Officer Chief Development

Ruth D. Lee, EMBA

***** ****** **** **, **********, MO 63034 816-***-**** **********@*****.***

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruth-terrell-lee-9147708/ SENIOR EXECUTIVE

Chief Executive Officer Chief Development Officer Chief Marketing Officer President Accomplished Senior Executive with extensive history of business growth, scalability and sustainability in the U.S. Exceptional motivator and strategist who addresses complex operational, financial and personnel challenges head-on, strengthening human capital and operational productivity and accelerating profit. Broad experience in human resources, marketing, business development, corporate sponsorship management, strategic planning and business expansion. Values-focused leader proficient in sustaining best practices for non-profit organizations. 25+ years of industry expertise in strategic initiatives development, executive personnel recruitment and retention, operational excellence, and P&L oversight. Proven skills in fundraising & networking, developing corporate partnerships and delivering significant bottom-line growth.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Board Engagement

Stakeholder Management

Strategic Oversight

Organizational Alignment

Change Agent

HR Expertise

Continuous Improvement

Effective Communication

Cultural Effectiveness

Community Outreach

Financial Acumen

Relationship Development

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Chief Executive Officer St. Louis, Missouri

Connections to Success /Dress For Success January 2021 to July2021 Responsible for achieving the organization's mission through developing a strategic plan, managing effective programs and services, guiding fundraising efforts, team management & collaboration of strategic partners. Primary oversight in St. Louis and Kansas City, MO; with strong strategic initiative alignment along with national and international organizational affiliates.

● Conserve $650,000 in organizational expenses while concurrently advancing FY21 financial goals by 50%

● Secured over $350,000 in key strategic corporate sponsorships, boosting revenue by 300%

● Augment and retain corporate membership by 3x

● Maximize organization’s P&L with oversight of critical fee-for-service line pricing model, yielding high accuracy of department budgets

● Oversee successful expansion and launch of business operations to new location

● Direct and approve key strategic business initiatives within finance, sponsorship, business development, HR, IT and marketing departments

● Revitalize corporate approach for funding protocols, streamlining alignment of future grant strategies

● Spearhead analysis and migration of key IT applications for increased interdepartmental collaboration and communications

Chief Development Officer St. Louis, Missouri

The Little Bit Foundation November 2019 – April 2020

● Oversaw and managed The Little Bit Foundation’s fundraising strategy, development and execution

● Established and implemented the necessary infrastructure to grow an annual operating budget of

$5.5MM and $8MM capital budget

● Served on the executive team, overseeing Donor Relations, Grant Management, Volunteer and Marketing departments

● Collaborated with Board of Directors to shape foundation’s strategic goals and initiative Director of Public Information & Partnerships Kansas City, Missouri Hickman Mills C-1 School District April 2014 – July 2018

● Served as Public Information Officer on the Superintendents’ executive leadership team, overseeing a 6,000-student district

● Co-led a successful $19M bond approval for district improvements, construction, and upgrades

● Co-chaired and launched a Human Resources five-year strategic plan and operations model that streamlined and simplified the district’s hiring process

● Increased revenues for higher education scholarships by 300% while serving as the district’s liaison for the foundation-led fundraising initiative

● Formulated an earned income model to automate the print shop and boost revenues Chief Marketing & Development Officer Kansas City, Missouri Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center August 2010 – June 2012

● Established key strategic initiatives that transformed the organization into a premier healthcare provider with nearly 19,000 patients and a $38M+ annual budget

● Originated strategy to recruit 7,200 patients resulting in $1M+ in revenues for new patient growth by expanding community awareness and increasing corporate partnerships

● Created and implemented a volunteer program that resulted in a $600,000 savings to the operational budget

● Devised key performance indicators for all operating departments, including numerous managerial/operational improvements such as staff cross-training and resource redeployment

● Revamped a $13MM Fund Development department, which increased grants awarded to the health center by 200% in less than one year

● Orchestrated the center’s first gala, which raised over $100K in non-restricted revenue, generated 25 new corporate partners/funders, and drew over 400 new supporters for the health center

● Developed a recruitment and retention plan for patients that enhanced patient satisfaction reporting methods

● Increased operational budgets for fund development by 300% and marketing by 386% Director of Strategic Partnerships / Special Projects Manager Kansas City, Missouri Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association December 2004 – August 2010

● Led initiatives for business development, sponsorship acquisition, and account supervision of corporate partnerships, tripling membership enrollment and retention

● Led the planning, organizing, facilitating, onsite logistics, and servicing for high profile conventions with an economic impact of over $20M

● Managed the overall planning of the NAACP National Convention (July 2010) and the National Baptist Convention (September 2010), which generated $23M for the Kansas City economy

● Successfully raised nearly $1M for the NAACP Convention in six months ADDITIONAL LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

Co-Founder; Board of Directors President and VP; Board Development Committee Member Académie Lafayette French Immersion Public Charter School 1998 – Present Co-founded the first charter public school in Missouri. Helped school increase enrollment by 5x and expand to 3 locations. Continue to serve on the Advisory Board in pursuit of the school's growth and development. EDUCATION

Rockhurst University, Kansas City, Missouri Executive MBA, Summa Cum Laude, May 2014 University of Missouri-Kansas City Bachelor of Arts in Communications/Business John Maxwell Mastermind Leadership Institute, St. Louis Missouri Focus: Influential Leadership AWARDS

Pioneer Award, Académie Lafayette Charter School Alliance (2018) Service/Fundraising Award Hickman Mills Education Foundation (2018) Education Award Ford Freedom Unsung Hero (2015) Inaugural Winner, Richard Barrera Award Hispanic Chamber (2012) White House Presenter Selected by Hispanic Chamber to represent Kansas City at the White House to speak on job creation in today’s economy (2012) Lifetime Member Award Greater KC Chamber of Commerce (2000) Académie Lafayette Honorary Chairperson for “An Evening in Paris” Fundraiser (2012) Influential Women of KCMO Award Greater KCMO (2012) Leader for Excellence in Education City of Kansas City (2006) Leadership Award in Education Urban League of Kansas City (2006) Educator of the Year Charter School Alliance

(1999) KC Business Magazine: Influential Women of Kansas City (2012) Nominated for awards in Women Who Mean Business (2000, 2002, 2004)

RELATED MEMBERSHIPS

Commissioner St. Louis County Port Authority-Appointed ( 2022) STL Food Bank Board of Directors (2021)

FOCUS Leadership St. Louis (Class of 2021-22)

Ivy Foundation of St. Louis Board of Directors (2021) Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Task Force-St. Charles Chamber of Commerce (2021) Founder Sister Circle-ST. Louis (2020)

Mayoral Appointee, Neighborhood Program Advisory TIF Committee (2018) 2018 Keynote Speaker, Angel Hands Art Foundation (2018) Community Police Relations Liaison and Committee Member (2017-2018) The MO Care & Community Outreach Committee WellCare Health, Inc. (2017-2018) Mountain Plains Minority Supplier Development Council, Advisory Board (2016-2017) KU Health Heart Advisory Board (2015-2016)

HMC1 Education Foundation Board of Directors (2014-2018) Missouri School of Public Relations and National School Public Relations Associations (2014-2018) Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., St. Louis: Bylaws and Constitution/Mentoring Program, Strategic Planning,Fundraising Kansas City: Strategic Planning Team/Fundraising Committee/Audit Committee /The ARTS Committee (2014-Present) IVY Community Foundation Board of Directors (2015-2018) Big Brothers Big Sisters Diversity Task Force (2013-2015) Appointed Black Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors (2012-2016) Appointed Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Board of Director; Fundraising Campaign Chair; Board of Directors Nominating Chair (2010-2014)

Greater Kansas City Women’s Foundation (2010-2014) Central Exchange-Women’s Leadership Organization (2010-2014) Samuel Rodgers Health Center Board of Directors (2010-2012) CLEAVER FAMILY YMCA KCMO Served as the Vice President of the original fundraising team (2006-2008) Chairman- Chairmen’s Club GKC Chamber of Commerce/Lifetime Member (2000-2004) Centurion Class of 2000 Premier Leadership Development Program GKC Chamber of Commerce (2000-2002)

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