Experience

Open Road Brands, LLC.

• United States
• Fine Art
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Senior Manager Strategic Planning

  • Mar 2022 - Present

  Defining long range Go-To Market strategies for current and new channels of distributution.Creating Best Practices and efficiencies within the Product Development eco-system (Sales, Marketing, Operations, Design, etc.)Structuring large scale program development for the enterprise to include ECommerce and B2B.Defining development timelines and Customer opportunities ensuring alignment and optimization of resources.

• Senior Category Manager

  • Apr 2021 - Mar 2022



Hallmark Cards

• United States
• Retail
• 700 & Above Employee

• SR CATEGORY MANAGER

  • Jan 2016 - Mar 2020

  Managed the Everyday Card business strategies (75% of overall business) for all National accounts, ensured retail execution and marketing promotions maximized results. Worked collaboratively with Sales partners and Retailer leadership ensuring consumer insights drove strategy.

• STRATEGIC SELLER - National Accounts

  • Jan 2015 - Dec 2015

  Actively managed all sales and business activity of assigned accounts. Took ownership of and presented growth strategies and new opportunities to customers; facilitated accomplishment of product growth goals at individual customer locations.Cultivated productive customer relationships, ensuring flawless business plan execution and consistent revenue growth. Aligned and adapted programs and tactics with retailer needs.

• SR PRODUCT MANAGER

  • 2011 - Jan 2015

  • Oversees strategies and end-to-end management of Sunrise and UNICEF brands of Everyday Card, Seasonal Card, and Holiday Boxed Card products; consistently delivered strong year-on-year sales growth• Manages Sunrise's wide-ranging line of social expression products, including Stationery and Gift Presentation • Leads team in developing both close-in and further out strategies and tactics• Spearheads collaboration with Creative and Sales partners to ensure all stakeholders’ needs are met• Performs in-depth needs analysis and builds products programs based on performance data analysis, market trends, and consumer insights• Ensures product offerings and visual merchandising are consistent with channels of distribution needs. These channels included Mass, Specialty and E-Commerce.• Partners cross-functionally in raising awareness of alternate business models and products offerings • Heads all licensing relationships and contract negotiations for over 50 licensed artists• Manages and mentors four Associate Product Managers; fosters growth, development, and cohesiveness

• ASSOCIATE PRODUCT MANAGER III

  • 2005 - 2011

  • Delivered expertise and strategic leadership on UNICEF team; quickly promoted from Product Planner to Senior Associate Product Manager • Oversaw multiple product formats including; Everyday Card, Seasonal Card, Holiday Boxed, Everyday Stationery, Gift, and Business-to-Business card lines, managing to a COS target and consistently exceeding target• Managed diverse distribution channels ranging from traditional retail to catalogs and e-commerce • Conducted all-encompassing analysis in support of building recommendations around model lines• Partnered closely with creative partners in cultivating strategies and developing products• Led cross-functional teams, fostering program completion and alternative process development • Interacted daily with UNICEF partners, ensuring all products and merchandising met required brand

• BUSINESS EXECUTION COORDINATOR

  • 2003 - 2005

  • Collaborated on team responsible for managing the contract between the United States Postal Service and Hallmark Custom Marketing for the development and manufacturing of a private label brand of mailing supplies – ReadyPost• Charged with working with and training USPS-employed Retail Managers to ensure growth in their retail lobbies, most specifically concerning the Mailing Supplies category; traveled annually to and oversaw 52 district offices nationwide

• COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

  • 2001 - 2003

  • Delivered senior-level support to Customer Support Specialists serving all distribution channels • Liaised with assigned Business Units, fostering compliance and ensuring adherence to current programs • Published communications necessary for providing Customer Support Specialists with updated information for retailers • Authored policies and procedures, and delivered training in compliance with company’s policies and procedures• Received Crown Club Ring Level 2 award for Recognition of Excellence (for exceeding goals)

• CUSTOMER SUPPORT SPECIALIST

  • 1999 - 2001

  • Responded to inbound calls from retailers in all distribution channels, ensuring prompt and courteous resolutions• Provided exceptional customer service regarding order placements, order statuses, and credit questions



Resource Center for Independent Living

• United States
• Civic and Social Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Senior Case Manager

  • May 1993 - Aug 1999

  Assessed eligibility and developed recommendations for in-home care plans under the Kansas Medicaid waiver program for persons with disabilities.• Further empowered individuals with disabilities to remaining living independently by providing information and referrals to community resources. Developed and conducted unique life skills training plans. Established satellite offices primarily in the Eastern portion of Kansas, developing relationships with community resource providers and local Social Security offices in order to earn referrals.