Myeisha Essex
Lincoln
Summary
Dynamic leader, excelling in strategic planning and financial management. Expert in program development and staff development, fostering diversity and operational efficiency. Adept at public speaking and team collaboration, driving impactful initiatives that enhance organizational effectiveness and community engagement.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Operating Officer
YWCA Lincoln
Lincoln
08.2020 - Current
- Provide effective and inspiring leadership by being actively involved in all programs and services, developing a broad and deep knowledge of their purpose, role and contributions to the organization.
- Serve as an advisor and co-strategist to the Chief Executive Officer, providing sound counsel and confidentiality.
- Ensure YWCA Lincoln’s external programming and internal culture, policies and practices align with the organization’s commitment to diversity, inclusion and engagement.
- Provide a supportive day-to-day leadership presence for staff.
- Work with and support the Chief Executive Officer to develop and implement strategies around communications, marketing, membership, website and database.
- Oversee and analyze success and challenges with current programs and services. In collaboration with the leadership team, design and develop program offerings and metrics based on analysis, in accordance with strategic plan, and in support of organization’s mission, to increase depth and breadth of impact.
- Develop long-term strategies for organizational staffing and structure that ensure YWCA Lincoln’s current and future needs are met.
- Work with the Directors of each department to create program budgets, offer a critical eye regarding different assumptions, and deliver (in collaboration with the Chief Executive Officer) an organization-wide budget based on input from each program area.
- Ensure continued financial viability through sound fiscal management.
- Work with the Chief Executive Officer, Development Manager and fundraising team to align financial management with short- and long-term fundraising planning and projections.
- Lead, coach, develop, and retain senior-level employees.
- Develop staff using a supportive and collaborative approach: assign accountabilities; set objectives; establish priorities; and monitor and evaluate ongoing progress toward goals and overall performance.
- Provide mentorship and guidance, and alleviate and address individual and group concerns as necessary.
- Lead development, planning, implementation, and analysis of special projects and initiatives as needed.
- Attend and participate in Board and Executive Committee meetings.
- Represent the organization externally, including speaking at public events and meetings.
- Co-host of the organization’s podcast, The W.
Eureka! Coordinator
Girls Inc of Lincoln
Lincoln
07.2018 - 08.2020
- Girls Inc. Eureka! Program is an intensive, five-year STEM program that builds girls’ confidence and skills through hands-on opportunities in math, science, technology, sports, and careers. Serving girls from grades 7th-12th, Eureka! aims to increase girls’ future options for academic achievement and careers, to encourage enrollment in college-bound math and science courses, to promote positive risk-taking, and to assist girls in developing networks of peers and mentors to support their future endeavors.
- Recruit, orient and support new Eureka! cohorts of 25-30 girls and their families each year.
- Support existing cohorts of girls (up to 100 girls, 4 cohorts and their families).
- Partner closely with UNL faculty and students to plan and implement the campus based portion of the program (first and second year cohorts).
- Recruit, orient, and support summer externship site sponsors at companies located throughout the Lincoln area with an emphasis on paid externship sites (third and fourth year cohorts).
- Plan and implement college prep activities (5th year cohort).
- Plan and coordinate special programs and events throughout the year to maintain girls’ interest and cohort cohesion (field trips, graduation ceremonies, parent sharing events, team building activities, etc…).
- Work well with existing program partners and recruit new partners as necessary.
- Supervise Eureka! assistant, facilitators and educators.
- Participate in collaborative agency efforts to serve and advocate for girls in STEM.
STEM Program Coordinator
YWCA Lincoln
Lincoln
07.2018 - 08.2020
- The STEM Coordinator supports and provides leadership for the organization’s STEM initiative for youth development in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. This position collaborates on all levels of the organization on STEM activities and ensures the initiatives are being met for the Empowerment and Economic Advancement of Women and Girls.
- Lead and supervise STEM facilitators as contracted with LPS CLC after school programs in STEM related activities, following curriculum provided by YWCA Lincoln.
- Establish in the development of new STEM curriculum and course outcomes.
- Ensure the safety of Club participants and facilitators.
- Maintain attendance and general statistical information for program participants.
- Facilitate participation of program volunteers and guest speakers, when scheduled.
- Communicate with school, Community Learning Centers, STEM facilitators, and YWCA staff members to ensure coordination of Club activities.
- Plan and implement STEM special events or workshops, upon request in collaboration with YWCA staff and community partners.
- Complete any required grant reports in a timely matter. This includes coordinating information with YWCA Finance Manager.
- Facilitate STEM clubs when other Club facilitators are not available.
- Participate in tracking budget detail; monitor accurate spending according to allocations.
Community Learning Center, CLC Site Coordinator
Civic Nebraska
Lincoln
01.2016 - 06.2018
- In my role of CLC Community Coordinator, I serve as an advocate for youth, families, and neighborhood residents with the primary responsibility of planning, implementation and oversight of the extended day program. Additionally, my focus is the development of activities and services that lead to stronger families and healthier neighborhoods.
- Act as a representative of CLC initiative at school and community functions.
- Develop integrated advocacy, planning and promotional activities.
- Work to develop the School Neighborhood Advisory Committee.
- Develop, facilitate, and assist with maintaining effective working relationships with and between residents, citizen groups, organizations and other community stakeholders.
- Recommend and oversee contracts / MOUs developed for CLC.
- Complete necessary reports and maintain statistical records.
- Review and analyze monthly financial reports.
- Plan, schedule and direct daily routines, activities and operations of CLC.
- Identify and seek to make available programs and services that meet the mission and goals of the CLC in concert with the school and lead agency.
- Maintain community service resource information to promote available opportunities.
- Develop and maintain public relations strategies that increase the awareness and utilization of the CLC activities.
- Recruit, orient, supervise and evaluate performance of CLC staff and volunteers.
- Provide leadership, support and growth opportunities for CLC staff, volunteers and other providers who may interact with CLC activities.
Community Learning Center, Arts & Humanities Academy Leader
Civic Nebraska
Lincoln
07.2013 - 12.2015
- The Arts & Humanities Academy is a part of a unique structure that falls under the Community Learning Center. The mission of the Dawes Middle School Community Learning Center, located in Lincoln, Nebraska is to provide opportunities and support services to students in the areas of leadership, careers, and community engagement.
- Recruit, hire and train club instructors in collaboration with the Site Coordinator.
- Evaluate lesson plans.
- Collect and report data.
- Provide leadership for club instructors.
- Plan and teach two clubs.
Education
B.A. - Political Science
Howard University
Washington, DC05.2013
High School Diploma -
Lincoln Southeast High School
Lincoln, NE05-2009
Skills
- Financial management
- Strategic planning
- Program development
- Budget oversight
- Diversity engagement
- Operational efficiency
- Staff development
- Effective leadership
- Problem solving
- Team collaboration
- Public speaking
- Performance evaluation
- Knowledge in Google Workspace and
Microsoft Word applications
References
Available upon request.
Personal And Community Engagement
- I am a working actress that has been in theatrical productions in Lincoln and Omaha Nebraska. I have had the amazing opportunities of securing roles in tv/film.
- I am a current Board Member of the Lincoln Community Playhouse as well as serving on their Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility committee.
- Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
- 2025 Lincoln Chamber of Commerce Young Nonprofit Professional of the Year.
Timeline
Chief Operating Officer
YWCA Lincoln
08.2020 - Current
Eureka! Coordinator
Girls Inc of Lincoln
07.2018 - 08.2020
STEM Program Coordinator
YWCA Lincoln
07.2018 - 08.2020
Community Learning Center, CLC Site Coordinator
Civic Nebraska
01.2016 - 06.2018
Community Learning Center, Arts & Humanities Academy Leader
Civic Nebraska
07.2013 - 12.2015
B.A. - Political Science
Howard University
High School Diploma -
Lincoln Southeast High School