Experience

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  Group health cooperative

  Jun 1985 - Sept 2001

  Project manager in marketing & business administration

  Provided project specific management for the Marketing, Sales and Insurance Services Division of this regional not-for-profit health maintenance organization. Work included event planning and management for statewide and local meetings, including hiring internationally recognized speakers and venue selection. Implemented performance guarantees with national accounts while minimizing financial risk for the company. Helped lead team to develop and introduce new industry reporting requirements (HEDIS). Lead training of staff to understand and communicate new standards to employers. Developed and implemented a communication plan to assist over 3,000 Medicare plan members to find other coverage when the company chose to exit the Medicare market locally. Managed company's response to national publications like "Consumer Reports" and RFPs from national employers. Provided analysis during service area reduction of geographic areas affected, employer groups to be closed, and brokers needing notification. Assisted management with data and analysis to make restructuring decisions, including integrating customer service and administrative functions to reduce staffing during budget cut-backs. Show less

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  North idaho childrens choir

  Sept 2001 - Oct 2002

  Business administrator

  Established a new community choir. Worked with artistic director and sponsoring organization to define the choir's goals and objectives. Developed a multi-year plan for implementation and provided marketing and public relations to attract the first choir and expand to two choirs in the second year.

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  The healing lodge of the seven nations

  Oct 2002 - Aug 2012

  Special projects manager / hr generalist

  Member of the Executive Management Team at a 45-bed adolescent inpatient treatment center. In addition to human resource management responsibilities, served as Privacy Officer, Corporate Compliance Officer, developed and managed policies and procedures to be in compliance with state and federal regulations, initial and ongoing accreditation with CARF International, expanded state contract increasing bed capacity from 30 to 45 and corresponding annual increase in funding of over $800,000 per year and the addition and training of 30 new staff positions (total of 85). Developed website content, newsletters, fact sheets, internal communications, program manuals, marketing copy, and wrote communications for the Executive Director. Worked as management representative with auditors from state and federal agencies during regular and investigative inspections. Developed, implemented and tracked all corrective action plans. Developed and lead the introduction and staffing of a co-occurring program (adding mental health services to the existing chemical dependency program). Worked to complete the purchase of 12-acres to expand the campus to 50-acres, as well as assisting with plans through architectural concept and design of an additional facility to house future programs. Provided event planning and management, board management and grant proposal development and management of a $400,000 multi-year SAMHSA/IHS grant. Show less

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  How to do fundraising

  Jan 2012 - Jul 2017

  Author, speaker, nonprofit consultant, internet research specialist

  Work closely with nonprofit, civic, youth and community organizations to identify funding needs as well as to develop a fundraising strategy to meet strategic and program goals. Present event planning information in a conference/seminar format to assist nonprofits and charitable organizations to select and implement signature fundraising events. Author of "150 Plus Great Fundraising Ideas" to use as a reference tool in making fundraising planning decisions.

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  Elkins & associates writers

  Sept 2012 - now

  Freelance writer

  Work closely with businesses to create compelling and action oriented content for web sites, brochures, newsletters, white papers, articles, program manuals, regulatory compliance documentation, policies and procedures, letters, sales copy, annual reports, survey analysis, graphical presentation of data, and other content specific and relevant to an individual business. Draw on experience in multiple industries including hospitality, insurance, nonprofit, real estate, manufacturing, chemical dependency treatment, and photography. A serious love of learning and competent research skills allows for quickly delving into new areas and creating content that is relevant and action oriented. Show less

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  The family guide

  Nov 2013 - Nov 2014

  Editor in chief

  The Family Guide offers an unmatched advertising environment that utilizes proven grassroots marketing strategies combined with social media tools.Family Guide is a 501C3 organization. Our mission is to strengthen and support families, educators, outreach workers, nonprofit agencies, support groups, after-school programs, community volunteers and advocates in the Spokane and North Idaho area by connecting the community with local resources and information to build and strengthen families.The 2014 Family Guide offers an unmatched advertising environment and is uniquely distributed through grade-school age children in public and private schools (50,000+), in libraries, hospitals and businesses. Show less

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  Bake sale central

  May 2014 - Jul 2017

  President & co-founder
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  Spokane treatment and recovery services

  Feb 2017 - Jul 2017

  Administrator
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  American behavioral health systems

  Aug 2017 - Sept 2018

  Program manager, withdrawal management services