Vanessa Robertson
Summary
Passionate, driven and collaborative executive leader recognized for building successful programs by leveraging community relationships and dynamic team members.
Skilled in strategic planning, financial management, problem-solving, and communication with excellent understanding of business principles, project management and team leadership. Highly organized, detail-oriented and master multi-tasker with a relentless work ethic and eagerness to lead and grow organizations and programs that will make a positive impact on communities. Charismatic leader ready to join a team to drive forward progress with authenticity, humor, creativity and flexibility.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Executive Director
Envirolution
10.2014 - 09.2023
- Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide operational strategy.
- Built relationships with donors, government officials and other organizations to secure funding and support for organization.
- Set organizational goals and objectives to guide and direct company focus and achieve mission fulfillment.
- Exercised appropriate cost control to meet budget restrictions and maximize profitability.
- Represented organization to local public by giving presentations and speeches and participating in community events.
- Built and maintained strong company teams by hiring and training qualified staff to create positive and productive work environments.
- Founded performance- and merit-based evaluation system to assess staff performance.
- Created succession plans to provide continuity of operations during leadership transitions.
- Cultivated company-wide culture of innovation and collaboration.
- Managed financial, operational and human resources to optimize business performance.
- Established and maintained strong relationships with customers, vendors and strategic partners.
Manager
Silver Peak Restaurant and Brewery
06.2011 - 02.2015
- Supervised and trained over 20 employees to assure the smooth and efficient operation of the restaurant
- Assisted in the successful organization and implementation of large catered events, ranging from 50-900 people
- Responsible for front of house scheduling, training, and HR issues
- Assisted with any customer issues using diplomacy and patience, assuring the guest leaves with a positive experience
- Maintained professional, organized, and safe environment for employees and patrons.
- Managed and motivated employees to be productive and engaged in work.
- Onboarded new employees with training and new hire documentation.
Founder
Reno-Tahoe Environmental Consulting, LLC
07.2009 - 09.2012
- Founder of local consulting business focusing on Green Business Certification
- Provide businesses of all sizes with expert consulting advice on sustainable business practices
- Conduct live third party audits of businesses, resulting in a nationally recognized Green Business Certification
- Lead Green Awareness seminars to employees and the public ∙
- Develop Green Business Networking events for local Green Businesses
President
Monterey Institute Our Green Thumb Organic Garden
06.2008 - 05.2009
- Initiated, organized and oversaw the inception and completion of a new student-run community-based organic garden dedicated to teaching and implementing sustainable organic agricultural techniques and practices on the Monterey Institute campus
- Recruited and organized over 50 volunteers and 6 work weekends, totally over 800 hours of volunteer efforts focused on the establishment and completion of the area's only community garden
- Designed and organized fundraising activities, bringing in over $6000 in proceeds and donated plants and materials
Educational and Volunteer Coordinator
Surfrider Foundation
02.2008 - 05.2009
- Conducted and designed educational outreach programs within the Monterey area addressing the chapters primary campaign focusing on marine debris and ocean conservation
- Recruited and organized over 30 volunteers for over 20 local educational events and community outreach activities and beach cleanups
- Managed and oversaw the internships of 5 Cal State University Monterey Bay students
- Assisted in a multi agency campaign that successfully banned the use of polystyrene food packaging in the City of Monterey
Program Evaluation and Development Associate
Agriculture Land Based Association
11.2007 - 05.2009
- Valued associate for non-profit organization that provides educational and training opportunities for limited resource and aspiring organic farmers
- Worked both independently and in groups to meet grant and program evaluation deadlines
- Designed, implemented and evaluated over 10 bi-lingual surveys targeting key stakeholders
- Worked closely on a daily basis with the 8 different program managers to identify project goals and indicators used to measure success and identify areas for improvement
- Strengthened the organization's monitoring and evaluation protocol used for grant proposals and reports
- Successfully wrote a $25K technical assistance grant for the business education program.
Educational Assistant
The Foundation For Self-Sufficiency In Central America (FSSCA)
01.2008 - 01.2008
- Analyzed and evaluated a local grassroots organization's environmental education program
- Designed and implemented surveys within 5 communities, reaching over 100 individuals
- Analyzed survey results to identify key program indicators and areas for improvement
- Trained 5 environmental education employees on the basics of evaluation and monitoring methods
- As consultants, recommendations were made and implemented for the improvement of the program.
Education
M.A - International Environmental Policy
Monterey Institute of International Studies, International Policy Studies
Monterey, CA2009
B.A. - Spanish and Environmental Studies
University of Nevada Reno
Reno, NV2006
Skills
- Program development, monitoring and evaluation
- Business administration & operations management
- Grant and proposal writing, monitoring and reporting
- Budgeting and financial management
- Event planning and fundraising
- Public speaking & stakeholder relations
- Sustainable business practices and environmental consulting
- Cross-cultural communication & community engagement
- Strategic planning & organizational leadership
- Staff management & leadership development
- Organization and facilitation of educational trainings
- Volunteer recruitment and management
- Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Google Suite & Smartsheet
Languages
Spanish
Professional Working
Certification
Non-Profit Management
Green Business Certification
Conferences
NSTA Conferences
Green Schools National Network
Timeline
Executive Director
Envirolution
10.2014 - 09.2023
Manager
Silver Peak Restaurant and Brewery
06.2011 - 02.2015
Founder
Reno-Tahoe Environmental Consulting, LLC
07.2009 - 09.2012
President
Monterey Institute Our Green Thumb Organic Garden
06.2008 - 05.2009
Educational and Volunteer Coordinator
Surfrider Foundation
02.2008 - 05.2009
Educational Assistant
The Foundation For Self-Sufficiency In Central America (FSSCA)
01.2008 - 01.2008
Program Evaluation and Development Associate
Agriculture Land Based Association
11.2007 - 05.2009
M.A - International Environmental Policy
Monterey Institute of International Studies, International Policy Studies
B.A. - Spanish and Environmental Studies
University of Nevada Reno
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