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Home My WebLink AboutCAB Memo and ResumesCITY OF MIAMI COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD To: Todd Hannon, City Clerk From: Rodney W. Jacobs Jr., Community Advisory Board Liaison Subject: Request for Board Appointments Date: October 10, 2017 Pursuant to City of Miami Commission Resolution R 17-0144, Ms. Lissette Varela and Ms. Melissa Saldana have been nominated for membership by the Community Advisory Board ("CAB") on October 5, 2017, to replace members Bobbie ibarra and Evian White. It is the request of the CAB that the City Commission consider the appointment of Ms. Lissette Varela and Ms. Melissa Saldana at the November 16, 2017, City Commission meeting. Please let me know if you will need anything further. Thank you for your attention to this matter. MELI S SA SALDANA 3505 Northwest 2nd Street — Miami, Florida 33125 305.781.9087 saldanamelissa Ft.yahoo.com SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS Program Manager — Finance — Accounting Astute, accountable and forward -thinking Professional combines analytical mindset and solid business acumen with ten years of successful experience in program management, finance and accounting within non-profit environments and corporate settings. Proven ability to secure, manage and administer federal funding as well as state and county sub -contracts. Strong leadership attributes; renowned for the ability to organize and effectively utilize resources while leading cross -functional teams in support of the organization's vision, mission and business objectives. Possesses excellent communication skills - fluent in English, and Spanish with well -developed interpersonal skills, easily communicates and interfaces across of all levels of an organization. Key Areas of Expertise • Program Management • Financing Operations + Federal Contracts * RFPs • Securing Funding • Financial Reporting • Presentations • Budget Comparisons • Sales Reports • Cost Accounting • Receivables & Cash Analysis • Aft -hoc Projects • Management Reports • Credit Applications • Accounts Receivable • Tracking Expenses * Collaboration * Ensuring Quality Services * Compliance • Improving Efficiencies • Data Management • Meeting Deadlines • Problem/Issue Resolution Technology • MS Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint & Outlook • Adobe Acrobat • Lotus Notes • Sage c,c • PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE LUTHERAN SERVICES FLORIDA, Miami, FL Program Manager II - Access, Partners for Homes, New Beginnings * Administer the financial operations of three homeless housing programs • Successfully manage over $1,430,000 in federal HUD contracts as well as several state and county subcontracts • Coordinated and supervised the efforts of four partner social service agencies to place homeless individuals and families into permanent housing and ensure services provided met HUD and LSF's quality standards • Successfully secured renewal of HUD funding for six years by leading teams through competitive RFP processes during time of overall reduction in federal funding for the Miami area • Achieved rating of over 90% for the last three HMIS homeless database audits June 2009 - Present CANON LATIN AMERICA, Miami, FL August 2008 - June 2009 Budget Control Analyst - Inkjet Printer Marketing • Prepared essential financial reports and presentations of CIG Printer sales to Canon Latin America's senior management team, including Budget Comparison, Monthly Sales & Units, Cost Variance, and Stock Turnover * Produced and distributed internal product price list to various levels of management • Assisted in processing quarterly accruals for the department • Designed and maintained the Printer and Calculator Demonstration Lab • Managed ad hoc projects as requested by management • Researched and analyzed information on markets, sales trends and expenses to provide accurate and timely reports • Reviewed and analyzed historical data on spending; provided recommendations to management regarding future expense budgets PARRAGON BOOKS, New York, NY October 200E - December 2007 Accounts Receivable & Cash Analyst • Managed the accounts receivable operations for the Americas Sales Office of this global book publisher • Setup and maintained account information in Sage, processed and verified credit applications • Applied customer payments and made deposits; reviewed aging and solicited payments for overdue accounts • Researched pricing and investigated shipment discrepancies • Reduced overdue and delinquent accounts by 87% within six -months MELISSA SALDANA Page 2 305.781,9087 RFD MEDIA USA, New York, NY Accounting Intern • Assisted Accounts Payable Department for the hit TV show' 'Wife Swap" • Processed invoices, conducted account verification for AMEX, prepared petty cash worksheets, maintained proper files for company checks and purchase orders • Distributed daily correspondence; entrusted with messenger services for sensitive company documents January 2006 - May 2006 y EDUCATION CONCORDIA COLLEGE Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Specializing in Accounting and Arts Management Bronxville, New York MIAMI DADE COLLEGE Associate of Science in Music Business Miami, Florida FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY Vocal Performance Miami, Florida Academic Honors Dean's List, Concordia College Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Miami Dade College National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Florida International University AFFILIATIONS Board Member- Miami Dade County Homeless Trust BNI Action, Chapter Vice President for two terms LISSETTE VARELA Miami, FLI Iissettev86C yahoo.coml 786-270-7908 10 D�"(.7�1 �!f PROFILE A charismatic professional with extensive professional experience in South Florida. Can wear "many hats" and adapt to change with a good attitude and a good sense of humor. Has the ability to motivate volunteers and staff to accomplish professional level projects in disaster preparedness and disaster response. Excels under high levels of stress. A proven track record in managing unpredictable situations that require the ability to make decisions under pressure, the ability to adapt to change, and manage volunteer and staff in crisis management. Culturally sensitive to diverse groups and has the ability to cultivate meaningful relationships. FKENNER GROUP-GMC June 2017 - Present Renner Group-GMC is an insurance broker and administrator specialized in group and individual insurance world-wide. Henner is headquartered in France with over 11 regional offices in Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. Henner insures over 1.5 million people by providing insurance solutions in healthcare, life, disability, and funeral insurance. Client Services Manager for North and South America • Manage key relationships with clients, brokers, insurers and serve as liaison to international department • Responsible for managing team of Client Services Officers based in South Florida • Manage all aspects of human resources for United States operations • Ensure quality and integrity of our customer service and constantly seek team optimization • Manage all material and financial resources in accordance to company goals AMERICAN RED CROSS MIAMI, FLORIDA November 201 D - May 2017 The American Red Cross forms part of the world's largest humanitarian network that provides disaster relief and builds resilient communities. The South Florida Region of the Red Cross serves eight million people across the lower thirteen counties of Florida. Regional Disaster Workforce Engagement Manager October 2014 - Present • Responsible developing and implementing new disaster volunteer training program for 13 counties • Develop engagement strategies and initiatives for 4000 Disaster Response Volunteers • Serve as subject matter expert to disaster managers in supervision and volunteer engagement • Staff regional and national disaster operations with trained disaster workforce • Develop and implement volunteer placement, engagement, and retention standard operating procedures • Responsible for financial controls and inventory of financial tools used to deploy disaster workforce Volunteer Services Specialist April 2013 — October 2014 • Developed and initiated strategies to increase volunteer recruitment and retention • Launched new youth and young professional programs to increase youth involvement and retention • Improved youth participation by 90% and successfully launched two high school Red Cross Clubs • Served as disaster logistics manager for Miami -Dade and Monroe County during a disaster operation • Developed and retained Department Volunteers in order to meet regional goals • Cultivated new and expanded existing external relationships with major organizations in order to recruit • Recruited and cultivated over 500 new volunteers in Miami -Dade County and Monroe County CPR/AED/First Aid Adult and Pediatric Instructor September 2012 — April 2013 • Instruction of Red Cross courses to community groups and/or businesses • Manage all inventory/equipment being used • Integrates quality improvement activities and measures in overall service Community Partnerships County Lead August 2012 — April 2013 Build and foster relationships with local businesses and community entities • Work to improve processes of volunteer recruitment and retention across 8 counties • Establish new and renewed existing agreements to support disaster operations with local partners ■ Surveyed shelters for safety measures in preparation for hurricane season • Provided management support in disaster relief operation for Tropical Storm Debbie in June 2012 Disaster Action Team Leader March 2011 - April 2013 Respond to local disasters including single and multifamily house fires Provide leadership and support to members of Disaster Action Team for complex cases TEPHEN C. O'CONNELL CENTER, MULTIPURPOSE ARENA GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA h1AY nog- MAY 201 3 The O'Connell Center is an 11,548-seat multipurpose arena located on the University of Florida campus. The arena is home to UF's intercollegiate sports teams and premier concerts and performances including Cirque de Soleil and Drake. O'Connell Center staff are responsible for the largest student run pep rally in the country and security for home football games. Security Director May 2011 — May 2013 • Directly manage a team of 25 supervisors • Staff events and direct security for attendance over 90,000 • Responsible for purchasing and inventory • Directly manage supervisor training program and onboarding of new hires Building Coordinator, Hire Coordinator September 2009 — May 2013 • Serve as building liaison for administrative directors • Primary lead for emergency evacuation procedures, blood born pathogen safety, risk management • Organize and coordinate hiring process and new hire orientation EDUCATION UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA - Gainesville, Florida BACHELOR OF ARTS; ANTHROPOLOGY MINORS IN LEADERSHIP IN NONPROI-k IS, LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES SKILLS & Language Skills: English and Spanish (fluent) AFFILIATIONS Computer Skills: Highly Proficient in Microsoft and Apple products Planned Parenthood: Leadership Action Team Member Guardian ad Litem: Child advocate and Volunteer Caseworker (Past)