Kawanza Williams

• Work directly with leadership and talent acquisition for establishing a strategic tool for the organization’s growth, and the ability to attract and retain valuable employees. • Develop, execute and evaluate internal communication, to ensure the vision, values, initiatives and organizational information are communicated effectively. • Manage the life-cycle, and ownership of highly visible programs, such as; MTA Internships, CUNY Partnership, SYEP Summer Youth and AHRC Partnership for Inclusive Internships, and management functions of all programs under Internships, Fellowships and Partnerships. • Assist leadership by implementing a comprehensive onboarding/offboarding program including communication, processes, timekeeping and training. • Optimized training and development to maximize performance amongst all MTA interns and managers to ensure retention and job growth. • Liaised with MTA stakeholders and external partners to cultivate and grow lasting relationships. • Assist with the development and execution of employee engagement programs, and foster the company’s culture ensuring all initiatives are promoted and delivered. • Assess programs, feedbacks and involvement in considering creative ideas and needs. • Research and prepare information for thorough KPI reports.

• Ensure subcontractor performance meets agreed-upon terms and serves program needs by orchestrating all aspects of subcontract administration including designing RFPs and contract negotiation; collaborate with subcontractors including security, food and maintenance services contracted by City agencies such as DHS (Department of Homeless Services) and NYC YCDC (NYC Youth & Community Development). • Resolve outstanding contract matters by mediating with internal and external clients. • Utilize exemplary interpersonal skills to build productive relationships with both new and existing clients. • Facilitate optimal client satisfaction by managing the process of purchasing, ordering, stocking, shipment, and receiving of special inventory. • Maintain inventory supply monthly through itemizing merchandise stock and conducting new orders. • Oversee organization account to handle financial discrepancies as well as routine costs and billing. • Spearhead company human resource and talent strategy including planning for recruiting, retention, and succession in collaboration with HR leadership team. • Recruited new staff and direct all aspects of onboarding process from orientation to training sessions. • Administer employee pay, benefits and leave as part of HR duties. • Enforce company policies and practices as needed. • Create new health and safety procedures. • Formulate emergency protocol for staff and clients in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Developed a high-quality environment dedicated to providing an unparalleled customer experience by determining service and performance standards based on three elevated causal concepts of business operations. • Brainstormed company strategy plans with client executive management, President & CEO, COO, and marketing department. • Constructed productive ongoing relationships with vendors to purchase food and beverages. • Optimized cost control and operational efficiency of deliveries through monitoring vendors’ quality, timeliness, and compliance to company standards. • Strengthened business operations by hiring 15+ new employees and instructing them on business procedures, policies, duties, and customer care methods. • Handled daily closing procedures including balancing cash registers, reconciling transactions, and depositing earnings at bank. • Maintained functionality and quality of beverage and kitchen equipment through scheduling regular repair and maintenance operations.

• Initiated improvements to existing business processes in collaboration with GM and AGM, enabling company to achieve targeted goals; improved guest services scores and surveys. • Guided the combined efforts of 100+ team members across five departments, earning an approximate two percent increase in annual revenue. • Achieved best-in-class hospitality work award by demonstrating standout leadership and customer service standards daily. • Verified adherence to legal service requirements for alcohol and monitoring consumption to protect customers, team members, and business. • Liaised with vendors to cultivate and grow lasting relationships.