Experienced in orchestrating seamless global events and fostering a culture of appreciation, I thrive in the dynamic realm of event management. As the Global Events & Recognition Manager at Kannaway, I am looking forward to supporting impactful events across diverse regions including the USA, Mexico, South Africa, Japan, and Europe. Leveraging my passion for hemp, I've had the pleasure of creating a new recognition programme, introducing hemp-related awards that celebrate achievement and excellence within the organisation, starting from the moment of joining. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to elevating experiences, I am dedicated to delivering unforgettable events and nurturing a culture of recognition that inspires and empowers.

Hyväheimo AB provides Consulting, Coaching and Training for the Direct Selling Industry, specialising in Europe. We are a unique Consultancy providing complete outsourced solutions, tailored to help grow your business in Europe. With a combined direct selling experience of over 100 years, we partner with organisations and tailor solutions to support market expansion.Our Team have extensive experience of leadership, strategic consulting and international business development in Nutrition and Skincare consumer goods, marketing and communication within the Direct Sellling industry. We offer fully outsourced tailored solutions for International and European expansion, training support teams, speaker training, virtual assistance, product registration and compliance, supply chain and warehouse solutions, communication and social media, marketing translation and localisation, website and digital marketing, business development consulting, product development and regulatory consulting.Working as the Marketing Operations consultant at Hyväheimo I am involved in projects, and with clients needing all levels of Marketing support. I have global experience with a proven track record of building European and International marketing infrastructure. I have been working within the Direct Selling industry since 1999 where I was responsible for International Marketing, Events, Recognition and Training. I have led and built teams, systems and processes at various stages from start up to periods of growth as well as scaling down.

Set up and Regional Management of the Company, Sales and UK Distribution for the patented supplements for bone + joint health for canines; NEO-K9® Maintenance and NEO-K9® Clinical Formula; and for humans; Lactoferrin LF Gold 1.8® & Osteodenx® https://kallistibiotech.co.uk

DMR Ltd provide a full service of management and consultancy on a range of Marketing, Event and Social Media activities including Executive (Virtual) Assistant services. We work from a home office, remotely and on-site with clients or at events where required, we have also provided temporary 3PL support for a client for a 9 month period. Our clients and work include;Event Decision, Open Audience, Raith Rovers Football Club, Kannaway Europe, LegalShield UK, Truenordic AB, LitUpp Global, ABBA Nutrition, b:HIP Europe ApS, Career Synergy, Sunrider Europe, ItWorks International, Hyväheimo AB, Scentsy Fragrance, Canal & River Trust, Success Partners Europe (formerly Video Plus) – working with Vi (ViSalus) & It Works! Event management incorporating: Event brief writing, venue sourcing, booking & liaison, site inspection and report writing, agenda management, logistics, production and on-site support including set up and management of on-site merchandise and product stores, signage set up and room layoutMarketing Communications incorporating: Social Media strategy and set up, Social Media scheduling, management & analysis, graphic creation request, email marketing scheduling, European newsletter creation, copy writing and sending with follow up analysis, automated email correspondence copy, brand & asset management, PowerPoint presentation creation, Market Research & Competitive Analysis Administration support including: Document copywriting, review and proof-reading, travel bookings, diary management, CRM database management, Personal/Virtual Assistant support, Client Account management & Customer Service support Digital Systems support including; back office testing, set up and maintenance We provide an extremely organised service, an excellent work ethic, professional approach and many years of hands-on experience. www.donnamrussell.com

I took on the additional responsibility of marketing for the International markets including my role as EMEA to help support the expanding business and new country openings; in Japan, Hong Kong, Mexico & South Africa. Working closely with Marketing Managers, Sales Managers and General / Country Managers to understand the market needs and ensure that an International voice was heard at Global meetings to always be mindful of any market differences. This incorporated the full range of marketing support including communications, digital marketing, recognition, events, product packaging and promotional campaigns.From June until August I was also acting as the Global Marketing Director pending the appointment of a permanent position in the San Diego office. During this time I supported building the structure for the team in San Diego - US, Monterrey - Mexico, and Poland - Warsaw carrying out interviews and on-boarding along with building a global process and systems for management of multi-language documents with full revision control.

I joined Kannaway Europe as part of the Leadership team as the Marketing Director for EMEA in February 2019 to manage the team and deliver the strategy for Europe. The role requires a mix of marketing, marketing communications, branding, advertising, public relations, media, research, behavioural studies, sales promotions, direct marketing and event management. I currently work remotely from the UK with team members in Europe and International to help achieve the targets set out for the next 2-5 years and the continued fast growth of the business in Europe. To build on and produce quality marketing tools within the company in multiple languages and to assist with the event planning.

I started working with Kannaway Europe in October 2018 to help support the small European Marketing team based in Warsaw, Poland. I initially reviewed the systems, processes, assets, branding and materials and supported the European Marketing Manager and Managing Director to deliver a strategy for Europe. I also provided project management and administration support for the events, promotions and campaigns.

It Works! Marketing International was set up in Nov 2014 with offices in Dublin, Ireland supporting the following markets; Australia, New Zealand, Canada, UK, Ireland, Spain, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, The Netherlands, Finland, Norway, Sweden & Denmark. As one of the first members of the team, working initially as a freelancer for 3+ months prior to opening, I was involved in the set up and creation of the systems and processes for International and in building the Marketing & Events team of 7 to support the International Independent Distributors.The role was Exec Level, required a highly organised approach, working under extreme pressure, able to prioritise a multitude of tasks always being mindful of the targets and goals to be achieved. The role included setting up & driving strategy to deliver the objectives of the organisation. Building strong relationships within the network of Distributors, Head Office, internal & external suppliers within complex structures. This required a high level of understanding & excellent communication skills within a multi-national, multi-culturual environment, working with many languages.I was able to use my wide knowledge and experience in the industry in all areas of Marketing & Events, not limited to but including Digital systems, Communication systems and methods, eCommerce, Social Media strategy and delivery, Analytics and tools. I was also involved in the initial planning stages of the first International Conference to be held in Europe in October 2015, being able to use my experience delivering high end, impactful, International, multi-language events with multiple stakeholders, deadlines, managing complex projects and leading teams to ensure the supplier partners were chosen to deliver the required results. It was an enjoyable and exciting challenge and I feel confident with the team I have put in place to be able to support the Florida HO as the Company grows its sales further.

Nikken UK Ltd is the European Headquarters for a multi-million pound global network marketing company offering a range of sleep systems and health care products. Nikken UK currently operates in 17 European countries.In addition to my role as Events Manager I took on the role of Digital Marketing Manager for Europe to build a Social Media presence, create a strategy and to employ and train a team to continue to deliver that strategy. I summarised my findings on the existing systems and websites and how we could maintain, change or create new ones to help the Company grow its online presence and to provide up to date tools for customers and consultants. This included a 3 year strategy and plan to replace Consultant and public websites and work on new systems for integration, making best use of department budgets. In addition, I set up Nikken Europe’s Social Media presence, starting with Facebook, followed by Twitter, LinkedIn and a department blog whilst enhancing video content on the European YouTube account. I then managed a team of co-ordinators and administrators to carry out and implement the schedule.Responsibilities included monthly reporting, summarising online activities, analysing data from our websites using Google Analytics and from our Silverpop email management system and Social Media reporting tools and adjusting direction as required. Identifying and suggesting ways to improve any drop in web traffic or open and click rates on emails. In addition I was responsible for maintaining, enhancing and replacing systems.To be successful in this role you must have a high level of organisational skills, attention to detail, excellent project management and the ability to remain calm whilst managing multiple deadlines and projects. You also need to be able to build and maintain relationships with suppliers from all backgrounds and areas of expertise both internal and external.

As the Events Manager for Nikken Europe I was responsible for providing Event strategy working with other members of the Management Team and the Independent Consultants. Events were suggested and scheduled throughout the year to meet sales and recruiting targets. I worked closely with Event Management Agencies, writing briefs to identify the objectives for the event, procuring and then overseeing multi-disciplined professionals at their craft for the benefit of the campaign for the contest trips and Conventions. Responsibilities included managing the department and event budgets, carrying out on-site inspections with agencies to agree venue’s, implementation of marketing communication campaigns using internal systems, managing internal teams and on-site support from Corporate side, suggesting and approving content and speakers and creating running orders and detailing music stings for walk-on and recognition segments. In addition I worked with local Destination Management Companies and directly with hotels and technical equipment companies on some of the smaller events such as the Training’s, Product launch tours, workshops or opening events. This included sourcing or agreeing venue’s, suggesting and working with speakers, arranging accommodation, travel, ground transport, creating itineraries and sourcing and choosing awards and promotional merchandise suppliers. I also created PowerPoint presentations with video content and provided on-site production support working with hotel or independent technicians. For some events this included working with in-house delegate management systems or very simple registration processes. Relationships were built and maintained working with suppliers and partners to ensure the events met their objectives, were successfully organised and kept within agreed budgets or where applicable were profitable. I also supervised a team of Administrators & Coordinators giving admin support to the Regional Sales Team & Trainers.

Responsible for managing the Nikken corporate events and trainings whilst providing full PA support to the Network Development Manager (a new post replacing the European Sales Manager), and his team of 5 Regional Managers. The PA role included organising and booking complex and frequent travel, multiple diary management and expense analysis providing monthly reports for the USA head office and European Management Team, and managing a team of 6 assistants & administrators (direct reports).

Responsibilities included support to the European Sales Manager as his Personal Assistant and providing administration support to the team of 6 Regional Sales Managers. Responsibilities included working with and creating sales forecasts, reporting, budget forecasting and management, allocation of costs for credit card analysis and expense forms for the Sales Team. In addition I also worked with scheduling and delegation of work for the Training Department of 5, including management of holiday and absence and personnel issues. I directly supervised a Recognition Administrator whose duties were to assist me with the Recognition of the Consultants collating photographs and testimonials for the monthly magazine and sending out their recognition certifications and pins.

I worked closely with the Managing Director and European Sales Manager giving support to both by fielding calls, taking minutes and dictation, responding to correspondence on their behalf, co-ordinating diaries, managing conference calls and arranging travel. I also planned and co-ordinated external meetings, events and trainings, booked flights, interpreters and venues. The role required compilation of monthly reports for the USA Head office and maintaining items of confidentiality at all times.

During my time at Woburn Safari Park I was responsible for the day-to-day secretarial and administration support to the Chief Executive, Animal Collection Manager and Head Warden. Taking dictation and minutes, arranging and attending Management Team meetings. Maintaining items of confidentiality for the Chief Executive and Animal Collection Manager. Managing the respective diaries, booking business trips, arranging travel and accommodation. Sourcing animals and new blood lines for breeding purposes including gaining relative approval from official bodies and arranging veterinary tests. Organising animal transportation adhering to all regulations and legislations. Compiling reports, projects and manuals for staff training and Investors in People certification. Audio typing, answering telephone enquiries and dealing with the public and visitors to the office. Following the Family and trustee protocols in all aspects of administration. Sending fortnightly reports and monthly papers to the board of trustees.

I joined Calex and continued to complete my NVQ college course whilst working full time. I started off as an Administrator and quickly progressed taking over a department and supervising a small team of 2 direct reports. I managed a range of sales administration duties including supplier management, customer returns, order processing, delivery, stock control and provided cover to the Finance Manager when required.

I started work at Miletree Boarding Cattery after completing a work experience placement and continued to work part-time at the weekends and full-time on school holidays. After a short time I was training the new starters and working out rotas for cover, managing bookings and payments and looking after the business on occasion when the owners were on holiday, sometimes up to 2 weeks at a time.