Heather KennedyHEATHKENN80@GMAIL.COM

Chepachet, RI http://www.linkedin.com/in/heathkenn80 (401)-710-7032 Human Resources

Management

Communication

Employment Counseling Event Management Advocacy and Mediation Conflict Resolution Crises Management Public Relations Interviewing Personnel Management Social Networking Training Materials Relationship Management Communication Materials Recruitment General Programs &

Policies

Information Management Program Management Operations Management

Public Speaking Community Engagement &

Relations

Experience

Northwest Special Education Local Advisory Committee, Chair (2013-Present) Organize and Orchestrate Special Needs Resource Fair, all details including business networking, recruitment,

and event management Public and Community Relations Coordinate meetings and speakers by working with the public school system, State Department of Education,

non-profits, and businesses Maintain and stay up to date on community needs and concerns by use of communication tools, in-person

networking, surveys, and planning forums Organize and Disseminate research and information to the community through social media; blogs, email, and in

person meetings. Stay up to date on Federal and State Legislation impacting education and the disabled community Act as representative for the community at state conferences Creating and Presenting speeches/presentations on educational topics to the public

Rhode Island Special Education Committee, Board Member (2015-Present) Serve in an advisory capacity for the Commissioner and Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary

Education Serve on sub-committees that focus on areas of concern regarding the education of children with disabilities

Rhode Island Special Needs Resources, Founder (2013-Present) Research and Compile information, studies, news, resources, and more for those with disabilities or caretakers of Assist and interact with families seeking help, guidance, and information by utilizing amassed information or

tapping into a large network of stakeholders, organizations, and other parties to provide assistance to those in need Access, Create, Maintained, and Update various social media tools such as; Tumblr, Facebook, Pinterest, and

Instagram.

President and Founder, Puzzled Parents Southern New England (2012-Present)Social Networking and Communications Manager, Puzzled Parents Coast to Coast (2010-2015)

Advocate for and Counsel San Diego and New England special needs families Create, Manage, Update and Design Puzzled Parents blog, newsletter, and other social networking websites Community Outreach, Marketing, Fundraising and Event Planning Plan and Implement all phases of events and functions Design and Publish marketing materials such as informational packets, brochures, and other informational

documents Facilitate communication between area providers and families using various communication tools

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Extraordinary Child, Director of Operations, Smithfield, RI (Volunteer ) (2013-2014) Managed all facility operations to ensure efficiency and safety compliance, including the design of Safety

Programs Maintained office staff job results by managing coaching, counseling; planning, monitoring, and appraising job

results Maintained professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional

publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies Achieved financial objectives by preparing an annual budget; scheduling expenditures; analyzing variances;

initiating corrective actions Maintained office services by organizing office operations and procedures, assigning and monitoring clerical

functions Remained up to date on applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations in the business and special needs

community Worked closely with the Executive Director and the Board to continue business operations and strategize future

needs Maintained volunteers by recruiting, selecting, orientating, and training interns Ensured and Facilitated communication among all team members Created, Organized, and Coordinated support groups, programs, educational forums, events, fundraisers, and

social hours Built and Designed SOP's, instruction manuals, position descriptions and lesson plans Designed program materials and plans Researched, Created and Updated the business plan On a Zero budget I created and implemented a plan to recruit interns and volunteers and in a three month time

frame we went from 2 part-time volunteers to a consistent staff of over 20, all of whom I trained and managed

Military Family Advocate/Career Coach San Diego Military Families.com, San Diego, CA     (2007-2012)        Researched, Compiled, and disseminated information for military families Created, Managed, Updated, and Designed SanDiegoMilitaryFamilies.com Facilitated communication between area providers and military families using various communication tools Assisted veterans and military spouses in their career search by job counseling, editing and creating resumes, and

job interview preparation

Senior Recruiter, Gabriel & Associates, San Diego, CA - Remote (4/2010-2/2011) Recruited employees for temporary and contract work in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry Performed general office administration Built applicant sources by researching and contacting community services, colleges, media, and internet sites;

providing organizational information, opportunities, and benefits; making presentations; maintaining and nurturing relationships

Corresponded with various applicants and managers through a variety of communication tools with a focus on building and maintaining relationships

Determined applicant requirements, studied job descriptions and job qualifications Attracted applicants by creating and placing job advertisements in newsgroups and job sites (government and

non-government) Determined applicant qualifications by interviews; analyzing responses, assessing personality traits; and

comparing qualifications to job requirements Arranged management interviews by coordinating schedules and evaluated applicants by discussing job

requirements and qualifications with managers Reviewed, Edited, and Reformatted hundreds of resumes Managed and Updated company website to reflect organizational mission and current applicant needs Established marketing message and created marketing plans Designed and Managed company applicant database using Excel and OneNote Updated job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications and

maintained personal networks

Founder, Organizer and Marketing Director for SSSPED, San Diego, CA (2009-2011) Founded a movement and charity event for K-12 students with disabilities

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Planed and Organized two charity walks Managed 30 + volunteers Directed, Created and Implemented traditional and e-marketing campaign Raised over $12,000 in four months and accomplishment featured in National Mortar Board magazine, and local

newspapers

Human Resources Internship, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, San Diego, Ca (2008 – 2008) Completed a complicated HR assignment that reduced annual costs by $22,780, details available in a published

report Created and Updated company Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) Reformatted and updated training manuals, action lists, and SOPs

Case Manager/ Crises Counselor/ Lead, Casa Pacifica, Camarillo, CA (2002 - 2007) Directed and Assisted with day-to-day living of at risk youth in a residential setting Managed a team of 5 staff and 16 youths and maintained schedules Coordinated with mental health, social services, community agencies and upper management with treatment plans Compiled research to produce summaries, monthlies, and reports Assisted in creating new cottage program and guide book Trained 20+ new employees and tutored/counseled children of all ages Served as advocate for youth in various care settings Managed and Coordinated confidential correspondence, information and related materials between various

departments and individuals Held similar positions at other organizations from 1998-2016 working with adults and children

o Alternatives (MA) & Institute For Family Learning (MA) & Communities For People (RI)

U.S. Naval Ombudsman, VAW-117 Camarillo, CA (2005 – 2006) Communication and Informational liaison for 300 + Military personnel and dependents Managed and Disseminated classified, confidential, and unclassified information Designed and gave informational presentations Established, Implemented, and Created monthly Ombudsman newsletters Organized, Planned and Managed events; including pre & post deployment Represented and Advocated for dependents and naval personnel in meetings and served as mediator Prepared, Managed and Supported dependents through emergency situations Developed and Maintained contact, research, and reference data bases

Software and SkillsOneNote PowerPoint Excel WordOutlook Dreamweaver GoToMeetings GoogleDocs

EducationB.S. Business Management- San Diego State University (December 2009) A.S. Business Management – Moorpark College, Moorpark, CA (December 2006) Cum LaudeA.A. Liberal Arts– Moorpark College, Moorpark, CA (December 2006) Cum Laude Certificate in Accounting Principles– Moorpark College, Moorpark, CA (December 2006)Certificate in Web Design- PennFoster Career School (Complete July 2012)

Honors & Awards

Merle W. Freeman Scholarship in Business David W. Belcher Memorial Scholarship Admiral E.P. Travers Scholarship VAW 117 Service and Commitment Award

SDSU Mortar Board Honor Society Dean’s List for multiple consecutive semesters Deans Award SDSU Student Symposium 2010

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