Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Timeline
Generic

KELLY SALERNO

Burlington,ON

Summary

Dynamic innovative leader with proven expertise in operations management and strategic leadership, honed at Region of Waterloo and Peel. Excelled in fostering key relationships, driving fiscal oversight, and spearheading strategic projects. Achieved significant innovative improvements in tenant satisfaction and operational efficiency, showcasing strong negotiation, project management skills with a proven track record in results. Years of community engagement experience and relationship building with all of community and stakeholders in the sector including lived and living expertise. Strong Political acuity navigating extremely complex situations in regards to Housing affordability and Homelessness complexities. Exceptional leadership and team building skills leading to trusting relationships with staff, partners and tenants. Significant knowledge and expertise around the social determinant's of health and the importance for individuals to be respected and live with dignity in well maintained, safe and clean communities where they can call home.

Overview

33
33
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Associate Director Housing Operations

Region of Waterloo
04.2021 - 10.2024
  • Led teams of up to 70 personnel, supervising managers, executive assistants and policy staff
  • Prepared reports/presentations for Committee and Council meetings monthly
  • Mentored junior staff members, providing guidance on professional development opportunities and career progression paths within the company.
  • Established strong relationships with key industry partners, creating mutually beneficial opportunities for growth and collaboration.
  • Oversaw & participated in annual budget planning processes, ensuring financial goals were met while maintaining optimal resource allocation across the department.
  • Implemented data-driven, best practice decision-making strategies, leading to more informed business choices and positive outcomes.
  • Leveraged data and analytics to make informed decisions and drive business improvements.
  • Defined clear targets and objectives for the division
  • Fostered a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging staff to share innovative ideas and providing resources for professional development/mentorship.
  • Approved multimillion dollar operational and program related budgets managing funding from the Province, the Federal Governments and the Tax Levy.
  • Assisted the Commissioners/CAO leadership in managing all aspects of operations in Housing and Homelessness Programs with an expertise in Encampment Response.

Manager Waterloo Region Housing

Region Of Waterloo
04.2020 - 04.2021
  • Managed, motivated and led a team of 40 employees and students
  • Led multiple successful key tenant initiatives to implementation
  • Built strong internal and external stakeholder relationships
  • Enhanced customer satisfaction by resolving disputes promptly, maintaining open lines of communication, and ensuring high-quality service delivery to all tenants and community

Supervisor of Homelessness

Region Of Peel
10.1991 - 04.2020
  • Oversaw daily operations of the department, ensuring smooth workflow and timely completion of tasks.
  • Applied strong leadership talents and problem-solving skills to maintain team efficiency and organize workflows.
  • Demonstrated leadership and program expertise in managing all Emergency Shelter operations including Outreach teams, Supportive housing and transitional operations (seniors, youth, families, immigrants)
  • Collaborated with multiple service providers running shelters and homelessness programs
  • Ensured operational targets for service providers by managing both contract management and contract administration.
  • Conducted performance evaluations for staff members, identifying areas of improvement and guiding professional development plans.
  • Managed CUPE staff and collective agreement negotiations.

Manager Peel Housing Corporation

Region Of Peel
01.2019 - 01.2020
  • Developed the first Tenant Satisfaction Survey for Peel Housing Corporation linked to the Corporate Strategic Plan.
  • Accomplished multiple new initiatives working with the homelessness waitlist for Peel.
  • Responsible for the oversight and programming of over 80 Community Housing Buildings in Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga
  • Responsible for over 10 Property Managers overseeing shelters, community housing buildings , transitional housing and human trafficking residences.
  • Enhanced customer satisfaction by resolving disputes promptly, maintaining open lines of communication, and ensuring high-quality service delivery.

Education

Social Service Worker - Social Services

Sheridan College
Brampton, ON

Skills

  • Strategic leadership & planning
  • Key relationship management/development
  • Innovative project development
  • Budgeting/fiscal expertise
  • Stakeholder engagement including DEI and lived experience
  • Program coordination
  • Negotiation
  • Strategic projects
  • Recruitment and hiring
  • Operations/Project Management
  • Political Acuity
  • Crisis & Emergency Management
  • Corporate Governance

Accomplishments

    Lead and implemented the first Hybrid Tiny Home Shelter Community in the Region of Waterloo with 50 cabins

    Developed the first Tenant Satisfaction Survey and Security Masterplan in community housing leading to safer and better maintained buildings

    Worked in collaboration with Paramedics to bring Paramedicine programs to seniors in Waterloo Region Community Housing

    Lead a large planning team to develop the first Plan to End Chronic Homelessness in Waterloo Region

    Purchased 2 permanent locations to implement transitional and emergency shelters

    Implemented new shelter frameworks to operate emergency shelters 24/7 within the sector

    Responsible for the oversight of Waterloo Regions Masterplan building 500 units of community housing a year from 50 units per year

    Worked in collaboration with facilities staff to update the workorder system and service level standards for tenants seeking building improvements decreasing workorder wait times

Certification

  • Change Management Certified- Prosci
  • Certified in Emergency Response (IMS 100,200,300) EMO
  • Board Governance for Non - Profits Mindbridge Strategies
  • Philanthropy for Non Profits- Cathy Mann & Associates

Timeline

Associate Director Housing Operations

Region of Waterloo
04.2021 - 10.2024

Manager Waterloo Region Housing

Region Of Waterloo
04.2020 - 04.2021

Manager Peel Housing Corporation

Region Of Peel
01.2019 - 01.2020

Supervisor of Homelessness

Region Of Peel
10.1991 - 04.2020

Social Service Worker - Social Services

Sheridan College

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