Jobs in Los Angeles

Description

Lori Kester
Loriannkester@gmail.com

(719) 480-0890

Education
Master of Public Administration – Adams State University, Alamosa, CO ▪ 2018

B.A. Mass Communications – Adams State University, Alamosa, CO ▪ 2010

Core Strengths and Expertise
·     Project management

·     Lobbying and advocacy

·     Ability to work effectively with boards of directors, community groups, advisory boards, and councils

·     Public outreach and communication

·     Leadership development

Professional Experience

Executive Assistant (Internship), Children’s Music Fund  ▪ Dec. 2017 – May 2018

·     Assisted Executive Director in negotiating music therapy contracts with new hospitals

·     Secured funding for new music therapy programs (grant writing and research)

Program Assistant (Internship), San Luis Valley Housing Coalition  ▪ July 2017 – December 2017

·     Created and sought funding for a new rent-to-own housing program

·     Research and grant writing for affordable housing programs

Program Assistant (Internship), San Luis Valley Development Resources Group ▪ Jan 2017 – June 2017

·     Assisted staff in community and economic development activities, including administration of small business loans and mini-grants, administration of Enterprise Tax Incentive Zone, and research for creation of a comprehensive economic development strategy

Associate Director of Leadership Development, Colorado Farm Bureau ▪ Oct. 2011 – June 2017

·     Strategic planning and implementation of all organization leadership development activities

·     Developed and presented curricula to train Farm Bureau members to be leaders in their communities (curricula includes public speaking training, conducting board meetings, lobbying, community engagement)

·     Developed and presented curricula for all Elite Leadership Academy classes (topics including public policy and the regulatory environment, marketing and public perception of agriculture industry)

·     Coordinated Young Farmers and Ranchers leadership program, engaging ages 18 – 35 in leadership development conferences and educational activities

Regional Manager, Colorado Farm Bureau Federation ▪ Oct. 2010 – Dec. 2016

·     Served as staff liaison to twelve 501(c)3 nonprofit Farm Bureau organizations in southwest Colorado, helping with all policy development, leadership development, rural development and membership recruitment activities

·     Worked with local elected officials and members of neighboring organizations to build and maintain working relationships with Farm Bureau

Specialty Agriculture Advisory Committee Coordinator, Colorado Farm Bureau ▪ Oct. 2010 – June 2017

·     Planned and facilitated all advisory committee meetings

Intern – Congressman John T. Salazar, Washington, DC  ▪ Jan 2010 – May 2010

·     Attended hearings and briefings, particularly regarding issues in health care and education; submitted reports of proceedings to Congressional staff

·     Attended meetings with Congressman, constituents and lobbyists

·     Responsible for constituent correspondence, including drafting response letters and posting content to Congressman’s website

Copy Editor – South Coloradan Newspaper, Alamosa, CO ▪ Aug 2009 – Dec 2009
Reporter–South Coloradan Newspaper, Alamosa, CO ▪ Aug 2009 – Dec 2009
Sales Clerk –Circle K Feed Mill, La Jara, CO ▪ Jan 2009 – Jan 2010
San Luis Valley Area Health Education Task Force, Alamosa CO ▪ Jan 2012 – Jan 2013

·     Trained in rural development issues in effort to surface new ways of attracting doctors to rural areas

References available upon request