Expert Details
Nonprofit Management, Strategic Action, Fundraising, Grant Development, Grants
ID: 730150
Ohio, USA
Expert has successfully written over four dozen funded grants resulting in over $3 million. During her experience in annual fund, major gift fundraising, and events, she was responsible for raising over $1.2 million. She has served as a federal grant peer reviewer for the US Department of Health and Human Services and the Corporation for National and Community Service. Expert is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Grant Professional Association, and the National Association of Women Business Owners. She serves on the Governing Board for the Grant Professionals Certification Institute and the peer review committee of the Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration.
She is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), a professional credential from CFRE International requiring at least 5 years experience and passing a four hour exam. Expert is also a Grant Professional Certified (GPC) grant writer from the Grant Professionals Certification Institute after at least 3 years of service and passing an eight hour exam. Finally, she is also a Certified Volunteer Administrator (CVA) after serving as a volunteer manager for several organizations and qualifying for the CVA through their examination process.
Expert received her Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and Bachelor of Science in Communication, as well as a Master of Arts in Communication, from the University of Kentucky. Currently, she is working on her Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership concentrating on Nonprofit Leadership from Eastern University in St. David’s, PA. Her anticipated dissertation is Sustaining the Nonprofit Sector: Comparison of Succession Planning Current Practices to Theory and Literature.
Expert is involved with various nonprofit organizations in the community. Currently, she serves as the President of the Kentucky Occupational Therapy Foundation and President of God’s Closet, in addition to volunteering for many organizations in Lexington and nationally. These include Girl Scouts, Fayette Co. 4-H, Mother to Mother of Lexington, Alpha Phi Omega, Lucca Leadership North America, Alzheimer’s Association, Florence Crittenton Home, Habitat for Humanity, Friends of Malawi.
Education
| Year | Degree | Subject | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year: 2011 | Degree: Ph.D. | Subject: Organizational Leadership - Nonprofit Concentration | Institution: Eastern University - St. David's, PA |
| Year: 2004 | Degree: MA | Subject: Communication | Institution: University of Kentucky |
| Year: 2003 | Degree: BBA | Subject: Marketing | Institution: University of Kentucky |
| Year: 2003 | Degree: BS | Subject: Communication | Institution: University of Kentucky |
Work History
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 2020 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: CEO | Department: Executive |
Responsibilities:Expert distributed more than 15,000 books to classrooms in its initial year of operation. The mission of this literacy foundation is to provide books to schools and community organizations throughout the United States. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2020 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: Owner | Department: Managerial |
Responsibilities:Expert operates a national online book sales company specializing in children's books and used books and media. Totals in 2021 exceeded $1.5 million, and total sales in 2020 exceeded $600,000 total. Expert oversees staff managing payroll, accounting functions, and all reporting requirements; and provides quality customer service to over 500 buyers each month. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2019 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: National Instructor | Department: Education |
Responsibilities:Expert educates over 300 professionals annually in two-day courses on Grant Writing and Grant Management. She also serves as lead instructor for law enforcement, fire, and emergency management service-focused courses. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2011 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: Director of Certification and Education Programs | Department: |
Responsibilities:Expert is responsible for creating national, regional and local opportunities to educate L3C professionals. In addition, she is responsible for creating the first credential in social entrepreneurship. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2010 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: Adjunct Faculty | Department: John S. Watson School of Public Service and Continuing Studies |
Responsibilities:Expert created and facilitates the following courses:MSP 662 – Practical Grantwriting (3 credit course) NPR-200-PS - Grantsmanship for Non-profits (non-credit) NPR-210-PS - Fundraising for Non-profits (non-credit) She also serves on the 2011-12 on the Academic Integrity Committee |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2009 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: Owner, Consultant and Coach | Department: |
Responsibilities:Expert provides consulting services to nonprofit organizations specializing in fundraising, grant writing, strategic planning, board development, program planning, and evaluation. Results have included over $25.5 million in grant awards for clients. Recent works include grant developments, applications, team membership, and awards; and program external evaluation.Expert's grant writing and management focuses on mental health, substance use disorder, corrections/law enforcement, economic supports, affordable housing, job training/employment, community health, domestic violence, and hunger/food assistance. In this capacity, Expert specializes in fundraising, grant development, strategic planning, board development, internal grant reviews, program planning, and evaluation. Expert serves as a national coach and/or mentor to up and coming fundraising and grant writing talent. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2014 to 2018 | Employer: Accounting and Finance Women's Alliance (AFWA) and The Foundation of AFWA | Title: Executive Director | Department: Executive |
Responsibilities:Expert served as the chief staff officer for the overall management and operation of the organization with 2,000 members and 65 chapters, providing sound programming, fiscal and personnel management, development of effective relationships with stakeholders, and positively represent the association.Expert established online training series for members, resulting in over 40 webinars and courses offered in subjects pertaining to interpersonal communication, public speaking, emotional intelligence, people skills, management, leadership, and others. Expert managed all relationships with corporate partners and sponsors, including contract negotiation. She also spearheaded the creation of a young professionals’ advisory board to provide programming for emerging professionals under 40 as well as the start of a formal mentoring program for young professionals. Among other achievements, Expert implemented a 3-year strategic plan through successful project management with board and committees; successfully turned an annual conference from a $22,000 loss to a $9,000 net profit in one year; and guided 12-member board of directors in the management of a $500,000 annual budget to diversify volunteer leadership and begin expanding membership growth and retention. Expert oversaw all special event fundraising, donor stewardship and nonprofit giving totaling $50,000 annually, with a 15-member board of directors for The Foundation of AFWA, providing over $180,000 in scholarships since 2004. Created a national financial literacy program with volunteers for Girl Scouts. During this time, Expert created and delivered new member-serving programs including Master Presenter, teaching members to improve public speaking skills, and the Savvy Series, educating members about soft skills and how to improve them. These programs served over 400 attendees and provided 50+ CPE annually. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2019 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: | Department: |
Responsibilities: |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2007 to 2012 | Employer: The Council of State Governments | Title: Assistant Director of Development | Department: Development |
Responsibilities:Expert oversaw the foundation and federal revenue development efforts of the organization. She facilitated applications with requests totaling over $18 million. The funding success rate was 14% on average.Expert initiated the Toll Giving Society and raised over $2,800 from alumni participants -- a group never solicited before. She researched and identified sources of funding from federal or foundation sources for policy specific and state trends projects in state governance transformation, health, education, environment and public safety and justice. She guided 8 staff members in the development of proposals. She also developed and delivered trainings for staff on fund development topics. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2006 to 2009 | Employer: Bluegrass Community and Technical College | Title: Adjunct Faculty | Department: |
Responsibilities:Construct and deliver course lectures, exercises and exams for Basic Public Speaking (COM181). Course content and skill development taught includes individual speeches and group presentations, speech development and structure, presentation skills, research, idea development and speech critiquing. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2006 to 2007 | Employer: Chrysalis House, Inc. | Title: Assistant Executive Director | Department: |
Responsibilities:Prepared federal, state, corporate and foundation grant and program proposals raising over $615,000. Facilitated the holiday fundraiser through design of direct-mail pieces and management of gifts to raise $120,000 for the 2006 Holiday mailing surpassing the $40,000 goal. Coordinated annual 5K Run event with board members and raised $26,000 in sponsorship income. As part of administration team, oversaw all agency functions including: child care, licensure, substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, case management, client employment and client support (food stamps, WIC, TANF, etc.). Supervised Job Readiness Coordinator, Job Readiness Case Manager, and Technology Coordinator. Planned, directed and coordinated human resources and benefit management for a 50-member staff. Conducted the agency recruitment, selection, hiring and training process of personnel and volunteers. Represented Chrysalis House as a board member of the Central Kentucky Homeless and Housing Initiative (CKHHI) and United Way Gifts In-Kind Advisory Council. Designed and created quarterly newsletter, annual report, solicitations and other printed materials. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2004 to 2006 | Employer: God's Pantry Food Bank | Title: Fund Development Coordinator | Department: |
Responsibilities:Attained $1.2 million in revenue as part of the development team. Composed over 30 grants each year to local, national and federal requests for proposals, resulting in $137,000 grant funds. Created, implemented and measured results of nine annual giving direct-mail pieces to 13,500 recipients to attain $500,000 in income. Responsible for management and maintenance of Raiser’s Edge database. Recruited, hired and managed temporary data entry support and student interns. Provided ongoing support for strategic planning, budgeting, Raising More Money programs and annual events. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2003 to 2004 | Employer: University of Kentucky | Title: Graduate Assistant | Department: Office of Undergraduate Education |
Responsibilities:Coordinated and marketed tutoring services for a campus of 30,000 students. Screened and hired employees to tutor students in high-failure rate courses. Created schedule for over 95 hours of free tutoring per week, an increase of 50 hours per week from the previous year. Managed an annual budget of over $5,000 and applied for additional funding as needed. Coordinated assignments for UK 100, basic skills for second-semester freshmen on academic probation. |
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International Experience
| Years | Country / Region | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Years: 2005 to 2005 | Country / Region: Jordan | Summary: Represented the United States as part of a 10 member delegation to an international conference. Responsible for sharing business practices and program construction. |
| Years: 2002 to 2002 | Country / Region: Phillipines | Summary: Represented the United States as part of a 10 member delegation to an international conference. Responsible for sharing business practices and program construction. |
Career Accomplishments
| Associations / Societies |
|---|
| • American Evaluation Association (AEA) • Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) • Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA) • Central Kentucky Association of Volunteer Administrators (CKAVA) • Grant Professionals Association (GPA) • International Leadership Association (ILA) • National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) • Leadership Lexington, Commerce Lexington program, Class of 2008 |
| Licenses / Certifications |
|---|
| Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), Conferred July 2009, Expires 2012 CFRE International – www.cfre.org Requirements for credential: Minimum 5 years professional practice, 80 hours of continuing education, professional performance including dollars raised, communication projects and management functions and community service. Grant Professional Certification (GPC), Conferred August 2008, Expires 2011 Grant Professionals Certification Institute – www.grantcredential.org Requirements for credential: Minimum 3 years experience in the grant profession, minimum of 5 successful grant applications, references, and passing a 6-hour proctored examination. Certified in Volunteer Administration (CVA), Conferred April 2007, Expires 2012 Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration – www.cvacert.org Requirements for credential: Minimum 3 years experience in volunteer administration (paid or non-paid), references, passing a 2-hour proctored exam, and successful peer review of a written portfolio. |
| Professional Appointments |
|---|
| PROFESSIONAL SERVICE: 2010 – Present Americans for Community Development Public Policy Working Group Chair 2010 - Present The Foundation Review Journal Peer Reviewer 2010 Association of Fundraising Professionals U.S. Government Relations Committee 2010 Bluegrass Chapter, Association of Fundraising Professionals National Philanthropy Day committee December 2008 - Present Grant Professionals Certification Institute (GPCI) Governing Board, term expiring in 2011, Marketing Committee Chair November 2007 - Present Council for the Certification in Volunteer Administration (CCVA) Portfolio peer review committee, Web Marketing volunteer COMMUNITY SERVICE: NON-PROFIT AND CIVIC INVOLVEMENT November 2010 – Present ProgressLex – Lexington, KY Board member October 2010 – Present Lucca Leadership North America – Chicago, IL Board member January 2007 – Present God’s Closet – Lexington, KY Board member, Board Secretary (December 07 – October 2009) Board President (September 2009 – Present) October 2005 – 2009 Fayette County 4-H - Lexington, KY Board member (05-09, Board Secretary (05-08), Club Leader Council and Archery Coach (06-07) Speech and Demonstration Judge September 2005 – Present Junior League of Lexington – Lexington, KY Sponsorship Chair, 2008-2009 Executive Committee, 2008-2009 Finance Committee, 2008-2009 Organization Development Institute delegate, November 2007 Existing Business Coordinator, Sponsorship committee, 2007-2008 Membership Training, 2006-2008, 2010 Placement Counselor and Provisional Committee, 2010, 2011 Grant Writer and Member, Development committee and events, Bodley Bullock House, 2007-20011 Merchant committee, Holly Day Market, 2010, 2011 Gaited Gallery, Horse Show, 2011 Program Sales, Horse Show, 2010 Reserved Seats, Horse Show, 2007-2008 Grounds, Horse Show, 2006-2007 September 2005 – Friends of Malawi - Washington, D.C. January 2009 Board of Directors, Secretary September 2005– Florence Crittenton Home - Lexington, KY February 2007 Board of Directors, Secretary, Special Events and Nominating June 2005 – April 2006 Habitat for Humanity - Lexington, KY Volunteer grant writer May 2005 - Present Kentucky Occupational Therapy Foundation President, 2007 - Present Development Chair, 2005 - 2007 August 2004 - Present Alzheimer’s Association- Lexington, KY Speakers Bureau June 2004 - Present Mother to Mother of Lexington-Lexington, KY Board of Directors, Public Relations and Fundraising Committee August 2002- American Marketing Association, UK Chapter-Lexington, KY December 2004 Calendar Advisor and Graphic Designer GIRL SCOUT INVOLVEMENT Girl Scouts of the United States-New York, NY September 2005 Delegate to the United Nations 58th Annual DPI/NGO Conference, New York, NY June 2005 GSUSA Delegate & World Board Committee Nominee, 32nd World Conference, Amman, Jordan August 2004-May 2005 Opportunities for University Women National Task Group September 2003 GSUSA Representative, Many Images of Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting Seminar, Pax Lodge, London England July 2002 GSUSA Delegate & World Board Communications Committee Nominee, 31st World Conference, Manila, Philippines Girl Scouts-Kentucky’s Wilderness Road Council-Lexington, KY August 2010 – Present Chair, Bluegrass Cluster September 2007-July 2010 Vice Chair, Bluegrass Cluster (formerly Area 8) 2005- September 2007 Vice Chair, Area 8 2005 – 2009 Fund Development Committee January 2004-August 2007 Studio 2B Group Advisor July 2004-October 2006 Service Unit Manager and Cookie Manager 2003, 1999 Strategic Plan Task Group Member June-August 2001 Tra |
| Awards / Recognition |
|---|
| 2009 Bluegrass Junior Women’s Club Woman of the Year Finalist 2008 Advisor of the Year Award, Alpha Phi Omega, Centre College 2007 Lifetime Achievement Presidential Service Award 2007 Alpha Phi Omega, Golden Sash, University of Kentucky 2007 Alpha Phi Omega Certificate of Appreciation, Service, University of Kentucky 2006 Girl Scout Honor Pin, Girl Scouts-Wilderness Road Council 2006 Lexington Young Professionals Association Rising Star 2006 Alpha Phi Omega Certificate of Appreciation, Service, University of Kentucky 2005, 2006, 2007 Gold Presidential Service Award Fall 2005 University of Kentucky Alumni Magazine Feature Story May 2005 Lexington Herald-Leader Making a Difference Profile 2005 – 2010 Torchbearer, Alpha Phi Omega 2004 Kentucky Colonel 2001 Girl Scout Appreciation Pin, Girl Scouts-Wilderness Road Council 1999 Fayette County Farm Bureau Scholarship Recipient 1999 Community Action Council Outstanding Community Service Award 1998 Horatio Alger & Louis Feinstein Award 1997 Girl Scout Gold Award |
| Publications and Patents Summary |
|---|
| Various authors. (2011). The Book of the States 2011. In editing. Expert, E. (2011). States Creating Their Own Agricultural Brands. Capitol Research Brief. http://knowledgecenter.csg.org/drupal/system/files/States_Creating_Their_Own_Agricultural_Brands.pdf Expert, E. (2001). A different kind of welcome center. Capitol Ideas, March/April, 20. Expert, E. (2011). Capitol Facts & Figures: State Contracting and Financing for Human Services. http://knowledgecenter.csg.org/drupal/system/files/State_Contracting_and_Financing_for_Human_Services.pdf Expert, E. (2009). Creating impact with policymakers: Cases of building cross sector partnerships to build stronger programs and grant applications. Journal of the American Association of Grant Professionals, 7, 16-24. Hottinger, J., Gillettet, C., Pennings, L., Reitman, T., Shurford, E., Keating, M., Gumpert, R., Boyce, K., Expert, E., Miller, D., Cotkin, A., Fischer, K., Shiffman, J., Shook, S., & Crosby, N. (2009). Citizens Jury on Election Recounts Draft Report. Retrieved from http://www.minnpost.com/client_files/pdfs/CitizensJuryReport.pdf. Expert, E. (2009). State of Volunteers: Rising Interest in Volunteerism Benefits States. State News, 52. Expert, E. (2009), From the Expert: Grant Expectations for Competitive Stimulus Funds. State e-News, Issue #17, April 2, 2009. Expert, E. (2008). State Programs Find a Firmer Foundation. State News, 51(10), 34-37. Expert, E. (2008). What’s on Your Profile? A potential danger no longer reserved for young professionals alone. Business Lexington, April 4. Expert, E. (2007). Predatory lending and subprime loans”, young professionals as a target group for predatory lending. Business Lexington, September 21. Expert, E. (2004). Gaining volunteers: Comparing statistical versus narrative messages when recruiting new volunteers. Master’s Research Project, University of Kentucky. Expert, E. (2003). Finding Your Promotional Creativity: Kick the “Box” to the Curb!, Programming 101 Feature Article. Programming (National Association of Campus Activities), Fall. |
Additional Experience
| Other Relevant Experience |
|---|
| As a volunteer, Expert has served as Board Advisor (2014-2019), President (2008-13) and member (2007-19) of another nonprofit organization. In this capacity, she provided governance leadership and conducted all fund development activities. She also tripled the organizational budget and co-founded a social enterprise catering program employing 30+ women at above minimum wage and providing training for over 200 women. In this capacity, Expert also conducted résumé writing and social media usage workshops for over 150 women reentering the workforce after incarceration annually (2010-18). |