Curriculum Vitae
C A S E Y T. G I L B E R T
My expertise as an Advisor, Facilitator and Coach is enhanced by my own professional experience as a team member and leader within many nonprofit organizations and private sector businesses:
Vice President of Public Policy | Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce
Executive Director | Portland Downtown
Executive Director | Melbourne Main Street
General Manager | Sea View Motel + Gilbert Apartments
Executive Director | Lakes Region Rental Association
I have always prioritized being of service. In addition to the myriad volunteer positions I’ve had, I have also officially served on many boards:
General Obligation Bonds Oversight Committee, Buncombe County (2026)
Community Foundation for Brevard
Grant Review Team (2022)
Melbourne Regional Chamber of Commerce
Co-Chair, Nonprofit Council (2020-2022)
State of Maine – Department of Transportation
Public Transit Advisory Council (2019-2020)
Greater Portland Council of Governments
PACTS Transit Committee (2019-2020)
Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce
Board Member, Portland Chamber Board (2015-2020)
Visit Portland
Board of Directors (2015-2020)
International Downtown Association
Top Issues Council | Authenticity of Place (2015-2016)
I’m a lifelong learner, both in formalized higher education and through continuing education in certification programs and independent trainings:
FORMAL EDUCATION
One Spirit Learning Alliance (2022)
Ordained Interfaith/Interspiritual Minister
University of Southern Maine (2020)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Policy - Educational Leadership and Policy Concentration
Carnegie Mellon University (2008)
Master of Science (M.S.) in Public Policy and Management
University of Vermont (2002)
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Community Development and Applied Economics
CERTIFICATIONS
Edyth Bush Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership at Rollins College (2012)
Certificate in Leadership Practice
Certificate in Nonprofit Management
Certificate in Volunteer Management
International City and County Management Association (IDMA) Emerging Leaders Development Program (ELDP)
Certificate in Essential Management Skills (2023)
University of North Carolina - Charlotte (2023)
Diversity, Equity + Inclusion Certificate from UNC-Charlotte
ADDITIONAL TRAININGS
National Main Street Center
Main Street 101 Training
Bringing Mindful Speech to Life
Nonviolent Communication
Some of my proudest moments…
Under my leadership, Portland Downtown was awarded + recognized as a Psychologically Healthy Workplace by the Maine Psychological Association.
I was awarded a Portland City Council Proclamation for demonstrating exceptional commitment to Downtown Portland’s vitality and growth, as well as the experience of its many visitors and stakeholders.
While serving the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce as Vice President of Public Policy, I helped advocate for funding for businesses as they recovered from Hurricane Helene. Building a coalition of local organizations, harnessing data, and appealing to local elected leaders, we were able to secure $13M in CDBG-DR funds to provide grants to help businesses recover, rebuild and rebound.
I also had the honor of helping to launch Asheville’s inaugural downtown improvement district, develop a board onboarding program and organizational workplan.
and important research…
Learning the Ropes: A Case Study of the Onboarding Process for Newly Elected City Councilors (2020 - PhD Dissertation)
Maintaining Authenticity of Place (2016) - International Downtown Association Top Issues Council: Executive Summary or you can view the whole report here.