Fall 2018 Edition
WASHINGTON, DC – Ia Moua, Director of AmeriCorps Programs for California Volunteers, was announced as the 2018 Outstanding Commission Staff at a reception in Arlington, VA as part of America’s Service Commissions (ASC) Innovation and Leadership Awards. The awards program is held each year in the Washington, DC area to recognize the leadership and accomplishments of state service commission staff, commissioners, and service programs throughout the United States and its territories.
As Director of AmeriCorps Programs, she is responsible for the strategic investments of $94 million in federal and local match funding to support AmeriCorps State programs across California each year.
Over the last four years, Ia has been instrumental in employing innovative strategies that have resulted in a 74% increase in AmeriCorps grant dollars for California, while also ensuring these funds are used to tackle the most pressing challenges faced by California communities. Despite the challenges of serving a large state, Ia has successfully leveraged the talents and skills of her small team of nine to provide robust support for over 60 grantees annually.
Under her leadership, the Commission has also made significant enhancement to its monitoring and oversight processes which has resulted in a 70% reduction of disallowances. Ia has also helped improve supports for grantees, including the development of three different tracks of training and technical assistance in order to meet specific program needs depending on their size and experience.
“Ia is the most inspiring person I have worked for,” said Kari MacDonald, California Volunteers’ Deputy Director of AmeriCorps. “She is simultaneously brilliant, humble, caring, strategic, determined, creative, and endlessly hard-working. She has a quiet and respectful manner, yet can command a room with her vision and intelligence.”
“We’re pleased to present Ia Moua with this honor,” said Kaira Esgate, CEO of America’s Service Commissions. “Ia’s visionary leadership has benefitted not only California, but the greater AmeriCorps and state service commission network as a role model and advocate for service.”