Experience

The University of Kansas School of Business

• United States
• Higher Education
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Director of Entrepreneurship Co-Curricular Programs

  • Jul 2022 - Present

  I joined the School of Business in July 2022 to reimagine and relaunch our Entrepreneurship Co-Curricular programming. We spent the first part of the fall listening and surveying students, and launched five pilots in the Spring. A Lunch and Learn Series, a reimagined Jayhawk Consulting Team, a reimagined Catalyst program with industry mentors, a three day Startup Jayhawk event, and an entrepreneurship ambassador initiative. Looking at year 2 we’ve seen Fall ‘23 applications for The Catalyst grow to over 4x what they were for Spring ‘23. Our Consulting team is expanding from 5 to 10, and we’re expanding our co-curricular offerings. Stay tuned. Show less



Rains Advisory and Consulting Services

• Lawrence, Kansas, United States

• Co-Founder

  • Mar 2022 - Present

  We assist organizations with the business side of their venture through strategic planning, data analysis, partnerships, and various other projects. We assist organizations with the business side of their venture through strategic planning, data analysis, partnerships, and various other projects.



The Chamber, Lawrence, Kansas

• United States
• Non-profit Organization Management
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director of Business Development & Programs for Economic Development Corp of Lawrence & Douglas, Co.

  • Jan 2022 - Jul 2022

• Business Development & Programs Manager for Economic Development Corp of Lawrence & Douglas, Co.

  • Mar 2020 - Jan 2022

  Responsibilities include developing public and private partnerships to support entrepreneurship and workforce development in our community. Managing our Network Kansas Lawrence Metro E-Community loan program and overseeing its Financial Review Board. Working with city partners to develop Lawrence’s first Economic Development Strategic Plan. Serving in various roles of Douglas County’s Unified Command to support Response and Recovery during Covid-19. Strategic planning, aligning various stakeholder’s initiatives to decrease redundancy and increase effectiveness. Creating a scheduled marketing and communication strategy for the EDC, including creating content. • Project Manager on the City of Lawrence’s Economic Development Strategic Plan Team• Provided leadership and accountability to help activate Launch Lawrence, a non-profit that provides entrepreneurial expertise to University of Kansas students and Lawrence residents as well as CORE a coalition to support local entrepreneurs by helping to connect them with resources• Connect statewide resources and incentives to local businesses to support retention and expansion efforts• Served on the Economic Impacts Response and Recovery Team for Douglas County Unified Command• Regularly provided relevant economic research on Lawrence and Douglas Co.• Conducted business surveys for Douglas Co. during Covid-19 to support data conscious recovery efforts• Developed an ROI scorecard reflecting the previous 5 years successes and achievements for the EDC• Establishing a calendar with regular communications for the EDC (including creating content) Show less



Meritrust Credit Union

• United States
• Banking
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Business Development Officer

  • Oct 2017 - Mar 2020

  Responsibilities include creating a strategic plan for market development. Building a broad network of relationships throughout Lawrence. Collaborating and negotiating with for-profit and non-profit organizations for unique partnership opportunities. Managing a six-figure marketing budget by overseeing sponsorships and marketing projects. Managing and growing accounts. Overseeing financial literacy programming in the Lawrence Market. Collaborating and leading communication efforts in the Lawrence Market. • Introduced Customer Acquisition Cost to the Meritrust Business Development Team• Successfully managing accounts 10-50% under budget• Led Meritrust to become the Official Financial Partner of Kansas Athletics• Growing existing accounts; in my first year I was able to grow one relationship by 60%• Developed and maintained long standing relationships with employers to provide financial literacy and open accounts on their sites • Strategically planning and developing a business plan for new market growth • Cut 66% of unnecessary referral procedures through collaborating with branch teams• Excellent multitasker, overseeing and coordinating multiple projects at multiple job sites at the same time Show less

• Director of Market Development

  • Aug 2017 - Oct 2017

  I was brought on the provide market leadership and direction, direct and coordinate marketing efforts for our market, grow existing relationships, prospect and create new channels for providing financial literacy throughout the community as well as raise market awareness through community partnerships and sponsorship opportunities. Six months into my time at Meritrust our Business Development department was restructured and our team transitioned to being Business Development Officers. Almost all of my duties remained the same. Show less



Chick-fil-A Restaurants

• United States
• Restaurants
• 700 & Above Employee

• General Manager

  • May 2016 - Jul 2017

  Responsibilities include managing 40+ employees and several different departments of the store. Each department had its own set of daily deadlines to meet as well as detailed processes to be followed with the store being inspected regularly. Communicated with the team the wins, and also the opportunities for improvement. Interviewed, hired, and onboarded employees. Achievements:· Leading a group of individuals to become a team that communicates properly and respects and appreciates one another while accomplishing common goals· Constantly implementing, innovating, and learning through trial and error, and finding more effective and efficient ways to cut labor cost, food cost, and build team rapport all while maintaining excellence in meeting necessary food quality standards as well as hospitality standards· Mentoring and developing leaders through individual coaching, monthly leadership meetings, and various other team building exercises in order to have others ready to take a promotion and lead· Creating “Raving Fans” with our brand through excellent customer service · Taking detailed orders, working with other departments and establishing a plan to fulfill those orders, and executing those with excellence· Was an integral part of the store becoming a partner of IMG and selling on site for KU game-days Show less

• Kitchen Director

  • Oct 2015 - May 2016

  Before being promoted to GM my focus as the Kitchen Director at Chick-fil-A was primarily to establish the team that we would build on moving forward after the grand opening and establish good practices through corporate based processes. The store was only several months old and we needed to get into some healthy habits and routines. Sales dropped from around $20,000 a day during grand opening to "normal" traffic of roughly $7,500 - $13,000 a day. Labor needed to be cut, our Kitchen needed to operate more efficiently, and we needed to implement some of Chick-fil-A's corporate practices to save with food cost. Show less



Self-employed

• Midwest

• University Catalyst

  • Aug 2011 - Sep 2016

  Responsibilities included meeting and establishing relationships and partnerships with students, volunteers, faculty, and staff of the various universities. I mentored university students in issues of life, school, and spirituality, and was a consultant for campus religious groups at these institutions. I was also responsible for securing some of my salary through financial investments from donors. Achievements: · I have learned the skill of finding places of commonality with others, and the ability to build a foundation of trust with students of diverse backgrounds and faiths · I have established strong working relationships with academic staff and advisors at these institutions · As a catalyst, I have created new relationships as well as encouraged new ways of thinking about present paradigms of operation within existing structures · I coached and mentored various students and from a wide variety of backgrounds concerning faith, majors, vocation, calling, internships, classes, relationships with faculty, staff, and even relationship with parents · I personally raised over $25,000 through various donors for my work Show less