SARA A. WALL 949-***-**** s ********@*****.***
*** *. *** ***** ***., Pasadena, CA 91101
EDUCATION
Brandeis University, Master of Public Policy, Concentration in Poverty Reduction, M ay 2010 Hunter College, Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, Journalism, May 2004 WORK EXPERIENCE
AFFORDABLE HOUSING ACCESS; Consultant Newport Beach, CA 02/18- Current
● Present to city officials in acquisition presentations as General Managing Partner.
● Create a direct competitor analyses matrix to understand client’s position in marketplace.
● Design a feasibility study to understand how on-site social services impacts affordable housing developer’s operating expenses.
● Provide coaching and technical assistance to key leadership staff. VITUS GROUP; Social Impact Manager Seattle, WA 05/ 15- 07/17
● Planned, organized and directed construction management activities of new projects.
● Managed and coordinated project team, general contractor in communicating directives and ensuring the project scope is built according to plans, specifications, and cost limits.
● Identified risk and standardized the service agreement template/ insurance verification system.
● Verified properties were in compliance with tax credit service regulatory requirements.
● Developed VITUS’ theory of change, logic model and social impact metrics for portfolio with respect to resident services.
● Trained all staff on VITUS’ social impact strategy.
● Designed “healthy housing” features in partnership with general contractor and architects.
● Created catalog of portfolio characteristics and produced quarterly report w/ analytics.
● Formulated policy statements, comment letters, written testimony and other position papers.
● Served as a subject matter expert and content writer for publications, media interviews, press releases, acquisitions presentations and website updates. PROJECT ACCESS; Program Director Oakland, CA 10/10-05/15
● Developed evaluation systems to measure the social impact of services (on site of affordable housing) using surveys and pre-and post-tests, meta-analysis and report cards; used data to improve programs.
● Managed data collection using Membertrack software.
● Trained all staff on Weikart’s system of program process improvement cycles.
● Created a pipeline of major gift prospects and cultivated donors through targeted outreach by leveraging regional boards, Donorsearch and immersion platforms.
● Supervised five Regional Managers and one Analyst, including hiring and training.
● Managed partnerships with community service agencies, schools and other non-profits.
● Fundraised $1mm annually through grants and donations executed program deliverables. 1
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA; Adjunct Professor, Field Education CA 08/13-05/15
● Developed a Master’s in Social Work field educational curriculum for case management.
● Project managed a longitudinal study to assess the impact of social services on low-income housing residents.
● Served as a guest lecturer, as needed.
CENTER FOR YOUTH & COMMUNITIES; Research Assistant Boston, MA 01/10- 05/10
● Collected, analyzed data to assess community needs and assets on behalf of the Skillman Foundation’s Initiative to create a System of Supports and Opportunities for Detroit youth.
● Made recommendations for future Skillman Foundation funding. CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION; Programs Fellowship Los Angeles, CA 06 /09- 09/09
● Supported the El Monte Community Building Initiative, coordinating the advisory board meetings, reviewing and analyzing grant reports and applications. PROJECT ACCESS; Regional Manager Anaheim, CA 01/07-07/08
● Provided strategic leadership, hiring and supervision of 10 staff at 6 properties.
● Oversaw all aspects of site planning and monitoring and $350,000 budget.
● Project managed $100,000 in grant funding, oversaw grant deliverables. PROJECT ACCESS; Service Coordinator Anaheim, CA 03/ 05 – 12/06
● Coordinated comprehensive education program for 700 low-income housing residents.
● Created curriculum for teenage youth using online platforms in computer lab.
● Built trust with the residents to understand their service needs and implemented strategy of service provider partnerships to meet these needs. THINK TOGETHER; Classroom Supervisor Santa Ana, CA 08/04–05/05
● Designed, planned, and evaluated CORE-based curriculum for 150 middle age participants. VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
● Four Story, Fair Living advocates, Cuba; Contributing Writer and Translator.
● VE Global,Chile; Cared for institutionalized orphanage children ages 0-18.
● Irish Institute for Human Rights, Ireland; Assisted with legal research and analyses. SKILLS AND CERTIFICATIONS
● Reliable Assessor; School-Age Program, P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality;
● Youth Works Method; Trainer certification, P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality;
● Multi-Ethnic Leadership Institute; United Way of Orange County;
● Non-profit Executive Leadership Group; Fieldstone Foundation;
● Semi-fluent in Spanish; reading, writing and speaking abilities. 2