Bethany Nelson
Knoxville
Summary
Executive leader with deep experience driving organizational success and fostering collaboration. Skilled in strategic planning, financial oversight, and stakeholder engagement. Known for adaptability, resilience, and delivering results in evolving environments. Strong interpersonal skills, effective communicator, and results-driven approach.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Director
American Foundation for Addiction Research
05.2024 - Current
- Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide operational strategy.
- Oversaw financial management, ensuring fiscal responsibility and long-term sustainability for the organization.
- Forge strong relationships with board members, providing regular updates on organizational progress and soliciting their expertise when needed.
- Monitored compliance with laws and regulations to protect organization from legal liabilities and penalties.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors, securing favorable terms while adhering to budgetary constraints.
- Collaborated with external organizations including non-profits, businesses and government agencies to create mutually beneficial partnerships.
Adjunct Faculty
Walter State Community College
01.2016 - Current
- Tracking accreditation metrics
- Course design and implementation
- Assist students with personal issues
- Implement active learning procedures
Director of Foundation Operations
National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers
01.2023 - 04.2024
- Plan and monitor day to day operation of the foundation
- Developed strategic initiatives for driving revenue growth and market expansion.
- Manage accounts receivable and accounts payable
- Evaluate efficiency of business procedures
- Fund generation, grant application and management
- Maintain and evaluate cybersecurity
- Oversee global communications
- Manage the process of dashboard design, including contract management and tech partner coordination
Major Gifts Director/Director of Access
United Way of Greater Knoxville
05.2020 - 12.2022
- As the Major Gifts Director I was responsible for securing over 50% of our organization’s revenue through individual gifts over $10,000
- As the Director of Access, I was responsible for the creation and implementation of direct services related to transportation
- Gift and donor management through the life cycle
- Public communications and public education
- Staff coordination and interdepartmental support
- Community and volunteer engagement
- Record keeping and confidentiality
- Partner agency coordination and communications
Development Coordinator
Muse Knoxville
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Monitor foundations and grant making institutions for opportunities
- Apply for applicable grants and manage funds when received
- Conducted prospect research to identify potential new donors, expanding the organization''s funding sources and opportunities.
- Plan for capital expansion campaigns and seek funding
- Served as primary contact for external inquiries from donors or prospective partners, providing timely and accurate information about the organization.
- Coordinate with education staff on initiatives
Marketing and Community Outreach Director
Nirvana Comics
01.2016 - 01.2020
- Identity low-income schools for special programs and maintain those relationships
- Installation of graphic novel libraries through schools and other community partners
- Strengthened community relationships by designing and implementing outreach programs.
- Supervise store hourly employee’s
- Coordinated with local organizations to increase community engagement.
- Enhanced program success with targeted community needs assessments.
Student Coordinator of Veterans Affairs
University of Tennessee
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Ensure transparency and communication with State officials
- Creating and heading a campus wide steering committee
- Improved student satisfaction by organizing effective communication channels.
- Recruitment, grant writing, policy revision
- Assisted in planning events to foster community and inclusivity among students.
- Facilitated workshops and seminars to provide students with learning opportunities.
- Collaborated with faculty and staff to address student concerns and improve services.
Education
PhD - Sociology
University of Tennessee
05.2022
MS - Justice Studies
Eastern Kentucky University
01.2015
Master’s - Public Administration
Eastern Kentucky University
01.2013
Bachelor of Arts -
Berea College
01.2012
Skills
- Program management
- Strategic planning
- Operations management
- Budgeting and financial management
- Staff management
- Public speaking
- Compliance and regulations
- Operational planning
- Marketing
- Fundraising
- Grant writing
- Research and data interpretation
Accomplishments
- Raised $4.1 million for 2020 campaign, an additional $1.1 million for COVID Response, $4.2 million for the 2021 campaign, an additional $25,000 for a local school that has been experiencing gun violence, $400,000 for racial and ethnic minority owned non-profits, and $405,000 raised for community matching funds.
- Hosted public education workshops around issues in childcare, health, and housing.
- Increased major donor pool by 15%.
- Identified gaps in donor engagement and created a position to address the need.
- Created (ongoing) a direct service to community residents providing free and low-cost auto repair based on an income sliding scale.
- Sought and received funds for take home STEMS kits for low-income youth during COVID pandemic.
- Secured sponsorships to fully fund one year of continued programming for Automotive Free Clinic.
- Helped the organization solicit funds to establish a brick-and-mortar location.
- Gathered funds to provide auto repair to over 100 individuals in south Alabama.
Activities in Leadership
- Rotary Club Member, Present
- Member of Phi Alpha Delta, Present
- Chair of Events Committee, Present
- Co-Chair of Community Service Committee, Present
- Board Member for the Automotive Free Clinic, Present
- Board Member for SPARK, Present
- Volunteer with East Knoxville Free Medical Clinic, Present
- Volunteer fund raiser for The Bottom, Present
- Water drive for Knox County Health Department
Timeline
Executive Director
American Foundation for Addiction Research
05.2024 - Current
Director of Foundation Operations
National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers
01.2023 - 04.2024
Major Gifts Director/Director of Access
United Way of Greater Knoxville
05.2020 - 12.2022
Development Coordinator
Muse Knoxville
01.2019 - 01.2020
Student Coordinator of Veterans Affairs
University of Tennessee
01.2018 - 01.2019
Adjunct Faculty
Walter State Community College
01.2016 - Current
Marketing and Community Outreach Director
Nirvana Comics
01.2016 - 01.2020
MS - Justice Studies
Eastern Kentucky University
Master’s - Public Administration
Eastern Kentucky University
Bachelor of Arts -
Berea College
PhD - Sociology
University of Tennessee
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