Experience

Infant Swimming Resource

• Consumer Services
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Program Manager, Learning & Development Specialist & Drowning Prevention Advocate

  • 2008 - Present

  Built a powerful brand of GinaTorjakISR and Aqua Kids Swimming, LLC. United as a certified provider of the program outreach of ISR. Upheld the mission, Not One More Child Drowns. Developed a business from the ground up to a thriving, recognized brand that has received national media attention and has grown to multiple locations to gain market share in Atlanta. Played a key role as a community educator and advocate for the prevention of childhood drowning, the leading cause of death for children under four. Respected & sought out SME in the Atlanta market on drowning prevention. Delivered precise course training, education, and outreach to over 1200 families, for over 15 years. Ability to effectively communicate across a diverse group and manage the full life cycle of the program training from onboarding, prospecting, instruction, and client satisfaction reviews. Employed expertise in behavioral psychology for training & development delivery specifically to support children & families. Recognized for developing a powerful network, increasing community engagement, and building strategic partnerships in the Atlanta community. Public relations approved spokesperson in multiple media formats for CNN, Fox News, and Star 94 to increase community awareness. Coordinator for multiple recertification events for CE credits; including organization and event planning for five annual recertification workshops of my peers. Show less



Dunwoody High School

• Dunwoody, Georgia, United States

• Community Development Coordinator & Co-Founder

  • Aug 2021 - Present

  Co-founded & created a new cheer team for middle school girls, when none was viable due to lack of sponsorship at the public school level. Created, built, designed, and implemented a community recreational cheerleading team for the DHS Jr. Wildcats middle school football team. Sourced volunteer coaches, uniforms, and needed resources for viability to create a safe and enriching team experience for 23 girls. Developed & led practices, coaching, and co-ed community fundraising experiences for the team. Full package experience; Created a volunteer drumline to attend games with the cheer team thus providing a 'realistic preview' of a high school cheer experience for the girls, players, and coaches. Collaborated with peers, coaches, and parents to attain a skilled, professional cheer team with a breakeven budget on year one. Show less



PEACHTREE CHARTER MIDDLE SCHOOL FOUNDATION INC

• United States
• Primary and Secondary Education

• Project Manager & Volunteer Coordinator

  • 2015 - 2018

  PMCS CV Classic Race Fundraising Chair, 2015-2018. Managed an annual budget of $45,000. Developed relationships with corporations & community partners, increasing profits consistently by $20,000 in one year’s time to $27,800. Honored with the Cher Breslin Award for outstanding volunteerism & dedication to the community by more than doubling donations for the Title 1 Charter Middle School in Dunwoody, consistently for two years in a row. Launched a new, innovative website to migrate all CV Classic Race information online. Digitized registration, race forms, maps. Created new sponsorship giving level packets resulting in doubling the number of donors over previous years. Lead role in rebranding and marketing the race with a new, consistent logo design on shirts, new signage, banners, and all online platforms. Show less



Seasons 52 Restaurant

• Restaurants
• 400 - 500 Employee

• Training & Development, Customer Service & Wine Educator

  • 2005 - 2007

  Trained wait staff and hosts to deliver the brand message of wellness with a seasonal menu offering fresh ingredients. Educated the team on selling the extensive wine selection and ensured all employees were providing best in class service and were prepared for potential mystery shopper customer service reviews. Trained wait staff and hosts to deliver the brand message of wellness with a seasonal menu offering fresh ingredients. Educated the team on selling the extensive wine selection and ensured all employees were providing best in class service and were prepared for potential mystery shopper customer service reviews.



The Cheesecake Factory

• United States
• Restaurants
• 700 & Above Employee

• Training & Development, High Volume Expeditor & Service coordinator

  • 2000 - 2002

  Led the effort to train the front of the house team members on extensive menu knowledge, menu ingredients and service standards in the busiest location in the country. Expedited foods orders as a key employee to orchestrate 18 back of the house employees achieved all performance standards for timely delivery of food and optimal check times. Led the effort to train the front of the house team members on extensive menu knowledge, menu ingredients and service standards in the busiest location in the country. Expedited foods orders as a key employee to orchestrate 18 back of the house employees achieved all performance standards for timely delivery of food and optimal check times.



Aramark

• United States
• Hospitality
• 700 & Above Employee

• Food Service & Catered Events Director, Nutritional Consultant

  • 1997 - 2000

  Managed Florida Power & Light’s Corporate Office Business Dining & Catering Service. Served 1200 people daily at corporate office & 2 satellite offices of 300 & 500 respectively. A key event planner for the President and Sr. VPs. Managed all logistics and planning for multiple high-profile monthly internal and external community events for up to 1500 participants. Led four salaried chefs, a catering director & 40 hourly employees. Conducted interviews, hired, trained, and evaluated hourly and salaried employees. Achieved goal of revitalizing corporate dining from an unhealthy downward trend. Improved quality and created nutrition labeling of food. Managed a monthly labor budget of $55,000. Key role in the development of an in-house catering online system, revolutionizing real-time ordering. Show less



Hillstone Restaurant Group

• United States
• Restaurants
• 700 & Above Employee

• Hillstone Restaurants, Manager

  • 1996 - Dec 1997

  Directed Houston’s Boca, after intensive 6-month training in every area, front and back of the house, paired with weekly leadership training. Managed Houston’s Nashville, a flagship store of veteran employees of over 20 years. Managed annual sales of more than $11MManaged $70,000 operational restaurant purchases monthly. Conducted interviews, hired, trained, developed, and evaluated hourly employees. Competent in all back-of-the-house functions, through hands-on management. Directed Houston’s Boca, after intensive 6-month training in every area, front and back of the house, paired with weekly leadership training. Managed Houston’s Nashville, a flagship store of veteran employees of over 20 years. Managed annual sales of more than $11MManaged $70,000 operational restaurant purchases monthly. Conducted interviews, hired, trained, developed, and evaluated hourly employees. Competent in all back-of-the-house functions, through hands-on management.