Tosha Downey

About Tosha Downey

1st, I’m on sabbatical until January, 2027. Now, the rest: A 53-year union,…

Experience

1. Senior Program Officer for State & Local Government Relations for Tn

   Gates Foundation

   May 2021 — Present · Washington, DC, US

   As a Senior Program Officer for State and Local Government Relations, I will be responsible for developing and executing a place-based advocacy strategy to advance effective policy solutions that align with our Early Learning, K12, and Postsecondary policy priorities in Tennessee. I\'ll be working to develop, maintain, and strengthen my relationships with key decision-makers who are involved in making policies aligned with our priorities. I will continue to manage grant-making to state advocacy partners who will be responsible for building and maintaining coalitions to drive the adoption of effective policy solutions. As a native daughter, I will focus extensively on monitoring relevant policy developments across the great state of Tennessee. This opportunity represents an evolution of the work that I began six years ago with Teachertown/Memphis Education Fund and enables me to amplify my commitment to serve the children and families of Memphis and all of Tennessee.

Education

• The University of Michigan School of Public Policy

  Master

  1994 — 1996

• University of the Western Cape Law Faculty

  Comparative Law

  2002 — 2002

• Clark Atlanta University

  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

  1990 — 1994

• University of North Carolina School of Law

  Juris Doctor

  2001 — 2004

Skills

• Policy
• Career Counseling
• Teaching
• Leadership
• Research
• Proposal Writing
• Editing
• Human Resources
• Grants
• Recruiting
• Community Outreach
• Public Speaking
• Program Development
• Management
• Strategy
• Student Affairs
• Policy Analysis
• Fundraising
• Interviews
• Program Management
• Admissions
• Classroom
• Nonprofits