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Experience & Professional Background

 

THE BROWN-RITCHEL AGENCY - Houston, TX   •   2012 - Present

CEO and Founder

Strategic Consulting Agency with specializations including, but not limited to:

  • Community and Corporate Partnership/Relationship Development & Engagement; Organizational Strategy and Thought Leadership and Management Development; Community Engagement & Leadership; Board Development & Training; DEI&B programming and Corporate Culture Alignment.

  • HR activities:  organization design, employee engagement & retention, coaching, mentoring, performance issues, conflict management, interpretation/implementation of employment policies/procedures, workforce planning, change management, human resources information systems; Federal, State and Local law/regulation compliance.

  • Nonprofit Leadership and Management; Fundraising & Development; Major Donor Cultivation; Foundation Grant Writing; Philanthropic Strategies.

  • Marketing & Public Relations Strategy & Development; Communication & Engagement with Diverse Communities and Populations; Domestic and International Affairs; Internal/External Communications Management; Brand Management; Environment, Social & Governance (ESG) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. 

  • Event Management & Production; Web, Social & Digital Media Campaigns; Data Management Strategy & Systems.

 

CATALYST - Houston, TX   •   2023 - Present

Director, Global Corporate Engagement

Drive change with preeminent thought leadership, research-based actionable solutions & resources, and a galvanized community of multinational corporations to accelerate and advance HR/DEI initiatives and strategies.

  • Manage a portfolio of 35+ Fortune 500 Global Organizations with a 94% retention rate.

  • Maintain and deepen relationships with clients while cultivating partners across various industries.

  • Strong client-facing engagement while developing and delivering speaking engagements/facilitating workshops.

  • Accelerate client value though proactive relationship management and monitoring engagement to maximize and support evolving needs.

  • Continual focus on maintaining expertise on Human Resources and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion subject matters.

 

AIDS FOUNDATION HOUSTON - Houston, TX  •   2019 – 2022

Chief Development Officer

Fostered a culture of philanthropy by leading a team focused on fund development, donor cultivation, major gifts, corporate engagement, private/public foundations, and grants to support organization mission & objectives.

  • Created and managed development strategy to achieve $7M annual goal, and ongoing objectives to support short- and long-term needs of the organization.  Managing team of 8 fundraisers and support staff.

  • Oversaw implementation of all aspects of agency fundraising, marketing, PR and communication projects, including ERG/EIG corporate engagement for funding, education, and organizational services

  • Coordinated/implemented major events including “PRIDE Houston, Walk to End HIV”, “Dining Out for Life”, and “World AIDS Day”.  Extensive experience in event planning/logistics and volunteer/staff management

  • Agency representation at fundraising, civic, and media events, focused on impact of HIV/AIDS across diversified socio-economic communities – hyper focused on the LGBTQ+ and marginalized communities of color.

  • Led PR/Communications, branding campaigns creation & execution, marketing strategies and ad buys/placement.

 

AMERICAN RED CROSS - Texas Gulf Coast and Oklahoma STATE  •   2017 – 2019

Regional Chief Development Officer

Led the Texas Gulf Coast and Oklahoma Regions in corporate, major donor and foundation cultivation and programming to exceed financial goals by leading a team in planning and implementation of fund development strategies.  Maintained highly visible external facing role to represent the region and cultivate high value donors while managing volunteers and supporting Board of Director members.  High level of HR responsibilities. 

  • Created annual/multi-year development strategy, goals and revenue budget target of $5M.

  • Accountable to achieve and grow fundraising targets through major corporate donor solicitation and stewardship.

  • Led development team, support staff, and volunteers to engage donors and improve/expand organization. engagement.  Managed between 9 – 15 staff depending on the time of year and disaster fundraising efforts.

  • Key executive of region liaising with Fortune 1000 companies, foundations, and diverse communities.  

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FREEDOM FOR ALL AMERICANS - Washington, DC  •   2016 - 2017

Director of Corporate Engagement

Developed and executed a cohesive corporate engagement strategy and mission of deliverables, with focus on Fortune 500 companies for a bipartisan campaign dedicated to securing full nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ persons. 

  • Created & implemented the national campaign, “America Competes: National Business Coalition for DE&I”

  • Coordinated the Communications, Digital, and Program teams to develop content to inform major companies about LGBTQ+ nondiscrimination litigation and legislation issues across the United States.  Cultivated funding.

  • Represented FFAA in media relations when communicating at local, state & federal levels regarding litigation and legislation impacts & opportunities for meaningful engagement, research analysis, and messaging.

 

THE NATIONAL GAY and LESBIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - New York City, NY   •   2013 - 2016

Executive Director and Director of Corporate Partnerships

Key executive overseeing member business growth/development and community leadership to bring new corporate and business partnerships.  Ensured ongoing local programmatic excellence, rigorous program evaluation, and consistent quality of funding and administration.  Developed/Implemented HR polices.

  • Developed programming for minority, women, and/or LGBTQ+ owned business for certification in supplier diversity and procurement with corporate partners and business to business (B2B).

  • Established primary relationships with stakeholders, political & community leaders, to strengthen overall economic impact to business in New York City, surrounding boroughs, and Washington, D.C.

  • Attended and hosted a range of fundraising events, new program inaugurations, business grand openings, and PR events. Liaised and coordinated with the media, government representatives, and community leaders.  Liaised with international partners in Mexico, Columbia & Argentina for funding/partnerships.

 

THE KIDD KRADDICK FOUNDATION & MORNING RADIO SHOW - Dallas, TX   •   2005 - 2016

Executive Director and Director of Development & Partnerships

Created strategic mission and planning to lead national Foundation focused on impacting the lives of children/families with chronic/terminal illnesses, through the delivery channel of the founder’s syndicated radio show: Kidd Kraddick in the Morning Show across 80 major markets in the US and Int’l Armed Forces Radio.  Oversaw HR functions for organization.

  • Identified, cultivated, and solicited financial support of Fortune 500 corporations, foundations, major donors, and individuals to exceed $3M annual campaign, including leadership of the national telethon across radio, television, and social/digital media.  Created and managed major events (concerts, dinners, donor gatherings, media, etc.)

  • Planned and executed annual “Kidd’s Kids Trip to Walt Disney World” with 300+ participants including medical support staff for those chronically/terminally ill children & their families, and the Morning Show cast/staff.

  • Effective communication with the Board and Morning Show department heads.  Managed major donors, corporate partnerships, volunteers, national marketing campaigns, PR, & social media, and major events.

 

CLEAR CHANNEL RADIO (I HEART MEDIA) - Dallas, TX   •   2003 - 2005

Director of Human Resources

Executive management responsibilities on behalf of human capital in strategic development, planning, and change management. Directed all daily human resource functions for the fifth largest Clear Channel market with multiple stations and formats, serving over 300 employees.  First local human resources manager in local market for the company.

  • Partnered with leadership to create and execute organizational goals as related to human resource management. 

  • Developed strategies around workforce planning, recruiting, engagement, retention, and succession planning.

  • Analyzed trends in compensation and benefits; oversaw base and incentive pay strategies to ensure top talent.

  • Partnered with corporate human resources team for on-going needs assessment/management of local market.

  • Complied with company policies & federal/state/local regulations regarding employment policies and procedures.

  • Developed employees and trained managers on policy comprehension and implementation to enable effective handling of employee issues, disciplinary actions, performance evaluations, and promotions.

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HEAD START OF GREATER DALLAS  - Dallas, TX   •   2001 - 2003

Regional Director

Head Start of Greater Dallas provides children with the foundation of skills and knowledge they will need to be successful in school and life.  Fosters self-reliant families and communities. Created and managed a high-quality child-development program that met the needs of the children and families, for three centers within the communities that we served.

  • Interviewed, on-boarded and managed all staff (40 direct reports).  Director for 3 locations.

  • Implemented & managed services to 200+ children and families & exceeded federal and state licensing standards.

 

COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS - Pasadena, TX   •   1998 - 2001

Associate Executive Director and Director of Program Operations

Communities and Schools (CIS) champions the connection of needed community resources with schools.  Bringing caring adults into the schools to address children’s unmet needs.  CIS provides the link between educators and the community.

  • Performed Associate Executive Director duties of budget, programs, employees, and diverse funding sources.

  • Managed 20 school campus programs and curriculums in 5 school districts with 50+ direct reports.

 

MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF DOWNTOWN - Houston, TX   •   1994 - 1998

Assistant Director of Admissions and Director of Operations

Montessori School of Downtown is a private school with multiple locations throughout the Greater Houston area.  The educational approach was based on child-centered philosophies, individualized learning, & holistic child development.

  • Organized and executive special events, enrichment activities, and fundraising for three school campuses.

  • Coordinated day-to-day management of the staff, facility, programs, food programs, new admissions.

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