Rana Shanawani, MHS

QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY

Accomplished strategic manager and Executive Director experienced in assisting non-profits maximize outcomes and expand operations. Expertise leading large teams and problem-solving in complicated environments in the following fields:

Grant management and budgeting
Partnership building
Fundraising

Entrepreneurship and mentoring
Executive coaching
Strategic management

CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS

ACHIEVEMENTS

Launched international nonprofit organization, part of an international network, from the ground up, expanding operations by 100% for 4 consecutive years.

Designed and executed multiple strategic development plans, to ensure key performance indicators and fundraising goals.

Managed over 350 employees, volunteers, and entrepreneurs to coordinate the establishment of >200 entrepreneurial ventures in three different cities under budget.

As a strategic management consultant, analyzed major strengths/weaknesses of “site in distress” and rescued project, improving performance indicators by 52% within 7 weeks.

Winner of the Takreem Achievement Award for demonstrated commitment, vision, calculated risk- taking, and perseverance in the face of adversity. The winner has made an impact on the community in terms of improved living economics.

CORE COMPETENCIES

COMPETENCIES

Throughout my education and professional career, I have assisted many establishments with the following professional competencies:

Fundraising: served as primary person in making one-on-one fundraising solicitations, developing fundraising strategies, and writing grant proposals.

Project management: demonstrated ability to manage all organizational levels.

Advisory services: ability to research, analyze and provide solutions for programs and streamline processes.

Strategic planning: created and implemented operating plans, strategic plans, financial forecasts, etc.

Financial management: developed annual budgets and efficiently managed resources.

PR and community relationships: represented organizations as an ambassador to key stakeholders.

Programmatic effectiveness: demonstrated ability to oversee quality, handle deadlines, and changing priorities. Superb diplomatic and client relation skills in difficult or sensitive situations.

EDUCATION

JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
MASTERS IN HEALTH SCIENCE

School of Public Health

Baltimore, MD

MTA Scholar

CORNELL UNIVERSITY
BA IN BIOLOGY

Ithaca, NY

Steven J. Guarino Scholar

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

EXPERIENCE

2015-PRESENT
Executive Director

THE WOMEN'S CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP*

www.wcecnj.org

Chatham, NJ

Took over leadership from predecessor of 13 years to expand the program from focusing only on startup businesses to adding several layers to services including: Kiva micro-loans, Micromentor, Kauffman GrowthVenture, Quantum Progressions, one-on-one coaching with clients, adding committees to the Board of Trustees, forging partnerships in NJ and the US, bringing in new sponsors for fundraising, etc.

* This position remains current and overseen via correspondence on a part-time basis. Operations are suspended indefinitely due to the humanitarian crisis. When the situation stabilizes a replacement will be identified.

2004-PRESENT
Executive Director

THE PRINCE'S YOUTH BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL – BIDAYA†

www.youth-business.org

Damascus, S.A.R.

Launched the start-up, pilot program and expanded into a licensed, national association, establishing multiple district offices (www.bidaya.org.sy), as part of an international network.
Forged major partnerships with organizations in the form of MoUs.
Accredited by an international auditing body and commended as one of the “strongest organizations” of

international network
Drafted 3-year strategic/business plans, grant proposals, progress reports, financial reports, etc.
Conferred with international headquarters, board members, partners, staff members, and grassroots beneficiaries

to manage activities, resolve conflicts, and institute policy change.
Organized country-wide promotional PR campaigns, and acted globally as primary spokesperson.
Recruited and managed staff in three cities ensuring long-term strategy goals were met and under budget.

† This position remains current and overseen via correspondence on a part-time basis. Operations are suspended indefinitely due to the humanitarian crisis. When the situation stabilizes a replacement will be identified.

2012-PRESENT
Principal Consultant

SHANAWANI CONSULTING, LLC

Short Hills, NJ

Objective to assist organizations improve performance by providing analysis and strategic planning.

Group i&i Consulting

Working as consultant to coach clients through organizational design and change management activities, capacity building, and new communications methodologies.

Youth Business International

www.youth-business.org

Team leader to develop a multi-country, multi-million Euro project and grant proposal.
Project manager on feasibility study to launch new program in the US, working on fundraising, strategic
partnerships, and short-, medium- and long-term strategy.

YouthBuild Newark, Inc. www.youthbuildnewarknj.org

Provided management recommendations and policy formulation for overall programming.
Worked as an executive coach to ensure objectives met in a timely manner.

2014-PRESENT
Public speaking and executive coach

OWN THE ROOM

Short Hills, NJ

Helps executives in business rapidly improve their ability to communicate to others. Coach skills for public speaking to a large audience, running a meeting, or talking one-on-one.

2000-2003
Consultant

UNITED NATIONS

Damascus, S.A.R

UNDP - Community Development Officer for Agency for Combating Unemployment.
UNIFEM - Composed National Gender Sensitive Guidelines for Small and Micro enterprises in Syria.
UNICEF - Developed project proposals concerning juvenile justice and children of divorce.

RECOGNITION

AWARDS AND HONORS

Takreem Arab Achievement Award for Best Young Entrepreneur 2010.
European Union Cert. for Valuable Outstanding Efforts in supporting the SEBC Business Incubator
Shell Certificate of Appreciation for Support of LiveWire.

CERTIFICATES

Presidential Summit on Entrepreneurship delegate and scholarship recipient April 2010; met President Barack Obama and Secretary Clinton to promote American partnerships globally.
Syria Oxford Leadership Development Programme Said Business School, University of Oxford
Johns Hopkins University, School of Hygiene and Public Health, Humanitarian Assistance Certificate
British Embassy Damascus: Advocacy and Lobbying on "Enterprise Dev. & Investment Promotion"
International Institute of Human Rights, Strasbourg France, 29th Study Session, Participation Certificate

BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

Chairman of Fundraising, Board of Trustees of the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum
TAKREEM Arab Achievement Advisory Board Member
Advisor to the NGO law development committee to develop legislation in favor of empowering NGOs
Panelist on the Shell LiveWire Evaluation Committee for Best Business Plan Competition
Representative to the Committee on Human Research - Johns Hopkins University SKILLS

SKILLS

Strong knowledge of MS Office applications, Google suite, Quickbooks, and Constant Contact
Native language – English; Fluent in Arabic
Exceptional communication skills, including strong presentation, negotiation and liaison skills

MEDIA