Lavar Thomas, M.S.

Experience

• 

  Community Health Research, Kingsborough Community College

  May 2011 - May 2011

  Research Assistant

  Assistant Researcher under Jose Nanin, EdD, MCHES• Compiled annotated bibliography on AIDS & HIV within African American/Black Community

• 

  Kingsborough Institute for Civic Connections (KICC),

  Aug 2011 - Aug 2011

  Research Assistant

  • Compiled resources on sustainability and access to higher education

• 

  Clark University Connections Pre orientation program

  Aug 2012 - Aug 2012

  Mentor

  • Coordinate events to raise awareness and catalyze discussion• Assisting incoming students with college transition

• 

  Clark University

  Aug 2012 - Aug 2013

  Student Ambassador

  • Conducted tours and facilitated student panels for prospective students• Respond to inquires and direct families to campus resources • Assisted North Star Academy High School students in developing personal college statement

• 

  City of Worcester Divison of Public Health

  Sept 2012 - Aug 2013

  Research Assistant

  • Conduct a Health Impact Assessment of Union Hill in Worcester, MA• Work with local community non-profit organizations to bring about urban policy changes. • Created a literature review focusing on governmental policies surrounding Public Health issues.

• 

  Transfer Student Association, Clark University

  Sept 2012 - May 2013

  Co-founder

  • Coordinated events to address unique issues for transfer students

• 

  Millennium Leadership Conference, Clark University

  Nov 2012 - Nov 2012

  Financial Chair

  •Annual Leadership Conference promoting student leadership and professionalism•Managed budget of student organization•Wrote grant proposals to Student Council to cover expenses of conference•Oversaw a committee of 6-8 students in raising budget• Provided presentations to student organizations on purpose of conference

• 

  Massachusetts House of Representatives

  Sept 2013 - May 2014

  Legislative Aide

  House of RepresentativesOffice of Representative Jeffrey Sanchez: Joint Committee on Public Health-Schedule events, meetings, hearings, and legislative responsibilities, and maintain an accurate calendar.- Address the constituent’s problem or concern by consulting with the appropriate resources including state agencies or other intergovernmental entities.-Periodically visit the Representative’s district (Mission Hill and 5th Precinct of Brookline) to meet with constituents on behalf of the Chairman.-Draft Citations for Constituents -Represent the Chairman, as necessary, at events in the district or travel with the Chairman -Utilize the Constituent Database to track to maintain and serve the needs of constituents -Draft support letters, newsletters to update constituents on legislative activities and upcoming events Show less

• 

  Peace Corps

  Jun 2014 - Jul 2016

  Community Health Volunteer

  • Develop capacity of Mugonero Health Center by working with Community Health workers to plan, coordinate, deliver, monitor and evaluate service in maternal and child health, hygiene, nutrition, Malaria and HIV/AIDs• Implement community based projects that serve as capacity building tool to address core issue areas and promote education among community members• Identify community issue areas in Mugonero through a Community Needs Assessment• Established English Club and Leadership Program to assist with community development, empowerment and youth initiatives around life skills development• Work with Government of Rwanda to strengthen healthcare provision in their Vision 2020 goals• Established partnerships with local and international organizations to bring literacy to Mugonero Hospital and Health Center• Lead Community Finance Initiatives that promotes financial literacy among households and provide educational tools to help community create income generating projects Show less

• 

  Leaders of the Free World

  Jul 2016 - now

  At LFW, we believe in providing opportunities for international experience for young, Black men. International experiences provide an immense value to an individual and the global community by diversifying the global leadership landscape. By providing access to opportunities for students to develop a global mindset and pursue education and employment abroad, we are working to cultivate a new generation of global leaders. ​LFW focuses on the personal and professional development of young Black men in order to help them become those leaders, both on campus or in their lives ahead. LFW programs combine personal and professional development, cultural exchange, community service, and mentorship. We emphasize goal-setting and accountability to help students cultivate a sense of self-mastery, personal growth, and self efficacy. Our mission is to develop a community of dynamic leaders who are globally-minded, self-aware, and service-driven. Show less

  • Cofounder & Co-Director

    Oct 2016 - now

  • Leadership Coach and Program Facilitator

    Jul 2016 - now
• 

  Empower for Greatness LLC

  Oct 2016 - now

  Founder and CEO

  The mission of EFG is to help individuals and organizations maximize their potential and actualize greatness. EFG helps leaders, entrepreneurs, and change agents achieve clarity, alignment, and authenticity to become their best selves and fuel their leadership journeys. Through personal development workshops, coaching sessions, and lectures, I bring individuals through a transformational leadership process to facilitate a personal breakthrough.

• 

  US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

  Jan 2017 - Sept 2020

  Community Involvement Coordinator

  I am a Public Affairs Specialist with the United States Environmental Protection Agency Region 3 office. In this role, I conduct community outreach, design communication strategies and serve as a community liaison between the community and the agency. In addition to my primary role, I also serve as a member of the Regional Response Corps, where I utilize my skills as a communications expert to provide support throughout Emergency Responses and Natural Disasters.

• 

  StartingBloc

  Feb 2017 - Feb 2017

  Social Innovation Fellow
• 

  Policy Center for the New South

  Dec 2022 - Dec 2022

  Atlantic Dialogues Emerging Leader

  Policy Center for the New South (PCNS) holds the Atlantic Dialogues (AD) conference every year, which is a high-level conference that has become a tradition since its launch in 2012. This annual conference convenes influential public and private sector leaders from around the Atlantic Basin for open, informal discussions on cross-regional issues and also encourages intergenerational dialogue through its Atlantic Dialogues Emerging Leaders program (ADEL).Asserting an Atlantic vision and filling in the generational and perception gaps can only be reinforced when the younger generation of leaders are given a seat at the table, to challenge the established perspectives and forward the conversations. To this end, the ADEL program fosters a unique network across generations, continents, and cultures, aimed at connecting, empowering and inspiring rising leaders and professionals and stimulating intergenerational dialogue within the conference, and beyond. Show less

• 

  US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

  Feb 2023 - now

  • Senior Advisor for Environmental Justice

    Oct 2024 - now

  • Special Assistant - Office of the Administrator

    Aug 2023 - Oct 2024

  • Environmental Justice Coordinator

    Sept 2020 - Aug 2023

  • Community Involvement Specialist

    Feb 2023 - Jun 2023
• 

  U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM)

  May 2023 - Feb 2024

  Federal Internal Coaching Training Program (FICTP)

  The Federal Coaching Network (FCN) is a community of individuals across Government who are invested in the practice of coaching and whole-heartedly support its role in leadership development. The FCN was established in early 2013 in partnership with the Chief Learning Officer's Council.The FCN promotes a coaching culture within Government by empowering leaders and employees at all levels to practice self-reflection, creativity in problem solving, accountability, and candid and respectful communication. The aim is to cultivate an environment of continuous learning and individual and organizational performance excellence by promoting positive leadership practices.The Federal Internal Coach Training Program (FICTP) fosters a coaching culture within Government by empowering leaders at all levels to practice self-reflection, creativity in problem solving, accountability, and candid and respectful communication. Our aim is to cultivate an environment of continuous learning and individual and organizational performance excellence by promoting positive leadership practices. Through this program, students will acquire a thorough understanding of the philosophical, historical, and ethical foundations of professional coaching and how they are applied within the Federal context.This program is recognized by the International Coach Federation (ICF) as providing Approved Coach-Specific Training Hours (ACSTH). It also received the 2014 Best Leadership Development Program Award by Human Capital Management in Government (HCMG). The program is approved by the International Coach Federation (ICF) and consists of 136 hours of training over a period of 7 months. This application process is being facilitated by the Bureau CLOs. Please contact your CLO for additional details. Show less