About Global Green USA

Global Green works to create green cities, neighborhoods,  affordable housing, and schools to protect environmental health, improve  livability, and support our planet's natural systems; to address  climate change and create resilient and sustainable communities.

Global Green USA is mostly funded through Foundations and Municipalities for program work and also has several annual fundraisers each year to help raise money for overhead.  Events include an annual Pre-Oscar Party where many celebrities attend and perform.  That list is vast but includes people like Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Salma Hayek, Willie Nelson, Stevie Wonder and many more.  

Programs have covered a wide variety of projects from building homes in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, helping building green housing in under served areas all over California, creating composting programs in multi-family dwellings in California and so much more.

I first came to Global Green USA after working for a few startup companies and was seeking a place where I could make a difference in people's lives.  I found it at Global Green and much more than I ever imagined.  I got to learn the details of non-profit accounting and also help them tighten up some of the operational issues they had.  Global Green allowed me the opportunity to utilize the skills I had learned at startups and created processes that are still used to this day. 

I left Global Green USA to move to Boston and worked for a similar non-profit there.  I can find something to love about wherever I go but in the end, those winters...well, they are hard!  I worked hard to find a place back in Los Angeles and found Team Jenn then Venice Bakery (more on those tabs) and was ultimately asked to come back to Global Green USA, by the person I had hired to replace me!

First thing I did was to identify that much of the AR wasn't either recognized or simply wasn't truly receivable, thus overstating our assets on the Balance Sheet. I proceeded to clean up the AR account and created processes to ensure that this wouldn't happen again.

Next, I identified that they didn't have uniform timesheets and expense reports, so I created uniform sheets for everyone to use and they are used to this day.  I did meet some resistance initially as some people felt resistant to change but I was able to get people to use them and then see that it made their lives (and mine) much easier.

I created the first process and form for hiring people, such as offer letters and updated handbook.  Some of this has continued to evolve through the years and I have maintained that during this time.

In more recent times I have updated / modernized the on-boarding process by introducing and implementing things like EaseCentral.

There are many things like this I have done and they are always evolving, as I am constantly looking into what technology can help expedite processes.  One way I do this is simply using my curiosity and love of learning and learning about what others are doing, so I simply ask what others are doing, especially in similar industries.

Maybe even bigger than these accomplishments is my blessing of being liked and trusted, so implementing new ideas are usually fairly easy.  I am always open to new ideas and equally willing to move on from them if they don't work for what we need.

I have spent around a decade of my life with this organization and have experienced all the ups and downs and leadership changes.  I love my experience and the people I have met through this experience but I feel that in order for me to grow / evolve, it's time for change.

Software Used

QuickBooks

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Raiser's Edge