Executive Assistant Program Management
Resume:
S H E L L I D R O N S F I E L D
E - M A I L S H E L L I . D R ONSFIELD@Y A H OO.C OM EDUCATION
MASTER OF ARTS, West Virginia University, Corporate and Organizational Communication BACHELOR OF ARTS, Hood College, Communication Arts KEY SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES
Experienced executive-level administrator with excellent organizational, project and program management, leadership, and planning abilities.
Strong communicator, both written and verbal, with ability to develop positive relationships with organizational colleagues and external constituents.
Producer of successful results towards strategic initiatives through exceptional service, problem solving, research and analysis, community outreach, and diplomacy.
Full understanding and experience in all aspects of nonprofit/higher education administration including effective utilization of resources; sound budgeting and fiscal management; and long- and short-term strategic planning.
Excellent attention to details and deadlines with ability to provide leadership utilizing sound judgment and initiative.
Technologically-savvy with experience in Microsoft Office; Google Office and G-Drive; Sharepoint; Adobe Acrobat; desktop publishing softwares; board management portals (AGB OnBoard, BoardEffect); AMS software, specifically Impexium; WorkDay; and proprietary softwares. EXPERIENCE
FAITH IN PUBLIC LIFE, Washington, DC
Faith-based organization advocating for social justice issues. Associate Director, Executive and Board Affairs, 2024-present Executive Assistant to the CEO and Liaison to the Board of Directors, 2022-2024 (Began as a temp through Careers in Nonprofits in August 2022. Offered permanent position in October 2022 with a start date of January 2023.) Manage workflow for the CEO, including communications, project and calendar management, and constituent relations, and coordinate all activities of the board of directors, including agenda development, meeting logistics, and facilitation of committee meetings. Key accomplishments include:
Serve as thought partner to the CEO related to strategic organizational communications as well as external opportunities for extending her and FPL’s reach.
Develop an onboarding process for new members to the board of directors.
Develop and maintain highly effective and efficient relationships with all stakeholders to support the CEO’s agenda and priorities.
Manage the agenda-setting for meetings of the Senior Leadership Team, including task management and follow-up.
Support the work of the Board’s committees, including personnel actions of the Executive Committee, member recruitment of the Governance Committee, and review of key financial benchmarks by the Audit and Finance Committee.
MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY, Arlington, VA
Comprehensive Catholic university with enrollment of 4,000 and annual operating budget of nearly $118 million less than 10 miles outside of Washington, DC’s city center. SHELLI DRONSFIELD MAY 2025 • PAGE 2 OF 9
Executive Chief of Staff, 2021-2022
Serve as an advisor to the President and Cabinet members on issues related to the President’s priorities and allocation of time; legislative affairs on the local, state and federal government levels; community relations; campus culture; and effective public relations and communications strategies. Liaison to both internal and external constituencies, including the University’s Board of Trustees, members of the University community, state and federal officials and their staff members, institutional consultants, and community leaders, to ensure clear and consistent communications from the President’s Office. Support the University President as a member of a seven-person senior staff team in efforts to realize institutional goals. Serve as the Office of the President’s representative to key institutional committees including the Commencement Committee and Extended Cabinet. Key accomplishments include:
Direct the management of the institution’s board, including logistics and agenda-setting for meetings and individual interaction with board members. Enhanced relationships with members of the Board through consistent communications and the introduction of tri-annual assessments of meetings. Develop annual planning document for the setting of meeting dates and deadlines for distribution of meeting materials.
Routinely respond to, and facilitate resolution of, complaints directed to the Office of the President from students, employees, and community members.
Set the agenda for meetings of the weekly President’s Cabinet; semesterly meetings of the Extended Cabinet; and tri-annual meetings of the Community Advisory Council. Assist in the identification of members of the Commencement Committee, Extended Cabinet and Community Advisory Council by developing qualifications and definitions for members of these groups.
Supervise the President’s Administrative Assistant, including hiring, evaluating, and coaching. Develop onboarding document and manual for daily operations of the Office of the President. Provide strategic calendar oversight.
ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNING BOARDS OF UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES, Washington, DC The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges is the association for board members of higher education institutional boards, assisting board members and chief executives better understand their distinctive complementary roles and to strengthen board performance. Executive Assistant to the President and CEO/Board Liaison, 2019-2021 Manage workflow for the President and CEO, including communications, project management, and constituent relations, and coordinate all activities of the board of directors, including agenda development, meeting logistics, and facilitation of committee meetings. Key accomplishments include:
Serve as thought partner to the President/CEO related to strategic organizational communications as well as external opportunities for extending his and AGB’s reach.
Redesign the onboarding process for new members to the board of directors. Migrate all orientation modules and materials to a virtual platform for remote meetings.
Develop and maintain highly effective and efficient relationships with all stakeholders to support the President/CEO’s agenda and priorities.
Create materials for presentations to internal and external audiences. WEST VIRGINIA HIGHER EDUCATION POLICY COMMISSION, Charleston, WV The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission is the coordinating body for the state’s four- year higher education system that includes eight regional institutions, an R-1 land grant university, a comprehensive university and medical center, and an osteopathic school. Director of Communications, 2017-2019
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Serve as chief communications officer for the Commission. Oversee media contacts, internal communications, and serve as agency spokesperson. Key accomplishments include:
Complete organization-wide communications audit for development of an agency integrated communications and marketing plan.
Institute weekly internal communications vehicles — “This Week at the Commission” and “In the News” — for increased engagement and information sharing among employees and members of the Commission.
Respond to Office of Civil Rights complaint regarding website accessibility with a complete audit and abatement of issues identified.
Develop talking points for weekly presentations, interviews and speeches by the Chancellor.
Coordinate the work of a three-person team of communications professionals at the agency.
Establish guidelines for the use of various social media channels, as well as traditional communications modes.
TEAM SANDERS AT SIBCY CLINE REALTORS, Florence, KY Team Sanders is the #1 sales team in Northern Kentucky with five Realtors selling in excess of $50 million annually, and more than 3,500 homes to date. Assistant to Team Sanders, 2017
Support the Team in processing property listings and sales and manage the details of property closings. Focus on effective communications with clients and process improvement. MRDESIGNS+FINDS
Concierge service for updating home furnishings and accessories. Publication and presentation design/management firm focusing on promotional, marketing and training publications and presentations for the non-profit sector.
Sole Proprietor, 2001-present
Key accomplishments include:
Develop presentations, facilitator manuals, and participant workbooks for the Gill Foundation for use in nationwide volunteer trainings.
Create job aids for implementation of new accounting and procurement processes for Duke University.
Design newsletters, event invitations, and promotional brochures for the Durham Arts Council, the Environmental Federation of North Carolina, Triangle Hospice, and EarthShare North Carolina. THE PUBLIC LIBRARY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY, Cincinnati, OH The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is one of the oldest, largest, and busiest libraries in the country, serving a population of more than 800,000 with a collection of more than 9 million items. It has been recognized with a Five-Star Rating from Library Journal and received the National Medal for Museum and Library Service during a White House ceremony in 2013. Strategic Initiatives Director, 2015-2016
Support members of the library’s leadership team and management of the library’s Strategic Plan through unified, coordinated and proactive efforts, including implementation and assessment. Guide and oversee coordination of multiple activities for the Director, and research, summarize and provide guidance on pertinent issues. Serve as a liaison and represent the Director to internal and external constituencies and develop drafts of strategic communication and presentations. Key accomplishments include the launching SHELLI DRONSFIELD MAY 2025 • PAGE 4 OF 9
of several strategic initiatives including Book Buzz and the ConnectED Library Challenge, both in an effort to increase the availability of learning and reading resources to pre-school-aged children and beyond.
Lead Hamilton County’s ConnectED Library Challenge, an initiative of President Obama to place library cards in the hands of every school-aged child in an effort to increase academic success through access to the Internet and library resources. Register more than 10,000 children aged 5-18 for library cards during last three months of 2015.
Represent the Library at the ConnectED Library Challenge meeting at the White House. Engage with other library professionals, elected officials, and school administrators in discussing best practices for developing partnerships between these community representatives to support students’ academic success through increased access to necessary resources.
Direct all aspects of 400-guest reception at the Library for the Ohio Library Council’s annual conference.
Launch “Book Buzz,” a barbershop-based reading initiative that encourages barbers in African American neighborhoods to engage as role models with their younger customers. Develop process for placing bookshelves and rotating selection of books through six different barbershops.
Implement efforts to become a top workplace, including a comprehensive work culture staff survey that saw 83 percent participation and led to the co-chairing of the Becoming the Best Task Force that delivered a comprehensive report of recommendations to senior leadership for implementation.
SHEPHERD UNIVERSITY, Shepherdstown, WV
Comprehensive, regional public institution with enrollment of 4,300 and annual operating budget of
$57 million located within 60 miles of Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD. Chief of Staff/Assistant to the President, 2008-2015 Serve as an advisor to the President and Executive Staff colleagues on issues related to resource allocation; legislative affairs on the local, state and federal government levels; community relations; campus culture; and effective public relations and communications strategies. Liaison to both internal and external constituencies, including the University’s Board of Governors, members of the University community, state and federal officials and their staff members, institutional consultants, and community leaders, to ensure clear and consistent communications from the President’s Office. Provide leadership on high priority projects, including coordination of strategic initiatives and participation in the planning and setting of university priorities. Support the University President as a member of a nine-person Executive Staff team in efforts to realize institutional goals. Serve as the Office of the President’s representative to key institutional committees including strategic plan, facilities master plan, budget, and commencement, as well as external boards and committees. Key accomplishments include:
Serve as the supervising Executive Staff member for the completion of a $5.65 million pedestrian underpass, securing $3.1 million in state and federal funding and providing leadership to internal staff and external consultants on the project. Managed constituent relations with state and federal highways entities, utilities, local governments, and community residents and business owners. Effectively managing comprehensive communications plan related to the underpass project to ensure continued positive town-gown relations.
Partner with the Executive Staff Communications Team comprised of the Chief of Staff, the Vice President for Advancement, and the Vice President for Enrollment Management, in the development of communications plans for comprehensive messaging and crisis situations.
Enhance board members’ engagement with the business of the institution through the implementation of a new member orientation, conducting annual retreats, and re-designing board meetings to include committee meetings.
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Direct the management of the institution’s board, including logistics and agenda-setting for meetings and individual interaction with board members to assist in their state-mandated professional development.
Facilitate the collaboration between the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators in the successful attainment of a
$798,000 grant from the Lumina Foundation to increase degree completion among adults with prior college credits through a program called DegreeNow.
Manage an annual budget of more than $700,000 spread across six institutional and foundation accounts to support strategic initiatives.
Staff search committees for eight Executive Staff position searches, assisting in facilitation of committee’s selection process and serving as primary contact for professional search firms supporting the searches.
Chair staff committees, including the WV State Employees' Combined Campaign at Shepherd and Founders Day. Results include increased employee participation and, for the campaign, dollars raised.
Increase the development and appreciation of employees by creating and implementing the University’s first New Employee Orientation program for staff; establishing events that celebrate and highlight the contributions of university faculty and staff with a recognition luncheon and the re-establishment of Founders Day.
Routinely respond to, and facilitate resolution of, complaints directed to the Office of the President from students, employees, and community members.
Supervise the President’s Executive Secretary, including hiring, evaluating, and coaching.
Develop a culture of teamwork within the administrative support staff of the President’s Office and other members of the Executive Staff to include more effective management of coverage and workloads in order to enhance customer service and productivity. TRINITY UNIVERSITY, Washington, DC
Comprehensive, private Catholic institution with enrollment of 2,000 and annual operating budget of
$72 million located in Washington, DC.
Assistant to the President, 2006-2008
Manage workflow for the University President, including communications, project management, and constituent relations. Key accomplishments include:
Coordinate the mass and reception in recognition of then-Speaker of the House, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi.
Redesign administrative staffing functions to increase customer-friendly support of internal and external stakeholders and a team-based, cross-functional operation.
Serve as a pilot team member in the migration to a content management system. CITY OF HAGERSTOWN, Hagerstown, MD
Municipal government for historic city founded in 1762 and the seat of Washington County with city population of more than 40,000 and annual operating budget of more than $325 million located within 75 miles of Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD.
Community Development Coordinator, Office of Community Development, 2004-2006 SHELLI DRONSFIELD MAY 2025 • PAGE 6 OF 9
Lead the city administrator’s Neighborhoods 1st initiative, including the management of a committee comprised of city staff representing all areas of the government. Create programs and develop resources to assist citizens in forming, maintaining, and growing neighborhood groups through trainings, strategic neighborhood planning, networking events, toolkits, and comprehensive communication initiatives. Serve as the liaison to, and face of, city government to community and civic organizations. Key accomplishments include:
Add four new neighborhood groups and strengthen existing organizations through increased recruitment, leadership development, and volunteer trainings.
Establish a comprehensive bike route connecting the north and south areas of the city.
Assess and redesign the City’s Neighborhood College, enhancing the quality and delivery of information provided to participants. Define learning objectives, coach departmental presenters, create interactive curriculum, and modify schedule for a more logical flow. Graduates of the program went on to become members of city council, including holding the position of mayor. DUKE UNIVERSITY, Durham, NC
Comprehensive, private research university incorporating the Duke University Health System with nearly 15,000 undergraduate and graduate students and employing more than 34,000 employees with an annual operating budget of more than $4.7 billion. Special Assistant to the Vice President, Office of the University Secretary, 2003-2004 Support the Vice President/University Secretary in the research and preparation of materials for the Board of Trustees during a one-year appointment. Represent the Vice President/University Secretary by attending trustee, committee, faculty, and departmental meetings, communicating sensitive information regarding university policies, financial status, and personnel actions. Key accomplishments include:
Successful preparation of the Board of Trustees Chair, the University President and other executive level administrators for effective and informative monthly meetings of the Board and/or its committees.
Interface with executive level administrators and officials in key message development and agenda setting for facilitation of trustee meetings.
Edit final manuscripts in support of the Women’s Initiative Report, an analysis of the status and experiences of women at Duke commissioned by former President Nannerl O. Keohane. Project Coordinator, Duke Corporate Human Resources, 2003 Coordinate special projects throughout the University and University Health System for various executive-level administrators. Key accomplishments include:
Edit content and formatted layout of electronic faculty handbook.
Manage logistics, including recruitment of more than 200 health care professionals, for 18 focus groups about gender climate at Duke University Medical Center as part of the President’s Initiative on Women at Duke.
Coordinate all aspects of one-day training conference for 250 directors and managers of the Duke University Health System, including site selection, contract negotiations, menu planning, audiovisual, staging and production of print materials. Interim Associate Director and Events Coordinator, Sarah P. Duke Gardens, 2002 Manage administrative and operational aspects of the 55-acre public botanical garden, which is visited by more than 300,000 people annually. Key accomplishments include:
Bring the new 18,000-square foot Doris Duke Center online which houses a visitors’ center, classrooms, special event spaces, and administrative offices. SHELLI DRONSFIELD MAY 2025 • PAGE 7 OF 9
Secure in excess of $110,000 in rental income during the last six months of FY2002 through the management of the scheduling, logistics, and billing for meetings, retreats, lectures, receptions, and weddings for the gardens and Doris Duke Center.
Hire, train, and schedule community and student employees for staffing of visitors’ center information desk and after-hours event coverage.
Create new vendor/renter policies and procedures, and packaged event rental fees based on organization, client and vendor needs. Establish strong working relationships with caterers, photographers, equipment rental companies, and other event contractors resulting in a list of recommended vendors for client use.
Operations Manager, Duke Corporate Human Resources, Learning and Organization Development, 1999-2001 Oversee the administrative, financial and facility operations of a human resources unit that included a 14-person team and a budget in excess of $1 million. Department is responsible for institution-wide training, professional development, and change initiatives for the University’s more than 30,000 employees. Key accomplishments include:
Successfully support the implementation of organization-critical initiatives including New Employee Orientation; Duke University Health System Work Culture Survey; Time & Attendance; Managing at Duke; and the Severe Weather Survival Kit.
Redesign department’s image identity and corresponding branding materials, including presentations, publications, and Web sites to market workshops, trainings, and consultancy services for increased enrollment and revenues.
Manage three-person administrative staff, including hiring, evaluation, and termination. Re-engineer the administrative team to increase productivity and customer service.
Increase revenue streams, implement cost-saving measures, facilitate budget planning, conduct trend analysis, and maintain financial records.
Create administrative and operational infrastructure including accounting, personnel, purchasing, budgeting, facility management, and data/file management to support director’s redesigned department.
Manage searches to replace two-thirds of the departmental staff in accordance with the director’s redesign, including onside interview logistics for more than 30 prospective employees. DURHAM ARTS COUNCIL, Durham, NC
Events Manager/CenterFest Coordinator, 1997-1999
Manage the signature festivals for one of the premier educational and funding arts organizations in the Triangle region of North Carolina, offering individual classes, arts programs in the schools, and financial and facility support for more than 60 arts organizations. Key accomplishments include:
Establish Durham Arts Council’s CenterFest, a two-day street arts festival attended by more than 65,000 visitors, artists, performers, and vendors, as one of the Top Twenty Events in the Southeast by Southeast Tourism Society, and one of the Top 500 Shows by ArtFair Sourcebook.
Develop relationships with regional media contacts to ensure comprehensive promotion and coverage of the festival. Served as festival spokesperson.
Increase corporate sponsorships through development of relationships with business community, creating packages and proposals that combined marketing opportunities for both events.
Support the creation of Durham Central Park through the management of a one-day charrette exercise that included more than 120 community leaders, business and property owners.
Create and implement successful events office proposal to combine resources, management, and budgeting of the Durham Arts Council’s two major events. SHELLI DRONSFIELD MAY 2025 • PAGE 8 OF 9
NORTH CAROLINA COMMUNITY SHARES, Durham, NC
Communications Coordinator, 1995-1997
Develop and implement all communications and public relations strategies for a community giving fund of grassroots and social justice organizations not traditionally included in high profile workplace giving campaigns. Key accomplishments include:
Net in excess of $120,000 in gifts through annual workplace giving campaigns, including combined employee giving campaigns of the State of North Carolina the federal government.
Successfully secure the management contract for the City of Durham Seven Stars Employee-Giving Campaign. Implemented all aspects of campaign management including promotion, volunteer training and development, generating employee gifts in excess of $53,000. MONTGOMERY COUNTY AGRICULTURAL CENTER, Gaithersburg, MD Assistant Executive Director, 1991-1995
Direct public relations, media relations, marketing, event management, and fundraising efforts for 2,500- member volunteer agricultural organization located in the Washington, DC media market. Support the Executive Director in the management of the 55-acre fairgrounds facility, staff of four, board relations, and overall operations of the nine-day Montgomery County Agricultural Fair with an estimated attendance of 400,000 fairgoers, exhibitors, and entertainers. Key accomplishments include:
Manage relationships with local, regional, and national media outlets as official spokesperson; arranged media requests for consultations with content experts; and conducted interviews for program promotion and crisis management.
Develop and direct fundraising campaigns and corporate sponsorship marketing, creating in excess of $225,000 annually in cash and in-kind contributions.
Develop and manage budget in excess of $750,000, with supervisory emphasis on revenue- generating line items and strategic marketing expenses. THE FREDERICK NEWS POST, Frederick, MD
Features Writer, 1990-1991
Features writer with emphasis on lifestyle and entertainment for twice-daily newspaper in Washington, DC bedroom community of Frederick, MD. Interviewed, researched, wrote, and edited feature stories for the Family and Entertainment sections. Recognized for innovative designs in page layouts for feature sections.
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MEMBERSHIPS, ACTIVITIES, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Member, Marymount University President's Cabinet and Extended Cabinet, 2021-2022
Member and President’s Office Liaison, Marymount University Commencement Committee, 2021-2022
Member, West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission Chancellor’s Cabinet, 2017-2019
Member, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County Senior Leadership Team, 2015-2016
Co-Chair, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County Be the Best Task Force, 2016
Member, Shepherd University Executive Staff, 2008-2015
Member and President’s Office Liaison, Shepherd University Commencement Committee, 2008-2015
Member, Shepherd University Strategic Plan Committee, 2008-2015
Member, Shepherd University Facilities Master Plan Committee, 2015
Member, Jefferson County (WV) Development Authority, 2013-2015
Member, Jefferson County (WV) Development Authority Government Relations Committee, 2013- 2015
Member, National Association of Presidents’ Assistants in Higher Education, 2008-2015
Member and University Liaison, Shepherdstown 250TH Celebration Steering Committee, 2009-2012
Chair, Shepherd University State Employees Combined Campaign, 2009-2015
Co-Chair, Shepherd University Employee Recognition Luncheon, 2010-2015
Co-Chair, Shepherd University Founders Day Committee, 2010-2015
Attendee, West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission/West Virginia Community and Technical College System/West Virginia Board of Education, Student Success Summit, July 2018
Attendee, American Association of State Colleges and Universities, Communications Conference for Senior Professionals, March 2018
Attendee, Public Library Association, Annual Conference, April 2016
Attendee, Disney Institute, Disney’s Approach to Creativity and Innovation, March 2015
Attendee, American Association of State Colleges and Universities, New Rules of Marketing and Public Relations Workshop, February 2008
Attendee, AACC/AASCU/APLU/CASE Higher Education Government Relations Conference, 2010-2015
Attendee, National Conference and Board Professionals Workshop, Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, 2009 and 2013
Attendee, National Association of Presidents’ Assistants in Higher Education Annual Conference, 2009 and 2013
Co-Chair, North Carolina Human Rights Campaign Gala, 2000 and 2002
Volunteer, Preservation Durham (NC) Annual Home Tour, 1998
Graduate, Leadership Durham, Durham (NC) Chamber of Commerce, 1998
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