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Resumé

Elizabeth Grounds 

Nonprofit Leader | Relationship Builder | Experience Designer 
740-974-1517 • elizabeth.joy.grounds@gmail.com • 122 Rector Road, Vienna, WV 26105 
www.elizabethgrounds.com 

 

Professional Summary 

Relationship-focused nonprofit leader with 15+ years of experience building partnerships, leading high-impact events, and creating meaningful experiences that strengthen communities. Known for cultivating trusted relationships with donors, volunteers, elected officials, nonprofit partners, and executive leadership while managing complex initiatives from vision to execution. 

Core Competencies 

• Relationship Management • Community Engagement • Strategic Event Leadership  

• Donor & Volunteer Stewardship • Project Management • Budget Administration  

• Vendor Negotiation • Team Leadership • Executive Communications  

• Stakeholder Engagement • Inclusive Experience Design 

 

Education 

  • Master of Arts, Organizational Communications — Ohio University 

  • Bachelor of Arts, Organizational Communications & Leadership Studies — Marietta College 

Professional Development 

• Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT Fundamentals & Specialist Certifications • Microsoft Office Suite • Salesforce 

• Science of Hope • AI OWL • Canva • Autism Helper Curriculum • Schoology • i-Ready • Clever 

 

Professional Experience 

Foundation for Appalachian Ohio 
Assistant Director of Events | Jul 2023 – Aug 2025 

  • Managed statewide portfolio of galas, conferences, board meetings, and community events. 

  • Planned and executed the 40th Anniversary Gala at the Ohio Statehouse for 500 guests, coordinating executive leadership, state legislators, regional elected officials, donors, volunteers, vendors, and community leaders. 

  • Cultivated relationships with affiliate foundations across Ohio's 32 Appalachian counties. 

  • Managed budgets, contracts, ROI reporting, and post-event evaluations. 

  • Built trusted partnerships with nonprofit leaders, vendors, volunteers, elected officials, donors, and community stakeholders. 

  • Directed complex projects from concept through evaluation, overseeing budgets, contracts, logistics, and cross-functional teams. 

 

 

 

 

Neale Elementary 
Long-Term Substitute Teacher – Autism Unit | Jan 2026 – Jun 2026 

  • Served as lead teacher for a self-contained autism classroom supervising five classroom aides. 

  • Developed structured classroom systems and advocated for student inclusion. 

Widelity 
Vendor Relations Specialist | 2020–2021 

  • Supported the FCC FM Radio Repack project while collaborating with a fully remote international team. 

Ohio University 
Event Specialist | 2014–2019 

  • Led executive events, donor engagement activities, and institutional ceremonies. 

  • Managed approximately $200,000 annual event budget. 

  • Coordinated with local, state, and national elected officials. 

  • Remotely planned dynamic events with exciting experiences in Philadelphia, Anaheim, Orlando, Seattle, Washington, D.C., and other national locations. 

Ohio University 
Administrative Coordinator | 2011–2014 

  • Managed budgets, payroll, invoicing, and financial operations for Dining Services across all campus dining halls, catering, coffee shops, and convenience stores.  

Ohio University 
Catering Assistant Manager | 2010–2011 

  • Planned and delivered on and off-campus events for both internal and external clients. 

  • Supervised diverse staff of students to deliver high-quality events. 

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