher | Department: Coconut Grove Elementary |
Responsibilities:Third & Fourth Grade General Education Teacher. |
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Career Accomplishments
| Associations / Societies |
|---|
| • Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce • Institute of Management Consultants • Association of Consultants to Non-Profits |
| Licenses / Certifications |
|---|
| • National Board Middle Childhood Generalist Certification (2001) • National Board Certified Teacher Mentor (2001-2003) |
| Professional Appointments |
|---|
| • Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Education and Workforce Development Committee • Together for Children Board of Trustees, Treasurer • Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Vice Chair Workforce and Education Committee • Dream in Green, Vice Chair/Board Member • The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade, Treasurer and Board Member • Arts for Learning, Board Member • The Children’s Trust, Board Member • The Early Learning Coalition, Board Member • The United Way, Board Member Designee of Mayor |
| Awards / Recognition |
|---|
| • Gifted Education Teacher, 1996-2002 • Teacher of the Year nomination, 1998 & 2001. |
Additional Experience
| Training / Seminars |
|---|
| • 2013: Completed the Florida International, Center for Leadership, Senior Executive Leadership Program • 2006: Completed the John F. Kennedy Senior Executive State and Local Government Program at Harvard University • 2003-2005: Completed the Miami Fellows Program |
Language Skills
| Language | Proficiency |
|---|---|
| Spanish | Conversational |