Maria Rivas

Experience

• 

  Mama Maria Clinic

  Jun 2005 - Jan 2008

  Assistant Events Coordinator

  Team collaboration for largest yearly fundraising event: pre-event planning of themes, decorations, procurement, volunteer management; day-of event on-site support.Attended board meetings, prepared and distributed materials,

• 

  Habitat for Humanity

  Sept 2005 - Jun 2007

  Community Relations Intern

  Worked closely with potential applicants, specifically Spanish-speaking applicants.Translator and creator of bilingual application documents for Spanish-speaking applicants.Creation and management of annual event logistics and volunteer management.

• 

  Educational Tutoring and Consulting

  Jun 2007 - Jan 2008

  Administrative Assistant

  Primary client contact point, providing customer service to culturally and socially diverse clientele.Provided scheduling, resource and office support for executives, teachers and staff.Provided Spanish language instruction.

• 

  Piedras y Olas

  Jan 2008 - Jun 2008

  Stones and Waves Veterinary Clinic

  Community development and education; assistant veterinary work.Community EducatorPrimary contact with clients, donors and neighbors, representing a positive non-profit image. Created and organized community fundraising events: venue selection, event promotion, on-site management of event agenda, budgeting, entertainment coordination. Maintained community events calendar.Taught pre-school through high school in wildlife education and preservation.

• 

  American Cultural Exchange Service (ACES)

  Jan 2008 - Oct 2012

  Develop program strategy and delivery of domestic and international events. Pre-event Management: venue research and selection; development of agenda; preparation and shipping of event materials; menu-planning and coordination of catering; program goal analysis; negotiation of contracts; event marketing; lead team meetings; and assurance of on-time execution.On-site Management: set-up and take-down; registration; audio/visual coordination; catering coordination; risk mitigation; conflict resolution; staff leadership.Post-event: budget analysis; reporting; payment processing; program follow-up.Travel Logistics Coordination: domestic and international flights; ground transportation; sleeping accommodations; per-diem distributions; collaboration with group sales agents and travel agents.International Exchange Program ManagerManage US Department of State study-abroad program for Turkish and Chinese language study: grant-writing, scheduling, program design, travel coordination, staff supervision, and program reporting/evaluation.Budget monitoring, records maintenance, processing purchase requests, reimbursement processing.Creation of data collection methods; data collection and analysis for program improvement and compilation of best practices.Collaborate with national and international partners on program policies and changes, including changes in US Department of State rules and regulations.Monitor the progress of application documents to international partners and expedite documents as required.Program-related visa and travel counsel for students, parents and overseas partners. Point of contact for students, parents, partner staff and general public regarding policies and procedures.Create and manage educational and promotional materials.Recruit, hire, train and supervise program staff. Show less  Manage US Department of State study-abroad program for Turkish and Chinese language study: grant-writing, scheduling, program design, travel coordination, staff supervision, and program reporting/evaluation. Budget monitoring, records maintenance, processing purchase requests, reimbursement processing. Creation of data collection methods; data collection and analysis for program improvement and compilation of best practices. Collaborate with national and international partners on program policies and changes, including changes in US Department of State rules and regulations. Monitor the progress of application documents to international partners and expedite documents as required. Program-related visa and travel counsel for students, parents and overseas partners.  Point of contact for students, parents, partner staff and general public regarding policies and procedures. Create and manage educational and promotional materials. Recruit, hire, train and supervise program staff. Show less

  • Operations and Events Manager

    Jun 2008 - Oct 2012

  • International Exchange Program Manager

    Jan 2008 - Oct 2012
• 

  Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (volt)

  May 2013 - Aug 2013

  Assistant, office of the CEO
• 

  Amazon

  Aug 2013 - Jul 2018

  Executive Assistant & Project Manager

  Dedicated EA to director and VP level executives based in Seattle, India and Mexico, managing calendar, travel, and expense reporting. Team support, events, space planning, all-hands, etc. End-to-end project management for international company expansion, including site scouting and selection, facilities set-up, etc. Main point of contact for security, facilities (furniture, parking, janitorial, storage, etc), imports compliance, benefits, HR, and other groups to ensure complete office replication in Mexico City. Show less

• 

  Bellevue College

  Feb 2020 - now

  Organizational Change Project Director