Darinka Maldonado

Darinka Maldonado works at the Queens Economic Development Corporation (QEDC) since September 2011. She is the Director of the Women's Business Center a program funded by the Small Business Administration. The QEDC, is a non-profit organization that helps to create and retain jobs through neighborhood development, entrepreneurial assistance and business and tourism attraction programs. Darinka is responsible for creating networking events and mentoring opportunities that will assist women in the development and growth of their businesses. Darinka also assists with training programs and one-on-one business consultations.

Prior to working at the QEDC, Darinka worked in Workforce Development and as a Retention Manager at The Doe Fund assisting formerly incarcerated and homeless men reintegrate into society. She also managed a Food Benefits program with locations in Brooklyn, Queens and Lower Manhattan. She's been a tireless advocate for marginalized groups. Born to immigrant parents from the Dominican Republic, Darinka was born in Queens, NY and raised in the Bronx. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Rhetoric and Women's Rights from the University of Pittsburgh. She also holds a Master of Science degree from the New School University.

Employer:	Queens Economic Development Corporation
Position:	Director, Women's Business Center
Time period:	September 2011 - Present

Employer:	Public Health Solutions
Position:	Program Manager-Access to Health and Food Benefits Dept.
Time period:	April 2011 - September 2011
Description:	Responsible for the training and supervision of 4 food stamps benefits enrollers Ensure continual grant compliance, prepare monthly and quarterly grant reports detailing measurements and outcomes Responsible for all Community Education Presentations; coordinating presentations and connecting advocates and consumers to both Public Health and Food Stamps benefits Serve as department point person/liaison on various Food Benefits taskforce and networks Maintain up to date and accurate records of all Food Stamps enrollment per site location and enroller.

Employer:	The Doe Fund –Ready, Willing and Able
Position:	Manager of Graduate Services
Time period:	June 2010 - April 2011
Description:	Responsible for the training and supervision of two graduate services advisors Responsible for assisting with the successful transitioning of clients into successful permanent housing Provided comprehensive case management for a caseload of 20-25 clients including chart documentation, individual sessions and group facilitation Planned and coordinated career and educational opportunities for program graduates Monitor and ensure programmatic and organizational outcomes related to retention are met Consistently met retention and organizational goals Extensive data management Coordinated intra-departmental communication and activities

Employer:	The Doe Fund
Position:	Graduate Services Advisor
Time period:	January 2010 - June 2010
Description:	Experience working with Mental Health, Homelessness, Formerly Incarcerated and /or Substance Abuse population Provide service coordination and referrals to meet clients needs. Provide comprehensive case management for a caseload of approximately 25-30 including chart documentation, individual sessions and group facilitation. Monitor and provide support in an effort to maximize retention outcomes related to employment, housing and sobriety. Assist in the development of career and educational advancement opportunities. Assisting in the planning and coordination of Graduate Service events

Employer:	The Doe Fund
Position:	Career Development Specialist (Veterans & RWA)
Time period:	October 2008 - January 2010
Description:	Conduct extensive outreach to potential employers to market trainees and increase pool of employers, increase job bank listing, and develop new job orders recruited partners such as Safe Horizons and BRC. Develop relationships with community organizations and job placement companies to assist with career development classes and job placement. Maintain regular contact with employers to monitor employment satisfaction and to suggest accommodation of requirements for hard-to-fill positions. Interact with Program Directors, Case Managers and other Career Development Specialists to refine understanding of applicants needs and identify targeted job development efforts. Experienced in Project Management with the Veterans and Criminal Justice Departments Conduct on-site Career Development Classes and Career Club meetings to assists clients in career preparation techniques and effective job retention techniques

Employer:	Families United for Racial and Economic Justice (FUREE)
Position:	Youth Organizer
Time period:	April 2008 - October 2008
Description:	Recruited youth to join the youth leadership and development program as well as the graphic arts program. Trained youth in organizing, advocacy, and activism as well as provided job training, resume building, and networking trainings Worked with campaign organizing committees to plan short and long-term campaign goals and coordinated meetings, events and actions Strengthened current and introduced new collaborations with ally organizations and individuals to increase the organizations ability to build power for the members and to build a broader racial and economic justice movement

Employer:	Directions For Our Youth
Position:	Campaign Manager
Time period:	September 2007 - November 2007
Description:	Organized and supervised dropout prevention campaign in the Bronx. Supervised three organizers within the campaign Mobilized parents for school functions and coordinated special events that encouraged students to stay in school. Worked with community-based organizations to support dropout prevention efforts

Employer:	New York Civil Liberties Union
Position:	Field Program Organizer
Time period:	June 2006 - August 2007
Description:	New York City Organizer for LGBTQ and School to Prison Pipeline issues Duties included identifying key legislatures and setting up in-district lobby visits as well as facilitating the visits. Expanded organizing work to include the outer-boroughs and increase partnerships with local clergy and community based organizations. Organized participation for PRIDE events throughout the city Organized street teams for various campaigns including the Charge or Release campaign and Police in Schools campaign. Organized annual Speak out Essay Contest by reaching out to over 200 high schools, youth service organizations, community-based organizations, and non-profits across the city. Managed the volunteers of the field department and created the volunteer group newsletter. Maintained online advocacy database (GetActive).

University:	New School University
Time period:	2007 - 2011
Degree:	Management and Urban Public Policy, MSc

University:	University of Pittsburgh
Time period:	2006
Degree:	Communications Rhetoric Studies, BA