In the dynamic landscape of leading projects for small businesses, the project lead roles are an integral position to the overall success of a team.

These adept professionals possess the skills and expertise to successfully navigate tasks and timelines, effectively communicate with clients, lead and engage the team, and develop high-quality deliverables on time and within budget. Project leads also have the keen ability to anticipate client and project needs, develop processes, identify promising practices, and track progress.

Angella Alivia, HIP’s long-tenured project TA lead, possess these dynamic skills and utilizes them to successfully lead HIP’s projects. Angella began her career in government contracting, providing conference and logistics support. She often worked with subject matter experts that provided content for the sessions she facilitated, so it was a natural transition to incorporate those skills into managing projects and providing technical assistance support to grant programs.

In 2014, Angella joined HIP to provide support for the Youth CareerConnect grant program. Since then, she has continued to be a project leadership asset for HIP’s federal contracts.

Q. Our clients say they enjoy working with you and so do we. Tell us what projects you enjoy most working on.

AA. I love working with youth programs where you can feel the direct impact of your support. I have also spent time providing support for the America’s Promise program and a brief time with the National Farmworker Jobs Program.

Q. What practices do you like to bring to your daily work and what keeps you motivated?

AA. I find that lists keep me not only motived but organized. It’s a good feeling to be able to check something off the list and it is easy to assess what is a priority and what can be handled later.

Q. What career or life lessons have you experienced that you can share about yourself?

AA. One of the most important career and life lessons is, I’ve learned to embrace being flexible and creative. When challenges arise, there is always a solution, sometimes you just need to step back and take a new perspective.

Q. Outside of work, what do you like to do for fun?

AA. I enjoy being outside and occasionally bird watching, I just moved back to upstate New York and there are plenty birds to keep me interested. In 2021, I completed yoga instructor training, so I often incorporate stretching and deep breathing into my day.

Q. What’s coming up next for you?

AA. HIP has always been very supportive of professional development and I’m very excited to be attending the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in Higher Education this year in New Orleans. I will be bringing back new ideas and experiences about DEIA that HIP and myself will be able to weave directly into the technical support that we provide every day.

We are very proud to have Ms. Alivia on our HIP team and wish her continued success!