JAMIE LAFOLLETTE
Soquel
Summary
Community-focused operations leader with 10+ years driving employee engagement, culture initiatives, and community impact programs. Proven track record scaling volunteer programs, building cross-functional partnerships, and creating experiences that connect people to purpose. Combines strategic program design with hands-on execution to deliver measurable results in remote and distributed environments.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Programs & Outreach Manager
Santa Cruz Children's Museum of Discovery
Santa Cruz
09.2024 - Current
- Transformed museum into community hub, expanding outreach from 5,000 to 30,000+ community members annually through strategic program development and partnerships
- Created and launched Slime Lab program serving 25,000+ participants annually through on-site programming and mobile activation at Santa Cruz County Fair (20,000 attendees)
- Revitalized volunteer program, recruiting and managing 100+ volunteers in first year, building sustainable community engagement infrastructure
- Planned and executed Touch a Truck community event serving 4,000+ attendees with 30+ vehicles; achieved profitability in inaugural year
- Led 10-year anniversary gala for 150 attendees, tripling annual donations and strengthening donor relationships
- Manage $30,000 program and marketing budget; tripled program revenue through strategic initiative development
- Oversaw Potter the Otter installation (2,000 sq ft temporary exhibit), coordinating logistics and operations for a 3-month run
- Built partnerships with nonprofits (Free Books for Kids - 2,000+ books distributed), local businesses, and community organizations
- Partner with the Rainbow Resource Center and Shared Adventures to ensure museum accessibility and lead staff training on inclusive practices.
- Supervise floor staff, volunteers, and interns, fostering development, and ensuring quality visitor experiences.
Chief of Staff to CPO & Culture Champion
Prime Trust
Remote
02.2022 - 02.2023
- Served as official Culture Champion for remote-first organization, partnering with CPO to build and nurture high-performing, cohesive team
- Designed and launched cross-department virtual mixers engaging 100+ employees, strengthening collaboration and connection across distributed teams
- Scaled product team by 100% in 3 months through strategic recruitment, onboarding, and team-building initiatives
- Spearheaded Asana-based operational infrastructure including product roadmap, standardized templates, and automated reporting across organization
- Collaborated with cross-functional leadership to improve resource management and Agile processes
Chief Executive Assistant
Squared Away (Chapter One, MGV)
Remote
08.2020 - 02.2022
- Planned and executed monthly Bay Area Kauffman Fellows networking events and holiday celebrations, managing budgets, vendors, and logistics
- Supported 9 executives across 2 VC firms through $40M fund closing, coordinating LP communications and investor relations
- Led operational efficiency initiatives including CRM implementation and stakeholder onboarding protocols
Office Manager & Executive Assistant to CEO
Paystand
Scotts Valley
12.2019 - 07.2020
- Planned and executed 30-person international team offsite in Mexico, coordinating cross-cultural logistics, activities, and daily operations to strengthen team cohesion
- Managed full-cycle recruiting, onboarding 20+ employees in 6 months while fostering positive company culture
- Led new office buildout within $50,000 budget, saving $20,000+ through resourceful sourcing and hands-on execution
- Streamlined international operations in Guadalajara, achieving $30,000 annual cost savings
Executive Operations Administrator & Project Manager
Lewis Tree Service
Santa Cruz
04.2017 - 12.2019
- Developed community outreach marketing strategy, increasing brand recognition while reducing expenses by $15,000 annually
- Managed HR operations including recruiting, onboarding, employee relations, and benefits administration
- Spearheaded technology integrations to streamline operations and improve organizational efficiency
Education
AA - Communications
Cabrillo College
Skills
- MacGyver Level Problem Solving
- Wild Ideas ~ Disciplined Execution
- Community Builder
- Chaos Tamer
- Event Planner ~ Experience Designer
- Operational Efficiency Nerd
- Strategic Mindset
- Constantly Evolving
- Curious and Coachable
Community Leadership And Volunteer Experience
- Artistic Director, Scotts Valley Haunted House, 01/01/16, Present, Lead annual fundraising initiative raising $300,000+ for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, serving 100,000+ community members., Mentor and develop 200+ high school students annually, providing creative direction, leadership training, and hands-on experience., Coordinate volunteers, manage production logistics, and build community partnerships to deliver large-scale charitable event.
- Firewise Community Leader, 01/01/24, Present, Organized neighborhood for Firewise USA certification, leading community safety and disaster preparedness initiatives., National advocate for homeowners insurance crisis; featured in Washington Post and Dr. Phil program.
- 4-H Co-Leader, Soquel 4-H, 01/01/21, Present, Guide 100+ youth annually through hands-on experiential learning, helping young people discover their passions and develop leadership skills.
- Equine Operations Manager, CZU Fire Evacuation Center, 01/01/20, 12/31/20, Coordinated emergency animal evacuation operations during CZU Lightning Complex fires.
Timeline
Programs & Outreach Manager
Santa Cruz Children's Museum of Discovery
09.2024 - Current
Chief of Staff to CPO & Culture Champion
Prime Trust
02.2022 - 02.2023
Chief Executive Assistant
Squared Away (Chapter One, MGV)
08.2020 - 02.2022
Office Manager & Executive Assistant to CEO
Paystand
12.2019 - 07.2020
Executive Operations Administrator & Project Manager
Lewis Tree Service
04.2017 - 12.2019
AA - Communications
Cabrillo College