Barbara Anne Gardenhire-Mills
I am the Director of Lending & Training at the Women's Opportunities Resource Center (WORC) in Philadelphia, PA.
| Headline: | Service Provider |
| Work status: | Employed Full-Time |
| Groups: | Rowan University Business Plan Competition, Rowan University Elevator Pitch Contest, Spring 2009 |
| Interested in: | Consulting opportunities, Employment opportunities, Offering Expertise, Professional opportunities, Providing services to startups |
| Schools: | Rowan University |
WORK EXPERIENCE
| Employer: | Women’s Opportunities Resource Center, Philadelphia, PA |
| Position: | Director of Lending & Training |
| Time period: | December 2007 - Present |
| Description: | Managed the daily operations of WORC’s Training Department and the Economic Opportunities Fund, a subsidiary of WORC and a U.S. Department of Treasury Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). Restructured EOF and the Training Department and merged into one division; including staff consolidation, consultant and volunteer contract renegotiations and new employee recruitment.
- Developed new infrastructures to align newly merged departments with organizational mission and goals and coached staff through the transition process. - Oversaw and directly engaged in fundraising for both departments, ensured grant contract compliance and developed related reports for funders, the Advisory Council, and Board of Directors. - Worked cross-functionally to market products and services, conduct outreach, develop new business and develop and maintain partnerships. Represented WORC and EOF at conferences, events and meetings. - Participated in development of new website layout and content launched February 2009. - Oversaw annual awards ceremony, annual conference and other special events. - Planned and lead organizational staff meetings, served as acting President in her absence. - Underwrote micro and small business loans ($500 to $35,000), approved and/or recommended approval to the advisory committee and oversaw all aspects of loan portfolio management. - Worked with partner banks and other community lenders to obtain alternate financing or structure partnership deals for loan applicants with financing needs in excess of what EOF offers. |
| Employer: | Travelers of New Jersey, Marlton, NJ |
| Position: | Training Consultant, Training Development & Quality Assurance |
| Time period: | December 2001 - November 2008 |
| Description: | Worked with subject matter experts across organization to develop/revise internal and external communications strategies and training programs for systems, procedures, refresher courses, customer service and continuing education. Evaluation results ranged from average of 8.6 to 10 out of 10 points.
- Represented department on committees to develop and implement audience-specific communications, new products and technology and related training strategies and materials. - Represented company at large-scale, external marketing and training events. - Designed and delivered training for internal and external audiences using varied adult learning methods including training modules, presentations, exercises, computer based training (CBT), training bulletins, Webinars, eLearning, and related needs assessments and evaluations. - Planned, developed and implemented web-based training for overseas (off shore) vendor. - Worked with vendor to obtain state-approved continuing education credits for internal training topics to serve dual purpose of staff development and producer license continuing education. - Developed and implemented department projects and help desk tracking databases. TNJ Underwriting Manager Developed and managed underwriting department for State of NJ; up to 21 direct reports. Worked with team members to design and implement changes to accommodate evolving marketplace and align department and staff goals with corporate vision and objectives. Underwriting authority of $5 million for excess liability and $2 million for all other lines. - Developed internal and external communications including marketing materials, announcements, bulletins, and presentations. Represented company at external events in marketing and training capacities. - Increased diversity and doubled size of department through creative recruitment strategies. - Participated significantly in design of requirements, policies and procedures for new auto and property products. Developed and delivered related training for existing and new independent agents. - Developed standardized “new hire” training strategy that incorporated intra-departmental training. - Partnered cross-functionally with all business center teams to develop first business continuity plan. - First point of contact for incoming complaints to executive officers and authorized for final approval of written responses to customer complaints. - Conducted comprehensive work study, worked with team members to use information to re-engineer inter and intra-departmental procedures, and developed and implemented performance metrics. |
| Employer: | Capital Area Housing Resource Center, Inc., Trenton, NJ |
| Position: | Executive Director |
| Time period: | December 1998 - November 2002 |
| Description: | Spearheaded start-up, development, administration, marketing and success measurement of education and information non-profit membership organization that provided and coordinated housing and related services of the public, private and community members and other service providers in Mercer County.
- Grew membership from seven to thirty-nine in less than two years in challenging political environment. - Received US Department of Housing and Urban Development “Year 2000 Local Best Practice” Award. - Created and implemented job descriptions, employee manual and performance management structure. - Co-developer/facilitator of US HUD approved, “Certified Homeowner’s Insurance Counselor” course for Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation’s Community Development Training Institutes. - Selected through national search as “train-the-trainer” for American Homeownership Education and Counseling Training Institute professional designation course (obtained designation January 2001). - Represented CAHRC on local, regional and national initiatives and in interviews and media programs, including FOX Philadelphia homebuyer education special. - Hosted three “trade shows” with 50 plus businesses, government offices and nonprofit organizations. |
| Employer: | Neighborhood Housing Services of Trenton, Inc., Trenton, NJ |
| Position: | Executive Director |
| Time period: | December 1996 - November 1999 |
| Description: | Led reorganization, administration, marketing, and success measurement for non-profit, home improvement lender, HUD-Certified Counseling Agency, and US Department of Treasury Community Development Financial Institution. Managed eight employees and consultants and up to 150 volunteers.
- Tripled education and counseling production, decreased loan delinquency ratios by 20%, increased staff by 25%, narrowed significant budget gaps and strengthened financial management controls in first year. - As member of CAHRC Steering Committee, worked to create organizational structure and by-laws. - Obtained NRC’s organizational Full Cycle LendingSM certification for Homeownership Education. - Represented NHST on local, regional and national initiatives and in media. Featured several times in local media, including television segment on WPVI/6 ABC’s "Visions.” - Developed successful application for CDFI certification and $50,000 Technical Assistance grant which led to $50,000 in matching operating support and $1 million in program support. - Executive level training in leadership, marketing, homebuyer education, mortgage lending and compliance, loan portfolio management, and presentation design and delivery. |
| Employer: | Allstate Insurance Company, Wayne, PA |
| Position: | Neighborhood Partnership Program Coordinator |
| Time period: | December 1995 - November 1997 |
| Description: | Managed pilot home insurance program and community partnership between Allstate, Fern Rock/Ogontz/Belfield Community Development Corporation, “Philadelphia Plan,” City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia School District, program customers and area residents.
- Coordinated education, marketing and public relations activities designed to increase visibility of Allstate and its corporate initiatives in City of Philadelphia and target community. - Wrote and published quarterly newsletters for program customers and partnership members. - Represented Allstate on FOBCDC Board of Directors and completed related status reports. - Championed Annual Employee Giving/United Way Campaign for non-agent offices in four-state region. - Training in disaster/emergency response public and media relations, developing effective presentations and Microsoft Software programs. |
| Employer: | Philadelphia Neighborhood Housing Services, Philadelphia, PA |
| Position: | Special Projects Coordinator |
| Time period: | December 1994 - November 1996 |
| Employer: | Township of Cherry Hill, Cherry Hill, NJ |
| Position: | Neighborhood Preservation Program Coordinator |
| Time period: | December 1992 - November 1995 |
| Employer: | Office of Community Development, City of Bridgeton, NJ |
| Position: | Community Development Block Grant Program Monitor |
| Time period: | December 1991 - November 1993 |
| Employer: | Allergy and Asthma of South Jersey, Vineland, NJ |
| Position: | Assistant to Professional Services Coordinator (while attending college) |
| Time period: | December 1990 - November 1992 |
| Employer: | Prudential Insurance Company, Linwood, NJ |
| Position: | Policy Holder Services Representative (while attending college) |
| Time period: | December 1987 - November 1990 |
EDUCATION
| University: | Rowan University |
| Time period: | 1989 - 1992 |
| Degree: | Political Science/Honors, BA |
INFORMATION
| Memberships: | American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) National (2009 to present).
Mid-New Jersey ASTD Chapter (2009 to present) Alpha Phi Omega National Co-ed Service Fraternity Life Member (1992 to present. NJ Undergraduate Chapter Advisory Staff Chairperson, 1993 to 1994) Travelers of New Jersey Spirit Committee (2002 to 2008) Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation’s National Insurance Alliance (1995 to 2002. Steering Committee member & Co-Chair of Education Subcommittee 1997 to 2001) Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey (1997 to 2002) Sovereign Bank’s Mercer County Community Reinvestment Advisory Committee (1998 to 2002) NJ Department of Banking & Insurance, Financial Education Committee/Jumpstart (1999 to 2002) United Way of Greater Mercer County “First Call for Help” Resource Advisory Council (2000 to 2002) NJ Community Loan Fund/NJ DCA Section 8 Homeownership Working Group (2000 to 2002) Mercer County Homeless Resources Advisory Committee (2000 to 2002) NJ Department of Community Affairs’ Individual Development Account Advisory Committee and Co-Chair of Homeownership Education Subcommittee (2001 to 2002) Fleet/Summit Bank’s State-Wide Community Reinvestment Advisory Board (1998 to 2001) Trenton Group Small Bankers Consortium Community Representative (1999 to 2001) Mercer County Comprehensive Emergency Assistance Systems Committee (1999 to 2001) Latin American Economic Development Association, Inc. Board of Directors (1994 to 2000. Vice President, 1997 to 2000 and Personnel Committee Chair, 1998 to 2000) |
