1. STRATEGIC EXPERIENCE
BRIEF OVERVIEW
NICHELLE EDWARDS
Experience developing and seeking funding for outreach strategies:
In conjunction with student services, developed the “Health Careers Opportunity
Program” aimed at increasing minority student retention in the biomedical sciences.
Once successfully funded established the Health Careers Office staffed with a director
and an assistant providing programming to students interested in careers in
medicine. The program successfully placed students in top medical schools, ranking
as the #1 undergraduate program to place minority students in these programs.
Other more detailed responsibilities/experience:
 In several of my previous functions, I have been the point person responsible
for the development of new programs, projects, grants, and funding proposals.
On major institutional initiatives, I worked collaboratively with a select team
of senior faculty and contributed to grant proposals and their corresponding
renewals once funded. Also, to secure funding for broader reaching initiatives
met with federal funders regarding the possibility of securing their directed
dollar for these programs. Acted as the lead when negotiating with partners
and subcontractors, including global programs where they were in place.
 Maintained the responsibility for institutional, federal-wide assurance,
reviewed proposals and along with regulators held random OSHA checks to
ensure we maintained compliance in accordance with our records.
 Responsible for the development of systems and procedures to streamline
oversight of business operations and project activities, which included budgets,
personnel (T&E), policies (SOPs), reports and all other affected procedures.
 Developed a webinar series, which was employed as a training tool for staff.
Upon a successful iteration, a version was later cultivated for use as a
development tool for staff in the field working in conjunction with the team in
the National Home Office (Corporate Center).
 Established an Advisory Board – culminated of senior staff nationwide. Pulled
together to address national funding issues and donor concerns. Lead the
advisory board in meeting’s quarterly reporting and addressing findings to the
National Vice-President, as well as the Grants Management Team.
 Responsible for the inclusive tracking, reporting on and management of the
financial performance of all research restricted funding.
 Provide financial and statistical reporting to donors (select), the board of
directors, and the Council for Extramural Grants.
 Designed and coordinated a wide variety of accounting and statistical data and
reports. Managed all related accounts with proper documentation and
recordkeeping of expenditures, regarding institutional compliance and future
audit metrics.

2.  As a member of the Grants Management Team provided updates at monthly
meetings, putting critical issues on the agenda as they arose.
 Board of Directors – attended the annual board meeting, provided the NVP
with detailed metrics for his address to the board and prepared presentations
for his use at the meeting.
 Worked in direct concert with the National Vice-President for Research,
Business Manager, Sr. Financial Manager, and Sr. VP Research to manage
multiple projects at any given time and maximize our research funding while
making sure that donor satisfaction remained at the forefront. In most
instances, I worked directly with the donor or closely with the field staff who
was the relationship manager to be sure that we achieved high yielding
stewardship measures, while compliance was in order, while still increasing
donor revenue.