Kathleen Varda is an experienced leader in strategic planning, grant development, and community outreach. She has over 15 years of experience in non-profit management, most recently as the principal of her own consulting firm. She has a proven track record of securing over $50 million in grants and contracts to strengthen organizations. Her areas of expertise include strategic planning, fundraising, marketing, and developing partnerships.

1. KATHLEEN VARDA, MSW
356 Foxfire Drive
Smyrna, GA 30082
(678) 558-4847
Kathleen@ajrconsulting.net
Innovative thinker with broad-based expertise in strategic planning, grant and fund development, and community
relationship building with a proven ability to quickly analyze business practices and apply creative problem solving
to enhance an organization’s resources and reputation. High-integrity, energetic leader known for ability to create
successful outcomes in complex situations. Diverse expertise with a commitment to organizational success.
Areas of excellence include:
Grant and Fund Development
Forming Strategic Alliances
Marketing & Communications
Community Development
New Business Development
Policy Analysis & Education
Growing Revenues & Profits
Strategic Planning
Leading & Developing
Committees & Boards
Event Planning & Execution
Non-Profit Development
Developing Business Processes
& Policies
Community Outreach Initiatives
Social Media
Professional Experience
Principal, AJR Consulting, LLC August 2015- Present
Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, organizer and author of the proposal for the US Department
of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration’s Demonstration and Training: Career Pathways for
Individuals with Disabilities (CFDA 84.235N). 5-Year, $4.6 million grant was awarded in October.
Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, organizer and author of Vocational Rehabilitation’s
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act State Unified Plan 2016-2020.
Highland Rivers Health (Highland Rivers Community Services Board), Dalton, GA
Director of Strategy and Business Development February 2012-November 2015
Retained to strengthen and grow the organization’s work in integrated care and wellness, criminal justice, housing,
supported employment, faith-based partnerships, veterans and aging. Lead the organization in rebranding,
generation of new funding streams, strategic planning, board and nonprofit development, community building and
outreach, state and federal policy work, and the creation and implementation of new program initiatives. Played a
significant role in increasing the organization’s operating budget by $8 million dollars within 2.5 years.
Key Contributions & Accomplishments:
 Led the organization in developing, implementing and successfully achieving its first 3-year strategic plan.
 Worked closely with key leadership to transform the culture and transparency of the organization for both its
internal and external customers.
 Rebranded the organization and created all new marketing materials including producing its first annual report.
 Coordinated the development of $8 million dollars of new contracts and grants.
 Spearheaded the reuse of an old hospital to a multi-agency social service center which included raising over
$800,000 in foundation and federal funding and new furniture donations for the entire building.
 Worked with the CEO to settle and payoff an outstanding organizational debt of over $8 million dollars to the
Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Responsibilities:
• Review, prepare and assist in the development of grants for a $42 million dollar whole health and recovery
oriented behavioral health organization. Awarded over $8 million in grant and contracts.
• Responsible for the design and implementation of a strategic plan that is reflective of the current and emerging
needs of the community and organizational needs.

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• Increase community presence and act as the liaison between the organization and state, local and federal
organizations, community stakeholders, media outlets, businesses, advocates and persons
• Oversee both the development of new business lines and braiding of existing resources to expand and
enhance services with a special focus on veterans, developmental disabilities, primary care, criminal justice,
aging, and children and youth.
• Provide support and guidance to the organization’s CEO and Board of Directors.
• Assist CEO, board and community partners in developing organization’s position on issues, as well as
developing and implementing appropriate action plans, including advocacy strategies, and representing
industry interests before government and advocacy groups.
• Responsible for planning, initiating and managing the marketing and public relations activities.
• Assist with promoting and expanding the reach and impact of the organization through development of
educational and advocacy content, educational events, and partnerships.
• Assist with planning overall communications strategy, develop branding and messaging then promote Highland
Rivers Health and its programs across various media outlets.
• Design, develop and create content for organizational press releases and annual report.
• Established and manage website and social media: Twitter; Facebook; LinkedIn; YouTube. Including the
development of an engagement portal health platform.
• Develop and implement outreach strategy plans to improve the access of services and resources available to
persons served.
• Plan, manage and execute all organizational events and manage all event staff and contractors.
• Improve internal relationships and shift the organizational focus on recovery through implementing strategies
that build communication and are inclusive of System of Care and recovery principles.
• Provide support for partnership initiatives not limited to the NW System of Care and the North Georgia
Partnership for Behavioral Health that include branding, marketing, and grant seeking.
• Represent and present at local, state and national conferences on best practices, grant development and
innovative programming.
Rivers Edge Behavioral Health Center (Community Services Board), Macon, GA
Director of Policy and Development August 2009-February 2012
Developed and implemented the infrastructure of a grants, development, research, and policy department for a $35
million dollar behavioral health organization. Awarded over $10 million dollars of federal, state and local
grants and contracts. Worked with Clinical Director and Chief Operating Officer to develop and train staff on
topics pertaining to evidence-based practices, development of community partnerships, and grant development.
Oversaw all research activities, including seeking IRB approval, data collection, consumer participation, protection
and reimbursement. Developed gubernatorial platform on criminal justice, behavioral health and developmental
disabilities for Dubose Porter. Assisted national partners in drafting and garnering support for the federal Health
Information Technology bill, sponsored by Senator Patrick Kennedy. Developed and managed the non-profit
fundraising arm, River Edge Foundation.
Georgia State University, School of Social Work, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Atlanta, GA
Adjunct Professor 2010 to 2012
Taught grant writing for Graduate Level Students in applied grant writing techniques within the governmental,
corporate, and private sectors of grant making (Spring 2010 & 2011, Fall 2011). Social Welfare Policy for Master
Level Social Work Candidates in the historical development and implementation of contemporary social welfare
policies and service programs in the United States and critical analysis of the policy making process (Spring 2012).
Cobb and Douglas County Community Services Boards, Smyrna, GA
Grants Manager April 2007 to August 2009
Developed and implemented the infrastructure of a grants department for a $24 million dollar community behavioral
health organization. Awarded over $20 million dollars of federal, state, foundation, and local multi-year
grants. Created and fostered relationships among community, regional and national organizations and providers
for new collaborative initiatives. Representative of the organization at local, state, and national conferences and
meetings. Assisted in the creation of the organization’s non-profit arm, the Center for Community Based
Partnerships, Inc. Developed and trained staff on topics pertaining to evidence-based practices, development of
community partnerships, and grant development.

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Georgia Department of Human Resources, Office of Developmental Disabilities, Atlanta, GA
Grants Manager 2006 to 2007
Developed semi-annual reports, final reports and extensions for grants funded through the Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services. Oversaw the budget and use of additional finances for the grant including the provision of
technical assistance.
Georgia State University, School of Social Work & Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
Research Consultant 2006 to 2007
Conducted interviews with seniors about their experiences with aging in place and their use of resources affiliated
with the local Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORCs) and provided analysis of data. Co-authored a
published article on the results of the first phase of the study.
Georgia General Assembly, Representative Ronald Forster [HD-3], Atlanta, GA
Legislative Aid & Social Work Consultant 2005 to 2007
Legislative aid for the 2005 and 2006 sessions of the General Assembly. Consultant for proposed legislation that
influenced social issues and policies Appeared and spoke on the behalf of the Honorable Ronald Forster at human
services agencies’ meetings and presentations. Collaborated with the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust to
bring the Anne Frank Exhibit to Northwest Georgia. Oversaw the fundraising, marketing, media relations and
implementation of the exhibition; managed the volunteers, support staff, and tour groups during the 10 day exhibit.
The Carter Center Mental Health Program, Atlanta, GA
Graduate Internship 2005 to 2006
Produced the concept paper that was used to gain funding for the 2006 Annual Rosalynn Carter Symposium on
Mental Health Policy. Collaborated on the SAMHSA and NIMH conference grant proposals. Researched and
produced presentations for the Director of the Mental Health Program. Participated in the planning, implementation,
and evaluation of professional meetings not limited to the Journalism Fellowship, Symposium, and Task Force.
Cobb and Douglas County Community Services Boards, Smyrna, GA
Graduate Internship & Paid Apprenticeship 2004 to 2005
Designed and implemented a Person Development Program for individuals with developmental disabilities to
facilitate the acquisition of social skills that enables them to increase their utilization of self-determination and
choice to enhance their community inclusion. Developed and administered programmatic evaluations.
Education & Training
Master of Social Work, May 2006, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA; Bachelor of Arts, Social and Behavioral
Health Sciences, December 2003, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Professional Affiliations
Principal Partner and Advisory Board Member of Advisory Council for Fuqua Center for Late Life Depression (2015-
Present), Member of Georgia Recovery Initiative (2014- Present), Member of the Knowledge Network (2009-
Present), Advisory Board Member, Knowledge Network (2010- Present), Member of the National and Local
Chapters of the American Association of Grant Professionals (2008- 2010), Member of the Association of
Fundraising Professionals (2010- 2014).
Honors
Nominated by Senator Isakson to participate in the 2008 Women’s Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C.
Recognized by former First Lady Rosalynn Carter for exemplary participation at the Annual Rosalynn Carter
Symposium on Mental Health Policy held at The Carter Center (November 2005)

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Additional Experience
Past Contract Relationships: Lookout Mountain Community Services (strategic planning); Georgia School of
Addiction Studies (grant and networking mini-course)
Research: Site Coordinator, Ortho-McNeail Janseen Scientific Affairs, LLC, Research and Evaluation of
Antipsychotic Treatment in Community Behavioral Health Organizations, Outcomes Study - October 2010- 2012.
Site Coordinator, MBS/VOX, Ethnographic Research on Community Mental Health Centers- August 2010-2012.
Publications: Ivery, J., Akstein-Kahan, D., Murphy, K. (maiden name) (2010). NORC Supportive services model
implementation and community capacity. Journal of Gerontological Social Work
Skills: Proficient in the following computer skills: Microsoft Excel, Word, Publisher, & PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat
Professional, and Adobe Photoshop