Download Karen-Cook-Resume - Puzzle Pieces Marketing

KAREN COOK, MBA
13780 H Portofino Dr. • Del Mar, CA 92014 • [email protected] • (858) 869-5771
Marketing/ Business Development / Nonprofit Management Professional
Fundraising • Marketing Strategy • Event Management
Summary of Qualifications
Dynamic, self-motivated marketing and business professional with proven ability to create events that
support strategic business objectives. Experienced in the development and execution of marketing strategies
to leverage the brand and product. Expert networking skills to cultivate new clients and partners and
strengthen relationships.
Core Competencies
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Event Planning/Logistics
Vendor Management
Relationship Building
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Fundraising
CRM Management
Partnership Development
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Volunteer Management
Strategic Planning Skills
Social Media Management
Professional Experience
Marketing Director, Junior League of San, San Diego, CA
2009 - Present
Leveraged marketing talents to raise public awareness of the Junior League of San Diego brand, mission,
events and community involvement.
Marketing Director Elect 2014-2015
Fundraising Chair 2013-2014
Food and Wine Festival Marketing Chair
2012-2013
 Coordinated and planned internal and external marketing and public relations to drive attendance and
ticket sales for multiple fundraisers.
 Developed and executed comprehensive strategic marketing plan including planning and purchasing,
advertising, developing marketing collateral, managing the website and leveraging social media.
 Mentored a team of volunteers to solicit vendors, donors and sponsorships, surpassing fundraising goals
by 30% with the first ever "sold out" event.
Sales Executive, Road Rebel, San Diego, CA
2013-2014
Maximized marketing skills to expand market share of Road Rebel services in the performing arts industry.
Broad scope of responsibilities including new business development, CRM database management, trade
shows, client retention, company trainings, recruitment and brand position strategy.
 Created and introduced a formal process for client retention and referrals that generated a 50% increase
in retention
 Strategically grew business in a new market segment increasing Road Rebel visibility, reach, revenue and
future growth potential.
 Developed and implemented a highly effective plan to expand market share.
Consultant, Volunteer Services Program, American Red Cross, San Diego, CA
2012-2013
Optimized volunteer engagement, training and retention to ensure maximum volunteer support organization
wide.
 Managed individual volunteer progress of more than 300 new volunteers each month ensuring that all
training, background checks and procedures were complete prior to volunteering.
 Assisted with recruitment, management and placement of new and existing volunteers for special events,
internships and general volunteer positions.
 Trained staff, volunteers and volunteer managers to use new database system, Volunteer Connection.
 Increased Volunteer Services department efficiencies by creating processes and procedures to maximize
time and resources.
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Re-organized recruitment and on-boarding process for volunteers at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton and
Naval Medical Center San Diego (Balboa Hospital)
National Account Manager, Gerber California, San Diego, CA
2010-2011
Instrumental in business development and company growth by prospecting new business and market
opportunities.
 Maximized company ROI in new business development by strategically penetrating the market and
securing profitable relationships.
 Introduced and administered new CRM system to manage customer interactions and email marketing
campaign.
 Attended trade show and industry conferences to increase market awareness of company and services.
 Successfully negotiated and sold more than $500,000 in new business each quarter.
 Enhanced sales department efficiency by introducing and administering CRM system.
 Utilized marketing experience to increase brand recognition and nationwide presence.
Senior Sales Consultant, Aramark Refreshment Services, San Diego, CA
2008-2009
Instrumental in boosting profit totals through adept business development and retention of client
relationships.
 Utilized proven sales techniques to explore and verify leads with high profit potential.
 Initiated client relationships, building on preliminary contact to evaluate and address client needs and
ensure high satisfaction levels.
 Conducted product presentations / demonstrations to outline benefits and highlight promotions.
 Developed proposals to coincide directly with client preferences and budget; negotiated contract details.
 Created and distributed informative, inventive marketing materials to accommodate requirements of
various market sectors.
 Performed SWOT analysis to assess success of existing sales strategies and generated reports for
evaluation by management.
 Generated more than $350,000 in business sales including largest new account in Western Region during
2009 by utilizing creative sales and marketing strategies.
 Employed needs analysis approach to ascertain most effective business acquisition tactics.
Regional Sales and Marketing Manager, Alec Stephens Associates, Indianapolis, IN
1999-2007
Leveraged leadership talents to conceive and implement marketing plans and supervise efforts of four sales
representatives with four-state territory and accountability for 30 product lines.
 Created marketing strategies to augment sales outcomes, emphasizing use of targeted product
promotions, branding concepts and other tactics to enhance brand awareness and expand product
lines.
 Networked with channel partners and prominent account representatives to detail
marketing/branding concepts and plans for implementation.
 Communicated with vendors to discuss techniques for marketing product lines in keeping with
company policies and business plans.
 Created all-inclusive marketing strategy for promoting products through eye-catching displays and
trade show booths.
Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA)/Marketing
Bachelor of Science Business/Marketing
KELLER UNIVERSITY
DEVRY UNIVERSITY