Megan Schwalm, PhD

Experience

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  Family Resources, Domestic Violence Shelter

  Jan 1999 - Jan 2002

  Lead Youth Counselor-Advocate

  • Provided individual and group counseling to women and children survivors of domestic violence• Planned, facilitated, and evaluated comprehensive youth programming, including recreational, social, and therapeutic activities for child witnesses of domestic violence• Supervised youth advocates• Recruited, trained and coordinated shelter volunteers• Implemented community educational programs on domestic violence• Answered the crisis line• Acted as a liaison with other social service agencies in the community• Provided medical and legal advocacy to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault• Authored grants to fund children’s programming Show less

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  The University of Iowa

  Jan 2003 - Jan 2007

  Teaching Assistant

  • Developed syllabus and course curriculum for Culture and Community in Human Services• Taught Culture and Community in Human Services, Perspectives on Leisure and Play, and Health for Living

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  State of Iowa, Iowa Medical and Classification Center

  Jan 2004 - Jun 2004

  Therapeutic Recreation Intern

  • Planned, facilitated, and implemented recreational therapy activities for inmates• Developed and evaluated treatment plans for inmates in a psychiatric unit• Facilitated support groups for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault

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  State of Iowa, Mental Health Institute

  Jan 2005 - Jan 2008

  Director of Recreational Therapy

  • Provided support and advocacy to patients living with mental illness • Planned, facilitated, and implemented recreational therapy activities for people living with mental illness and addiction• Trained and supervised recreational therapy staff, volunteers, and interns• Developed and evaluated therapeutic recreation programs• Facilitated in-service trainings for hospital staff and community members• Implemented educational programming to the community• Planned events to raise awareness about mental illness and addiction, including the Vigil for Lost Promise• Acted as a liaison to various social service and legal agencies in the community • Authored grants to fund the Recreation Therapy Program Show less

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  The University of Iowa

  Jan 2008 - Jan 2014

  • Developed a comprehensive women’s leadership training program for University faculty, staff, and administrators• Designed, planned, promoted, facilitated, integrated, and evaluated diversity and cultural competency educational programs and services of substantial complexity and impact, both on and off campus• Ensured the link between diversity and excellence was understood and integrated appropriately into the university community• Organized and facilitated processes and functions to ensure the success of diversity programs and services• Coordinated and administered the operational and financial activities associated with multiple programs. Monitored accounts/expenditures, reconciled statements, and provided final program financial and informational reports. Advised management on budgetary needs and discrepancies• Counseled, collaborated, and provided liaison with appropriate individuals/agencies, on and off campus, regarding programs or services• Evaluated and analyzed data for programs/services and provided written reports. Identified areas where new programs/services were needed• Provided functional and administrative supervision of staff and student workers. Provided direction, assignments, feedback, coaching and counseling to assure outcomes were achieved Show less • Developed, implemented, and assessed programming centered around women’s leadership• Created, implemented, and evaluated educational programs that encourage and equip participants with skills for leadership and other learning goals• Recruited and oriented faculty-in-residence, speakers, and presenters for educational programs• Developed, implemented, and evaluated strategies to deliver content and engage participants in a variety of educational programs through social media• Implemented effective outreach strategies to ensure a diverse and competitive pool of participants is served by WRAC programming, and that program design reflects the needs of diverse populations• Created, implemented, and evaluated learning curricula for leadership development and other programming initiatives• Supervised student employee and intern work activities • Provided public education presentations• Reported outcome results and assisted in preparation of reports for funders• Served as a liaison to the National Network of NEW Leadership programs, elected officials, other Iowa universities and colleges, and University of Iowa departments and committees• Assisted Director with fund development initiatives, including proposal development• Developed, implemented, and evaluated teen mentoring program, in collaboration with the Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County Show less

  • Diversity Resources Coordinator

    Jan 2013 - Jan 2014

  • Program Coordinator, Iowa NEW Leadership

    Jan 2011 - Jan 2013

  • Group Services Coordinator

    Jan 2008 - Jan 2011
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  Brown Mackie College

  Jan 2009 - Jan 2011

  Adjunct Faculty

  • Taught undergraduate Sociology, Student Development, and Constitutional Law• Developed Student Development programming and curriculum• Provided support and advocacy to students dealing with domestic violence, sexual assault, substance abuse, and homelessness

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  Independent

  Jan 2011 - now

  Political Campaign Consultant

  • Provide political campaign consultation, with a primary focus on social media messaging and marketing.• Website development.• Provide consultation on women’s issues and racial equity.• Provided consultation for candidates for City Council, School Board, Board of Supervisors, Iowa House of Representatives, and Governor.

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  Willowroot Training & Consulting

  Jan 2013 - now

  Consultant and Trainer

  • Provide diversity consultation and training to governmental agencies, church groups, non-profits, and businesses, with a focus on cultural competency, privilege, transracial adoption, recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce, bystander interventions, equity, and populations with special needs

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  Handicare Inc.

  Jan 2015 - Jan 2016

  Interim Executive Director

  • Oversaw the efficient and effective day-to-day operation of the organization• Supervised 50+ employees• Assisted in the development of an annual budget of approximately 3 million dollars• Worked with the Board of Directors in developing a vision and strategic plan to guide the organization• Represented the organization at community activities to enhance the organization's community profile• Developed an operational plan that incorporates goals and objectives that work towards the strategic direction of the organization• Oversaw the planning, implementation and evaluation of the organization's programs and services• Ensured that the programs and services offered by the organization contributed to the organization's mission and reflected the priorities of the Board of Directors• Researched funding sources, oversaw the development of fundraising plans and wrote funding proposals to increase the funds of the organization• Established good working relationships and collaborative arrangements with community groups, funders, politicians, and other organizations to help achieve the goals of the organization Show less

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  Intra National Home Health Care

  Jan 2016 - Oct 2018

  State of Iowa Administrator/Iowa City Executive Director

  • Oversaw all operations and activities in the state of Iowa to ensure they produced the desired results and were consistent with the overall strategy and mission of the organization • Provided advocacy to assist individuals with disabilities access Medicaid and community-based services• Served as the main point of contact for Iowa Medicaid Enterprise, Managed Care Organizations, and other regulatory agencies• Ensured agency compliance with all applicable policies, practices, laws and regulations provided by governing bodies, such as the Department of Human Services, Iowa Medicaid Enterprise, and the Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) • Oversaw the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the agency’s programs and services• Provided New Staff Orientation to all staff at the Iowa City location and at other locations, as needed • Worked closely with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to prepare annual budgets, completed risk analysis on potential investments, and advised the Board of Directors regarding investment risk and return• Managed and ensured compliance in all aspects of human resources, including hiring practices, payroll and benefit disbursement• Supervised and provided training to all City Administrators in the state of Iowa and all Service Coordinators and Direct Support Staff at the Iowa City location• Conducted quality assurance checks at all Iowa locations• Compiled and submitted billing data, ensured that appropriate service documentation existed to support units billed and that units provided did not exceed units approved• Conducted regular meetings with City Administrators and Direct Support Staff• Provided quarterly reports to the President, Advisory Board, and community stakeholders Show less

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  Understood.org

  Jun 2016 - Dec 2018

  Parent Fellow/Community Organizer

  • Provided training about learning and attention issues to parents, educators, medical professionals, and care providers• Advocated at the local, state, and national level for special education reform• Conducted research and created presentations for conferences, forums, trainings, and academies • Worked with experts to develop content and webinars for Understood.org• Collaborated with community organizations and university partners to provide training and resources to parents of children with learning and attention issues• Developed resources on learning and attention issues for parents, educators and practitioners of children with learning and attention issues Show less

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  Tennessee Caregiver Coalition

  Jul 2019 - now

  Oversee the efficient and effective day-to-day operation of the organizationExecuted strategic financial initiatives that raised the agency budget from $500,000 to $1.2 million, supporting greater service delivery and program developmentDevelop the annual budget of approximately $1.2million and monitor programmatic operations to ensure sound fiscal managementWork with the Board of Directors in developing a vision and strategic plan to guide the organizationMobilize a broad base of supporters to champion legislative and policy changes, effectively advancing the agency's missionRepresent the organization at community activities to enhance the organization's community profileDevelop an operational plan that incorporate goals and objectives that work towards the strategic direction of the organizationLead the development and submission of grant proposals, securing new funding to enhance program delivery and operational capacityFoster a team-centered environment that inspires collaboration and supports all colleagues in leveraging their passions towards advancement of the organization’s missionEstablish measurable program performance goals to assess program quality, impact and sustainability on an annual and on-going basisEnsure that the programs and services offered by the organization contribute to the organization's mission and reflect the priorities of the Board of Directors and program executionResearch funding sources, oversee the development of fundraising plans and write funding proposals to increase the funds of the organizationEstablish good working relationships and collaborative arrangements with community groups, funders, politicians, and other organizations to help achieve the goals of the organizationEstablish measurable program performance goals to assess program quality, impact and sustainability on an annual and on-going basis Show less

  • President and CEO

    Feb 2025 - now

  • Executive Director

    Jul 2019 - Feb 2025