Christie Smith McKeithen

Experienced Executive Director with a demonstrated history of success managing advisory councils, supervisory boards, special projects, public policy initiatives, strategic operations, grants, and systemic, multi-state, and public service programs in government administration, professional non-profit organizations, vocational ministry, and private corporations. Solution-focused, compassionate, highly-organized, and results driven, skilled in strategic planning, technical and grant writing, public relations, motivational leadership, mentoring, sales, forecasting, fundraising, donor stewardship, professional networking, project launch, and staff and volunteer organization management. Highly knowledgable of legislative process, governmental affairs, parliamentary procedures, and multi-agency coordination. Objective, collaborative, and a negotiator, experienced in actively engaging diverse groups across political aisles in a collaborative, problem-solving manner and achieving positive results. Former elementary and middle school educator, highly knowledgeable of K-12 Louisiana education policy, early childhood research, IDEA policy, and federal programs, ACES longitudinal study, and best practices in instructional design. Former supervisors and colleagues would describe me as a “go-getter,”enthusiastic, flexible, and able to complete high-volume, high-demand tasks to successful completion in a timely manner. Serving as the “face” of numerous organizations, keenly aware of the responsibility of representing organization positively at all times in both personal and professional conduct. Excellent writing abilities, including technical writing, strategic messaging, press releases, narratives for marketing/website, organization-wide communication, personable communication, speech writing, public speaking and presentation skills. Writing samples available upon request. Obtained Bachelor of Science (BS) in Secondary Education, with a concentration in English from Louisiana State University in 2003.