Experience

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  Kentucky Equine Adoption Center

  • Lexington, Kentucky, United States

  • Executive Director

    • Feb 2023 - Present
    • Lexington, Kentucky, United States

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  MOUNT VERNON CLUB OF BALTIMORE INC

  • Baltimore, Maryland, United States

  • General Manager

    • Dec 2021 - Feb 2023
    • Baltimore, Maryland, United States

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  City Tavern Club

  • District of Columbia, United States

  • GENERAL MANAGER

    • Apr 2021 - Dec 2021
    • District of Columbia, United States

    ◆ 𝗦𝗖𝗢𝗣𝗘: Recruited to strategize and direct the mission and lead all facets of operations for this exclusive and historic, member-driven private club and nonprofit organization listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the sole remaining founding-era tavern in Washington, DC. Create the atmosphere and deliver first-class hospitality to members in the community, overseeing $1.1M annual revenue and leading a 10-member team to offer high-end service for 265 prestigious members, which include Supreme Court Justices, Ambassadors, and Cabinet Members.◆ 𝗢𝗥𝗚𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗭𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗧:➜ Succeeded in boosting the club’s membership 10% and event revenue 30% through skillful multifaceted social media campaign, despite Covid pandemic and a competitive landscape.➜ Inject $750K annually through relentless execution of large-scale visually stunning weddings, as well as intimate private gatherings.➜ Cultivate relationships with club members, ensuring benefits are perceived as highly valuable and needs are met and exceeded.➜ Introduced innovative member gatherings, such as A Night at the Haunted Mansion, Roses and Rosé, among others.➜ Partner collaboratively with a 7-member board as a growth leader to create short- and long-term plans (strategic & financial), develop operating policies, and manage the operational budget.

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  Club Management Association of America

  • Washington D.C. Metro Area

  • DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

    • 2016 - 2020
    • Washington D.C. Metro Area

    ◆ 𝗦𝗖𝗢𝗣𝗘: Sought after to guide the philanthropic arm of the nation’s largest professional association for club managers. Directed all functions of creating vision and strategic planning, fundraising initiatives, which award $280K in scholarships/grants annually to the 6.8K club members. Developed relationships with a 16-member board to manage budget and operational plans. Campaigns and program garnered $750K/annually.◆ 𝗢𝗥𝗚𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗭𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗧:➜ Architected and executed pioneering, world-class charity events, such as awards breakfasts, golf outings, and cocktail parties in support of the foundation’s fundraising initiatives. ➜ Developed a $30 for 30 Years program, raising funds and celebrating the 30th anniversary for the organization.➜ Raised $15K through Giving Tuesday campaign in 2018, growing to $50K in 2019, a 500% increase.➜ As foundation ambassador and spokesperson, spoke on behalf of the organization at meetings and award presentations.➜ Triggered an increase in giving 20% YoY and scholarship applications through effective storytelling to diverse stakeholders.➜ Captured a $100K pledge from Chicago Chapter and $100K pledge from the Florida Chapter.➜ Boosted member donations from 50% participation to 65% in 1 year.

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  Alex and Ani

  • Cranston, Rhode Island

  • DIRECTOR, BRAND / EVENTS

    • 2014 - 2016
    • Cranston, Rhode Island

    ◆ 𝗦𝗖𝗢𝗣𝗘: Tasked with governance for all corporate and retail events, administering a $2M budget for increasing brand awareness and increasing accelerated growth of this lifestyle brand with 53 sites and hundreds of B2B accounts. Guided an events team through the lifecycle, creating the vision, marketing strategy, sales plan, event execution, and post-event analysis.◆ 𝗢𝗥𝗚𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗭𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗧:➜ Earned the Best Corporate Event Award from the International Life Events Association in 2015 for the corporate holiday party (with $150K budget).➜ Slashed grand opening expenses 35% while growing ROI 20% through process improvements.➜ Growth partner and collaborator with the SVP Marketing to ideate and execute broad targeted marketing plans to amplify high-profile events, identify opportunities, and secure partnerships.➜ Conceptualized and directed 12 store grand openings, 4 seasonal product launches, 24 charity events, 2 corporate holiday parties, 2 B2B retailer White Parties, the Warehouse Sale, and multiple town hall events.➜ Coordinated an in-store appearance by Ingrid Michaelson, held a Super Bowl tailgate party at Patriots Place, created a unique brand experience at the Newport Jazz and Folk Festival and Outside Lands, and designed the Charmed by Charity events and Bangle Bars pop-up shops.

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  Corcoran Gallery of Art and College of Art + Design

  • Washington D.C. Metro Area

  • DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EVENTS

    • 2013 - 2014
    • Washington D.C. Metro Area

    ◆ 𝗦𝗖𝗢𝗣𝗘: Steered 150+ world-class events for this prestigious art museum, including political, corporate, and diplomatic events, movie/TV premieres, exhibition openings, and weddings for high-profile clients, including the King of Morocco, the Marriott Family, PBS, Showtime, and The World Bank. Partnered collaboratively with internal departments while leading a 3-member team on executing logistics and cultivating relationships with DC vendors. Administered daily operations of the gallery café and caterer for events.◆ 𝗢𝗥𝗚𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗭𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗧:➜ Despite a 9+ month leadership gap, gained team’s trust by creating processes to streamline operations and sales, which grew bookings and budgets.➜ Generated $600K+ YoY revenue for the Corcoran Ball by launching the “Club Corcoran,” a microevent aimed at a younger demographic.➜ Grew rental income 125% in 9 months through effective social media marketing on FB, Twitter, and industry website advertising, such as The Knot and Wedding Wire to increase market exposure.

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  Carried Away Events

  • Washington, D.C.

  • FOUNDER & CEO

    • 2002 - 2013
    • Washington, D.C.

    ◆ 𝗦𝗖𝗢𝗣𝗘: Conceptualized and built this event planning company from inception, creating the organization as the premiere option for high-end weddings, galas, and milestone celebrations. Secured corporate and social clients in DC, Boston, Tokyo, and Honolulu. Developed and designed the branding, logo, marketing collateral, and website, establishing the company as a major player in the event planning industry. Directed all facets of daily operations, including sales strategy, budget management, partnership development, and strategic vision.◆ 𝗢𝗥𝗚𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗭𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗧:➜ Coordinated and executed more than 125 weddings, 20 Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, and 35+ corporate events.➜ Secured contract for the 50th anniversary events for Kaiser Permanente, a large-scale event held across 3 Hawaiian islands—including a community service day, family celebration, and an 800-attendee gala.➜ Served as consultant on the Queen Ann Ball, a 600-attendee event, which raised $200K+ more than previous year.➜ Recruited by George Mason University to teach the course, Wedding Planning and Management. As a result, coauthored a textbook, Wedding Planning and Management: Consultancy for Diverse Clients, the 1st-ever textbook written for the industry—featured on ABC Nightline, MSNBC, NPR, Smart Money, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post.

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  VNU Exhibitions

  • Group Show Director

    • 2001 - 2002

    Leadership position responsible for managing three business-to-business trade shows which totaled 100,000 square feet of exhibit space; $3 million in exhibit revenue, and $500,000 in sponsorship revenue per year and more than 15,000 attendees. Ultimately in charge of event budget, P&L statements, exhibit and sponsorship sales, and exhibitor marketing campaigns and a staff of more than 30 people. Motivated diverse sales professionals to work as a team under difficult circumstances in order to reach a common goal. Initiated strategic direction and sales plan strategies for effectively selling and marketing events. Forged cross-industry relationships with publishers, exhibitors and attendees to achieve success. Staged events at large venues including The Staples Center in Los Angeles and the Anaheim Convention Center, and two international events in London and Singapore/ Clients included Microsoft, SUN Microsystems, IBM, SONY, Kodak, and Yahoo.Director of Corporate PartnershipsVNU Exhibitions1998-2001Managed 12-person sponsorship sales team responsible for generating income from 24 annual events covering industries as diverse as home healthcare and food service. Increased sponsorship revenue from less than $100,000 per year to more than $1 million dollars per year. Established all processes for sponsor solicitation and created tools including sponsorship menus, proposals, sales contract, logistics letters, and follow-up reports. Achieved high level coordination with sponsors to ensure all benefits communicated and delivered and expectations met including signage, logo placement, banners and other collateral support materials. Coordinated and delivered all on-site sponsorship support for corporate events in New York, Orlando, Atlanta, Chicago, New Orleans, Denver, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles.

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  American Gas Association

  • Washington D.C. Metro Area

  • Sales and Special Promotions Manager

    • 1989 - 1998
    • Washington D.C. Metro Area

    Created sponsorship opportunities for association’s annual events including IT Conference, Financial Forum, and Annual Meeting. Generated revenue in excess of $125,000 per year. Developed pricing structure and benefits for each sponsorship and delivered all benefits including signage, logo placement, and recognition in programs and on event web sites. Coordinated association’s sponsorship of the 1996 Summer Olympics Torch Relay Celebration in the Washington, D.C. area. Harmoniously managed diverse interests of sponsors, local government, and business community. Supervised 25 volunteers to manage multiple events along the torch route including rallies on Freedom Plaza in Washington, D.C., across Key Bridge and to Gateway Park in Arlington, VA. Thousands turned out to participate in events and share in this once-in-a-lifetime experience.