Sr. Director, Operations & Workforce Management

• Oct 2021 - Present

Chicago Event Management (CEM) is an event production company based in Chicago. Since 1996, CEM has worked closely with community partners and leaders in event production to create world-renowned events in the heart of Chicago. At the core of our organization, we believe in sharing best practices, using learnings to create unforgettable experiences, and building lasting relationships that lead to new ideas and innovation. We produce the following events for our clients: - Bank of America Chicago Marathon - Bank of America Chicago 13.1 - Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle - BTN Big Ten 10K / 5K - Abbott Chicago 5K As Sr. Director of Operations & Workforce Management, I am responsible for daily team leadership of the Operations and Workforce Management departments, including a team of 17 full-time, part-time and contract staff. Operations team management areas include Event Site, Facility, & Course Layout Development and Build, Event Site, Facility, & Course Logistics & Management, Environmental Design & Branding, Health, Medical, Safety & Emergency Planning, Warehouse Operations & Logistics, Vendor Management, and Government Agency Relations. Workforce Management areas include event staff administration, volunteer recruitment and administration, as well as staff, volunteer, and partner and vendor accreditation. Show less

Executive Director

• Jul 2017 - Oct 2021

CARA is a non-profit organization committed to serving and advocating for the local running community. We are Chicagoland’s running club, providing accessible opportunities for all runners to train, race, learn, be social and volunteer. With over 10,000 members, CARA is the nation’s third-largest running club, serving as the voice of local runners, as well as providing over 1,300 dates of programming and events per year. Notable achievements at CARA: First internal candidate in the organization’s 40-year history to be promoted to Executive Director. Increased membership from 4,800 to 11,304 in only two years. Expanded program and events dates by 60%, now providing over 1,300 dates annually. Eliminated significant organizational debt and increased cash reserve 25x during tenure.In 2020, secured the organizations number one, three, four, and five highest donations in history, helping the organization continue to serve its mission and remain financially stable through the COVID19 pandemic. Led organization through major operating changes, including the development of an organizational strategic plan, office sublet and move, major staff restructuring, new website, and mobile app launch, and development of new financial and HR processes. Launched the CARA 'Go Run program in partnership with local park districts. A free-running program making running more accessible in underserved parks around Chicagoland. CARA's largest event has experienced over 70% growth.Launched five new racing events including the Honda Miles Per Hour Run, Chi-Town Miles track event, and the three race trail series with The Forge: Lemont Quarries. CARA Training programs, the organization's largest revenue source, reached a five-year participation high in 2019.Launched the CARA Run Crew program, aimed at providing accessible opportunities in organized running in Chicago's South and West sides. Show less

Director of Events & Marketing

• Jan 2017 - Jul 2017

Director, Events & Road Race Services

• Mar 2016 - Feb 2017

Manager, Road Race Services / Event Management

• Jul 2015 - Mar 2016

Assistant Cross Country / Track and Field Coach

• Jan 2015 - Jun 2015

During Hipp's stint with Chicago's Big Ten team he assisted Head Coach April Likhite with training development and coaching for all distance runners. NU's 19 runner roster bettered nearly 50 different personal bests during Hipp's one spring and the program experienced its first NCAA First-Round Championship track and field qualifier as Andrea Ostenso qualified for and competed in the 10,000-meters. In addition to coaching duties Hipp oversaw planning for the 2015 Big Ten Cross Country Championship including course design and development, contract negotiation with the championship site and various event related vendors, development of an event operations manual, participant manual and participant travel guide. Hipp also helped fellow assistant Audrey Huth grow NU's Camp Run Wild which double in size in 2015. Show less

Head Cross Country Coach / Assistant Track and Field Coach

• Jul 2011 - Dec 2014

In just over three years at NIU the Huskie's cross country, middle and long distance runners rose to new heights breaking 13 NIU all-time distance event records. That group improved from scoring zero points at the MAC Championships indoors and outdoors between 2005 and 2011 to scoring 30 points during the 2014 season. The cross country program was also been named a USTFCCCA All-Academic team each season boasting a team GPA as high as 3.72. Organized and directed the 2011 NCAA Midwest Regional at NIU, the first ever for the program. Secured the largest field of Division-I teams at a home track and field competition (8, previous high was 2). Developed and oversaw a successful fundraising campaign that more than doubled the programs fundraising total since arrival at NIU. The fall of 2014 saw historic success for NIU cross country as the first two Huskies in school history - Kelsey Hildreth and Meghan Heuer - earned All-Region recognition for finishing in the top 20 at the NCAA Midwest Regional in Peoria, Ill. Hildreth and Heuer also became the first two All-MAC cross country honorees in school history; Hildreth also broke the NIU 5K and 6K school cross country records during her fabulous freshman campaign. Show less

Head Cross Country Coach / Assistant Track and Field Coach

• Jan 2003 - Jun 2011

Track and field and cross country teams won five MVC team championships. Cross country team was among the MVC’s top two teams five of eight seasons and top three seven of eight seasons. Cross country team was among the NCAA Midwest Region top ten teams five of past eight years including two top five finishes. Athletes coached held over 70% of the top ten performances for cross country and the distances events, held nine Missouri Valley Conference all-time and championship records, accounted for 117 all-conference honors, 31 conference individual titles, 23 NCAA First Round / Regional qualifying performances and have reached NCAA national qualifying standards 15 times. The program boasted a team GPA average of at least 3.5 each year, including the nation’s second ranked team GPA each of the past two years (3.81 and 3.71, respectively). Individually six student-athletes have received ESPN / CoSida Academic All-American awards. Also designed cross country course and later directed at the facility the NCAA Regional Championship. Show less

Assistant Coach

• May 2002 - Dec 2002

Men and women swept conference cross country team titles as five athletes earned all-conference honors. Assisted with development of training schedules, organizing and conducting practices. Recruited for cross country and middle and long distance events. Assisted with high school camp management and fundraising. Aided in home event management for cross country and track and field as well as the Grandfather Mountain Marathon and The Bear Road Race. Managed sports information including writing of news releases, cross country media guide, developed and managed of recruiting materials, web site, records, statistics, and developed an e-mail newsletter for alumni, parents and recruits. Show less

Director of Operations / Assistant Meet Director

• Dec 2000 - Jan 2002

Event included the Nike's Great Races of America Series in 2001 that host races in San Francisco, Calif. and Charlotte, N.C. and the Great American Cross Country Festival in 2002. The Great American hosted nearly 5,000 elite athletes for age group, high school, collegiate and club levels from more than 41 states and three countries. Event included the Nike's Great Races of America Series in 2001 that host races in San Francisco, Calif. and Charlotte, N.C. and the Great American Cross Country Festival in 2002. The Great American hosted nearly 5,000 elite athletes for age group, high school, collegiate and club levels from more than 41 states and three countries.