Open to opportunities

Drea Weiner

@dreaweiner

Message

Strategic community engagement leader driving rural tech ecosystems and equitable economic development.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I seek a senior role where I can lead community-driven tech and workforce initiatives, use data to measure impact, build partnerships, and grow equitable opportunities for rural regions.

I am a strategic community engagement leader with 10+ years building rural innovation ecosystems, driving tech-based economic development, and aligning education, business, and community stakeholders.

I have managed multi-year grant portfolios and budgets (directed a $500K annual budget), supervised teams and independent contractors, and founded a regional Advisory Council that continues to operate after my tenure.

In my roles I provide strategic coaching, design and deliver regional conferences and professional development, and use data-driven decision making to track performance metrics and improve program outcomes.

I am a thought leader with national platform experience (ISTE), skilled in building trust-based partnerships, grant development, DEI leadership, and sustaining measurable progress for rural communities.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Network Coordinator

Current

Center on Rural Innovation

Jan 2024 - Present (2 years 1 month)

Drive community success and member engagement across a 43-community Rural Innovation Network, providing strategic coaching, tracking engagement metrics, and facilitating cross-community collaboration to accelerate tech-economy development.

Community Engagement Network Management Data Analysis Onboarding Program Evaluation

Regional MiSTEM Network Director

Northwest Education Services

Jan 2018 - Dec 2023 (5 years 11 months)

Led strategic planning, $500K annual grant management, and team supervision across a 7-county region, founding a 5.5-year Advisory Council and coordinating 100+ cross-sector stakeholders to advance STEM education and workforce goals.

Grant Management Budgeting Stakeholder Engagement Strategic Planning Team Supervision Program Development Conference Planning

STEM Education Specialist

Northwest MI Works! Inc.

Jan 2015 - Dec 2018 (3 years 11 months)

Delivered professional development, curriculum design, and coaching to educators and industry partners to integrate STEM curriculum and strengthen the regional workforce pipeline through data-driven metrics and strategic partnerships.

Curriculum Design Professional Development Instructional Coaching Program Evaluation Partnership Building Presentation Data Driven Decision Making

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Central Michigan University

Master of Public Administration, Public Administration

Completed a Master of Public Administration with focus on public-sector leadership and program management, conferred May 2023.

Lilly Family School of Philanthropy - The Fundraising School

Certificate, Philanthropy / Fundraising

Completed a certificate on Developing Annual Sustainability (fundraising and sustainability practices), awarded November 2016.

Northern Michigan University

Bachelor of Science, STEM Education

Earned a Bachelor of Science degree, conferred May 2012, with coursework and experience supporting STEM education and workforce development initiatives.