Cleopatra Gooden-Simms
Brampton,Canada
Summary
Dynamic Senior Management professional recognized for crafting and executing innovative strategies that leverage changing market conditions. Proven ability to drive organizational growth through strategic planning and transformational leadership. Exceptional communication skills facilitate effective collaboration across teams, ensuring alignment with corporate vision. Committed to embracing new challenges that foster continuous improvement and operational excellence.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Program Manager/Legal Worker
Legal Aid Ontario
Toronto, Canada
12.2012 - Current
- Perform community outreach and training.
- Liaise with stakeholders in order to enhance awareness of available services for persons in need of legal services
- Reviewed customer feedbacks on a regular basis in order to identify potential areas of improvement in service delivery.
- Interview and triage clients an average of 300 clients each week who require the services of Legal Aid Ontario for criminal, civil and immigration matters and make entitlement decisions based on legal and financial information obtained from the client
- Developed and maintained project plans, schedules, and budgets.
- Prepare Affidavits and other legal documents for clients
Manager, HR & Operations – Mona Information Technology Services
The University of the West Indies
Mona
09.2005 - 12.2012
- Recruitment and Training of full time part time and contractual employees and Interns
- Supervision of Administrative and Clerical staff and report writing
- Events Management – planning training sessions, seminars, conferences, team building events, meetings etc
- Liaising with the Students Loan Bureau, other departments and the general public on matters related to scholarships, bursaries and grants
- UWI Company Administrator, Skillsoft online Learning systems
Principal
Solid Base Group of Schools
Spanish Town, St. Catherine
09.2009 - 06.2012
- Directed the implementation of district initiatives such as Response to Intervention program, Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports system and 1, 1 technology integration plan.
- Communicated regularly with parents about their children's academic progress.
- Managed budgeting process for school operations and allocated resources accordingly.
- Created an environment where all students feel valued regardless of their background or cultural identity.
Teacher
Solid Base Group of Schools
Spanish Town, St, Catherine
01.2000 - 08.2009
- Staff, university and pre-university (high school) students aged 14 – 18 years old
- Planned field trips to enrich students' educational experiences outside of the traditional classroom setting.
- Monitored student behavior in classrooms, hallways, cafeteria, playgrounds.
- Preparation of unit and lesson plans, ongoing assessment instruments, attendance registers and activities for classes
- Incorporated the use of technology in classes through such means as PowerPoint presentations, Smart board and online assessments
- Conducted workshops aimed at improving comprehension and writing skills
Banker
National Commercial Bank
03.1995 - 12.1999
- Held positions of Senior Foreign Exchange Officer, Teller, Audit & Savings Clerk, Customer Service Representative etc
Education
Ph.D. - Organizational Leadership
Concordia University Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, USA08-2025
Master of Laws - Canadian Common Law
York University
Toronto, ON03-2025
Master of Laws - Business Law
York University, Osgoode Hall Law School
01.2021
Course completed - Human Resources
Sheridan College/ACCES Employment
01.2014
Certificate of Qualification - Business Studies (Intermediate and Senior)
Ontario College of Teachers
Ontario01.2013
Florida Teacher Certifications - English Grades 6-12 & Professional Education Test
Florida Department of Education
USA10.2007
Master of Science Degree - Government (Public Administration/Management)
The University of the West Indies
01.2005
Post-graduate Diploma (Honours) - Education and Training
Vocational Training Development Institute
01.2005
Bachelor of Science Degree (Honours) - International Relations, Political Science
The University of the West Indies
01.2001
Diploma - Business Administration General
Excelsior Community College
01.1994
Skills
- Professional writing
- Program performance analysis
- Vendor sourcing
- Property & material management
- Change management
- Strategic planning
- Team training and development
- Regulatory compliance
- Operations management
Timeline
Program Manager/Legal Worker
Legal Aid Ontario
12.2012 - Current
Principal
Solid Base Group of Schools
09.2009 - 06.2012
Manager, HR & Operations – Mona Information Technology Services
The University of the West Indies
09.2005 - 12.2012
Teacher
Solid Base Group of Schools
01.2000 - 08.2009
Banker
National Commercial Bank
03.1995 - 12.1999
Ph.D. - Organizational Leadership
Concordia University Chicago
Master of Laws - Canadian Common Law
York University
Master of Laws - Business Law
York University, Osgoode Hall Law School
Course completed - Human Resources
Sheridan College/ACCES Employment
Certificate of Qualification - Business Studies (Intermediate and Senior)
Ontario College of Teachers
Florida Teacher Certifications - English Grades 6-12 & Professional Education Test
Florida Department of Education
Master of Science Degree - Government (Public Administration/Management)
The University of the West Indies
Post-graduate Diploma (Honours) - Education and Training
Vocational Training Development Institute
Bachelor of Science Degree (Honours) - International Relations, Political Science
The University of the West Indies
Diploma - Business Administration General
Excelsior Community College
Publications
- A critical analysis of Education’s role in averting criminal behaviour in three Toronto Housing Corporation enclaves, 2012
- The Effect of Improvement in the Jamaican educational system on the political behaviour of the poor: The Rise of accountability & the fall of partisan politics?, 2009
- An Evaluation of the Programme for Advancement through Health and Education (PATH) in the alleviation of Poverty in Jamaica, 2004
- The Impact of the Agents of Political Socialization on the voting preferences of finalizing undergraduate U.W.I. Students, 1999
Voluntary Experience
- Board Member/Member of the Board of Directors, Condominium Corporation, Peel Region, 2013 - Present
- Marketing and Outreach Executive Member, NAC, Brampton, 2011 - 2013
- Board Member, The Social Investment Fund, 2007 - 2010
- Vice President, Women of Vision, 2005 - 2007
- Teacher, Mona Rehabilitation Foundation, 2004 - 2009
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