Experience & Background
Two decades of work across military service, veteran advocacy, international communication, education, and community-facing problem-solving. The through-line has been consistent: service, trust-building, and practical impact.
Service, Communication & Community Work Over Time
Tap each entry to expand on mobile. On desktop, the timeline alternates across two columns to show the progression of service, outreach, education, and community development work.
Professional Experience
Independently volunteering in Mindelo with a focus on community development and skills-based support. Current engagements include the U.S. Embassy’s American Spaces program at the University of Cabo Verde and communication support at Simabo.
- Facilitate English conversation sessions and professional development discussions for university students through the American Spaces program, in coordination with the local program coordinator.
- Contribute to early-stage programming concepts including skills-based workshops, career development sessions, and community knowledge-sharing events aligned with upcoming program initiatives.
- Provide English language coaching and communication support to staff at Simabo, a local nonprofit organization.
- Contribute to a community mapping and outreach effort (Cabo Verde Community Services & Collaboration Directory) to better understand local services and needs through bilingual outreach and needs assessment.
- Maintain a listening-first orientation, investing in relationship-building and community understanding before proposing any program frameworks.
- Provide professional résumé optimization, content editing, and English communication coaching for U.S. and international clients.
- Develop online learning resources and digital storytelling materials for individuals and small organizations.
- Research and integrate AI-assisted tools to improve writing, productivity, and online learning outcomes.
- Advise international and remote teams on cross-cultural communication strategies and professional presentation.
- Coached 150+ Belarusian and Ukrainian IT professionals in English fluency, business communication, and presentation skills.
- Created and managed Americana Made Easy, a Telegram-based resource hub for self-paced English learning designed for Russian-speaking professionals working with American clients.
- Designed personalized lesson materials integrating American cultural context, confidence-building, and practical workplace language usage.
- Edited and presented live English-language news bulletins and pre-recorded interviews covering Ukraine and world affairs for audiences in 30+ countries.
- Conducted expert interviews across politics, economics, military affairs, the IT sector, and arts and culture.
- Adapted complex, fast-moving news content for international audiences, maintaining clarity under live broadcast conditions.
Taught Pre-intermediate to Advanced ESL classes of 4–12 students (ages 12–60), bridging curriculum content to real-life speaking situations. Created a supplementary Telegram channel for daily feedback and language coaching between sessions.
- Scheduled 50+ veterans weekly for Compensation & Pension exams across 48 U.S. states and territories, meeting a contractually required 21-day turnaround.
- Educated and advised 100+ veterans daily on VA disability benefits, supportive services, and exam procedures.
- De-escalated irate, threatening, or potentially suicidal veteran contacts while maintaining a safe environment for staff and clients.
- Utilized the Operations Management System (OMS) to track and resolve 100+ daily veteran concerns across 48 states and 5 international sites.
- Provided weekly coaching and essential training to 33+ call center representatives.
- Advised 200+ military and veteran students on transitional resources and VA benefits through peer counseling, mentoring, and structured outreach.
- Spearheaded the creation of transitional programs including workshops, information sessions, a community resource database, and a student resource packet.
- Conceived and executed APU’s first Military & Veteran Resource Fair with 50+ community partners and $5,000 in clothing and food donations.
- Planned and executed APU’s first Veteran Awareness Week.
- Supervised and maintained inventory control over $200,000 in annual merchandise with 95% accuracy.
- Led a team of four in supply department operations across three deployments spanning 10 countries.
- Completed Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraq, 2006–2007), Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan, 2009), and RIMPAC (Hawaii, 2008).
- Earned the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS) pin.
Community Service Beyond Formal Roles
These experiences reflect a longer-standing pattern of community involvement—supporting vulnerable populations, organizing practical support, and creating spaces where people can find resources, connection, and encouragement.
Organized monthly meetings and outreach events connecting veteran job seekers with employers, federal and state agencies, and social support providers. Co-organized the 3rd Annual Heroes in the Shadows Homeless Veteran Stand Down, serving 500+ disadvantaged veterans and their families.
Oversaw a team of five in weekly operations for a Monday night young adult outreach ministry, managing event logistics and facilitating community connection across a diverse urban population.
Served across multiple outreach ministries supporting vulnerable communities throughout San Diego, including convalescent homes, homeless street outreach, and engagement with women in prostitution—offering encouragement, relationship, and connection to helpful resources.
Education and Certifications
Leadership development, organizational communication, and team performance in diverse professional settings.
Strategic management, ethics, human relations, and organizational change.
Instructional design models, adult learning theory, and educational technology integration.
Advanced coursework in theology, ethics, and communication.
Full-time immersion in grammar, conversation, and cross-cultural communication.
Intensive entrepreneurship and business-planning program for transitioning military veterans.
Completed Train-the-Trainer (TtT) requirements; qualified to deliver continuity planning curriculum.