Experience

Medicare Teachers

• United States
• Insurance Agencies and Brokerages
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Independent Broker

  • Apr 2022 - Present



PORTAGE PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

• United States

• Member Board Of Directors

  • Mar 2010 - Aug 2022

  Board Member/ Marketing Director Developed innovative marketing strategies and internal processes for 501(C) (3), enhancing partnerships among residents, businesses & schools. Increased association membership from 200 to more than 2,500 engaged members. • Created an interactive community portal, linking residents with local businesses and events. • Introduced new businesses to surrounding communities with targeted promotion program. Board Member/ Marketing Director Developed innovative marketing strategies and internal processes for 501(C) (3), enhancing partnerships among residents, businesses & schools. Increased association membership from 200 to more than 2,500 engaged members. • Created an interactive community portal, linking residents with local businesses and events. • Introduced new businesses to surrounding communities with targeted promotion program.



Flow Marketing Communications, Inc

• Greater Chicago Area

• Business Consultant

  • Sep 2016 - Sep 2018

  Created a business plan and integrated go-to marketing strategy for a privately owned video company, considering market expansion. Created a business plan and integrated go-to marketing strategy for a privately owned video company, considering market expansion.



Big Fork Brands

• United States
• Food and Beverage Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Marketing Manager/ Brand Strategist

  • Feb 2014 - Aug 2016

  Managed marketing and business operations for a Chicago-based start-up, specializing in handcrafted, meats. Left to care for ailing parent. Created business, marketing & branding strategies; a pricing and product strategy, and; customized a CRM platform to track sales. Earned Specialty Food Association (SOFI) Award in 2016. Achieved placement in 300 stores nationally. Developed food sampling programs. Contracted with Chicago Public Schools. Established sampling program and enhanced relationships with distributors, wholesalers, mass-market retailers, etc. Show less



GBC

• United States
• Retail Office Equipment
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Brand/Product Manager

  • Jan 2000 - Oct 2002

  Managed product development, and profit & loss for $80+- million product line comprised of over 300 SKUs, for a leading global office supply manufacturer. Left GBC to stay at home with young children. page 2 of 2 – Grace Kwon GBC Office Products (Cont.) Recognized for successfully developing new consumer focused branding and packaging strategy. Developed GBC’s first integrated, international consumer and trade marketing programs. Increased specialty bulletin board line market share 12.5 percent. Created new SKU for commercial and retail distribution channels. More than $10 million in revenue projected first year. Increased warehouse club category sales by $3 million. Developed new product kits and displays. Increased customer conversion rates 21 percent through integrated consumer and trade promotions. Enhanced customer relations with key players in distribution channels to develop major accounts. Show less



ICM Conferences

• Greater Chicago Area

• Marketing Manager

  • Jun 1997 - Dec 1999

  Provided strategic marketing leadership for conference division of the Marcus Evans Group. Developed and managed all phases of marketing to enhance profitability. Delivered more than 300 annual events all over the world. Increased conference sales by 150 percent in first year by creating targeted marketing program. Increased repeat attendance by 25 percent, with new customer retention and loyalty programs. Increased internet traffic over 20 percent with web strategy for specialized financial training courses. Show less



WMS Gaming

• United States
• Gambling Facilities and Casinos
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Marketing Manager

  • Feb 1995 - May 1997

  Designed and launched customized market research and customer satisfaction studies, for a Chicago-based manufacturer of slot machines. Helped increase time-to-market and overall sales, by innovating the company’s first national slot test-marketing program. Spearheaded database development for marketing, gaming and competitors. Helped to increase retail revenue through the creation of comprehensive marketing plans. Designed and launched customized market research and customer satisfaction studies, for a Chicago-based manufacturer of slot machines. Helped increase time-to-market and overall sales, by innovating the company’s first national slot test-marketing program. Spearheaded database development for marketing, gaming and competitors. Helped to increase retail revenue through the creation of comprehensive marketing plans.



Chicago Tribune Media Group

• United States
• Newspaper Publishing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Marketing Analyst

  • Feb 1991 - Dec 1994

  Analyzed and interpreted market research data and recommended appropriate advertising programs for newspaper’s large corporate clients including Nordstrom, Inc., Walmart and Home Depot. Increased daily circulation by more than 10 percent, by creating and implementing a sales contest. Developed sales proposals utilizing Chicago Tribune media outlets, including: Chicago Tribune (print), CLTV (cable), WGN (radio), WGN (television) and Local Values (direct mail). Analyzed and interpreted market research data and recommended appropriate advertising programs for newspaper’s large corporate clients including Nordstrom, Inc., Walmart and Home Depot. Increased daily circulation by more than 10 percent, by creating and implementing a sales contest. Developed sales proposals utilizing Chicago Tribune media outlets, including: Chicago Tribune (print), CLTV (cable), WGN (radio), WGN (television) and Local Values (direct mail).