Martin Thomas

Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with ten years’ experience facilitating large-scale social service projects and completing non-profit organization projects from start-to-finish; led a five-year youth housing project in partnership with the Rapid Rehousing Program and provided permanent housing to 500 homeless youth; developed and taught a 14-week employment curriculum to 200 Ukrainian, Syrian, and Afghani refugees with a 95% employment retention by the end of the classes.

My leadership style is driven by a strong vision, determination, and an unwavering commitment to success. I believe in empowering team members, fostering a culture of innovation, and maintaining an open line of communication. I lead cross-functional teams within non-profit organizations by building my teams' core competencies and training employees based on individual needs. I coordinated and directed a team at Catholic Charities of translators that streamline communication, and minimize errors. I facilitated the successful translation of more than 500 pages of legal documents with 98% accuracy. I managed end-to-end intake process for 500+ adult clients.

I recently developed and implemented innovative employment programs for refugees; collaborated with cross-functional teams to design culturally appropriate materials and train volunteers, increasing program participation by 40% within first year. I led a team that designed and executed a 14-week program for 200 refugees, covering digital literacy, financial literacy, and employment policy; the program increased employment opportunities for refugees and promoted self-sufficiency. All program participants obtained employment with a 95% employment retention rate.

I specialize in creating and maintaining strategic partnerships. I am equally capable of driving system improvements, constantly seeking out opportunities to streamline processes and enhance efficiency. I believe in the power of collaboration and am always ready to navigate challenging landscapes to deliver the best possible results. Between 2015 and 2020, I served 1000+ homeless youth through the Rapid Rehousing initiative and obtained permanent housing for 500 homeless youth. I worked in collaboration with Frontline Services, EDEN Housing, Inc., YWCA Greater Cleveland, and other community partners.

I deliver a unique blend of skills, experience, and passion to drive change, create impact, and achieve results. Let's connect and collaborate!

Workforce Development Training Instructor (Contract)                                                Jan 2023 to Current

Catholic Charities Diocese of Cleveland                                                                                 Cleveland, OH

• Spearheaded the development and implementation of innovative employment programs for refugees; collaborated with cross-functional teams to design culturally appropriate materials and train volunteers, increasing program participation by 40% within first year.
• Directed a team of retention specialists to provide ongoing support to refugees who secured employment, ensuring team’s success by addressing its unique needs and challenges; program effectiveness reflected by 100% job placement rate among program participants.
• Led a team that designed and executed a 14-week program for 200 refugees, covering digital literacy, financial literacy, and employment policy; the program increased employment opportunities for refugees and promoted self-sufficiency.
• Coordinated and directed team of translators, streamlining communication, and minimizing errors; facilitated the successful translation of more than 500 pages of legal documents with 98% accuracy. 
• Managed end-to-end intake process for 500+ adult clients, ensuring compliance with all state and federal regulations; implemented new procedures that reduced errors by 40% and saved 5 hours per week in administrative work.

*Unemployed until Jan 2023 after being furloughed during the pandemic and continued education*

Facilities Management Associate                                                                              Sept 2019 to Mar 2020

Cleveland State University                                                                                                       Cleveland, OH

• Implemented a competency-based training program that focused on developing the skills and knowledge required to perform specific job functions; employee engagement rose by 25% and training costs decreased by 30%.
• Conducted root cause analysis on system errors, generated detailed reports with solutions and presented findings to management; reduced system failures by 30% and boosted uptime by 20%.
• Researched and analyzed industry trends and best practices to develop and implement a comprehensive training program for the staff, incorporating hands-on activities and interactive quizzes; achieved a 40% increase in staff engagement and improved overall staff performance by 30%.
• Investigated and resolved discrepancies in campus building utilities by implementing budget management strategy that reduced overcharging by 25% and maximized resource utilization by 30%.
• Conducted data analysis on customer behaviors and preferences using Excel's PivotTables and Power Query; developed a successful product recommendation engine that boosted sales by 30%.

Youth Homelessness Prevention Board Member                                                      May 2014 to Jan 2020 YWCA Greater Cleveland                                                                                                          Cleveland, OH

• Implemented planning and scheduling of high-impact projects at monthly team meetings, collaborating with cross-functional team members to improve the homeless and child welfare systems; recorded and disseminated comprehensive meeting notes to ensure alignment and accountability.
• Spearheaded a team of 10 advocates to initiate a comprehensive survey on homelessness in the community; developed strategic plan by utilizing survey results that increased homeless youth services enrollment by 20% and increased government funding by $1 million over 5 years.
• Liaised community program leaders and advocates to develop and implement an outreach strategy targeting underserved communities; raised awareness and enrollment in programs by 30% within 6 months.
• Established and nurtured strategic relationships with 100+ community partnerships and organizations to identify and address the most pressing needs of young adults and children; delivered essential resources and support to 1000+ individuals in need.
• Formed and maintained partnerships with 8 local organizations that secured $150k in donations and providing vocational training to 500+ youth.

Education

MBA: Business Administration and Management 

Cleveland State University - Cleveland, OH

Bachelor of Arts: Communications, English

Cleveland State University - Cleveland, OH

Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification- Project Management Institute

Remote Online Notary- Ohio Secretary of State