HUMANITARIAN MANAGEMENT
Fundraising/ Human Rights Advocacy/Media Relations/Non-Profit Management /Advocacy/Education Management/Administration/Customer Relations/Financial/ Human Resources/Operations/Public Relations
Excellent fundraising abilities, High quality executive management professional with proven leadership abilities. Experience in LGBT advocacy, advocacy for refugees and advocacy for people of color. Proven ability to bring struggling non-profits to financial stability and high growth potential. Experience in working with governments, media and international organizations. Experience in non-profit management, fundraising and public policy advocacy. Experience in managing adult education programs. Skilled in local to global and inter- to extra-governmental communications facilitation. Fluent in English with competencies in Arabic-Eastern, French, German, Greek, Amharic, Spanish and Urdu. Possesses expertise in the following countries: Belize, Burkina Faso, Cote D'Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, India, Kenya, Liberia, Nepal, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Zambia and the United States.
Non-Profit Management
Human Rights Advocacy
Fundraising
Project Management
Public Policy Advocacy
Risk Management
Recruitment & Hiring
Development
EDUCATION
Monterey Institute of International Studies; Monterey, California
Master of Arts in TESOL/Education
State College; Fitchburg, Massachusetts
Coursework in Business Management
Pepperdine University; Malibu, California
Bachelor of Arts in History
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST UNITED NATIONS OFFICE JANUARY 2008-PRESENT
Executive Director, New York, New York
Provide Executive Management, policy oversight, grants management and fundraising services to the Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office. Dramatically turned around the financial position of the UU UNO, making it profitable during the worst economic downturn in our lifetime. Annual revenues moved from $85,000 per year to over $395,000 within a year. During this downturn, Bruce more quadrupled income and substantially increased membership. Launched LGBT advocacy at the UU-UNO, currently the only faith-based program at the UN. Dramatically enhanced the prestige and visibility of the UU UNO at the United Nations and among Unitarian Universalists all over North America. Persuaded the United Nations to discuss LGBT issues at its 2008 DPI Human Rights Conference in Paris. Worked with the United Nations and member states to ensure that Unitarian Universalist principles of peace and respect for individual rights are incorporated into United Nations policies. Work with other non-profits to advance a peace with justice agenda in global affairs. To represent the Unitarian Universalist community at global and regional conferences. To provide management services to maintain expenses according to the budget, develop and maintain personnel policies and to lead and inspire staff and interns.
LITERACY COUNCIL OF PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, MD, INC. MARCH-DECEMBER 2007
Executive Director, Hyattsville, Maryland
Providing Executive Management, educational oversight, grants management and fundraising services to the Literacy Council. The Literacy Council had a $1.3 million budget from various donors, including the Maryland State Department of Education, the County Council of Prince George’s County and several other organizations and individuals. My fundraising efforts increased the budget to over $2 million. It employs 54 teachers and 14 staff. The Literacy Council coordinates & trains 90 volunteer tutors providing adult education services to 1,600 students.
MARYLAND ASSOCIATION FOR ADULT COMMUNITY AND CONTINUING EDUCATION 2007
Public Policy Co-Chair, MAACCE Board of Directors, Maryland
Designing and carrying out public policy initiatives to ensure adequate local, state and federal funding for adult education in Maryland. Acting as part of MAACCE’s governing Board of Directors, making successful personal demarches to local, state and federal political law makers to get funding bills passed for adult education. Also, designing post card and media campaigns to reinforce the personal contacts made to law makers. Enlisting support from business, religious and other leaders to ensure that adult education is adequately funded..
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE 1984 – 2007
Senior Management Officer, Office of International Conferences- Washington, District of Columbia 2005-2007
Managed five officers and five staff in the office of the Department of State with primary responsibility for both hosting international conferences and in supporting U.S. delegations to global conferences around the world, such as the World Trade Conferences and the Global Climate Change Conferences.
Communications Director, Gays and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies 2005-2007
Effectively represented the interests of gays and lesbians in the Department of State and other foreign affairs agencies. Was able to get the U.S. Government to reverse its vote in the United Nations to allow LGBT organizations to have observer status at the U.N. Got the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad to reverse its anti-LGBT policies, by raising concerns with senior Department of State management. Obtained a free speaking engagement by Keith Boykin to speak to the Department of State on the topic of, “Are gay rights, civil rights?” during Black History Month, February 2007.
Deputy Director, Directives Management – Washington, District of Columbia 2004 – 2005
Acted on behalf of, and sometimes with the authority of, the Office Director on all matters including budgeting, human resources and policy formulation. Supervised a staff of 40 Government Service, Foreign Service and contract employees; managed a discretionary budget of $2 million.
Negotiated a restoration of 28% reduction from the budget by upper management, designing a document demonstrating enabled operations fully funded versus service capabilities after cut that was utilized as an organization-wide template for funding requests.
Deputy Chief of Mission, Deputy Ambassador – Bunjul, The Gambia, West Africa 2003 – 2004
As needed, acted on behalf of the Ambassador representing all aspects of American political, military, commercial, consular, economic and humanitarian interests in The Gambia and directing all aspects of administration, public diplomacy, official and non-official communications with the Gambian government, military, intelligence services as well as opposition parties. Supervised Embassy management, budgeting and human resources and met with the President of The Gambia and most of his cabinet members on a frequent basis. Coordinated with visiting military officers and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Smoothed and facilitated relationships between the majority Muslim population of The Gambia, influencing the cessation of anti-American rhetoric and earning a reputation for interactive diplomacy.
Spearheaded a satellite link connecting the Gambian military to the United States military and all other West African militaries, positively impacting regional peacekeeping operations.
Designed a budget and obtained United States Economic Support Funds for the renovation of the Gambian National Assembly to strengthen the legislative branch as a balance to the highly powerful executive.
Lobbied for and obtained assistance for a broadband video internet hookup connecting students and teachers at the University of The Gambia with students and teachers at East Carolina State University in North Carolina as well as with those in Europe and Asia.
Played a key role in setting up Gambian participation in peacekeeping operations in Liberia.
Regional Refugee Officer for West Africa – Abidjan, Ivory Coast, West Africa 2000 – 2003
Traveled extensively throughout West Africa, mostly to Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia but also to Ghana, Togo, Burkina Faso, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Niger.
After a tour of Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, documented the lack of assistance to 500,000 refugees in desperate need of food and protection. This reporting on conditions resulted in the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees making his first overseas trip to the region along with the international press to highlight refugee requirements for care, resulting in provision of adequate resources to the refugees.
Obtained $17 million in additional presidential funding for the region.
Organized a meeting in Guinea of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, the United Nations World Food Program, the United States Agency for International Development and the United States Food for Peace Office and secured adequate food rations for refugees.
Personally brought about funding for the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), The United Nations World Food Program (WFP), The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), The International Rescue Committee (IRC), Save the Children, American Refugee Committee (ARC), Catholic Relief (Caritas) and several more.
Obtained emergency humanitarian funds in the civil war in the Ivory Coast September 2002.
Persuaded the United States government to resettle 7,000 Liberian refugees in the United States after being unable to relocate them to Ghana, Togo, Nigeria and elsewhere.
Management Officer – Khartoum, Sudan and Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa 1997 – 2000
Directed 60 American and local employees and managed human resources, financial management, communications, security and a budget of $2 million as the second ranking officer at the post. Served as Acting Charge d’Affairs as required, dealing directly with the Government of Sudan in an extremely sensitive U.S./Sudanese relationship.
Survived the bombing of the American Embassy in Nairobi on August 8, 1998, persuaded a local vegetable exporter to lend his 40-foot refrigerated container as a storage facility for the dead and searched Nairobi morgues for a week, retrieving all the American and local employees of the Embassy, activities for which was awarded citations for Heroism, Superior Honor and Meritorious Honor.
Maintained morale of the local employees for the Embassy in Sudan from Kenya during American absence of more than one year after the Nairobi bombing and the subsequent United States missile attack in Khartoum, maintaining communication while travel was restricted.
Credited with the excellent condition of the Embassy in Khartoum after the extended absence; facility was turned into a fully-functioning Embassy more than 10 times its previous size.
Management Officer – Karachi, Pakistan, South Asia 1996 – 1997
Directed 100 American and local employees and managed the Consultant General operations following the terrorist attack on American employees in Karachi. Provided budget oversight for $10 million.
Tasked with and successfully carried out evacuation of all office space facing the street in preparation for a bombing that actually occurred following departure but yielded no injuries due to employee relocation.
Management Officer – Lahore, Pakistan, South Asia 1993 – 1996
Directed 70 American and local employees and managed a $3 million budget.
Led a significant downsizing then underwent a post inspection earning high praise for management ability.
Organized all aspects of First Lady Hilary Clinton’s visit with Pakistani Prime Minister in Lahore.
Management Officer – Calcutta, India, South Asia 1991– 1993
Directed 120 American and local employees, provided oversight to a $5 million budget and managed a Security Guard Detachment of six Marines and a Staff Sergeant.
Earned a Meritorious Honor Award after humanely instituting an order for a 50% staff reduction, contracting with an employment agency to prepare resumes and coach in interviewing techniques then personally delivered resumes to other diplomatic missions and businesses in Calcutta resulting in each affected staff member either retiring, moving into entrepreneurship or securing another position.
International Relations Officer – Washington, District of Columbia 1988 – 1991
Served as the Desk Officer for Belize, managing all Washington-based activities, and the Back Up Desk Officer for Guatemala. Additionally, handled counter-narcotic efforts across Central America.
Briefed nominated Ambassador to Belize and astutely guided him through the Senate confirmation process.
Organized and obtained appointments for the Prime Minister of Belize with President George H. Bush, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Pentagon.
General Services Officer – Lusaka, Zambia 1987 – 1988
Tasked with all maintenance and construction operations at the Zambian Embassy.
Obtained funding for new standby generators and parking lot after unsuccessful efforts by predecessors.
Negotiated installation of a gas station by Total in return for the Embassy’s agreement to purchase petrol from Total when they offered the lowest priced and when supplies were available.
Rotational Officer – Athens, Greece 1985 – 1987
Performed both Consular and Economic Section duties and was later assigned to research the economic of radioactive fall out in Greece from the Soviet nuclear plant explosion at Chernobyl.
Uncovered an alien smuggling operation fraudulently obtaining U.S. visas for Korean nationals in Athens.
Managed situations during the Egyptian Airline hijacking from Athens to Malta and during the TWA airliner bombing and later cared for visiting Americans claiming the bodies of relatives.
Personally selected as Acting Deputy Consul General in Thessalonica, a highly unusual role for a first-tour Junior Officer, to investigate and report on a major economic address by the Greek Prime Minister.
Event Officer for meeting between Secretary of State George Shultz and leader of Greek opposition party.
Foreign Service Officer Training-Washington, District of Columbia 1984 – 1985
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FRESNO
Deputy Project Director, California State University Fresno/World Bank -Mogadishu, Somalia 1983-1984
Set up a new project and taught classes in business English for MBA students at the Somali Institute of Development, Administration and Management. Imported vehicles, rented houses, obtained electrical services and performed all aspects of project management.
CALIFORNIA TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Teacher- Modesto and Monterey California 1981-1983
Taught ESL to junior and senior secondary students, mostly from Southeast Asia and Mexico
RAYTHEON MIDDLE EAST SYSTEMS CORPORATION, JEDDAH SAUDI ARABIA
Teacher and scriptwriter-Raytheon – Jeddah, Saudi Arabia 1976-1980
Taught technical/military ESL to Saudi soldiers at the Saudi Air Defense School. Later became a full-time scriptwriter and instructional video producer for instructional videos to train Saudi soldiers on the operation of the Improved HAWK missile system.
LOS ANGELES SCHOOL DISTRICT
Adult ESL Teacher, Los Angeles 1975-1976
Taught ESL to a class of 25 Mexican and Korean adult students
U.S. PEACE CORPS, ETHIOPIA
Peace Corps Volunteer- U.S. Peace Corps – Ethiopia 1972-1975
Taught ESL to junior and senior secondary school students in the remote village of Gorgora and later in the town of Nazareth. Opened the Gorgora Junior Secondary Library and managed it. Experienced the overthrow of Emperor Heile Salassie and the imposition of the Durge dictatorship.
TEXAS EDUCATIONAL DESEGREGATION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER 1971-1972
School Desegregation Consultant – Operated throughout Texas, based in Austin
Worked in teams out of the University of Texas at Austin to desegregate schools in the state. School districts with racial school desegregation problems called on TEDTAC to conduct awareness seminars and training sessions with administrators and lead teachers to assist schools to welcome and accommodate racial diversity.
AWARDS
Mark DeWolfe Award for Outstanding LGBT Rights Accomplishments 2009
Secretary of State's Career Achievement Award 2007
Meritorious Honor Award for Office of International Conferences 2007
Meritorious Honor Award for Organization of American States General Assembly 2005
Assistant Secretary of State for Administration's Award for Achievement 2005
Meritorious Honor Award with Cash, earned for maintaining integrity of the American Embassy in Sudan (2000)
Superior Honor Award, for finding and caring for the dead from the American Embassy bombing in Nairobi (1999)
Group Heroism Awards, for work following the bombing of the American Embassy in Nairobi (1998 and 1999)
Meritorious Honor Award, earned for the compassionate 50% reduction in force implemented in Calcutta (1993)
Group Meritorious Award, earned for work performed in the Office of Central American Affairs (1989)
Board Service
Faith and Ethics Network for the International Criminal Court, Chair
UN NGO/DPI Executive Committee
UN NGO Human Rights Committee, Treasurer
Center for UN Reform Education Board
United Nations Association/USA Council of Organizations, NYC Vice Chair
UN Ecumenical Working Group
UN Darfur/Chad Working Group
UN Gender Based Violence/Sudan Working Group, Founder
Grants Evaluation Board, Maryland State Department of Education
Maryland Association for Adult Community and Continuing Education, Public Policy Co-Chair
United States Department of State Promotions Review Panel
Gays and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies (GLIFAA), Communications and Outreach Director
Abidjan West-Africa Donor’s Conference, Founder and Co-Chair for Humanitarian Assistance
Karachi American School, Ambassador’s Representative to the Board
Lahore American School, Ambassador’s Representative to the Board
