Andri Tai-Ward

About Andri Tai-Ward

Welcome to my profile! Throughout my career for the past 11+ years, I’ve had the privilege of working on projects for urban planning, government, philanthropic, and non-profit initiatives that have made a significant impact on communities and their economic development. As a seasoned project manager and senior associate, I\'m passionate about making a positive impact in the world. I\'ve led project management for a diverse range of initiatives, ranging from urban planning to community development, and I\'ve always been motivated to deliver the best results. My approach to project management is to drive efficiency while ensuring that we meet all project goals and timelines. As a grant writer and proposal drafter, I\'ve helped generate and secure grants of varying amounts, ranging from $100K to $50M+ for non-profit organizations, affordable housing, and sustainable transportation. With this, I utilize innovative communication strategies to engage stakeholders, driving support, sponsorships, and donations. I enjoy collaborating with key stakeholders to develop program designs that achieve strategic objectives. By leveraging thought leadership, I\'ve played a critical role in business development, leading to the success of various initiatives. I consistently drive best practices to implement cost efficiencies while ensuring deliverables are met within project timelines. I also evaluate metrics and analyze data to measure project and program performance, using that data to inform strategic plans to ensure continuous project success. Additionally, serving as a leader and mentor to team members has always been a privilege for me. I\'m passionate about fostering growth in others and helping them achieve their potential. I love meeting new people and understanding how they view Project and Program Management. Let’s connect! Specialties: Project & Program Management | Strategic Planning | Data Analysis | Economic Inclusion | Community Development | Stakeholder Relations | Urban Equity | Program Design | Leadership | Grant Writing & Proposals | Technical Assistance | Coaching & Mentoring | Facilitation | Implementation | Non-Profit | Community Partnerships | Event Planning Technical Skills: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams), Google Suite, Project Management Platforms (Asana, Trello), Adobe Creative Suite

Experience

1. Senior Associate Project Manager

   Estolano Advisors

   Mar 2019 — Present · Los Angeles, CA, US

   Spearheads project management for 8 to 10+ projects for urban planning, community, and economic development; Supervises, coaches, and develops teams of 3 to 5 staff Manages budgets ranging from $50K to $2M+, driving best practices to implement cost efficiencies while ensuring deliverables within project timelines Develops program design through strategic planning and thought leadership with management teams to advance business development; Facilitates meetings to identify and align project plans and goals while cultivating strong stakeholder relations Delivers state-wide grant writing, technical assistance, and proposal drafts for clients in government, philanthropic, and non-profit organizations; Generated grants of $100K to $50M+ for small non-profits, affordable housing, and sustainable transportation Evaluates metrics and analyzes data to measure project and program performance to inform strategic plans to ensure continuous project success Collaborates with cross-functional teams to identify and implement process improvements, increasing project effectiveness and efficiencies

Education

• Occidental College

  Bachelor of Arts

  2008 — 2012

• UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs

  Masters in Urban & Regional Planning (MURP)

  2015 — 2017

• Nanjing University

  Chinese Language and Culture

  2011 — 2011