Experience

FYN Creative

• United States
• Advertising Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief Storytelling Officer & Founder

  • Jun 2014 - Present

  Washington D.C. Metro Area Built a digital storytelling agency from concept to a dynamic fully operating organization bringing in over a half a million dollars in revenue in less than five years. FYN Creative is a highly sought-after agency in the education, non-profit and startup industries because of a strong track record in helping our clients raise more than $4M. ► Advise Senior Executives – Provide guidance to Executive Directors, Council members, Deans, and Mid-level directors on marketing budgets &… Show more Built a digital storytelling agency from concept to a dynamic fully operating organization bringing in over a half a million dollars in revenue in less than five years. FYN Creative is a highly sought-after agency in the education, non-profit and startup industries because of a strong track record in helping our clients raise more than $4M. ► Advise Senior Executives – Provide guidance to Executive Directors, Council members, Deans, and Mid-level directors on marketing budgets & strategies, negotiate & execute with cross-functional teams and external partners on large RFP’s while always meeting tight deadlines and coming in at or under budget ► Driving strategic projects - Create compelling digital stories and marketing campaigns, from pre-production to launch, that help fundraise between $50K to $1M+ and increase number of gift income by 1300%, total donors & member engagement ► Sourcing, Hiring and Developing Talent – Recruit, hire, train, and lead a team of full-time, part-time, and freelance workers on-boarding 20 team members and leading up to five staff at a time ► Public Speaking – Deliver high impact keynotes, trainings, and presentations on how to develop engaging digital strategies, creating enhanced visual stories, and using social media to effectively meet and measure an organization’s KPI’s ► Corporate Clients include – American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American University, CDC, GWU, PBS, NEA, Virginia Tech and Washington Councils of Government ► Cross cultural & global communication – International marketing trainer for the Department of Trade Eurasia program and French Embassy Cultural Center Show less



self-employed

• Real Estate
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Keynote Speaker

  • Jan 2010 - Present

  Washington D.C. Metro Area Speaking Resume: (For more information contact speaking@kevin-oconnell.com) + U.S. Department of Commerce - Special American Business Training Program Eurasia Startup Delegate, Digital Storytelling training for Georgian Wine Producers Delegate. International talk with translators. TEDx NYIT - One of 3 featured speakers for TEDx event at New York Institute of Technology. +Virginia Tech - A two-day engagement of a series of 5 sessions, workshops, and a keynote to Student… Show more Speaking Resume: (For more information contact speaking@kevin-oconnell.com) + U.S. Department of Commerce - Special American Business Training Program Eurasia Startup Delegate, Digital Storytelling training for Georgian Wine Producers Delegate. International talk with translators. TEDx NYIT - One of 3 featured speakers for TEDx event at New York Institute of Technology. +Virginia Tech - A two-day engagement of a series of 5 sessions, workshops, and a keynote to Student Affairs leadership team, programming, dining services, communications and technology, career development, and upperclassman. +ADA Center at the University of Illinois - Expert speaker interviews and series of career webinars tailored for students with disabilities as part of the University of Illinois Great Lakes ADA Career Punch-In program streamed to 400. +APCO Worldwide - Global Talent Summit - Career Trends & Exploration workshop with 18 leaders in APCO’s talent division representing China, Europe, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. +ACPA - Social Media & Digital Storytelling Best Practices - Series of in-person and live-streamed webinars to ACPA's Coalitions and Committees across the country. +George Washington University - Featured Speaker, Women in Business Conference +National Lemonade Day - Keynote Speaker Annual Business Conference, Houston, TX - 150 in attendance. +MACUHO - Kickoff Keynote for Annual Conference at Penn State University - 200 in attendance. +Rutgers University - Keynote for Dining Services Winter Retreat with 100 in attendance, career workshop for Rutgers Student Programming Committee. +Pivotal Labs - Featured presentation part of Tech Talk series. For more information contact speaking@kevin-oconnell.com Show less



George Washington University

• United States
• Banking
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Adjunct Business School Instructor

  • Aug 2016 - Present

  Washington, DC Partner with GWU Business School deans, faculty and key leadership to develop experiential education that aligns with the GWSB model of leadership curricula as well as support several initiatives and organizations within GWSB community. ► Teach StrengthsFinder based curriculum for First-year leadership development program (FYDP) along with social entrepreneurship, diversity, equity and inclusion; and business ethics components ► Mentor and advise entrepreneurship-focused… Show more Partner with GWU Business School deans, faculty and key leadership to develop experiential education that aligns with the GWSB model of leadership curricula as well as support several initiatives and organizations within GWSB community. ► Teach StrengthsFinder based curriculum for First-year leadership development program (FYDP) along with social entrepreneurship, diversity, equity and inclusion; and business ethics components ► Mentor and advise entrepreneurship-focused students with MVP, pitches, accelerator programs, & networking ► Instruct first year to graduate-level students, both domestic and international, in Career Management Strategy course -- mentoring 100 students on elevator pitches, negotiation, and developing their career story ► Rank in the top two percent tile (95.6%) of instructor quality rating Show less



The Niche Movement

• United States
• Human Resources

• Director, Author, Speaker & Founder

  • Oct 2012 - Present

  Washington D.C. Metro Area This Niche Movement has helped hundreds of professionals (college students to seasoned professionals) across the world rethink career development strategies and find a job they love. ► Recruited, secured, managed, and maintained senior-level relationships with corporate partners like HBO, Lily, & ACPA for annual sponsorships and scholarships ► Launched and funded a successful Kickstarter campaign to self-publish a book that challenges the status quo in career development… Show more This Niche Movement has helped hundreds of professionals (college students to seasoned professionals) across the world rethink career development strategies and find a job they love. ► Recruited, secured, managed, and maintained senior-level relationships with corporate partners like HBO, Lily, & ACPA for annual sponsorships and scholarships ► Launched and funded a successful Kickstarter campaign to self-publish a book that challenges the status quo in career development, garnering press in Buzzfeed, Money Under 30 & GenTwenty ► Worked with 25+ cross-functional organizations like General Assembly, TACUSPA, and Stevens Tech to deliver keynotes and high-impact leadership and career workshops ► Owned the growth of The Niche Movement blog to build a community of almost 50 contributing editors with a monthly reach of 5,000+ Show less



General Assembly

• United States
• Animation and Post-production
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Adjunct Instructor

  • Jun 2016 - Dec 2020

  Washington D.C. Metro Area I teach social media, branding, marketing, and career exploration classes.



1 Million Cups Organizer

• United States
• Philanthropic Fundraising Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Co-founder and team lead

  • Feb 2018 - Jun 2019

  Washington DC-Baltimore Area ► Co-founded, recruited, on-boarded and led a team of volunteers in the D.C. startup ecosystem ► Built and maintained relationships with corporate and non-profit partners like 1776 & WeWork to secure space, resources, and a pipeline to help entrepreneurs succeed ► Hosted a weekly program to engage, educate, and inspire entrepreneurs in the D.C. community – all provided free to the entrepreneurs due to corporate partners and sponsors



Rutgers University - Recreation & Community Development

• Assistant Director - Marketing & Social Media

  • Jul 2012 - Oct 2014

  Piscataway, NJ Summary: After showing leadership potential and knowledge of social media marketing, I was promoted into this position to develop a marketing unit from the ground up. • Create and implement all marketing strategies while leading social media content creation for 10 platforms • Responsible for brand strategy for print, social, digital, in-person promotion and event marketing • Attract and attain a highly talented digital media team made of 10 staff members • Manage an annual… Show more Summary: After showing leadership potential and knowledge of social media marketing, I was promoted into this position to develop a marketing unit from the ground up. • Create and implement all marketing strategies while leading social media content creation for 10 platforms • Responsible for brand strategy for print, social, digital, in-person promotion and event marketing • Attract and attain a highly talented digital media team made of 10 staff members • Manage an annual budget of $50,000 while maintaining the security and inventory of digital equipment totaling $100,000+ • Assess various data points and review analytics from social media listening tools to design intentional content and develop platform strategy • Establish a cross functional network of colleagues to bolster resources, equipment and funds to enhance the department’s events and programs. • Conduct social media trainings for audiences of various ages with a wide range of skill levels and disciplines • Interact with 30-50 constituents at Rutgers on a weekly basis to coordinate content, campaigns & creative strategy for their department • Track analytics & insights on a daily basis to evaluate & enhance the performance of our content • Produce and direct digital shorts, highlight videos and documentaries • Build community through lead generation online and face-to-face at university wide open houses and large events Skilled using the following platforms and software: Followerwonk (twitter analytics) Quintly (Facebook insights, interactions & engagement) Simply Measured Bufferapp TweetDeck Google Analytics Facebook insights Final Cut Pro X Adobe Photoshop Keynote (slide design) Lightroom Aperture

• Student Affairs Professional - Intramural Sports & Marketing Coordinator

  • Aug 2008 - Jun 2012

  • Manage, coordinate and create marketing for a dynamic intramural program serving 7,000 students, promoting wellness and sportsmanship for the New Brunswick campus • Provide direction, leadership and promotion for all campus based special events both unit and department wide • Advise the Recreation Activities Council (RAC) providing guidance to plan and promote special events and volunteer programs that offers community-building opportunities to each of the four campuses at… Show more • Manage, coordinate and create marketing for a dynamic intramural program serving 7,000 students, promoting wellness and sportsmanship for the New Brunswick campus • Provide direction, leadership and promotion for all campus based special events both unit and department wide • Advise the Recreation Activities Council (RAC) providing guidance to plan and promote special events and volunteer programs that offers community-building opportunities to each of the four campuses at Rutgers • Collaborate with Associate Director of Recreation to manage a staffing and equipment budget of $100,000 • Market, coordinate and plan department’s revenue generating summer day camp program to families in the surrounding Rutgers community Student Development and Staff Supervision • Supervise intramural staff and pursue innovative staff development methods to mediate conflict, build unity, and properly recognize student staff employees • Oversee the multi-level university wide recruitment and selection for undergraduate student staff • Developed a curriculum for the Recreation Leadership conference designed to train undergraduate and graduate supervisors Collaboration and Contributions for Professional Development • Served on core planning team of The Big Ideas in Higher Education Conference with attendees from institutions cross the country. Envisioned and executed a comprehensive media and promotion strategy that resulted in a “sold out” conference and several high quality photos and videos that will serve as invaluable documentation when promoting future conferences. • Supervised College Student Affairs Graduate Interns enrolled in a credit bearing field experience • Participate as the Recreation representative on a cross-functional committee designing leadership initiatives for incoming students including the Rising Leadership Institute and Leadership Quest • Member of Recreation master plan committee and safety committee



Centenary College

• United States
• Higher Education
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Director Campus Recreation

  • Aug 2006 - Aug 2008

  Hackettstown, NJ • Responsible for organizing and promoting a recreation programming model for 2,000 students • Coordinated student leadership trainings for student life, residence life, and student athletes



Stratcomm

• Ghana
• Public Relations and Communications Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Marketing Intern/Assistant

  • Aug 2005 - Jun 2006

  Basking Ridge, NJ • Managed corporate accounts to recruit staff, set up promotions and assess marketing strategies • Assisted the launch and branding of all new Staple stores opening nationwide. • Responsible for organizing a our PR contact list and releasing press releases



Ciao Bella Gelato

• Germany
• Restaurants

• Marketing & Sales Intern

  • May 2005 - Aug 2005

  Irvington, NJ • Built client outreach and assisted marketing and sales team to create product placement in the tri-state area, set up and attend tradeshows, corporate events and fundraisers • Managed product placement and retail tasting events in the tri-state area for Whole Food Markets



Synovate

• Market Research
• 700 & Above Employee

• Market Research Intern

  • Jan 2005 - May 2005

  Florham Park, NJ • Assisted market research team to organize data, spreadsheets and campaigns for pharmaceutical clients