MAXINE THOMAS
Community Maven, Public Policy Advocate
About
Maxine Thomas exemplifies the true definition of a servant leader in the community.
Accordingly, Maxine was awarded the 2017 Bob Dickerson leadership award in recognition for
her leadership, courage, persistence, and commitment as a RESULTS Grassroots Volunteer.
She is also the recipient of the Do Something, Be Someone Positive Leadership Award
awarded by the Saint Florian Leadership Development Center.
She believes that no one should live in poverty and families must take an active role in changing
their communities.
Through her work in the community she is improving access to education, health, and economic opportunity by
sharing her personal story of triumph. Maxine was elected by the grassroots advocates to serve
on the International Board of Directors for RESULTS. Many media pieces have been written
about Maxine's efforts to support her community, one of which is her great success in having
her own Op-Ed published on The Hill. She is passionate and committed and uses her voice to
influence political change. Through the international work of RESULTS, she maintains ongoing
efforts with her members of congress and elected officials. Maxine thrives to build bridges
between everyday people and our policy makers.
Throughout her experiences, she has learned that making a significant change can seem
impossible and at the very least takes a lot of work. She is continuously thinking of ways in
which she can impact the lives of people around her.
"Make a career of humanity. Commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights. You
will make a greater person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world
to live in." -MLK
Over 20 years of experience
I am a results-oriented Consultant and aim to help my clients achieve all of their goals. I have years of experience in the industry and have worked every step of the way. Take a look at my academic and professional milestones.
Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana August 2019-Present
Outreach Specialist
Collaborate with Feeding America, local/state associations to share/learn best practices, increase knowledge and access to resources.
Created innovative strategies to capture data and enhance reporting of metrics and other deliverables on schedule.
Recipient of Feeding America’s FY21 Benefits Capacity Advisor Institute. Co-developed emerging best practices for including a racial equity lens through the benefits programs.
Rooted member of the Inclusion, Diversity, Engagement, Equity and Awareness Leadership Committee.Provide positive client experiences through responsive feedback and customer care.
Outreach and benefits assistance including application submission.
Developed marketing materials including print, televised -media networks, and social media platforms.
Fellow member of the Special Events and Recognition Council
Travel to Washington, D.C. on behalf of Feeding America to Speak on Capitol Hill in partnership with Federal Nutrition Policy work.
Review and audit programs including documents, procedures and services. Successfully passed the State’s Organization Audit.
Pivoted Benefits Program during a global pandemic to continue service to the community including leading mobile distributions and directing the United States National Guards.
Happy Kids Childcare and Learning Center February 2016- August 2019
Office Manager & Culinary Director
Strategically recruit employees to fill open positions.
Coordinate ongoing training of staff to be effective in their roles
Supervise and monitor performance of staff, reporting results to executive leadership.
Provide excellent interpersonal skills and prioritize clear and effective communication.
Liaison for families and state agencies
Developed resource center and safe haven for families and employees
Conduct safety procedure checks and completed state mandated testing.
Expansion Director and Center Retention Coach
Mentorship and conflict mediation including observing and promoting safe work practices
Supervise food service functions including meal planning and coordinating with staff
Compliance of USDA and State health regulations for child nutrition programs
Accurate completion of all required Reports
XEROX Company July 2015- February 2016
Lead Affordable Care Act & Medicare Advantage Specialist
Contributed to thousands of enrollments of health insurance
Team Lead in Provider Services and Customer Care Support
Quality and Assurance Proctor
Review of data and reports for department
Operate and manage multiple systems
Temporarily relocated for expanded training from customer out of state
Executive meetings, conferences, skills building.
Key holder for opening, closing and handling operational procedures
Indiana Family and Social Service Administration October 2014- June 2015
Eligibility Specialist
Gather data for relevant assistance for benefit assistance.
Verified all information provided for accuracy and meets state policies.
Timely response to inquiries via phone and/or email communications.
Performed data entry into the State Eligibility database.
Excelled in accuracy for quality and performance review.
Effectively relate to diverse groups of people from all social and socioeconomic areas of the community.
Provided excellent problem solving skills
Performed all duties and assignments with great integrity.
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Education & Training
The MOTH, Storytelling Alumni- Manhattan, NY
ServSAFE Certified, CPR/First Aid Certified
Certified Medicare Advantage Dayton, OH
Licensed Health Insurance Agent, Indiana, West Virginia, Kentucky, Georgia
Diploma-Lawrence Central, Indianapolis, IN
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Volunteer Leadership Experience
Sanctuary Church, Culinary Servant Leader, Indianapolis, IN
Grassroots Organizing, Advocacy Trainer, Storytelling Training
Grassroots Board Member and Executive Board of Directors
RESULTS/RESULTS Indianapolis US Poverty Group Leader
BRICKs Alliance, Circle Leader Trainer/Facilitator Circles USA
Volunteer Staff, Dayspring Family Homeless Shelter
Assistant to Chief St. Florian Leadership Development Center
Mapleton Fall Creek Neighborhood, Youth Builder
What's the Buzz about Maxine
Inspirations
News and Media
January 23, 2023
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September 10, 2020
IndyStar on Sep. 3, 2020, ran a story headlined "Another effect of the coronavirus pandemic: More trash at home — tons of it," noting that Marion County's residential trash volume in March was 18 percent higher than during the same period last year.
Millions of low-income renters are struggling to make ends meet. Millions have lost their jobs or income, and when people cannot work, they cannot pay the rent.
While it is great that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is declaring a halt to evictions for the rest of the year, emergency rental assistance is still needed for both renters and small landlords.
Economist Mark Zandi, as cited in a Washington Post article, said that tenants owe nearly $25 billion in back rent, which could reach $69.8 billion by the end of the year.
We see trash volume has risen since the beginning of the pandemic back in March. Imagine that number for families who face eviction and will be forced on the streets. The city will be in for a new crisis. Will we be ready?
There appears to be some bipartisan support in Congress to provide emergency rental assistance. This will help renters avoid an eviction "cliff" later this year, and for small landlords who still face bills. But the White House is stalling. We must remind policymakers that families cannot wait - we need another relief package NOW and for emergency rental assistance to be a priority.
It's time for Congress and President Donald Trump to resume negotiations now and enact a robust COVID-19 deal that includes $100 billion in emergency rental assistance.
Maxine Thomas
Indianapolis
July 14, 2016
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2020 Centers of Wellness for Urban Women 7th Day Virtual Awards
Representing Social Wellness!
May 16, 2020
7th Day Virtual Awards honoring Maxine Thomas
Today is our final 7th Day Virtual Awards celebration day in Honor of National Women's Health Week! Today we spotlight our Social Wellness Dimension, and honor Maxine Thomas and her work representing this dimension. Here is her interview with CWUW Board member, Victoria Ballard.
February, 11, 2021
Tes Silverman interview with Maxine Thomas on the Podcast, rEv Woman, as a true definition of a Servant Leader in the community.
September 15, 2020
In this episode, you will hear how Maxine was humbled by the faith others put in her as a leader, and how it inspired her to intentionally build other leaders. Listen in to hear her story.