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
|

Director of Program Operations & Development

Denver, CO, US

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

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

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

Bachelor of Science (Hons)

Computer Engineering

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.

Nana Coreen Zakaria