Social Innovation, Impact & Entrepreneurship Portfolio

Founded Walker Snake Wrangler in June 2023 as a sole proprietorship from which to conduct and market my snake rescue & relocation activities

Value proposition combines physical conservation activities (rescue & relocation) with conservation through education & awareness (using social media videos & live presentations/trainings)

Grew platform to 2,300+ followers on Instagram, 400+ followers on TikTok, and 870+ subscribers on YouTube

Working to achieve monetization on all platforms by 2026

Responded to 65 snake calls in Southern California between Spring 2023 and Summer 2024

Gave 4 educational presentations in 2023 and 2024 for families, parks, and schools

Invited to guest lecture in a University of San Diego desert biology course about native snakes in 2024

Conducted 3 training sessions for fire departments in San Diego County on venomous snake handling in 2024

Founded LLGND (llgndary.com) in July 2022, originally formed as "LL Apparel" in March 2021 but rebranded and entered into e-commerce in 2022 

Ideated, planned, and executed all strategic, sales, and marketing initiatives, hired part-time interns, and headed collaborations with other organizations & brands

Designed, advertised, and sold $6,000+ of sustainable apparel through online storefront since 2022

Created team stores and designed and sold sponsored gear for the Denver Dynasty (2022-23) and USD Women's Club Basketball (2022-23)

Signed 4 collegiate athletes to NIL (Name, Image, & Likeness) sponsorship deals in 2023

Invited guest on RISE Urban Nation Pan-African Innovation podcast in April 2023 (see here)

Logistically coordinated all USD Free Enterprise Institute (FEI) programs, workshops, events, & activities

Successfully executed the 2024 San Diego Angel Conference, the largest angel conference in the U.S. & a 5-month program that activates angel investors & funds an elite group of innovative startups

Organized 9 in-person & 3 virtual events covering investor education, pitches, due diligence, & voting, culminating in a 400-attendee Finale & $400,000+ invested in the winning companies

Managed relationships with & cultivated experience for entrepreneurs, sponsors, & angel investors

Facilitated tracking of investment & company information through Gust & Seraf platforms

See Project Portfolio for individual project specifics

Operationalized new institute for social innovation at USD

Led university outreach lead generation for the 2023 Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge (GSIC), expanding recruitment from 58 schools in '22 to 234 in '23

Worked with founders of Slyngshot.io to adapt online entrepreneurship platform for social innovation

Mentored USD Innovation Challenge competitors, helping develop and refine their venture proposals

On-site coordinator for Kroc School Social Innovation Practicum in Kigali, Rwanda in January 2023 

• Created voice recording project to capture student and staff perspectives during Rwanda Practicum

Led creation of new resource page for GSIC website to help student teams develop ventures and pitches

Led project to plan, film, and edit social media videos to highlight local San Diego B Corporations

Served as acting Associate Director of Innovation from December to March while Director was on leave​

Worked alongside directors from the Schools of Business and Engineering to plan the 2023 USD Innovation Challenge

Solely created comprehensive handbook for future fellows, detailing all responsibilities, processes, and best practices

​See Project Portfolio​ for individual project specifics

See articles written during this position for Innovating Peace blog here 

Planned, organized, executed, and evaluated the 2022 Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge hosted by the University of San Diego

Moderated rooms for pitch judging, handled the hired artist, edited and prepared materials, coordinated activities and communication between staff, judges, and student teams throughout event

Led behind-the-scenes activities during final public show; coordinated order and timing of stage entrances and exits, managed microphones for all speakers, and presented audience choice award

Completed M.A. in Social Innovation in May 2022

Cumulative GPA: 3.84

Relevant Coursework:  Social Entrepreneurship, Social Innovation, Leadership and Organizations, Foundations of Peace and Justice, Design Thinking, Impact Evaluation, Social Movements, Creativity, Peace, and Social Change, Business and Social Innovation, Professional Portfolio, Ethical Leadership for Global Social Justice, Environmental Impact Assessment

See writing portfolio for writing samples from this program

Developed work plan and led coordination between the Burnham Center, University of San Diego Center for Civil Civic Engagement, and National Conflict Resolution Center in a Spring 2022 initiative to certify high school students in Coronado, CA in conflict mediation and facilitate adult discussions about equity and civil engagement following racist incidents in the community

Wrote Independent Study Report at internship conclusion

Worked closely with members of the oldest historically Black community in Memphis, Orange Mound, to develop a community revitalization plan that addressed their most urgent needs

Conducted surveys and focus groups to collect data and input before ideating and executing plans for a new form of shelter as well as services to improve financial literacy, job procurement, and transportation

​See Project Portfolio​ for individual project specifics

Mentored school-age children from refugee, immigrant, and asylee families in Memphis, Tennessee through daily after-school programs

Trained to respond to unique needs, experiences, and traumas and improve learning outcomes

eBay and social media-based storefront primarily selling athletic and casual sneakers; 100% positive feedback from 140+ customers

Founded the Matrix Fundraising & Donation Alliance in 2008, a volunteer charitable organization

Organized and directed 17 local charitable events between 2009 and 2013

Raised money and supported organizations like the Humane Society, African Crafts by Gertrude, and Orphan Reads

Accumulated 30 members over 5 states in 6 active years