Experience

• 

  Northeast Indiana Innovation Center

  • 3201 Stellhorn Road Fort Wayne, IN 46815

  • Director, Women's Economic Opportunity Center

    • Oct 2016 - Jun 2017
    • 3201 Stellhorn Road Fort Wayne, IN 46815

• 

  Vanilla Bean, LLC dba Vanilla Bean Unique Cookies

  • Fort Wayne, Indiaa

  • Co-Founder / Marketing Chef

    • Apr 2007 - Dec 2015
    • Fort Wayne, Indiaa

    *Marketing & Event Management - Created a brand and identity that became locally recognizable within a short period of time. Created ads and managed a yearlong ad campaign in a national trade publication that resulted in increased product awareness and new wholesale accounts. Wrote or edited copy for external and internal communication. Planned, coordinated and participated at regional, national and international trade show events successfully raising product and brand awareness and acquiring new wholesale accounts. *Customer Service - Developed business partnerships with wholesale clients using effective organizational and communication skills to address needs and implement solutions favorable to all parties. Designed and implemented selling and customer service methodologies that resulted in strong repeat sales and consistently high customer service ratings. *Project Management - Managed the creation of retail product packaging and vetted vendors to determine which one could design and produce packaging. Led project launch of gourmet specialty cookies sold as a convenience product. *Operations Management - Managed retail, packaging and shipping operations including developing policies and procedures to ensure organization ran smoothly and remained competitive. Continually evaluated workflow processes and procedures improving operational efficiency and created an environment in which employees were empowered to do the same. *Training and Development - Trained and developed retail staff that became known for superior customer service.

• 

  Parkview Health

  • Fort Wayne, Indiana Area

  • Subcontractor - Catering Chef

    • Jan 2005 - Dec 2011
    • Fort Wayne, Indiana Area

    Eight years on and off-site experience catering small and large events developing strong front and capable back of the house skills executing menus by prepping, cooking or plating food. Progressed to working with little to no direction; supervising others; and viewed as a self-starter who exhibited great teamwork and leadership skills. During that period, also rewrote job descriptions for eight positions in one of the regional hospital’s dietary departments. As a result of staff interviews, developed and implemented standardized procedures to establish staff accountability; to reduce confusion; and to eliminate inconsistent application of regulatory guidelines.

• 

  Ivy Tech Community College Northeast

  • Fort Wayne, Indiana Area

  • Adjunct Faculty - Hospitality Administration

    • Aug 2008 - May 2010
    • Fort Wayne, Indiana Area

    Instructor for senior level college course in which students learn all aspects of a retail bakeshop operation: menu design, purchasing, food preparation, marketing/advertising and sales. Rewrote senior level college curriculum to strengthen and increase learning objectives; to add accountability; and to incorporate marketing, customer service and team work. Restructured class resulting in the highest sales in the class' history exceeding $9,000 during one semester (30 retail hours). Recognized by Program Chair for turning the whole concept of the class around. Shadowed and acknowledged by member of national accrediting commission for being an excellent instructor.

• 

  Trenton

  • Fort Wayne, Indiana Area

  • Director of Operations, Sales and Marketing, Office Manager

    • 1998 - May 2003
    • Fort Wayne, Indiana Area

    Managed office operations including but not limited to payroll, accounts payable and receivables, lines of credit, invoicing, bank reconciliations, and financial reporting ensuring information was prepared in an accurate and timely manner. Developed, implemented and conducted training programs for office staff to broaden their knowledge and improve their skills and effectiveness.

• 

  Lincoln Financial Group

  • United States
  • Financial Services
  • 700 & Above Employee

  • Administrative Analyst, Intermediate Accountant, Staff Accountant, Budget Analyst

    • Nov 1988 - 1998

  • Advanced Staff Auditor

    • Nov 1986 - Nov 1988

• 

  Lincoln Financial Group

  • Fort Wayne, Indiana Area

  • Accounting Management Trainee, Staff Auditor, Advanced Staff Auditor

    • Jun 1980 - Aug 1984
    • Fort Wayne, Indiana Area