CURRICULUM VITAE
Senior-Level Leadership: Program Management
Accomplished, forward-thinking Senior Program Leader with extensive portfolio of success driving Multiculturalism, Anti-Racism, and Indigenous Peoples programs. Seeking new, challenging role in field of expertise.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Program Management | Multiculturalism & Anti-Racism Initiatives | Grant & Contributions Management | Budgeting |DE&I Strategic Planning | Community Capacity Building | Project Management | Event Coordination | Forecasting
Report & Proposal Writing | Presentations | Stakeholder Relations | Team Leadership | Issue Resolution
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
DEPARTMENT OF CANADIAN HERITAGE, Toronto, ON, 2001- February 2024
Acting Program Manager, Operations, 2019- February, 2024
Managed Community Support, Multiculturalism & Anti-Racism Initiatives program while supervising and directing team of 8 Senior Program Managers Adviors with additional 8 indirect reports. Managed grants and contributions of $13M budget, including $2.4M events component. Forecast, monitor, and report on unit’s travel budgets. Provided program guidance to team members and cross-program staff, and ensured the team has appropriate tools to deliver excellent client service. Reviewed project funding recommendations submitted by Program Advisors. Serve as headquarters liaison, and provide integral input into regional and national meetings related to program issues.
Delivered and rolled-out multiple programs, such as Multiculturalism Program, Aboriginal Women’s Program Elements, Building Communities through Arts and Heritage, and Community Support, Multiculturalism & Anti-Racism Initiatives Program. Advised management and client organizations on program-related topics and trends. Drove development of strategies, approaches, and courses of action, and resolved issues.
DEPARTMENT OF CANADIAN HERITAGE, Toronto, ON 2001-Feb 2024
Senior Program Advisor, continued
HALTON MULTICULTURAL COUNCIL, Oakville, ON 1990-2001
Managing Director
Managed Council's 2 offices, its programs, and services in Halton Region: Settlement and Integration, Job Search Workshops, Cross-Cultural Parenting, Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada, Community Support Programs, and translation & interpretation services. Drafted grant proposals and applications and secured funding for programs and projects. Coordinated multicultural and anti-racism projects. Organized annual fundraising events & festivals such as Canada Day Parade & Multicultural Festival. Drove recruitment, training, and supervision of personnel and volunteers.
EARLY CAREER HISTORY
ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
Honours Bachelor of Arts with Distinction, Art & Art History | University of Toronto, Mississauga
Diploma Art & Art History with High Honours | Sheridan College
Fine Arts Certificate with Honours | Sheridan College
Settlement Worker, Certificate | George Brown College
Community Worker with Honours, Diploma | George Brown College
Humanities | Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica
FINE ARTS AWARDS & GRANTS
University of Toronto Shelley Peterson Student Art Exhibition Award, April 6, 2015
Sheridan College & University of Toronto: Sculpture Supply Canada Award, Excellence in Sculpture 3, November 18, 2014;
Faculty Award, Excellence in Painting 4, November 12, 2013; Rummy Gill Award, Excellence in Painting 2, November 15, 2011
Wilhelmina and Dr. James R. Rae Bursaries, Awards Office, Academic Achievement Award, September 9, 2013
EXHIBITIONS & EVENTS
April 18 - June 7, 2024
Coffee & Pine: Spirit of the natural world (Solo exhibition), John Aird Gallery, 906 Queen Street West, Toronto
Opening Reception: April 20, 2024, from 2 - 5 p.m., Garden Party: May 20, 2024, from 2 - 5 p.m.
Presented in partnership with the Aird Gallery and the Contact Photography Festival.
February 1 - March 7, 2020
The Recipe: Making Latin America art in Canada, OBORO Gallery, 4001, rue Berri, local 301, Montreal, Quebec
Opening Reception: Saturday, February 1, 2020
June - November, 2019
Curios Diptychs photo series and felt sculpture Invasion I, and other works are being exhibited at the Toronto Regional Office, Department of Canadian Heritage, Toronto
October 18 - December 1, 2018
The Recipe: Making Latin America art in Canada, Sur Gallery, 100-39 Queens Quay East, Toronto (East of Yonge Street).
Opening Reception: Thursday, October 18, 2018 7-9PM
Funded by the Ontario Arts Council
March 6 - April 6, 2018
The Views are Different Here. Examining Toronto's Identity, John B. Aird Gallery, 900 Bay St. (at Wellesley) Toronto
November 23 - 30, 2017
Mistletoe Magic Exhibit/Auction, John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto
March 23 - April 1, 2017
Visual Arts Mississauga (VAM) Annual Members' Show, Mississauga
September 1- 30, 2016
Artist-in-Residence, Pantocrator Gallery, Suzhou, China
March 20 - April 11, 2015
University of Toronto Shelley Peterson Student Art Exhibition, Toronto
March 18 - 29, 2015
Horizon Line, 2015 Art and Art History Graduating Student Exhibition, Blackwood Gallery,
University of Toronto Mississauga
March 13 - April 13, 2015
The Light of Diversity, Carousel of Nations Multicultural Association, Queen Elizabeth Park and Community Cultural Centre, Oakville
March 12 - 15, 2015
Trinity Art Show 2015, University of Toronto Trinity College, Toronto
PUBLICATIONS
Senior-Level Leadership: Program Management
Accomplished, forward-thinking Senior Program Leader with extensive portfolio of success driving Multiculturalism, Anti-Racism, and Indigenous Peoples programs. Seeking new, challenging role in field of expertise.
- Well-versed in executing successful program strategies, administering budgets, and improving processes and communications.
- Reputation for quickly building trust-based relationships by leveraging active listening skills and emotional intelligence.
- Proven ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with both internal & external stakeholders at all levels.
- Big-picture thinker and creative problem-solver, with solid tactical execution & project management skills.
- Adept at prioritizing, multi-tasking, and pivoting to adapt to ever-changing work environments.
- Equal ability to perform autonomously, as a team leader, and as a supportive team player.
- Award-winning fine artist, active volunteer, and Tae Kwon Do Black Belt 2nd Dan.
- Polished presenter, educator, and mentor, and public speaker.
- Bilingual communicator; fluent in English & Spanish.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Program Management | Multiculturalism & Anti-Racism Initiatives | Grant & Contributions Management | Budgeting |DE&I Strategic Planning | Community Capacity Building | Project Management | Event Coordination | Forecasting
Report & Proposal Writing | Presentations | Stakeholder Relations | Team Leadership | Issue Resolution
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
DEPARTMENT OF CANADIAN HERITAGE, Toronto, ON, 2001- February 2024
Acting Program Manager, Operations, 2019- February, 2024
Managed Community Support, Multiculturalism & Anti-Racism Initiatives program while supervising and directing team of 8 Senior Program Managers Adviors with additional 8 indirect reports. Managed grants and contributions of $13M budget, including $2.4M events component. Forecast, monitor, and report on unit’s travel budgets. Provided program guidance to team members and cross-program staff, and ensured the team has appropriate tools to deliver excellent client service. Reviewed project funding recommendations submitted by Program Advisors. Serve as headquarters liaison, and provide integral input into regional and national meetings related to program issues.
- Prepared initial Ontario Regional EDI strategy and training proposal, which contributed to corporate and staff discussions that ultimately led to the first Ontario Region EDI Needs Assessment.
- Participated in learning opportunities pertaining to equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.
- Established monthly Grants Review Committee meetings to improve events events’ continuous intake management.
- Drove transition of in-person to virtual working environment in response to pandemic onset.
- Established proper committee process to better manage intake of project and event applications.
- Planned, orchestrated, monitored, and evaluated the delivery of the Multiculturalism Program & Aboriginal Women's programProgram in Ontario.
- Analyzed project funding recommendations prepared by Program Officers for review or rejection by Senior Management, and participated in discussions with Senior Regional and Program Management on funding.
- Mentored and supervised staff and liaised with government & non-government organizations and individuals.
- Educated and advised stakeholders on department's mission, policies, and programs.
Delivered and rolled-out multiple programs, such as Multiculturalism Program, Aboriginal Women’s Program Elements, Building Communities through Arts and Heritage, and Community Support, Multiculturalism & Anti-Racism Initiatives Program. Advised management and client organizations on program-related topics and trends. Drove development of strategies, approaches, and courses of action, and resolved issues.
DEPARTMENT OF CANADIAN HERITAGE, Toronto, ON 2001-Feb 2024
Senior Program Advisor, continued
- Provided guidance to clients and colleagues, analyzed and evaluated data and information, prepared briefings, conducted research, and wrote project reports.
- Engaged community groups, screened and evaluated applications for financial assistance from programs, and recommended acceptance or rejection of grant requests to senior management.
- Conducted in-depth case-issue analysis in response to representations, complaints, and general inquiries, and recommended courses of action.
HALTON MULTICULTURAL COUNCIL, Oakville, ON 1990-2001
Managing Director
Managed Council's 2 offices, its programs, and services in Halton Region: Settlement and Integration, Job Search Workshops, Cross-Cultural Parenting, Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada, Community Support Programs, and translation & interpretation services. Drafted grant proposals and applications and secured funding for programs and projects. Coordinated multicultural and anti-racism projects. Organized annual fundraising events & festivals such as Canada Day Parade & Multicultural Festival. Drove recruitment, training, and supervision of personnel and volunteers.
- Improved communications between Board of Directors and staff, and addressed and resolved employee problems issues.
- Established new violence prevention program for immigrant women and youth leadership training on race relations.
- Networked with community and government agencies with mandates to serve newcomers and visible minorities.
EARLY CAREER HISTORY
- Settlement Worker, Ontario Welcome House, Ministry of Citizenship, Mississauga, ON
- Women’s Group Support Worker, Multicultural Assistance Services of Peel, Mississauga, ON
- Coordination Assistant Trainee, Immigrant Women Into Electronics Program, Humber College, North York, ON
ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
Honours Bachelor of Arts with Distinction, Art & Art History | University of Toronto, Mississauga
Diploma Art & Art History with High Honours | Sheridan College
Fine Arts Certificate with Honours | Sheridan College
Settlement Worker, Certificate | George Brown College
Community Worker with Honours, Diploma | George Brown College
Humanities | Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica
FINE ARTS AWARDS & GRANTS
University of Toronto Shelley Peterson Student Art Exhibition Award, April 6, 2015
Sheridan College & University of Toronto: Sculpture Supply Canada Award, Excellence in Sculpture 3, November 18, 2014;
Faculty Award, Excellence in Painting 4, November 12, 2013; Rummy Gill Award, Excellence in Painting 2, November 15, 2011
Wilhelmina and Dr. James R. Rae Bursaries, Awards Office, Academic Achievement Award, September 9, 2013
EXHIBITIONS & EVENTS
April 18 - June 7, 2024
Coffee & Pine: Spirit of the natural world (Solo exhibition), John Aird Gallery, 906 Queen Street West, Toronto
Opening Reception: April 20, 2024, from 2 - 5 p.m., Garden Party: May 20, 2024, from 2 - 5 p.m.
Presented in partnership with the Aird Gallery and the Contact Photography Festival.
February 1 - March 7, 2020
The Recipe: Making Latin America art in Canada, OBORO Gallery, 4001, rue Berri, local 301, Montreal, Quebec
Opening Reception: Saturday, February 1, 2020
June - November, 2019
Curios Diptychs photo series and felt sculpture Invasion I, and other works are being exhibited at the Toronto Regional Office, Department of Canadian Heritage, Toronto
October 18 - December 1, 2018
The Recipe: Making Latin America art in Canada, Sur Gallery, 100-39 Queens Quay East, Toronto (East of Yonge Street).
Opening Reception: Thursday, October 18, 2018 7-9PM
Funded by the Ontario Arts Council
March 6 - April 6, 2018
The Views are Different Here. Examining Toronto's Identity, John B. Aird Gallery, 900 Bay St. (at Wellesley) Toronto
November 23 - 30, 2017
Mistletoe Magic Exhibit/Auction, John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto
March 23 - April 1, 2017
Visual Arts Mississauga (VAM) Annual Members' Show, Mississauga
September 1- 30, 2016
Artist-in-Residence, Pantocrator Gallery, Suzhou, China
March 20 - April 11, 2015
University of Toronto Shelley Peterson Student Art Exhibition, Toronto
March 18 - 29, 2015
Horizon Line, 2015 Art and Art History Graduating Student Exhibition, Blackwood Gallery,
University of Toronto Mississauga
March 13 - April 13, 2015
The Light of Diversity, Carousel of Nations Multicultural Association, Queen Elizabeth Park and Community Cultural Centre, Oakville
March 12 - 15, 2015
Trinity Art Show 2015, University of Toronto Trinity College, Toronto
PUBLICATIONS
- The Forest (1 of 5 panels oil painting), El Arbol (lithograph) Buff publication, Art and Art History Program, Sheridan College, 2012
- Impediment 1 & 2 (rust prints) Buff publication, Art and Art History Program, Sheridan College, 2013