Curriculum Vitae of
Mark L. Takefman
Updated March 5, 2022
Contact Information
email: takefman@gmail.com Canadian
Cell: (437) 333-9390
Organizational Development and Operations
Extensive success delivering capability development and project
facilitation for global non-profit organizations
Executive business
leader with over 35 years experience directing operations for non-profit and
private sector organizations worldwide. Recognized expert in strategic project
delivery with a well-deserved reputation for facilitation, collaboration, and
driving business results. Genuine passion for building business and staff
capabilities in the not-for-profit sector. Proficient in all aspects of
operational planning and design. Seeking to leverage expertise to deliver
strategic objectives for a new non-profit organisation.
Organizational
Development Expertise:
Organizational Development • Strategic Business Planning • Project
Planning & Execution • Mentoring & Staff Development • Environmentalism
& Climate Change • Construction Design • Business Performance &
Capability Reviews • Fundraising • Advice & Consultancy • Strategic
Partnership Development • Proposal & Report Writing
Construction Expertise:
Project Planning and Implementation,
Budgeting, Trade Contracting and Management, Reports and Documentation, Client Liaison
and Service
Career
Accomplishments
· Built collaborations with numerous international non-profit organizations, including MercyCorps, WWF, Sichuan University, National
Geographic, CUSO, Keepers of the Waters, Panda Mountain, and Omprakash.
· Successfully directed numerous global research and development projects
for non-profit organizations, in the areas of sociology, conservation,
agriculture, public health, and economic development.
· Established and directed a company from start-up, delivering global
projects, consultancy, and fund-raising.
· Published numerous articles and delivered lectures/presentations on the
subject of Environmentalism.
· Delivered new business strategy, implemented organizational and staff
development and transformation initiative, and won five new grants (Chengdu
Urban Rivers Association, China).
· Received award for developing county-wide
community service database (Leatherstocking’s Promise, US).
· Contributed to organization winning
Environmental Quality Award from Environmental Protection Agency, in 2010 (Otsego County Conservation Association, US).
· Secured over $750K in low cost loans and grants from Government and
banks to facilitate operational expansion (Zogby International Inc., US).
Career Experience
Mark
Takefman & Associates • Worldwide ODA • Nov
2007 – Present
President,
Organizational Development Adviser
·
Operations, Administration consulting (see projects below)
·
Fundraising and Project management interactive
·
Volunteer programs created
·
Mentoring
programs implemented
·
Supervised
global projects, delivered consultancy, research and development, and fund
raising.
Projects in Progress
1 Sustainability
Consultants Network, Organizational
Development Adviser (ODA), Grant Writing, Project Implementation
2 Climate
Smart Food Certification: founding
member to create a certification for farmers for their soil that shows it’s
healthy and fighting climate change.
3 The
Roots Collaborative:
helped write grant to conduct household education on saving energy and reducing
GHGs and served as assistant to the director to implement the grant
4 Toronto
Coalition of EcoSchools:
lecture
5 Back
Lane Studios: Organizational
Development Adviser, developing a business plan
6 Gyan
Disha School in
India: ODA, volunteers, mentoring, Western communications
7 Chengdu
Urban Rivers Association:
ongoing mentoring to staff, Western communications
8 Haoyu
Natural Farm,
Sichuan, China: ODA
Chengdu Urban Rivers Association • Chengdu,
China • Apr 2015 – Dec 2016 (also
2011 – 2013)
Organizational Development Advisor &
Trainer
Conducted
strategic business planning, trained and mentored staff, delivered fund
raising, led and supported voluntary projects including Anlong Village and
Construction Design for Linshi Village. Built strong networks with other NGOs
and external partners, and delivered lectures to raise public awareness of the
organisation. Planned events, directed the volunteer program, and developed web
and social media presence.
·
Established a new business strategic plan
to optimize delivery of key objectives.
·
Won five new grants for the organization.
·
Cultivated business administration
capabilities including protocols, policies, and operating procedures.
· Delivered project for Conference of
Convergence: Agricultural Mitigation Strategies in Times of Climate Change,
sponsored by Climate Fund of the Consulate General, Germany (April – December
2016).
· Directed project for Research on
Environmental Impact on the Condition of Public Health in the Zi Ping Pu
Reservoir, sponsored by National Geographic Air and Water Fund (April 2015 –
April 2016).
·
Redesigned office operations to increase
productivity and organization.
·
Led staff development program of
mentoring workshops; trained new Communications Manager.
·
Represented CURA at the British Chamber of
Commerce Sustainability Network Group.
·
Assisted with building a wetland environment
at Anlong, co-authored paper about the project, published in UN-Habitat Magazine.
Urban Hybrid Architecture • Chengdu,
China • Jul 2014 – Apr 2016
Senior Project Manager
·
Oversaw project for design of a Vertical
Hydroponic Greenhouse and Community Centre.
·
Developed and implemented project for a Vertical
Farm Centre.
Mindfulness Everyday • Toronto,
Canada • Apr 2013 – May 2014
Executive Director
·
Led operations and staff for this
non-profit organization.
Mark Takefman & Associates • Worldwide
• Nov 2007 – Present
President
·
Implemented and directed business from
start-up to successful delivery.
·
Supervised global projects, delivered
consultancy, research and development, and fund raising.
Avid Projects Ltd • Toronto,
Canada • Jan 2006 – Oct 2007
Senior Project Supervisor &
Administrator
· Delivered projects for commercial and residential
renovations, including high-end units and upgrades to apartment buildings.
·
Championed Green Building Development.
·
Managed crew, built strong client and stakeholder
relationships, and conducted project estimating.
Additional Experience
Project Manager (Non-Profit) • The Milkweed
Foundation, US
Contract Consultant (Non-Profit) • Basset Hospital Research Institute, US
Researcher & Facilitator (Non-Profit)
• New World Foundation, US
Business & Construction Consultant • LaBarre Construction Inc, US
Executive Vice President & Chief
Financial Officer • Zogby International Inc, US
President, Consultant, Educator, Speaker • Healthy Homes
Environmental Consulting, Canada
Owner • Teekah Environmental Products, Canada
Office & Project Manager, Safety
Training Officer • Sportbau, Canada
Store Manager • Shoppers Drug Mart, Canada
Management Consulting & Seminar
Producer • Human Development
Systems, US
Operations Manager • Avenue Video, Canada
General Manager • Omnibus Book Center,
UK
Education
& Credentials
Bachelor
of Arts in Developmental Psychology • McGill
University • Montreal, Canada
Professional Development
·
International Volunteering Service
Training & China Cultural Training (CUSO-VSO and VSO China)
·
International Volunteering Service
Training & India Cultural Training (CUSO-VSO and VSO India)
·
LEED-Commercial Interiors, Green Building
Accreditation Process (Canadian Green Building Council)
·
Survival Mandarin Training
Professional Memberships
·
Certified Environmental Inspector
(Membership 8482)
Community
Leadership
Magraj Jain Award for 2 years Community Service, Barmer, Rajasthan, November 4, 2017
Gyan
Disha Vikas Sansthan, India (Organizational
Development Advisor and fund raiser for school) – Ongoing Volunteer Services
Overseas India (VSO India), India (NGO
Organizational Advisor and Trainer)
VSO
India, UN Development Program & UNESCO, India (consultant for volunteer
initiative STRIVE)
SAMARTYAM, India (consultant for national construction by-law
advocacy program)
iVOL, India (adviser for development of
a national volunteer award program)
Junior
Achievement, Canada (taught
Business Skills to Grade 10 Students)
Big
Brother Organization, New York, US (Program
Mentor)
Otsego
County Conservation Association, New
York, US (Volunteer Advocacy Advisor)