University of Delaware

Event Producer and Brand Manager at RJ Whyte Event Production

Leadership:
- Lead and oversee a team of event production individuals 
- Work alongside each team member to help them foster their growth and professional development through individualized growth plans and timelines 
- Develop and help maintain an effective organization through selection, training, compensation, motivation, and performance management
- Work alongside the Principal and Vice President of Client Relations to develop and help plan for continued growth of the company 
- Foster an environment of mutual respect and partnership, strategic thinking, appropriate risk-taking, open lines of communication, ongoing performance feedback, professional development and adherence to Stratus company policies  
- Apply best practices and learnings to provide feedback to Stratus producers to continue to improve our services and event outcomes 
- Strategize with the Vice President of Client Relations on proposals, and contracts during the business development process

Production:
- Lead planning and production for events for a portfolio of clients
- Ability to lead large scale live events with multiple agency, vendor, and client involvement
- Strategize and partner with clients on all aspects of event including programming, fundraising and sponsorships, messaging and event flow
- Clearly communicate event project scope, schedules, deliverable dates, project status/action items and other relevant information
- Manage project P&L’s, budget creation, submission and reconciliation alongside the Director of Finance
- Procure and supervise vendors through pre-production, production and post-production; including: venues, caterers, audio/visual, lighting, decor and creative, videographers, entertainment, script writers, tenting and more
- Create event specific supporting materials including: production schedules, diagrams and budgets
- Design and implement visually stunning productions (from initial mood boards to day of event execution)

Stratus Firm

Vice President of Production

RJ Whyte Event Production re-branded to Stratus Firm in January 2023.

Vice President Of Production at RJ Whyte Event Production 

- Lead a team of event production individuals to deliver the best product for our clients and the company
- Ability to lead large scale live events with multiple agency, vendor, and client involvement
- Strategize with clients on all aspects of event including programming, fundraising and sponsorships, messaging and event flow
- Create floor plans, timelines, and run of shows for events
- Manage internal and external staff on execution and delivery of event specific tasks
- Highly proficient in budgeting and tracking of multi-million dollar accounts and ensures financial management of each meets clients standards 
- Develop all company marketing collateral including email outreach, print and digital ads, branded giveaways and leave behinds, and oversees management of RJ Whyte website
- Manage all RJ Whyte social media platforms (LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook) and develop editorial calendar alongside marketing contractor
- Recruit, train and manage interns to assist with events and marketing

Senior Event Producer at RJ Whyte Event Production

- Manage, train and evaluate Congressional Award Foundation Program staff members
- Create event concepts and full design for fundraisers and receptions in Washington, DC and nationwide
- Plan and execute the annual Gold Medal Ceremony and events each June for over 1,000 guests
- Plan annual Washington Nationals event to honor Gold Medalists at Nationals Park
- Coordinate and oversee the annual Golf Classic, Charity Poker Tournament, STEM Star Reception, Leadership Reception, various State Ceremonies and kick-off events
- Strategically brand each event to align with The Congressional Award's mission
- Responsible for contracting vendors and using allocated budgets cost effectively
- Create full tick-tocks for the team that include all venue information, logistics, VIP details, catering and vendor information that also provide minute to minute run downs
- Monitor income and expense goals for all special events
- Provide high level support to the National Director, tracking donor information, fulfillment and other assigned development duties
- Audits the effectiveness of program operations to ensure quality control. Reviews processes, performance and competence where appropriate 
- Establish and cultivate relationships with a coalition of Congressional offices, schools, partnering organizations, corporate sponsors, alumni and volunteers
- Draft, proofread and format written and digital publications including press releases, event scripts, talking points, website language and social media updates
- Serve as staff liaison to the Congressional Award Board of Directors Program Committee
- Work in conjunction with the Director of Communications to develop materials through social media, the website, mail outs and newsletters
- Experience with MS Office products, Adobe InDesign, Constant Contact and Cvent technology

The Congressional Award

Program Director

- Assist Terri Eaves on-site at events based on current client needs. Past duties include the facilitation of check-in and guest gifts as well as assisting vendors as needed.

BASH

Part-Time, On-Site Event Associate

- Develop and implement program strategies for stakeholders in 18 northeast states
- Assist participants through their Congressional Award journey (registration, setting goals, review and approval)
- Oversee planning of Congressional Award medal ceremonies at a statewide level (New Jersey, New York, Missouri and Pennsylvania)
- Assist program staff in hiring of interns
- Assist with National events

North Program Manager/Senior Program Manager

- Manage 75 sites to assist in successfully operating the after school feeding program
- Work directly with the Department of Education to manage online databases and paperwork for the Child and Adult Care Feeding Program (CACFP) and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)
- Successful management of CACFP to have a margin of loss for entire program of less than 10%
- Oversee intern program for Children's Nutrition Program (interview, evaluation and management of interns)
- Identify open markets and introduce new sites for CACFP (10 new sites)/SFSP (30 new sites) throughout the state of Delaware
- Two experiences writing grants with 50% success rate (No Kid Hungry and Rural Capacity Institute)
- Recruit new sites through speaking engagements and outreach through email campaigns and social media
- Work with individual donors to address needs of SFSP and create growth through donations
- Implement and manage four grant funded sites at public parks and libraries throughout Delaware to feed children in the summer
- Successful planning of three kick off events for SFSP with attendance from local legislators, USDA and DOE officials

Food Bank of Delaware

Children's Nutrition Coordinator

• Organized and led events for 250+ sorority sisters (Formal, Mallard Ball, Homecoming, Greek Week)
• Served as head of Risk Management Committee (Risk Plans, Budget,  Transportation, Security) and managed multiple social committee chairs (Fraternal Relations, Sisterhood, Formal)
• Involved in planning events for multiple chapters; including a house dedication, and Philanthropy events (600+ Greek Life Members Attended)

Alpha Delta Pi - Theta Delta Chapter

Director of Social Enrichment

• Worked with the Health and Education legislative assistants to assist them with current policy issues
• Drafted and edited memos (10+), constituent letters (10+) and prepared staff information for meetings
• Supported Staff Assistants with administrative duties such as answering phones, constituent care, and mail

Senator Coons- United States Senate

Intern

- Form relationships with customers to increase sales season to season, while retaining a solid client base
- Create comfortable, high service environment through attention to detail, merchandising and gaining trust

South Moon Under

Sales Associate

- Assisting corporate secretary and accounting department with clerical duties as needed
- Speaking with tenants: reporting maintenance requests and rent payments

Kirsten Gooden