Employment History
Moonpup Productions
Creative Director and Owner | August 2009 – Present | Lafayette, CO
Moonpup Productions provides print and website graphic design services to companies and nonprofit organizations with a focus on improving branding consistency and messaging.
- Design logos and print materials, and website design and development for clients.
- Assist clients in developing their brand to initiate design work and save clients money.
- Oversee team throughout the design and development process.
- Revenues increased an average of 27% per year since founding of company.
Snowy Hydro SouthCare Helicopter Fund
Public Relations and Fundraising Manager | September 2007 – January 2009 | Canberra, Australia
The Snowy Hydro SouthCare Helicopter Fund raises financial and regional support so the rescue helicopter can continue to save the lives of people in southeastern Australia.
- Team successfully raised $882,000 towards the company’s $3.2 million operating budget.
- Created and implemented a corporate brand that accurately reflected the company and effectively communicated with donors, sponsors, volunteers and potential funders.
- Established a Corporate Sponsorship program, recruited sponsors to the program, fulfilled sponsorship benefits and assessed sponsor satisfaction.
- Designed, edited, print managed, and wrote copy for all PR and marketing collateral.
- Served as a liaison to the media for helicopter missions and company events.
- Event Planner for black-tie functions, sponsorship launches and community events.
- Served as acting CEO as needed.
Indigenous Community Volunteers
Volunteer Coordinator | October 2006 – July 2007 | Canberra, Australia
Indigenous Community Volunteers is a nonprofit organization that links Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with volunteers to complete skill transfer projects. ICV works in partnership with communities to provide access to the skills and knowledge that the communities have requested.
- Maintained and repaired company’s national volunteer database. Analyzed database to create reports assessing recruitment, volunteer usage and maps showing service areas.
- Event Planner for the company’s ten-year anniversary event, 1,000 Projects: 1,000 Volunteers.
- Wrote editorials and marketing copy, edited and print managed marketing collateral.
- Liaised with national media regarding distribution of media releases and editorials.
- Organized logistics and materials for the monthly Cross-Cultural Awareness Workshop.
El Pomar Foundation
Fellow | June 2004 – April 2006 | Colorado Springs, CO
El Pomar Foundation is a private foundation established to encourage and promote the current and future well being of the people of Colorado through grantmaking and community stewardship programs.
- Selected through national recruiting process for prestigious two-year fellowship.
- Coordinated a community organizing initiative for local rural leaders resulting in $150,000 in grants to Colorado nonprofits. Designed and facilitated a strategic planning retreat for the 15-member staff.
- Implemented a high school leadership and philanthropy program with ten schools, resulting in the distribution of over $80,000 in grants to Colorado nonprofits.
- Directed a statewide program for senior citizens to participate in service projects and grant-making with Colorado nonprofits. Managed a staff of four and a $65,000 annual budget.
- Prepared logistics and correspondence for over 40 speakers at a two-day leadership conference attended by 350 people.
- Provided funding recommendations to the company’s Board of Directors on small grants ($5-10K each) totaling $122,000.
- Completed training courses in fundraising, business writing, public speaking, nonprofit finances, investment strategies, styles of conflict, nonprofit law, and management techniques.
Service Learning and Civic Engagement Office
Student Coordinator | Sept 2002 – May 2004 | Fort Collins, CO
CSU’s Service Learning and Volunteer Programs Office provides students with leadership and service learning opportunities to enrich their university experience and lend a hand to community solutions.
- Full-time University student at the time of employment.
- Coordinated the Alternative Spring Break program, sending 80 college students to communities across the US to volunteer with projects focused on issues relating to HIV/AIDS, homelessness, the environment and Native American communities.
- Designed marketing materials and recruited students to join the self-funded trips.
- Instituted a scholarship program and pre-trip education requirement that included diversity education, community involvement training and research about the project’s region.
- Led nine college students on two Alternative Spring Break trips to White Earth Indian Reservation, MN (2004) and Española, NM (2003); organized logistics for the trips and facilitated subsequent reflection sessions for the students.
The American Red Cross
Family Services Case Worker | Nov 2001 – Dec 2001 | New York, NY
The American Red Cross is the premier emergency response organization in the United States.
- Interviewed 10-15 victims of 9/11 disaster daily for five weeks; assessed their physical and mental health needs, obtained aid approval, and directed victims to appropriate services.
- Represented the American Red Cross in national print and electronic media.
AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps
Assistant Team-leader | Jan 2001 – Nov 2001 | Denver, CO
AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps is a year-long full-time, team-based, national service program for men and women age 18-24.
- Tutored first-graders in reading by integrating art and reading, Aurora, IL.
- Renovated an abandoned school for use as a Boys & Girls Club of America to serve underprivileged, inner-city, Benton Harbor, MI.
- Completed post-flood disaster relief clean-up efforts, Houston, TX.
- Completed prairie and riverbank restoration, Junction, TX, and Golden City, MO.
Education
Colorado State University (CSU)
B.F.A. 1999 – 2004
Fort Collins, CO, USA
- Bachelor of Fine Arts majoring in studio art, minor in creative writing as an honors program participant.
- Completed an independent study project entitled The Use of Service-Learning on Indian Reservations.
- Received CSU’s C.O.R.E. award for community service and leadership contributions.
- Attended CSU’s 2003 and 2004 Multicultural Leadership Retreats.
- Held two solo art shows in CSU’s Mini Gallery, with one focused on the United States’ relationship to the international community during the start of the second Iraq War.
Service
- Transport food that would go to waste from local grocery area food banks through the DIVE program, 2016-present.
- Organize annual Giving Party to increase community participation in and awareness of philanthropy, 2015-present.
- Prepare and serve breakfast to homeless people through the Boulder Outreach for Homeless Overflow, 2013-present.
- Helped teach English to students of all ages and their teachers, Cianjur, Indonesia, 2009.
- Completed a year of service with the Fundraising Institute of Australia’s Chapter 6 Executive Committee, organizing professional development activities for the national capital region, Canberra, Australia, 2007-2008.
- Completed a Skills Transfer Project through Indigenous Community Volunteers, helping an Aboriginal Elder write a business plan for the Monaroo Bobberrer Gudu Aboriginal Cultural Centre in Eden, NSW, Australia, 2007.
- As a Board member of the Senior Resource Council, completed a development audit, implemented and oversaw development committee and organized a Board retreat, Colorado Springs, CO, 2005-2006.
Publications and Speaking Engagements
- Presented, “Teaching Compassion through Service Learning,” Ascent MOPS, Louisville, CO January 2017.
- Founded and authored Happy Go Give: Spread a Little Happy website and blog, December 2014.
- Polis J., Reconciliation—Hope Style, National Indigenous Times; January 25, 2007.
- Polis J., From Business to Bush, Public Administration Today, 10:42-44, 2007.
- Emcee for the San Luis Valley Penrose Nonprofit Institute Grants Presentation, 2006.
- Retreat facilitator for the Senior Resource Council of Colorado Springs, 2006.
- Panel facilitator for the Colorado Leadership Alliance Conference, Colorado Springs, 2005.
- Emcee for Alternative Spring Break kick-off and closing receptions, 2003 and 2004.
- Polis J., Student Reflects on Volunteer Experience with NY Red Cross, The Rocky Mountain Collegian, September 12, 2002.
- Polis J., Give To Those Who Need It, The Rocky Mountain Collegian, October 11, 2002.
- Keynote speaker at CSU’s candlelight vigil for the first anniversary of 9/11, Fort Collins, CO, September 2002.
Courses and Training
- A member of the Inaugural class of Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA) Leadership Arts program, Colorado Springs, CO, 2003-2004.
- Attended the 2006 Association of Fundraising Professionals Conference, Atlanta, GA, and the 2007 Fundraising Institute of Australia Conference, Melbourne, Australia.