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Mireya Eavey, Executive Director, CareerEdge Funders Collaborative

Gold Stevie Award Winner 2012, Click to Enter The 2014 American Business Awards

Company: Smarter People Planning, North Aurora, IL, USA
Company Description:Smarter People Planning is a Chicagoland based human capital analytics research and advisory consulting firm providing practical insights to workforce planners and decision makers. Founded n 2015, we partner with non-profit and for-profit customers to enable them to demonstrate measurable results aligned to strategic goals.
Nomination Category:Individual Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Female Executive of the Year – Government or Non-Profit –10 or Less Employees

Nomination Title: Mireya Eavey, Executive Director, CareerEdge Funders Collaborative

Describe for the judges the activities and accomplishments of the nominated executive since the beginning of July last year (up to 525 words): TEXT REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION

Mireya leads CareerEdge Funders Collaborative’s (CEFC) mission to provide an exceptional labor force to the Sarasota, Florida region’s growing industries by leveraging community assets and forming high-performing workforce partnerships. She does this by cultivating and advancing strategic development, fundraising, program investments and policy development while supplying organizational reporting to the National Fund for Workforce Solutions. Her passion and expertise have directly impacted thousands of people and positively influenced both public and private sectors to strengthen the community’s future.

In 2014, under Mireya’s leadership, over 600 Sarasota regional employees and jobseekers received degrees and professional certificates. Over 1500 employees (1,185 in healthcare and 320 in manufacturing) earned raises. Over 450 received promotions due to programs funded through CEFC. Additionally, more than 400 job seekers were place in employment! Mireya’s work at CEFC last year realized a $3-$4 impact in the regional economy for each $1 invested!

Since the inception of CEFC in 2010 and under Mireya’s leadership, over 2500 have been trained, more than 5500 incumbent employees and job seekers have earned degrees/certificates, and almost 8,000 classes have been held.

CEFC has supported local employer in establishing a high performing regional workforce. For example, Life Care Center reports seeing improved clinical outcomes following training. They were named #1 among all Life Care Center locations and #2 in the state of Florida among all long-term care centers. Additionally, Blake Hospital’s VP of HR has stated the due to CEFC funding, “Our nurses are at the top of their game.”

Christine Robinson, Sarasota County Commissioner, stated, “CareerEdge has been instrumental in bridging the gap between the public and private sectors for local workforce needs. This means more of our residents being trained and employed by local companies as opposed to companies recruiting from other areas. It has played a key role in planning and quick implementation of industry-based sector plans and trained workforce growth. Our economy has improved because CareerEdge has been there to meet the needs of our local businesses.”

Last year over 825 regional jobs were created with the efforts of CEFC and other regional partners. Mireya’s ability to build strong community partnerships is illustrated by her being personally invited to present the “The Power of Partnership,” at the U.S. White House conference at the 2015 Social Innovation Fund’s Annual Grantee Convening.

Mireya is highly regarded as a prominent leader in workforce development and sustainability. She has put the Sarasota-Manatee region on a national map being recognized for achieving success by spearheading several system change initiatives including the creation of a Community-Wide Plan, endorsed by the Sarasota County Commission. The plan focuses on resource alignment sharing a single objective to train/place citizens into jobs and diminishing skill gaps in manufacturing. This plan serves as a model for additional focused sectors.

In summary, Mireya Eavey is skilled in managing the nuances of public-private investment and programming as well as maneuvering the dynamics of integrated partnerships among large systems and agencies. Mireya’s track record shows exponential positive development in increasing revenues and engaging the workforce and its employers to create better future opportunities for those currently employed and those moving into various workforce sectors.

Provide a brief biography of the nominated executive (up to 125 words):

Mireya Eavey has been the Executive Director of CareerEdge Funders Collaborative (CEFC) over five years. Mireya has 25+ years of executive leadership experience in both the public and private sectors. She has grown membership, engagement and partnerships in workforce development and economic development initiatives. Mrs. Eavey has raised over $6 million dollar in investments for non-profits engaged in workforce and economic development and Pre-K through college. Mireya holds an MBA from Argosy University, a BA in Business Administration from University of South Florida.

Mrs. Eavey has served on advisory boards and board of director such as the Florida Policy Institute, Inc. and Manatee Community Federal Credit Union, United, Way Financial Stability Leadership Council, CareerSTAT Committee, the National Fund for Workforce Solutions Transition Advisory Committee, Economic Development Corporation Business Climate Committee, and the Sarasota-Manatee Healthcare committee. She also leads many community advisory groups throughout her daily activities.