Joy Thompson
Whitewater,CO
Summary
My Why: I'm driven to create lasting impact by building strong relationships, mobilizing resources, and advancing mission-focused work that truly matters. With over 14 years in executive leadership, I've led successful fundraising efforts, built dynamic community partnerships, and fueled meaningful organizational growth. My experience spans nonprofit management, marketing, advocacy, start-up leadership, and mediation. As the founder of two collaborative associations and a Certified Volunteer Administrator, I bring purpose, strategy, and heart to everything I do-always with a deep commitment to service and social change.
Professional with extensive experience in founding and managing businesses, demonstrating exceptional leadership and strategic planning capabilities. Proven track record in creating and implementing effective business strategies, fostering team collaboration, and driving growth. Known for adaptability and results-focused approach, excelling in dynamic and fast-paced environments.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Executive Director
Court Appointed Special Advocates of Mesa County
08.2013 - 07.2025
- Developed volunteer advocacy program with positive growth of volunteer base by 500% over a five year period.
- Built and launched several new advocacy programs, including developing a new training structure, online database, case management system, targeted recruitment plan, engagement program, and evaluation program.
- Leadership for twelve employees, ten interns, and 136 volunteers.
- Maintain a high level of Board communication and development with oversight of executive committees and fundraising execution.
- Outreach activities including press releases, media interviews, presentations, marketing, newsletters, website management, and networking.
- Fundraising activities include grant writing, large-scale events, donor acquisition, donor engagement, and earned revenue streams: financial oversight, budgeting, and bookkeeping for the agency.
- Authored a book describing the role of the court appointed special advocate, which earns revenue for the organization.
- Responsible for tracking all data for the program and managing fund development for the organization.
- Developed extended volunteer and child advocacy programs, including CASAMC Peer Coach Program, CASAMC Fostering Futures Program, and CASAMC Life Long Links program.
- Program developer and lead trainer for court-ordered divorce parenting classes. SAFE Home Study supervisor and contractor.
- Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide operational strategy.
- Oversaw financial management, ensuring fiscal responsibility and long-term sustainability for the organization.
- Forge strong relationships with board members, providing regular updates on organizational progress and soliciting their expertise when needed.
- Monitored compliance with laws and regulations to protect organization from legal liabilities and penalties.
- Managed a diverse team of professionals, fostering a collaborative work environment for increased productivity.
- Fostered work culture of collaboration and inclusion to increase morale and reduce turnover.
- Built relationships with donors, government officials and other organizations to secure funding and support for organization.
- Promoted a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging professional development opportunities for staff members.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors, securing favorable terms while adhering to budgetary constraints.
- Represented organization to local public by giving presentations and speeches and participating in community events.
- Exercised appropriate cost control to meet budget restrictions and maximize profitability.
- Collaborated with external organizations including non-profits, businesses and government agencies to create mutually beneficial partnerships.
- Developed strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to expand the organization''s reach and influence.
- Drove strategic improvements to enhance operational and organizational efficiencies.
- Led successful fundraising campaigns, securing critical resources for program development and expansion.
- Advocated for organization and company mission to raise awareness and support.
- Maintained P&L and shouldered corporate fiscal responsibility.
- Managed financial, operational and human resources to optimize business performance.
- Achieved notable increases in public awareness through innovative social media strategies.
- Fostered culture of continuous improvement, introducing regular feedback mechanisms for staff and volunteers.
- Elevated event attendance and fundraising outcomes by organizing high-profile charity events.
- Maximized donor satisfaction and retention through personalized acknowledgment and engagement strategies.
- Drove significant growth in volunteer engagement by implementing targeted recruitment campaigns.
- Spearheaded new program initiatives to address unmet community needs and advance the organization''s mission.
- Created promotional materials and provided insightful information to social media, websites and print media to educate public.
- Implemented innovative marketing strategies to raise brand awareness and drive revenue growth.
- Set organizational goals and objectives to guide and direct company focus and achieve mission fulfillment.
Collaborative Mediator/Owner
Rise Above Mediation
10.2016 - Current
- Led interviews and collected evidence to support either side and achieve favorable resolutions.
- Drafted detailed legal documentation and meeting notes to support case files and move towards comprehensive conflict resolution.
- Read and analyzed details of legal disputes, absorbing minutia and often overlooked but critical information.
- Assisted clients in drafting agreements that accurately reflected negotiated terms and conditions of settlements.
- Applied deep understanding of relevant laws and policies to reach agreements.
- Built trust and rapport with disputing parties, enabling productive dialogue and effective problem solving.
Founder and President
Grand Valley Gives
10.2011 - Current
- Founded a collaboration of nonprofit organizations for the purpose of creating awareness for Colorado Gives Day.
- Grew collaboration from 7 participating agencies in 2011 to 60 agencies in 2024.
- Responsible for fundraising and awareness for local charitable giving.
- Grand Valley Gives has achieved a positive total donation growth of over 300 percent among its members since its inception in 2011.
- Developed a memorandum of understanding and fiscal structure for Grand Valley Gives. Formed a 501 (c) (3) for the collaboration of nonprofits.
- Manage all coalition functions from initial meetings through the execution of yearly events.
- Responsible for the budget and expenditures of the organization.
Founder/President/Treasurer
Western Slope Volunteer Management Association
10.2015 - Current
- Founded an association for professional volunteer managers on the Western Slope of Colorado, which includes 26 participating agencies.
- Developed the association structure to include educational opportunities and networking opportunities.
- Created an MOU and fiscal structure for the association.
- Responsible for the content of monthly meetings.
- Initiated and launched the first annual volunteer fair in Mesa County in 2016.
- Secured a national speaker and venue for the first annual volunteer leadership conference in 2017.
- Responsible for the association's event marketing, sales, planning, and budgeting.
Family Support Advocate/Forensic Interviewer
Western Slope Center for Children
01.2010 - 08.2013
- Responsible for coordinating with various governmental agencies to provide services to child victims of sexual abuse.
- Completed victim assistance referrals and provided court support services to victims and families.
- Forensic Interviewer who provided interviews with victims of abuse.
- Coordination and processing of sexual assault medical exams for children and adults.
- Managed agency donor database, including fundraising and all communications.
- Director of website development, email marketing campaign, WordPress, and WIX platforms. Management of fundraising platforms.
Education
BBA - Management
Colorado Mesa University
Grand Junction, CO01.2009
Skills
- Visionary Leadership
- Public speaking and interviewing
- Marketing and Communication
- Fund Development and Program Development
- Training and classroom instruction
- Volunteer Leadership
- Collaboration
- Entrepreneurial and innovative
- Community outreach
- Profit and loss management
- Human resources
- Business administration
- Human resources
- Financial administration
- Board reporting
- Policies and procedures development
- Community outreach
- Profit and loss management
- New business development
- Articulate communication
- Annual planning
- Business administration
- Human resources
- Financial administration
- Board reporting
- Policies and procedures development
- Community outreach
- Profit and loss management
- New business development
- Articulate communication
- Annual planning
- Business administration
- Human resources
- Financial administration
- Board reporting
- Policies and procedures development
- Community outreach
- Profit and loss management
- New business development
- Articulate communication
- Annual planning
- Business administration
- Human resources
- Financial administration
- Board reporting
- Policies and procedures development
- Community outreach
- Profit and loss management
- New business development
- Articulate communication
- Annual planning
Certification
- National CASA Leadership Council, 2024-01-01, 2025-01-01
- Veritus Mid-Level Fundraising Cert., 2024
- Frame Up Funding Cohort, 2023
- Level Up Fundraising Cohort, 2023
- Appointed to Division of Youth Services Western Region Community Board, 2018-06-01
- Nonprofit Leadership and Management, Colorado Nonprofit Association, 2019
- Collaborative Mediator, Phoenix Strategies, 2017
- Certified in Volunteer Management, Council for Certification in Volunteer Admin., 2017
- SAFE Home Studies, Certification and Supervisor Training, Consortia for Kids, 2016
- Executive Director Academy, JVA Consulting, 2015
Timeline
Collaborative Mediator/Owner
Rise Above Mediation
10.2016 - Current
Founder/President/Treasurer
Western Slope Volunteer Management Association
10.2015 - Current
Executive Director
Court Appointed Special Advocates of Mesa County
08.2013 - 07.2025
Founder and President
Grand Valley Gives
10.2011 - Current
Family Support Advocate/Forensic Interviewer
Western Slope Center for Children
01.2010 - 08.2013
BBA - Management
Colorado Mesa University
Personal Information
Title: Experienced Executive Director
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