Sonya C. Darter
Executive Director at St. George Children's Museum- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Credentials
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Google IT Support Specialization
Parkland CollegeMay, 2020- Oct, 2024 -
Advanced UAS Certificate Remote Pilot's License
Federal Aviation AdministrationAug, 2020- Oct, 2024
Experience
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St. George Children's Museum
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United States
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Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
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1 - 100 Employee
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Executive Director
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Aug 2021 - Present
Communications and Project Management • Over 15 years of experience in museum roles including establishing and evaluating programming, strengthening operations, and public and staff interactions • Created and assisted with marketing plans, project management, and proposal development by contributing content, strategy, data analysis, design, and illustrations • Led teams and staff through S.W.O.T. analysis with the goal of developing target markets, messaging, and methodologies • Strategic and annual planning focused on market-share growth in both for-profit and not-for-profit sectors • Led teams through S.W.O.T. analyses for the implementation of innovative transportation technology from state to national level. Events, Training, and Engagement • Developed innovative program ideas including speaker series, interactive opportunities, community partnering, educational and recreational programs, and visitor requested topics for museums, government agencies, and consultants • Responsible for comprehensive event planning and on-site coordination for adult learning opportunities including team coordination, marketing and promotions, speaker relations, and event evaluation • Worked collaboratively on a variety of meeting types including online events, peer exchanges, project and strategy meetings, summits, webinar series, and training events • Strategic and annual planning focused on increasing participation, developing seasonal and signature events, and maintaining budget requirements • Developed training materials in partnership with technical experts based on learning objectives and audience knowledge for various delivery vehicles • Established, measured, and tracked benchmarking goals and effectiveness of communication, events, and project impact on both a local and national level Show less
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Pavlov Media
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IT Services and IT Consulting
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100 - 200 Employee
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Sales Project Coordinator
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Dec 2018 - Jul 2019
My role included: • Coordinated technical proposal writing between engineering and regional sales vice-presidents to be relevant to a diverse audience of knowledge • Participated in business development efforts including new product launches • Led a team of consultants hired to create branding for a product launch My role included: • Coordinated technical proposal writing between engineering and regional sales vice-presidents to be relevant to a diverse audience of knowledge • Participated in business development efforts including new product launches • Led a team of consultants hired to create branding for a product launch
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Applied Research Associates, Inc.
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United States
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1 - 100 Employee
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Senior Marketing & Event Specialist
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May 1996 - Aug 2018
Worked with teams of technical writers, engineers, editors, and designers to produce e-magazines, print newsletters, and email campaigns that were delivered to an audience of over 15,000 subscribers Spearheaded the use of metrics and analytics as a decision-making tool for these efforts to optimize content and readership levels and build participation Incorporated play into events and training in the form of Jeopardy®, ice-breakers, scavenger hunts, convivial spaces, games, and other experiences to encourage peer interactions and the exchange of ideas among adult attendees Collaborated on innovation deployment in the transportation industry and developed learning objectives and training to best reach the audience Attuned materials for different formats such as events, articles, and multimedia Prepared reports that included industry research, situational analyses, and project outcomes which often included historical, current, and projecting future trends Show less
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Executive Director and Founder
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Jan 2015 - Aug 2017
• Developed a new business model, situational analysis, budget, branding, CRM with data mining strategies, marketing, operational processes, and staff guidelines • Managed a staff of 8 with a culture of a mission-centered community space • Master planning, design, and construction of Museum exhibits in partnership with community volunteers and professional craftspeople • Analyzed visitor and member feedback, visitor and renewal rates, and industry trends to inform strategies and incentives to cultivate and retain members Show less
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Orpheum Children's Science Museum
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United States
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Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
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Executive Director
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Aug 2008 - Oct 2013
• Strategic planning, visioning, community outreach, fundraising, budgeting, staffing, policy development, and public relations • Increased earned income by 20% for five consecutive years including admissions, programs, membership, and events which doubled museum attendance • Secured and managed over $460,000 of grant awards from foundations, private institutions, government agencies, and private donations • Served as an advocate for the Museum through media interviews, press articles, community partners, and professional associations Show less
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Education
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1992 - 1995
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Bachelor’s Degree, Industrial Design -
2020 - 2020
Parkland College
UAS Remote Pilot License & Google Information Technology Professional Certificate, Honor Roll
Community
