Jennifer L. Blades Ph.D.
Los Angeles
Summary
Mission-driven nonprofit leader with extensive experience in human services, early childhood education, and organizational development. Demonstrated success in managing multimillion-dollar budgets and leading high-performing teams to enhance service delivery and operational effectiveness.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Managing Director
ECE Training Solutions
Los Angeles
01.2022 - 01.2026
- Leading the design and implementation of executive-level training in leadership development, HR strategy, adult learning, and organizational culture.
- Partnered with public agencies and community-based organizations to enhance workplace climate, improve DEI practices, and strengthen staff development.
- Developed assessments and learning evaluations to improve service delivery and enhance professional outcomes.
- Provided strategic consultation to align organizational culture, performance systems, and operational goals.
Associate Executive Director
Plaza Community Services
Los Angeles
01.2019 - 01.2022
- Led implementation of organizational initiatives focused on workforce development, employee engagement, quality improvement, and operational efficiency.
- Directed strategic and operational activities for multiple programs, enhancing services for children, families, and community stakeholders.
- Supervised program managers to ensure effective program administration, compliance, education, family services, and site operations.
- Managed vendor relationships, oversaw facilities, administered contracts, and coordinated capital improvement projects across multiple sites.
- Led internal audits and ensured adherence to licensing, grant, and agency regulations.
Early Head Start Program Director
Plaza Community Services
Los Angeles
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Directed program operations for Early Head Start centers across multiple sites, ensuring alignment with quality standards and community needs.
- Ensured compliance with federal Head Start Performance Standards, California Community Care Licensing regulations, and agency policies, safeguarding program integrity and funding.
- Oversaw budgets, enrollment processes, and reporting systems, fostering effective interagency partnerships to enhance service delivery.
- Led cross-disciplinary teams in providing comprehensive services to families.
Early Head Start Education Coordinator
Plaza Community Services
Los Angeles
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Created and delivered training sessions on developmentally appropriate practices, social-emotional learning, and inclusive classroom strategies.
- Provided targeted coaching to educators to strengthen instructional quality and align teaching practices with Head Start performance standards.
- Analyzed child assessment data to ensure classrooms met developmental benchmarks and adhered to program standards.
- Collaborated with enrollment team to enhance child retention and increase enrollment by identifying and addressing classroom and curriculum gaps.
- Facilitated cross-functional meetings to synchronize educational goals with recruitment and retention strategies.
Educational Researcher
Survey Research Management
Los Angeles
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Administered standardized child assessments (Woodcock-Johnson, CELF) to gather developmental data.
- Evaluated instructional environments through classroom observations using CLASS and ECERS tools to inform educational practices.
- Coordinated with school staff and administrators to schedule observations, ensuring minimal disruption to classroom activities.
- Compiled and submitted reports on classroom quality and student development to contribute to educational research initiatives.
Education
M.A. - Human Development - Organization Development & Leadership
Fielding Graduate University
Santa Barbara, CAPh.D. - Human Development - Organization Development
Fielding Graduate University
Santa Barbara, CAB.A. - Human Development - Early Childhood Development
Pacific Oaks College
Pasadena, CASkills
- Strategic Planning
- Program Oversight
- Budget Administration ($7M)
- Budget development
- Budget management
- Grant-Funded Programs
- Organizational Development
- Workforce leadership
- HR strategy
- Performance systems
- Data analysis
- Staff Leadership & Workforce Development
- Leadership development
- Human resources
Timeline
Managing Director
ECE Training Solutions
01.2022 - 01.2026
Associate Executive Director
Plaza Community Services
01.2019 - 01.2022
Early Head Start Program Director
Plaza Community Services
01.2018 - 01.2019
Early Head Start Education Coordinator
Plaza Community Services
01.2016 - 01.2018
Educational Researcher
Survey Research Management
01.2014 - 01.2016
M.A. - Human Development - Organization Development & Leadership
Fielding Graduate University
Ph.D. - Human Development - Organization Development
Fielding Graduate University
B.A. - Human Development - Early Childhood Development
Pacific Oaks College