Sean Schindl

Director Sr Director of Community Engagement Public Policy Consultant @Kids First Chicago

Built startup Community Engagement Department in nonprofit organization focused on creating parent-centered equitable educational policies in Chicago’s traditionally underserved communities Built parent network to identify priorities and support district-wide and local policy changes Hired and coached staff to develop a base of over 1,100 parent advocates, 150 parent champions, and 100+ school and community partnerships, resulting in over total individual engagements Managed annual departmental budget, ranging from Helped create and revise overall organizational strategies and areas of focus Researched, analyzed, and interpreted complicated legislative and administrative policies, summarized for organizational stakeholders including leadership, staff, parent network, and community members Spearheaded strategies related to Chicago’s new elected school board law Led campaign for fair racial representation on Chicago’s elected school board: built coalition of external partners, directed parent advocacy efforts, developed and executed public relations strategies Project managed initiatives such as engaging parents in proposed policy changes, annual celebrations, school application workshops, the creation of a 25+ member Parent Advisory Board, and more Wrote communications and email blasts, cultivated and managed email list with subscribers Managed media requests resulting in 100+ earned appearances for parents on a wide range of issues Developed systems for managing community engagement data in NationBuilder CRM Key accomplishments include: • Led campaign to secure first West Side International Baccalaureate Program for local high school• Directed legislative advocacy that helped secure inclusion of a non-citizen advisory board in late amendment to Chicago’s new elected school board law• Managed successful strategic department growth from startup through multiple priority campaigns