Denise A. Smith Email & Phone Number

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States

STRATEGIC FUNDRAISING:• Develop and implement a comprehensive philanthropy plan aligned with organizational goals.• Set clear, measurable fundraising goals and allocate resources effectively.• Monitor progress and adjust strategies to optimize revenue growth.DONOR ENGAGEMENT;• Identify and build relationships with major donors, foundations, and corporate partners.• Create and manage tailored stewardship plans and recognition activities.• Maintain ongoing communication to enhance donor engagement and retention.CAMPAIGN MANAGEMENT:• Design and execute innovative fundraising campaigns and events.• Collaborate with marketing teams to develop compelling materials.• Track campaign performance and adjust tactics as needed.EVENT PLANNING:• Plan, organize, and execute high-impact fundraising events (e.g., galas, auctions).• Manage logistics, budgets, and vendor relationships for successful event execution.• Coordinate event promotion to maximize attendance and results.SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING:• Develop and implement strategies to enhance donor engagement via social media.• Create and manage engaging content and monitor channels for interaction.• Utilize analytics to refine strategies and improve social media performance.BUDGET AND REPORTING:• Oversee the philanthropy budget and ensure resource efficiency.• Prepare regular performance reports and evaluate fundraising initiatives.• Recommend improvements based on performance metrics.COMPLIANCE AND BEST PRACTICES:• Ensure all activities comply with legal and ethical standards.• Stay informed on industry trends and best practices.• Implement processes for effective donor tracking and engagement.COMMUNITY AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT:• Represent the organization at community events and build relationships with external partners.• Explore new fundraising opportunities and collaborations.

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

MARKETING STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT:• Develop and implement marketing strategies aligned with client goals.• Conduct market research to identify trends and opportunities.• Execute plans to enhance brand visibility and drive growth.PROMOTIONS MANAGEMENT:• Plan and oversee promotional campaigns to boost client visibility.• Collaborate with media partners and influencers for campaign success.• Monitor performance and refine strategies for optimal impact.EVENT PLANNING AND EXECUTION:• Organize and manage high-impact events, including launches and corporate functions.• Handle logistics, vendor relationships, and on-site coordination.• Implement event marketing strategies to maximize attendance and success.ENTERTAINMENT COORDINATION:• Source and manage entertainment options for events.• Negotiate contracts and ensure all requirements are met.• Collaborate with entertainers to ensure successful engagements.BRAND MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT:• Develop and refine brand strategies to enhance market presence.• Maintain brand consistency across all channels and materials.• Monitor performance and recommend improvements based on data.CLIENT RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT:• Build and sustain strong client relationships to understand needs.• Provide regular updates and performance reports.• Address feedback to ensure high client satisfaction and retention.CREATIVE CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT:• Develop and execute creative concepts for marketing and promotions.• Work with design teams to create compelling content.• Ensure creative outputs align with client goals and messaging.PERFORMANCE TRACKING AND REPORTING:• Track and analyze marketing efforts to assess effectiveness.• Prepare detailed performance reports, including ROI analysis.• Use insights to adjust strategies and improve outcomes.STRATEGIC PLANNING AND EXECUTION:• Develop strategic plans focused on client success.• Oversee project execution for timely and effective delivery.

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States

• Devised and implemented marketing campaigns across various channels, including print, broadcast, and online platforms, to ensure that products and services meet expectations and build brand credibility.• Created top-notch content such as articles, newsletters, and other digital materials, ensuring they align with strategic goals and maintain brand consistency.• Organized, planned, and executed large-scale events such as conferences, award shows/banquets, product launches, exhibitions, and photoshoots.• Contributed to social media projects from ideation through delivery, including identifying measures of success and managing content reviews, expirations, and additions.• Managed job postings on all popular job websites such as Indeed, LinkedIn, and Monster.• Supervised social media assistants and interns, screened resumes, conducted interviews, hired, and implemented training.• Managed multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring that deadlines and priorities were effectively balanced.• Monitored relevant data and results from digital communication tools to measure the success of campaigns and initiatives.• Developed and optimized digital communication plans aligned with organizational goals and objectives and managed digital communication tools, including email marketing, to effectively execute communication strategies.• Analyzed trends and analytics in social media and applied that knowledge to increase the presentation and response of the brand message, serving as a content implementer for all social media platforms.• Prepared all promotional materials such as sales literature, client brochures, mailings, print advertisements, website updates on all channels, store imaging and descriptions, coupons, and rebates as needed.• Worked closely with cross-functional teams to gather information, insights, and input for content creation.

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States

• Organized, implemented, and executed various high-profile events, including prospect receptions and dinners, campaign events, fundraisers, town hall meetings, and campaign celebrations while maintaining professional discretion.• Developed and executed a comprehensive plan to meet fundraising goals through relationship building and solicitation from individual donors, corporate sponsors, and foundation support.• Performed managing prospects and maintaining biographical information in a donor database.• Cultivated donors to increase profitability and enhance the donor experience.• Developed monthly reports for accuracy and to assist with reporting• Assisted with coordinating event logistics, including print and email with various donors, sponsors, etc.• Strategic oversight of the campaign events budget. Ensure all campaign events are executed on time and within budget• Developed a travel and event schedule, in conjunction with the Campaign Director, for scheduled appearances• Managed the event calendars and organized committee planning meetings• Prepared all promotional materials, as needed, including campaign literature, brochures, mailings, print advertisements, and website updates• Assisted with critical social media projects from idea through delivery, including identifying key measures of success• Assisted with designing engaging graphics and videos for each new social media campaign • Monitored trends and analytics in social media and applied that knowledge to increase the presentation and response to the brand message• Served as a content implementer for all social media platforms and created and pre-planned social media schedule• Assisted with the creation of fundraising letters, recommended ask amounts, peer-to-peer assignments, and tracking of results in collaboration with the Campaign Director• Performed other duties as assigned or requested to meet campaign goals and objectives

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Supervised the Sales and Catering Dept. while overseeing direct sales, marketing, public relations, advertising, catering, and event management of a beautiful 112-room hotel with 2300 sq. ft. of event space.HUMAN RESOURCES/COMPANY RELATIONS• Screened resumes for candidate recruitment and conducted pre-employment interviews.• Effectively trained and managed qualified staff members to meet the highest guest service requirements.• Developed staff through training and motivation, assuming a leadership role in the company.• Counseled employees to resolve problems quickly and appropriately while following all human resource policies, rules, and regulations.BUDGETING & FINANCE/PROFIT MANAGEMENT• Proven ability to meet or exceed yearly budgets and RevPAR goals and increase hotel ADR YOY.• Accurately forecasted revenues and occupancy changes based on changing market conditions.• Prepared quarterly and yearly departmental budgets, accurately reflecting the company business plan.• Forecasted occupancy fluctuations and direct selling activities to maximize revenue.• Continually analyzed and adjusted marketing plan/data to reflect market trends.• Produced departmental reports weekly to ensure accuracy and consistency on a timely basis.• Understood demand segments, sources of business for each, and balanced market segments by supply/demand.• Identified revenue opportunities and pursued them to maximize profitability.• Performed direct sales calls for group/large volume accounts or other accounts to supplement the property sales efforts as necessary and appropriate.I successfully remained the #1 hotel in my comp set during my tenure by promoting teamwork and creating guest loyalty. I also helped create new initiatives that were used company-wide, and I served as the company's Interim General Manager (8/2011-12/2011) while continuing my role within the property.Promoted to become a dual Director of Sales and Marketing at a second HGI property in Odessa, Texas.

Hilton Garden Inn Odessa

Directed supervision of the Sales and Catering Manager while overseeing the direct sales, marketing, public relations, advertising, catering, and event management of a beautiful 100-room Hilton Garden Inn with 4100 square feet of event space in Odessa, Texas.• Monitored departmental sales costs and implemented creative strategies to drive business growth, achieving production goals through proactive cold and appointment sales calls.• Identified and addressed client needs through targeted prospecting, utilizing diverse sources such as telephone directories and the internet to develop and nurture leads.• Developed and serviced client accounts, provided referrals, and set specific goals to increase business volume, analyzing the potential of each account to maximize growth opportunities.• Conducted site visits to ensure high standards of service, gathering operational information to prepare accurate prep sheets and communicate client needs effectively to operational teams.• Educated clients and their staff on optimal use of the property, organizing follow-ups to maintain strong relationships and leveraging historical data for ongoing account management.• Delivered exceptional products and services to guests, addressing and resolving client complaints with tact and efficiency to ensure satisfaction and retention.

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Demonstrated a strong belief in leadership by example; recruited, interviewed, trained, developed, motivated, and retained staff to achieve all store and personal sales goals including while holding employees accountable for meeting company customer service standards through:• Unit sales performance• Personnel management• Customer service• Merchandise presentation• Loss prevention• Expense control• Overall store administration• Demonstrated success and expertise in sales and merchandising• Provided supervisory skills and leadership experience through proven communication skills• Promoted open communication between management, employees, customers, corporate office personnel, mall management, and other retailers• Conducted inventory audits scheduled by the corporate officeSales Associate: (10/01-7/02)• Individual average sales were $170 per hour; daily deals up to $1800; monthly sales up to $43,000, depending on the season• Complied with banking, merchandise presentation, shrink goals, store maintenance, and loss prevention policies

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

• Hired pre-construction• Provided stellar customer service/satisfaction while booking meetings and events• Handled customer complaints/inquiries effectively and professionally• Demonstrated excellent oral, written, time management, and organizational skills• Conducted sales/service contacts via telephone correspondence and outside sales calls• Operated computer program with ease while maintaining calls using the telephone switchboard• Performed shift balances, daily cashier operations, and audits when necessary• Aided professional growth by assisting the Director of Sales with group bookings and direct bills• Assisted DOS with promoting awareness of the hotel by making new contacts, searching for new leads, maintaining knowledge of competition, and remaining aware of economic trends affecting the hotel• Assisted with analyzing client and hotel data to prepare hotel packages and quotes to better sale the property

Mba, Marketing

Ba, Mass Communications With A Concentration In Advertising/Public Relations

Activities and Societies: Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Past member of the Mass Communications Club, Appointed as WSSU.

College Preparatory

Master Of Business Administration - Mba, Business Administration

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, Mass Communications - Public Relations/Advertising