PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Room 33 Speakeasy, Erie, PA                                                                            10/2017 to Present                                                                                                             

Founder & Proprietor | Leads a team of eleven employees. Works to optimize profits through cost control and strategy development. Responsible for menu development and design, event planning, marketing, social media, communications and advertising. Responsible for continual monitoring of bar and restaurant ensuring food quality and service standards are consistently met.

Erie Innovation District, Erie PA                                                                            3/2019 to Present

Assisted in securing a $10 million fully funded opportunity zone fund to attract and retain businesses into the community’s eight opportunity zone regions.

Vice-President| Responsible for the execution and coordination for all marketing, grant writing, fund development and investment. Duties include, but are not limited to: Shaping an opportunity zone fund raise with the CEO and manage the opportunity zone fund(s); recommending investments and managing operating budgets, partners, and cohorts for the Secure Erie Accelerator program. Responsible for brand development, graphic design, internal and external communications Oversees a team of two.

Erie Reader, Erie, PA                                                                                 3/2011 to Present

Erie, PA’s weekly newspaper. Launched publication with key cover story of jazz legend in inaugural issue; responsible for securing several national celebrity interviews. Served as contributing editor until 2016 working with freelance writers and editing articles for print and online.

Contributing Writer | Pitches and composes cover stories, profiles and op-eds. Currently, pens monthly column, “Gem City Playbook,” focusing on the entrepreneurial arena.

Idea Fund Erie / Erie Management Group, Erie PA                                                  2/2017 to 3/2019

Executive Director

Served as founder and executive director for the organization, supporting early stage entrepreneurial development with a focus on women, veterans and minorities, through education and funding opportunities. Responsible for the outreach, development and implementation of programming, grant writing, fund development, marketing, and communications for the organization.

Director, Nonprofit & Community Development

Responsible for overseeing all funding requests for the Black Family Foundation as well as marketing and outreach into the Erie community.

RS Events Group, LLC, Erie, PA                                                                          1/2005 to 4/2017
Raised nearly $2 million for charitable organizations through grant-writing, individual fundraising and event planning.
Principal| Specialized in event management, public relations, marketing crisis communications and strategic planning services for various non-profits throughout the Erie community.

Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel                                                                                 4/2014 to 6/2016

Booked over one million in corporate sales revenue –achieving 156% of annual goal.

Senior Sales Manager| Identified key accounts and implemented strategies for revenue growth with monthly goals of 59k in room sales revenue and 35k in catering sales revenue; conducted market research and helped establish corporate business; maintained a high level of exposure for the hotel in major areas through direct sales, telephone, contact and written communication; arranged familiarization / site inspection trips to hotel by major clients; prepared daily and other reports as needed.

Lake Erie Lifestyle Magazine, Erie, PA                                                       3/2009 to 4/2016

Contributing Writer| Wrote regular contributing articles to monthly print publication .

The Clinical Practices of LECOM                                                                            1/2007 to 4/2014

Promoted from freelance to Director. Established a relationship manager program for all internal employees that resulted in better communication amongst 15 practices, higher levels of service, and improved relationships amongst physicians and employees. From 2008 to 2014, MAE saw an annual growth increasing from a $4 mil to $7 mil operating budget.

Director, Marketing & Communication| In charge of marketing, public relations, communications, and development, reporting directly to CEO. Create marketing materials for distribution to prospective and current physician and overall patient base of 40k. Responsible for advertising, grant writing, brand development, graphic design, media buying, creative outlines, internal and external communications. In addition, responsible in part for the public relations and marketing for Millcreek Community Hospital (MCH) and the LECOM Medical Fitness & Wellness Center.

Widget Financial, Erie, PA                                                                                  12/2005 to 12/2006

Managed a $300k marketing budget, consistently staying under budget guidelines while helping to increase membership base by 10%, and increasing dividends thereby improving the accuracy of budget forecasts.

Marketing Manager| Responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, and maintenance of the credit union’s marketing campaign for seven branches and 35000- member base. Responsible for design, development and implementation of all marketing programs; analyzed market trends and demographic data concerning current and potential members; developed and implemented strategic marketing plan; handled all advertising; determined major goals and objectives for increasing customer penetration and coordinated all internet/website marketing. Oversaw a department of three.

SafeNet, Erie, PA                                                                                                 10/2004 to 12/2005

Launched overall fund development program and implemented $1 million capital campaign strategy for organization.

Director of Development & Communications| Responsible for the planning and implementation of all fund development programs, marketing, outreach and public relations activities. Responsibilities included securing grants, endowments, individual donations and sponsorships; serving as editor and designer of all materials used in fund development; developing and implementing special events; serving as primary liaison with committees of the board of directors and for capital campaign and endowment building projects; and coordinating outside and internal media relations.

Erie Art Museum, Erie, PA                                                                                  12/2003 to 10/2004

Helped raise $250k within one-year cycle for a $700k operating budget.

Director of Development & Marketing| Managed all fundraising programs within the organization, including: special events; grant writing; planned giving; donor relations; annual appeal; and capital campaign. Accountable for all marketing activities.

Safe Harbor Behavioral Health, Erie, PA                                                               12/2001 to 12/2003

Secured largest community grant at the time awarded in Erie to help increase services for patients.

Director of Development & Public Relations| Responsible for developing this role - which included the implementation and management of all fundraising and public relations within the organization. Responsibilities included: grant writing; planned giving; donor relations; special events; annual appeals; capital campaigns; outside and internal media coordination. Responsible for overseeing various interns and committees

SKILLS

Proficient in use of: Adobe Creative Suite CS6 - Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign and Microsoft Office

OTHER EXPERIENCE

• Presenter, PA Downtown Development Conference, 2019, “The Relationship Between the Entrepreneur & Entrepreneurial Leader.”
• Presenter, “Freedom and Frameworks of Leadership,” CHESS Conference, Gannon University, 2019
• Presenter, “Domains of Leadership,” CHESS Conference, Gannon University, 2018
• Co-Emcee, TEDxErie, Bridges Over Barriers, 2017
• Presenter, TEDxErie, “The Dark Side of Charisma,” 2016
• Panelist, “Women Who “Werk,” Edinboro University, 2016
• Panelist, 2016 Nonprofit Day, “Young Leaders in the Nonprofit Sector,” 2016
• Emcee, Guess that Tune Gala, SSJ Neighborhood Network, 2015
• Emcee and Committee Member, Wintertime at the Maritime, 2015 Chairperson & Emcee, Festival of Trees, Saint Vincent Foundation, 2010
• Co-Emcee & Chairperson, All Hands On Deck, Flagship Niagara League, 2009
• Co-Emcee & Chairperson, Generation-E Awards, Young Erie Professionals, 2009
• Emcee & Chairperson, 40th Anniversary Celebration – Art On the Rocks, Erie Art Museum, 2008

BOARDS

Erie’s Blues and Jazz Festival, 2018 - Present
Public Relations Society NWPA, Past President, 2016 – Present

Erie Redevelopment Authority, 2017 - 2018

Association of Fundraising Professionals, 2017 - 2018

Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority (EMTA), 2013-2016

Film Society of Northwestern Pennsylvania, 2012 to 2013

Erie Art Museum, Board Member (Until 2010, VP of Board), 2006 to 2012

Advertising Federation of NWPA, 2005 to 2010, (President 2009)

Greater Erie Youth Symphony Orchestra, President, 2003 to 2007

EDUCATION

Ph.D., Organizational Learning & Leadership (ABD)

Gannon University, Erie, PA, - expected graduation 2020

Master of Public Administration

Gannon University, Erie, PA 2002

Bachelor of Music, Piano Performance

Mercyhurst College, Erie, PA 1998

AWARDS

Coretta Scott King Award, Martin Luther King, Jr. Center, 2019

40 Under 40 Recipient, Erie Reader, 2016

Women Making History Award, Mercy Center for Women, 2012

Finalist for Woman of the Year, Women’s Roundtable of Erie, 2010

Generation-E Award, Young Erie Professionals, 2007