Candidate: Laura M Gaston

SUMMARY

A former financial services profesional with a proven ability to improve organizational effectiveness and create strategic partnerships. Strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills with a focus on program improvement. Bilingual [English - Spanish], sentitive to diversity, and committed to community service.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

• Tutor kindergarten and second grade scholars - RCMA Wimauma Academy, Wimauma, FL - 2015 - Present
• Plan and organize events for community residents, and fundraise for the community flagpole - Forest Creek Events Planning Committee - 2018 - Present
• Organize and host monthly Forest Creek Ladies lunches one or two each year - 2017 - Present
• Participate in and lead book club discussion in the Forest Creek Book Club - 2016 - Present
• Organize and host - Forest Creek Ladies Tea - 2019 and 2020
• Organized fundraiser basket for the Southeastern Guide Dogs Forest Creek Walk - 2017
• Tutored adults through The Gray House (1994-1997), and school-age children in the MLK Jr. Family Services (2009) and Giggle Gardens Early Learning Center after-school programs (2010-2011), Springfield, MA

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. CHARTER SCHOOL, Springfield, MA                          2011 – 2015

Business Manager/ESOL Teacher and ESOL Program Coordinator                           

Managed business operations and coordinated ESOL program for the kindergarten through fifth grade school which serves a high needs population. Taught English to English Language Learners.

GIGGLE GARDENS, INC, Springfield, MA                                                                     2009 – 2011

Sr. Vice President                                                                                                         

Provided strategic leadership for all aspects of operations for childcare programs for company with over $3 million operating budget serving over 250 children in three locations.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. FAMILY SERVICES, INC, Springfield, MA                  2009 – 2010

Interim Sr. Vice President of Programs                                                                        

Provided strategic leadership for human services and youth development programs for multi-cultural non-profit agency with over $2.5 million operating budget.

MASSACHUSETTS MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, Springfield, MA         1996 – 2009

Second Vice President - Retirement Services Compliance                        2005 – 2009

Directed a comprehensive broker-dealer compliance program for the Retirement Services division with over 250 registered representatives and 50 principals.

Second Vice President/Director – Retirement Services New Business       1996 – 2005

Led the defined benefit and defined contribution installation group responsible for financial integrity and customer satisfaction for over 150 installations annually representing over $3 billion in assets. 

CENTERBANK, Waterbury, CT                                                                                       1993 – 1996

Assistant Vice President and Benefits Manager

Managed the design, implementation, and administration of all aspects of a company-wide benefits program.

MASSACHUSETTS MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, Springfield, MA         1977 – 1993

Analyst to Director – Retirement Services and Human Resources

EDUCATION

M.Ed., Fitchburg State University, Fitchburg, MA – 2012

English as a Second Language Licensure Program, Collaborative for Educational Services – 2011

MBA, Western New England University, Springfield, MA - 1988

            Outstanding Graduate Student Award

BA, Economics and Spanish, Florida International University, Miami, Florida - 1976

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT/LEADERSHIP ROLES

Mason Square Health Task Force, Springfield, MA- Steering Committee Representative: 2010

The Dale Carnegie Course in Effective Speaking and Human Relations, 2001/Graduate and graduate assistant in 2008

MassMutual Diversity Council and Leadership Effectiveness Board (LEB) - Member of Council, 1999 and Co-Chair of LEB, 2000

Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Services, Inc., Springfield, MA

• Elected to Board of Directors: 1998 – 2005
• Elected Board President: 2003 – 2005  
• Program Committee Ad hoc Member: 2010 - 2011

Certified Employee Benefit Specialist Designation – 1981 - International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans and The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania