
Verna L Hamilton
@vernalhamilton
I build workforce programs that turn human potential into sustainable opportunity.
What I'm looking for
At the Center for Employment Opportunities in Philadelphia, I led program operations supporting people recently released from incarceration as they pursued stable employment. I oversaw Vocational Services and Economic Opportunity delivery, compliance, staff development, recruitment, and data tracking.
Previously, at Converge Consulting, I led national health equity, education, and workforce-development initiatives that contributed to $2.65M in new business. At STRIVE, I launched and managed the $1M MOVE UP initiative and developed a professional-development curriculum that produced a $4.32/hour average wage increase for participants.
I bring more than 30 years of experience across workforce development, social enterprise, operations, career development, research, and entrepreneurship. I’m motivated by educational equity, workforce innovation, and community-centered economic advancement.
Experience
Work history, roles, and key accomplishments
* Led program operations for CEO Philadelphia, contributing to our mission of empowering individuals recently released from incarceration to achieve stable employment and build stronger futures.
* Oversaw daily agency operations, ensuring the effective delivery of CEO's Vocational Services and Economic Opportunity programs by monitoring team progress, ensuring compliance, and fostering continuous
* Spearheaded diagnostic and strategic initiatives for national clients, focusing on health equity, education, and workforce development, contributing to $2.65M in new business acquisition.
* Provided executive-level leadership to internal and external consulting teams, driving clarity and fostering collaborative environments.
* Designed and implemented complex national programs, facilitating stra
* Launched and managed the $1M MOVE UP initiative, funded by The W. K. Kellogg Foundation, advancing minimum wage-earning parents into higher-wage careers.
* Established strategic partnerships, including securing STRIVE New York as an official National Healthcareer Association (NHA) certification site.
* Developed and delivered the SOAR professional development curriculum, resulting in a $4.32/hou
Entrepreneur, Author and Unapologetic Tea Aficionado
Jun 2011 - Oct 2021 (10 years 4 months)
* Established an internationally recognized consultancy, providing expertise in tea blending, marketing, and cultural education.
* Cultivated a global social media presence, connecting with tea producers and enthusiasts across 80+ nations.
* Designed and marketed custom tea blends.
* Coordinated logistics for large-scale internship programs, including interviewing, training, and placement.
* Developed and facilitated work readiness training for 133 attendees.
* Moderated the 2015 NYC Department of Education (DOE) CTE Automotive & Transportation Industry Forum.
Director of Career Development
Jul 2007 - Jun 2011 (3 years 11 months)
* Established and managed the college’s career development office, enhancing student access to scholarships, internships, and employment opportunities.
* Implemented KINGlink, an online recruiting system, streamlining student-employer connections.
* Increased first-year student retention by 26%, demonstrating effective student services leadership.
* Administered SEVIS and F-1 international student visa documentation, demonstrating compliance and administrative skills.
* Recognized for exceptional sales performance, achieving Millennium Club Silver status.
* Developed and implemented visual merchandising strategies and optimized store layouts to drive sales growth.
* Enhanced customer engagement and product knowledge by effectively communicating ingredient properties and benefits.
* Held keyholder responsibilities, including opening and closing store operations,
Interacted with various Dallas region business constituents and developed customized strategies tailored to each firm's size, goals and resources.
* Developed and supervised 1900 volunteers, showcasing strong leadership and organizational skills.
* Established department, documented standard operating procedures, and authored training materials, demonstrating strategic planning and training expertise.
* Managed departmental budget, demonstrating financial management skills.
* Delivered Customer Value Analysis (CVA) insights to leading financial services, telecommunications, utilities, and tourism organizations.
* Managed all phases of the marketing research process: proposal writing, questionnaire design, data verification, and results analysis.
* Synthesized complex research data into clear and actionable presentations, executive summaries, and client reports.
* Held progressive leadership roles in customer service, sales, and operations management, demonstrating expertise in strategic planning and relationship management.
* Managed customer relationship initiatives, dealer relations, and financial operations across multiple states.
Education
Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework
Communication Skills for Modern Management
Issued Mar 2026
Creating a Coaching Culture
Issued Apr 2026
Head and Heart: The Art of Modern Leadership
Issued Apr 2026
Institute for Integrative Nutrition
Chopra Yoga Teacher Certification, Yoga Teacher Training/Yoga Therapy
2024 - 2024
The Chopra Yoga Teacher Certification, offered through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN), is a 200-hour Registered Yoga Training (RYT-200) program that adheres to and exceeds Yoga Alliance standards, enabling graduates to apply for RYT-200 certification. The 16-week program is fully online, self-paced, and includes weekly webinars, small group Sadhana labs, and Chopra Yoga classes.
Gaja Collective
The Gaja Yoga Teacher Training (RYS-200)
Issued Jun 2024
Social Media Marketing Foundations
Issued Mar 2022
Project Management Foundations
Issued Mar 2022
Coursera
Foundations of Project Management
Issued Apr 2022
Driving Inclusion with Empathy
Issued Mar 2022
Developing Organizational Awareness
Issued Mar 2022
Social Media Marketing: Managing Online Communities
Issued Mar 2022
Mindfulness: A Critical Skill for Project Managers
Issued Apr 2022
SEO Foundations
Issued Oct 2021
Marketing Tools: Digital Marketing
Issued May 2021
Gaja Collective
The Gaja Meditation Instructor Certification
Issued Feb 2021
SEO for Social Media
Issued May 2021
Digital Marketing Foundations
Issued May 2021
Email and Newsletter Marketing Foundations
Issued May 2021
Bystander Training: From Bystander to Upstander
Issued Oct 2020
Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging for All
Issued Oct 2020
Texas Massage Institute (Wellness Skills, Inc.)
Registered Massage Therapist, Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage
2000 - 2000
Texas Massage Institute (formerly Wellness Skills, Inc.) offers comprehensive training in professional therapeutic massage. Originally founded in 1985 as Wellness Skills, a school for professional massage training, it was acquired by Texas Massage Institute (TMI) in 2000. TMI's curriculum is recognized by the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP) and approved to accept candidates fr
University of Georgia - Terry College of Business
Master of Marketing Research, Marketing Research
1998 - 1999
The STEM-designated MMR program at the Terry College of Business was the first Master of Marketing Research program in the U.S. and is internationally regarded as the standard of comparison for such programs.
MMR students pass high entrance requirements to be admitted and are then immersed in a rigorous academic program with hands-on use of the same analytics tools and research methods used by th
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Bachelor of Science, Business Administration
1984 - 1989
The Florida A&M University (FAMU) School of Business and Industry (SBI), under the leadership of the founding dean Dr. Sybil Collins Mobley, was established in 1974 to prepare talented students from around the nation and the world to not only survive, but to thrive in a competitive global marketplace.
Nearly five decades later, the outstanding record of SBI’s achievements is known worldwide, es
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