Data and Knowledge Management Specialist
Resume:
LISA L. LAU
**********@*****.***
/linkedin.com/in/LLLau
PERSONAL PROFILE
Experienced writer and knowledge management specialist with over a decade of expertise in managing education, environment, and local government projects across Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Founded an education NGO in Ghana, leading its strategic direction by writing compelling proposals and developing strategic communications. Passionate about leveraging writing skills to secure funding and support initiatives that improve the human condition.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
●Founded Non-Profit: Established EDUCOA, an education NGO in Ghana, training 200+ teachers and reaching 1300+ students in 8 schools across 4 regions; certified by the Ghana National Teaching Council (NTC) to train teachers in digital portfolios.
●Program Management: Support management of World Bank Trust Fund activities with a $100M+ portfolio.
●Grant Writing and Management: Led project budget development, and writing of program reports, strategy papers, and proposals, as well as coordinated grant process and documentation.
●Proposal Success: Contributed to securing $20M+ USAID funding for local government programs and $100K grant for climate change project; raised $50K in private funding and $20K in in-kind contributions for education.
●Data Management and Analysis: Developed databases and tracking systems for investments and results monitoring.
●Knowledge Management: Managed 30+ USAID-funded knowledge-sharing exchanges, ensuring outcomes were documented and shared.
EXPERIENCE
The World Bank, Washington DC
Data and Knowledge Management Specialist January 2017 – Current
●Support management of World Bank Trust Fund activities with a $100M+ portfolio.
●Lead the systematization and analysis of program results and investment impact for the Environment Unit, including developing and managing databases and dashboards.
●Contribute to writing and drafting briefs, presentations, strategy papers, blogs, and quarterly newsletters.
●Lead the annual reporting process, including the writing and production of Annual Reports.
●Contribute to writing proposals and advise on their monitoring and evaluation sections.
●Write content for corporate-level communications materials and PowerPoint presentations.
●Develop mechanism to manage annual grant application process and document management.
●Develop framework and build out content for the program websites.
●Support the design of workshops and events to boost learning and participant engagement.
Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC), Washington, DC
Writing and Development Consultant June 2022 – December 2023
●Developed core content and boiler plate documents for proposals and communication channels.
●Led the strategic plan development for the China team and created relevant funding opportunity documents.
●Created “storytelling” narratives for ISC’s work in China and wrote blog posts, concept notes, and funding proposals.
●Developed ideas for and write blog posts featuring ISC’s China work. Example: https://sustain.org/blog/staying-curious-can-help-china-achieve-a-carbon-neutral-future/
●Drafted concept notes and funding proposals focused on ISC’s China work.
●Successfully authored final report for 2-year program
Educating, Developing, and Uniting Creativity and Opportunity in Africa (EDUCOA), Arlington, VA and Accra, Ghana
Founder and Director January 2015 – February 2024
●Founded and led a 501(c)3 organization in Ghana focused on youth digital literacy while working full-time.
●Oversaw financial and program management, leadership, and strategic direction of the organization.
●Wrote strategy paper and prepared fundraising materials, letters of intent, concept notes, and proposals.
●Secured over $50K in funding from various sources, including private donors and foundations.
$5K in seed money from the CEO of the Omanhene Cocoa Company to kick-start activities.
$5K from the Pollination Project to conduct teacher training on lesson planning.
$30K from Learning Equality to procure new equipment and implement Kolibri, a new cloud-based learning resource platform developed through Google.
Led fundraising events that have secured over $10K of private donations.
●Researched and developed partnerships with NGOs, universities, and private companies to support program expansion, such as the Vodaphone Foundation and the Omanhene Cocoa Company.
●Developed educational methodology that integrates using digital portfolios in the primary curriculum.
●Attained certification to serve as a teacher training provider for Ghana's National Teaching Council.
●Recruited and supervised a team of 15 volunteers across Ghana and the U.S.
●Led creation of teacher training curricula and educational materials, as well as designed organization’s website and newsletters.
International City/County Management Association (ICMA), Washington, DC
Program Manager July 2010 – May 2016
●Managed a portfolio of $50M that consisted of programs funded by the United States Southern Command, USAID, and the WB in Latin America and the Caribbean, which included Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, along with Sri Lanka and Ethiopia.
●Key member of proposal teams that secured over $20 M USAID funding to implement local government capacity building programs.
●Managed over 30 travel exchanges between US-based experts and Central American officials and community leaders on crime and violence prevention, climate action, and local economic development.
●Recruited U.S-based experts to provide technical assistance in Central America and organized the visits of the officials and leaders to the US partner cities for workshops and training.
●Drafted agreements, concept notes, funding reports, and proposals.
●Maintain detailed records of grant applications and tracked progress.
●Contributed to post-award activities, including reporting and compliance requirements.
EDUCATION
Havard Graduate School of Education, MA
Brown University, BA
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
●Publications and Knowledge Manager, The World Bank, Washington, DC
●Communications and Development Consultant, Pace Institute of Leadership and Management, PACE, Vietnam (Remote)
●Program Manager, World Links, Washington DC
PUBLICATIONS
Lau, L. (2021). An Intergenerational Divide: Political Rhetoric and Discourse in the Chinese American Community. In E. Hancı-Azizoglu, & M. Alawdat (Eds.), Rhetoric and Sociolinguistics in Times of Global Crisis (pp. 256-276). IGI Global. http://doi:10.4018/978-1-7998-6732-6.ch014
CERTIFICATIONS
●Coursera: Data Analysis using Power BI
●Udemy Course: Grant Writing
●Project Management for Development Professionals - Level I
●Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
REFEREES
Available upon request.
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