Nana Coreen Zakaria

Director of Program Operations & Development

Denver, US.

About

Dynamic leader with 3+ years of experience in non-profit program operations and development, driving significant growth in program reach and revenue. Expertly led cross-functional teams (3-20 members), optimized operational systems, and secured over a 7x increase in grant funding, including multi-year six-figure awards, to advance organizational missions. Adept at strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and process optimization to achieve sustainable impact.

Work

Colorado African Innovation & Cultural Center

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Director of Program Operations & Development

Denver, CO, US

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Summary

Led strategic program development and operational excellence, significantly expanding program reach and securing substantial funding for a cultural center.

Highlights

Spearheaded the conception and launch of three new program offerings, driving a 40%+ increase in program reach in 2024.

Redefined fundraising strategy and managed the end-to-end grant lifecycle, securing a 7.15x increase in funding (2023-2024) including multiple five- to six-figure, multi-year awards.

Directed strategic planning sessions with Board and C-suite members, establishing annual and quarterly goals to prioritize resource allocation and ensure sustainable organizational growth.

Led and mentored cross-functional teams of 3-20 individuals, institutionalizing streamlined workflows that boosted team throughput and ensured high-quality daily program delivery.

Cultivated high-yield relationships with key corporate sponsors, strategic partners, and funders, aligning objectives to secure sustained support and repeat engagement.

Colorado African Innovation & Cultural Center

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Program Manager

Denver, CO, US

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Summary

Managed strategic partnerships, scaled key initiatives, and enhanced financial accountability to drive organizational growth and community engagement.

Highlights

Built and managed a portfolio of 16 strategic partners, successfully negotiating 4-5 figure deals and securing multi-year commitments.

Scaled the annual Dashiki Festival to over 3,000 attendees and 29,000+ online engagements (80% growth) by leading a 7-person team and implementing innovative audience acquisition tactics.

Designed and implemented comprehensive program strategies and a monthly events calendar, consistently surpassing key performance indicators (KPIs) through seamless cross-team collaboration.

Strengthened donor confidence and financial accountability by developing and enforcing rigorous budget controls and transparent reporting processes.

Kibris Order Ltd

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Manager

Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus

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Summary

Optimized operational workflows and cultivated client relationships to boost service efficiency, brand visibility, and revenue for a logistics company.

Highlights

Optimized operational workflows and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), significantly improving on-time delivery metrics and enhancing service efficiency and team throughput.

Designed and launched targeted go-to-market strategies for B2B and B2C segments, resulting in increased brand visibility and client acquisition.

Managed a portfolio of high-value accounts with proactive relationship management, improving client retention and cultivating repeat revenue streams.

Education

Eastern Mediterranean University

Famagusta, Famagusta, Cyprus
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Bachelor of Science (Hons) Computer Engineering Grade:

Languages

English

Skills

Fundraising & Development

Grant Writing, Corporate Sponsorships, Donor Relations, Fundraising Strategy.

Program Leadership

Strategic Planning, Program Scaling, Agile Methodologies, Impact Analysis.

Operations & Finance

P&L Management, Budgeting, Process Optimization, Systems Design.

Stakeholder Engagement

Partnership Development, Board Relations.

Project Management Software

Asana, Jira, ClickUp.

Collaboration & Communication Tools

MS365, Google Workspace, Slack, Zoom.