Senior Program Manager - Community Development Leader
Resume:
APRIL GALLELLI
Senior Program Manager Community Development Leader
Contact Information
*****.*********@*****.***
Education
• Bachelor of Science, Administration of Justice
• Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ — 1995
• Dean’s List, Sophomore Year
• Master of Science, Criminal Justice
• University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH — 2016
• Master of Science, Forensic Psychology
• Walden University, Minneapolis, MN — 2018
• Selected to National Society of Leadership, Sigma Alpha Pi (2019) Professional Experience
Senior Program Manager, Hamilton County Community Development
(2022–Present)
• Manage daily operations for four programs and oversee 40 projects funded by the HUD Community Development Block Grant and Emergency Solutions Grant.
• Share responsibility for managing an annual grant budget of $5 million.
• Lead the development and implementation of innovative programs designed to promote sustainable land use and preservation, economic and social development, urban revitalization, and equity in marginalized neighborhoods.
• Oversee budgeting, planning, design, and resource allocation to ensure the achievement of program goals.
• Serve as a consultant and technical expert, providing support to contractors and agencies to ensure high-quality project delivery and compliance with HUD regulations and guidelines.
• Act as a liaison with elected officials, partner agencies, media, and the public by conducting and attending meetings and ensuring effective communication.
• Prepare and present projects, reports, contracts, amendments, and resolutions for the Board of County Commissioners.
• Collaborated with the Hamilton County Department of Health to develop the 2024 Social Determinants of Health report and implemented recommendations to address identified community needs.
• Partnered with Cincinnati Children’s Mayerson Center to expand the Community Advocates for Resilience Against Trauma program throughout Hamilton County.
• Worked with Strategies to End Homelessness to create outreach and prevention procedures addressing issues contributing to chronic homelessness.
• Participated in joint efforts with Mayerson Center, the City of Cincinnati, Hamilton County Health Department, Hamilton County Commissioners, Cincinnati City Council, and state and federal officials to advocate for State of Ohio House Bill 352.
• Assembled a multi-disciplinary team to address overcrowding and substandard living conditions in multi-unit housing developments.
Project Manager, Avondale Development Corporation (2016–2022)
• Directed the development and implementation of the Avondale Community Quality of Life Plan, engaging over 400 residents, community leaders, and stakeholders in the planning process.
• Participated in grant writing efforts that secured over $21.5 million in funding for corporate initiatives, individually managing and receiving grants totaling over $10 million.
• Led the planning, implementation, and facilitation of major public art projects and community events in partnership with residents and stakeholders.
• Formed partnerships with Green Umbrella, Tri State Trails, and the Cincinnati Recreation Commission to develop and enhance Avondale’s park and trail system.
• Collaborated with residents and multidisciplinary teams to create initiatives addressing social determinants of health impacting the community.
• Created coalitions with residents, Legal Aid, the City of Cincinnati Legal Department, Buildings and Inspections, and law enforcement to bring legal action against absentee property owners, resulting in receivership of problematic properties.
• Conceived, developed, and implemented the Avondale ROOT (Resilience Over Our Trauma) Ambassadors initiative, a resident-led, trauma-informed crisis response program.
• Partnered with Mayerson Center, Design Impact, and ROOT Ambassadors to develop training and messaging around Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and neighborhood trauma.
• Collaborated with resident leaders, Cincinnati Police, and a multidisciplinary team to re- implement the Avondale Place-Based Intervention in Violent Offender Territories (PIVOT) initiative.
• Selected by the Local Initiative Support Corporation and Cincinnati Chief of Police to implement and supervise the Avondale Safety Coordinator pilot program, engaging youth and improving police-community relations.
• Formed a coalition of community leaders and stakeholders to promote entrepreneurship and minority business development within the Avondale Business District.
• Conducted focus groups, interviews, and data analysis for reports and grant proposals. Work Force Development Specialist, Northern Kentucky Area Development District – Kentucky Career Center (2014–2016)
• Presented information on training, social, and employment services to job seekers and employers.
• Recruited clients for Workforce Investment and Opportunities Act (WIOA) programs and services and determined eligibility for training funds.
• Assessed job seekers for transferable skills and employment readiness, conducted job readiness and employment retention training, and matched candidates to open positions.
• Collaborated with clients and partner agencies to develop individualized employment plans and connected individuals to appropriate social, economic, educational, and employment services.
• Monitored progress of individuals in training and job placement, prepared and updated monthly status reports, and facilitated career fairs and hiring events.
• Conducted site visits to assess employer needs and inform area employers about Career Center services.
• Assisted employers and job seekers with posting jobs and resumes on the Career Center website.
Boards and Special Projects
• Strategies to End Homelessness Racial Equity Core Group (2023–Present)
• Strategies to End Homelessness Built for Zero Coalition (2024–Present)
• Hamilton County Addiction Response Coalition (2023–Present)
• Joining Forces for Children (2020–Present)
• Immigrant Needs Coalition (2024–Present)
• Affordable Housing Association (2019–Present)
• Neighborhood Allies (2019–Present)
Honors & Achievements
• Organized and partnered with Avondale residents to develop and implement the area’s first comprehensive Neighborhood Plan, recognized and approved by the City of Cincinnati, and received the Homebase Special Project of the Year award.
• Conceived, developed, and implemented the Avondale ROOT (Resilience Over Our Trauma) Ambassadors, a resident-led trauma intervention initiative.
• Selected by Buckeye Health to lead a panel on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and participate in the development of statewide anti-bullying legislation.
• Represented the organization as a panel member in the Spectrum series on community trauma.
• Led the Avondale neighborhood to victory in the Million Step Challenge in 2016 and 2017.
• Stabilized a distressed property in Cincinnati, preventing the loss of 66 low-income family housing units.
• Collaborated with Art Works, Cincinnati Recreation Commission, Cincinnati Police, Children’s Hospital, and residents to develop seven major public art and park projects.
• Appointed as the Emerging Leader for the Bank of America Community Builders Grant
(2021–2022).
Skills
• Grant Writing
• Program Management
• Community Engagement
• Stakeholder Collaboration
• Data Analysis & Reporting
• Crisis Response Initiatives
• Public Speaking & Presentation
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