Shayla M. Duke

(Honor Roll, Dean's List)

Graduated with Honors

• Appointed by Governor Tina Kotek in recognition of subject-matter expertise and long-standing dedication to disability advocacy.
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• Spearhead statewide efforts to enhance accessibility and inclusion by collaborating with diverse stakeholders to shape policies and programs that support the disability community.

• Champion the rights of individuals with disabilities across local, state, and national platforms—amplifying community voices and driving systemic change.

• Build and nurture strategic partnerships with advocacy groups, government entities, and community organizations to foster alignment and collective impact.

• Prioritize accessible communication by using plain language and avoiding jargon, ensuring clarity and engagement for all audiences.

• Maintain precise, up-to-date records in adherence with legal and regulatory standards.

• Represent the Commission at public events, meetings, and conferences—effectively communicating its mission, vision, and policy priorities.

• Review and edit official documents and reports to uphold a high standard of accuracy, clarity, and professionalism.

• Established and managed a successful auto transport business specializing in interstate vehicle transportation for both public and private sector clients.

• Oversaw end-to-end business operations, including customer acquisition, contract negotiation, and logistics coordination, consistently achieving high customer satisfaction and retention.

• Designed and executed marketing strategies that expanded the client base by 20% within the first year.

• Built and maintained a trusted network of carriers to ensure timely, secure, and compliant vehicle deliveries.

• Optimized internal processes, resulting in a 10% cost reduction and improved operational efficiency.

• Ensured full compliance with industry regulations through meticulous recordkeeping and financial oversight.

• Delivered clear, proactive communication with clients and stakeholders, providing updates and resolving issues promptly.

• Conducted rigorous carrier vetting procedures—verifying insurance, bonding, safety compliance, and equipment standards—to safeguard service quality and customer trust.

Multi-Entity Corporationl

Annual Revenue: $2M+

• Directed daily operations across multiple business entities, overseeing finance, logistics, sales, and customer service functions.

• Supervised and delegated responsibilities to a cross-functional team including the VP of Sales, assistant bookkeeper/data-entry technician, and 17+ sales representatives.

• Identified and corrected four years of bookkeeping discrepancies, recovering over $40,000 in lost funds through detailed audits and reconciliations.

• Enhanced organizational structure by creating three separate entities to manage sales, transportation logistics, and customer dispute resolution, restoring public trust and improving service delivery.

• Reduced operational overhead by more than 30% through strategic cross-training, process optimization, and systems streamlining.

• Ensured timely compliance with tax regulations, including deposits, filings, and issuing hundreds of 1099s annually.

• Executed a wide range of executive-level functions: managed customer relations, resolved financial discrepancies, oversaw procurement and dispatch, handled HR and IT responsibilities, coordinated travel, and performed full-charge bookkeeping.

• Improved operational accuracy and client satisfaction by implementing efficient procedures and enhancing interdepartmental coordination.

Portfolio: 102-Unit Apartment Complex, 1 Triplex, 6 Single-Family Homes, 6 Entities

• Oversaw daily accounting functions and financial operations for a diverse real estate portfolio spanning multiple property types and legal entities.

• Recovered over $100,000 in misallocated expenses, resulting in additional tax refunds exceeding $20,000 through thorough financial audits.

• Cut legal expenses by more than 70% by enhancing tenant screening procedures and refining rental qualification criteria.

• Processed over 80 timely evictions, leveraging legal knowledge and statutory interpretation to ensure accuracy and compliance.

• Reduced tenant turnover by 8.8% by replacing high-risk tenants with long-term, financially stable residents.

• Improved interdepartmental coordination and data accuracy by implementing shared, cloud-based systems and standardized spreadsheets.

• Collaborated closely with onsite management  and legal counsel to manage all financial, operational, and legal aspects of property operations.

• Produced and maintained detailed weekly, monthly, and quarterly financial reports, rent rolls, and ledgers for owner review.

• Applied strict record-keeping standards to minimize liability exposure and reduce legal costs.

• Managed personal financial accounts and credit lines on behalf of property owners with a high degree of discretion and accuracy.

New York State Office of Child and Family Services (Grant-Funded Program):

• Led the statewide coordination of the Safety Training for Childcare Providers Program, managing logistics, compliance, and quality assurance across multiple regions.

• Supervised and developed a high-performing team of two program assistants, fostering growth through strategic delegation and strengths-based leadership.

• Co-authored and supported the successful submission of a competitive 5-year grant application to the New York State Office of Child and Family Services, securing critical program funding.

• Recovered over $20,000 in lost program funds by identifying and correcting legacy data entry errors in quarterly financial reports.

• Designed and implemented advanced, formula-driven spreadsheets that eliminated accounting discrepancies and significantly improved reporting accuracy.

• Modernized data management systems by introducing automated, user-friendly tools that eliminated redundancy and reduced administrative hours.

• Conducted comprehensive evaluations of infant CPR training courses statewide to ensure program consistency, instructional quality, and grant compliance.

• Analyzed statewide test scores and participant evaluations to assess instructor performance and refine program delivery for measurable improvement.

Tribal Youth Programs | Engineering & Development Support

• Launched a tribal youth construction mentorship initiative and led community outreach to promote a neighborhood recycling program, fostering civic engagement and environmental awareness.

• Supported civil engineers and construction managers with contract administration, permit acquisition, RFP preparation, and bid package review for residential, commercial, and civil engineering projects.

• Managed project budgets, established progress payment and retention terms, and processed purchase orders, change orders, and vendor invoices with a focus on accuracy and timeliness.

• Maintained effective communication with superintendents and subcontractors to ensure contract compliance, resolve issues, and uphold construction standards.

• Authored building code analysis reports, coordinated board meetings, and documented minutes to support transparency and regulatory alignment.

• Created and implemented preventive maintenance schedules; utilized AutoCAD to update construction plans and operated large-format plotters for plan production.

• Developed trade-specific wage tables based on BOLI prevailing wage data to ensure fair and compliant compensation practices.

• Compiled and analyzed demographic data using Excel; generated statistical needs analysis reports for tribal council to inform policy and funding decisions.

• Conducted final walkthroughs on completed construction and civil engineering sites, verifying project completion and quality standards.

Multi-Subdivision Project Management | Custom Home Development

• Managed and maintained a comprehensive master pricing and options database using Excel and JD Edwards, organizing thousands of custom upgrades across 14 concurrent subdivisions, each comprising 300–800 uniquely tailored residential lots.

• Collaborated with subcontractors to negotiate pricing, resolve lien waiver issues, and ensure smooth coordination throughout all construction phases.

• Conducted market research and generated financial reports to analyze pricing trends, optimize competitiveness, and inform strategic pricing decisions.

• Adjusted gross profit margins and retail pricing structures to maximize revenue while maintaining cost efficiency.

• Processed high-volume invoicing from over 100 subcontractors, ensuring accuracy and timeliness across multiple simultaneous build cycles.

• Generated and transmitted 500–2,000 purchase orders daily using RightFax software, ensuring rapid turnaround and fulfillment without delays.

• Consistently surpassed quarterly performance goals through proactive problem-solving, client-focused communication, and operational excellence.