Sara Wengefeld

Experience

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  Private family

  Jun 2014 - Aug 2016

  Full-Time Nanny

  Provided full-time childcare for a family with three children, supporting their daily routines, development, and well-being.Key Contributions:• Ensured child safety, hygiene, and daily care, adapting to individual needs.• Organized educational activities and creative play, fostering learning and growth.• Managed transportation, meal prep, and daily schedules for structured routines.• Built strong relationships with children, adapting to different personalities and developmental stages. Show less

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  Human Rights Institute at UConn

  Oct 2015 - May 2018

  Student Administrative Assistant

  Provided administrative and event support for the Human Rights Institute, assisting with data organization, event coordination, and office operations.Key Contributions:• Managed participant records and filing systems, ensuring accurate documentation and retrieval.• Assisted in coordinating events at the Dodd Research Center, supporting logistics and setup.• Maintained efficient office operations through time management, communication, and Microsoft Office proficiency.

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  University of Connecticut

  Sept 2016 - Dec 2016

  Credited Research Study for the PANDA Project

  Contributed to a longitudinal research study on adolescent adjustment and development, collecting and analyzing survey data to identify behavioral patterns.Key Contributions:• Facilitated surveys & data collection for research on adolescent behavior.• Inputted and managed data in Microsoft Excel, ensuring accuracy for analysis.• Assisted in reporting findings to support ongoing psychological research.• Developed time management, analytical, and communication skills in a research-driven setting. Show less

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  Elonwabeni Children's Orphanage

  Feb 2017 - May 2017

  Assistant to Social Worker

  Supported the social worker’s daily activities at a children’s orphanage, working closely with students ages 2-15 to enhance their reading, comprehension, and social skills.Key Contributions:• Assisted in educational and social development programs to support children’s learning.• Facilitated one-on-one and group activities to promote literacy and personal growth.• Built relationships with children from diverse cultural backgrounds, adapting to their unique needs.• Strengthened leadership, teamwork, and communication skills in a non-profit setting. Show less

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  Gold Arrow Camp

  Jun 2017 - Aug 2017

  Waterfront Activities Leader

  Led and supervised waterfront activities for children ages 6-14, ensuring a safe, engaging, and structured environment.Key Contributions:• Designed and managed a dynamic youth program focused on swimming, boating, and team-building activities.• Maintained a clean, fun, and safe environment, enforcing rules and safety procedures.• Resolved social conflicts using collaborative problem-solving, logical consequences, and one-on-one counseling.• Developed leadership and relationship-building skills by mentoring children and fostering teamwork.• Certified in CPR and Lifeguarding through the American Red Cross. Show less

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  D.P. Dough Franchising, LLC

  Oct 2017 - May 2018

  Campus Ambassador

  Represented D.P. Dough on campus by promoting brand awareness and engaging students through marketing campaigns and fundraising events.Key Contributions:• Organized and hosted a fundraiser benefiting HuskyThon, supporting the Connecticut Children’s Hospital.• Managed social media campaigns, giveaways, and brand promotions to drive student engagement.• Developed and executed event planning, networking, and marketing strategies to increase sales.• Strengthened communication, leadership, and time management skills in a fast-paced environment. Show less

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  Corporation for National and Community Service

  Jul 2018 - Jul 2019

  Public Assistance Specialist in AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA Corps

  Vinton, Iowa | Nationwide DeploymentsParticipated in a 10-month disaster response program supporting FEMA’s Public Assistance efforts across multiple states. Extended service for Typhoon Yutu relief in Saipan.Key Contributions:• San Juan, Puerto Rico – Assisted in compensating police officers for overtime work post-Hurricanes Maria & Irma. Transferred 3,750+ PDFs into Excel for streamlined financial tracking.• Donaldsonville, Georgia – Registered FEMA applicants at Disaster Recovery Centers, ensuring efficient processing of aid requests.• Fort Worth, Texas – Supported supply chain operations, loading/unloading disaster relief supplies. Forklift certified.• Tallahassee, Florida – Compiled daily/weekly reports on Hurricane Michael relief. Assisted in environmental hazard site inspections.• Saipan, CNMI – Served as liaison between FEMA’s VALOR program and Typhoon Yutu survivors, coordinating temporary & permanent housing repairs. Show less

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  FEMA

  Aug 2019 - now

  Disaster Management Specialist

  • Managed over $20M in disaster recovery funding, ensuring compliance and successful project implementation.• Collaborated with local and state governments, NGOs, and community stakeholders to drive sustainable recovery efforts.• Facilitated scoping meetings and exploratory calls, supporting communities in navigating the FEMA funding process.• Focused on community-driven resilience by engaging with key partners in disaster-affected regions.• Trained new Program Delivery Managers on FEMA systems and tools, fostering acollaborative and technically proficient team. Show less

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  Awamaki

  Jun 2024 - Jul 2024

  Marketing and Community Engagement Consultant

  🌍 Empowering Indigenous Artisans | Market Expansion | Strategic Storytelling• Conducted market research & customer profiling to support Indigenous artisan entrepreneurs in reaching global markets.• Developed strategies for ethical business expansion and community-driven growth.• Worked alongside artisan cooperatives to refine business models that promote financial independence.