Donna Howard

DONNA HOWARD 28 Heather Road Toronto, ON M4G3G3 -- Profile A Non Profit Director, Health Promotion Consultant and Canadian Certified Evaluator, specializing in strategic planning, project management and communications. A highly motivated self-starter with excellent interpersonal and partner relations. “Donna’s educational background, attitude and energy have made her an invaluable asset.” The Honorable, John Godfrey MP Summary of Qualifications • • • • • • Master’s Degree in Education Executive Director – Non Profit Management Certified Canadian Evaluator and Social Impact Strategist Municipal and Provincial Policy and Program Consultant Over 15 years’ direct experience in public health and health promotion Amethyst Award Winner for outstanding achievement in the Public Service Professional Experience/Accomplishments mob·tyes March 2020 Current Founder/Creator • mob·tyes has been created for parents as a forum to provide education, current trends, and research on family issues and dynamics. The information consists of real stories, from real families, analyzed from a common-sense perspective. The mob·tyes articles’ and podcasts are a quick read, providing tips, recommendations and a link for further information. Fitspirit Nov 2018 – Apr 2020 Manager Ontario and British Columbia • Development and implementation of Fitspirit’s multi-year strategic plan, creating the first ever Launch of the Fitspirit program in the Province of BC. • Identify potential Provincial and regional partners, including new partners in Ottawa and Fraser Valley Regions, to raise the organizations profile and establish program and operational effectiveness. DONNA HOWARD 28 Heather Road Toronto, ON M4G3G3 -- • • Contribute to the search for government and corporate funds and maintain Provincial budgets. Prepared and delivered presentations to Ministry of Education, OPHEA and ViaSport Create close relationships and develop meaningful, achievable targets with regional coordinators. “I had the pleasure of working under Donna’s supervision and collaborating on projects with her. Her guidance and support will never go unnoticed.” Fitspirit Toronto/GTA Coordinator- Mackenzie Siddall. X Movement Sep 2017- Nov 2018 Consultant • Advise X Movement CEO and staff on the development of a strategic plan that identifies and prioritizes program activities, staff training, and stakeholder relations, in the areas of physical activity and mental health. • Use of monitoring and evaluation guidelines to identify areas of the X Fusion program that require improvement or alterations, making recommendations for change. Ontario Federation School Athletics Association (OFSAA) Aug 2015 – Nov 2016 Executive Director • Fostered a teamwork/open-door environment enhancing project consistency and performance across the organization. • Revised employee contracts, terms and conditions to ensure alignment with the Ontario Employment Standards Act. • Fostered government relations, Increasing the amount of government funding by 25% and created multi-year versus single year grants. • Increased communication opportunities with key stakeholder’s as well as increased representation on the Board of Directors, which led to greater alignment of the organizations aims and objectives. • Facilitated volunteer committee’s including gender equity, transgender athletes, and student transfer’s ensuring policy change was in accordance with current student demographics, and membership feedback. Ministry of Health Promotion/MTCS- Senior Consultant • Team lead of Ontario’s After School Program (Part of Government’s Poverty Reduction Strategy) which included overseeing budget of $13.5 million, staff and resources, management of stakeholders and identification of research needs. Increased participant numbers and dollars by 30% in three years. DONNA HOWARD 28 Heather Road Toronto, ON M4G3G3 -- • • • • Co-Chair of the Guidance Document on Healthy Eating, Physical Activity and Healthy Weights for the Ontario Public Health Program Standards. Member of the Built Environment subgroup for APHEO, developing measurable indicators for public health units. Presented research and evaluation reports at local and international conferences on impact of social programs including the Policy, Innovation and Leadership Workshop, with the Ontario Government. Conducted jurisdictional scans and created logic models, resulting in performance based measurable outcomes for inclusion in the Program Review, Renewal and Transformation (PRRT) process. Toronto Public Health- Health Promotion Consultant – Planning and Policy • Incorporate best practices for effective policy and programming on a population based level. Presented at University of Toronto seminar series on current approach to Healthy Weights messaging and programming. • Co- Applicant Research Investigator with University of Toronto on Built Environment and Active Transport (BEAT) and Fresh Start – Smoking Relapse Prevention Postpartum. • Provided leadership and strategic direction as Co-Chair of the Ontario Society of Physical Activity Promoters, a newly formed incorporated Provincial body. • Worked directly with seniors centres’ on the development of a Falls Prevention Strategy Raymond Chang School, Ryerson University- Professor • Developed curriculum to incorporate an international perspective and best practices on Chronic Disease Prevention, Physical Activity. • Motivated students, including (mature age students) to improve their own health, set realistic goals and make lifestyle changes. “I’ve never had so much fun learning new approaches from someone so professionally experienced and personally committed.” Graduate Student Ryerson University – CFNA 100 Health and Physical Activity DONNA HOWARD 28 Heather Road Toronto, ON M4G3G3 -- Education Master of Education, Health Promotion, Edith Cowan University (Australia) & University of Maine (USA) Bachelor of Physical Education, Edith Cowan University (Australia) Diploma of Early Childhood Education, Western Australia Teachers College e-Learning Ecologies: Innovative Approaches to Teaching and Learning for the Digital Age - University of Illinois Certified Credentialed Evaluator Designation Professional Associations Director - Board Member of Ontario Evaluation Society Director – Board Member of Leaside Memorial Community Gardens Teacher in Good Standing with Ontario College of Teachers Additional Volunteer/ Training and Development Project Management at University of Toronto – Project Management Institute Supervise, Motivate and Lead Others through the Niagara Institute DONNA HOWARD 28 Heather Road Toronto, ON M4G3G3 -- 27 October 2020 It is with great interest and enthusiasm that I enclose my resume in response to your posting for Grant Manager. Having a successful history of preparing and marketing grants in the education and health sectors, along with a passion for ensuring grant recipients turn funding into action and results, prepares me to excel with the network INOVAIT. I have experience in all aspects of grants, including grant developer, advisor, applicant, recipient and grantor. As the project lead with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports’ After School Youth Strategy, I demonstrated the ability to develop, manage and implement Province-wide grants, worth $13 million. My leadership role in this program required continued focus on planning, managing and reporting all financial aspects and objectives of the strategy. Community development across the Province, including low income and First Nation communities, was a major component of the program; and through my role, I was able to expand the number of participating organizations from 289 to 320 and children/youth involved in the program, from 18,000 to 21,000 in 2 years. Through my work in public health and the Ministry of Health Promotion, I have been successful in increasing community engagement through knowledge brokering and ensuring program development, meets the needs of the community. I have an exceptional background researching and identifying promising resources, and an understanding of the full lifecycle of grants and how to mitigate challenges faced by non-profit organizations. As a Canadian Credentialed Evaluator, I have a solid understanding of identifying what is working, what is not and what to recommend for effective change. I have consulted with a number of non-profits and charitable organizations, ensuring the outcomes of grant funding are clear, measurable and result in impact. In my position as Executive Director of the Ontario Federation of Athletic Associations (OFSAA), I was responsible for the operational aspects of the Federation including managing staff and resources, strategic planning and budgeting, committee development and facilitation, and government and stakeholder engagement. Improving partnerships with government Ministries and other youth non- profit organizations resulted in increased funding and better strategic alignment of programs and project outcomes. Community engagement and relationship management were required on a daily basis, within the Province and nationally, to ensure programs and policies as well as major events, ran smoothly and successfully. DONNA HOWARD 28 Heather Road Toronto, ON M4G3G3 -- I possess excellent written and verbal communication skills. My interpersonal skills are my best quality, enabling me to bring tact, empathy and diplomacy to all working relationships. I am comfortable in presenting a positive public image, interacting with people in a variety of roles, and communicating with various levels of stakeholders. I am certain you will find me to be an excellent candidate for the position of Grant Manager and I look forward to sharing my knowledge, and experience with you in greater detail. Sincerely Donna Howard