Jenie Gao Email & Phone Number

Vancouver, Bc, Ca

Madison, Wisconsin Area

Summary: Jenie Gao Studio (JGS) is an arts business committed to anti-gentrification practices, specializing in public art, print media, social practice, and storytelling. JGS consults on equitable best practices, finance, strategy, and hiring.o Collaborated with multiple stakeholders to prioritize community voices and people-centered design on projects with budgets exceeding $100,000 USD. Prioritizing on-time delivery, fair pay, and investing in local economies.o Facilitated community engagement projects such as interviewing 37+ families to create an oral history book for Bayview Foundation to expand their affordable housing neighborhood and build a new community center.o Consulted on equity and ethics for the City of Madison by advising on the creation of a funded yearly arts residency in the wastewater management department to support the City’s water stewardship and equity efforts.o Hired and mentored 25 paid interns and apprentices since 2018. Strengthening business acumen across arts communities while cultivating a network of artist advocates and entrepreneurs.o Operated a 1,700 square foot commercial studio for two years after performing initial build out specifically for accessibility. Ensured the space remains as an artists’ studio through negotiation with the property owner.

Summary: Industry agnostic process improvement consultant.o Achieved $350,000 USD annual savings in operating expenses without layoffs by streamlining operations, and reduced order lead time by 50% for a client with a $20 million USD operational budget and 100 employees.o Served as Project Manager for Planned Parenthood Wisconsin’s 80th Anniversary Event, coordinating arts programming with regional artists and event logistics for keynote speaker Gloria Steinem.

Sun Prairie, Wi

Summary: Achieved annual savings and returns on investment from $16,000 USD to $500,000 USD with minimal financial investment, at a $100 million USD company of 800 employees. Facilitated teams of 4-15 people for each project.o Saved $92,000 USD in annual production costs and reduced order lead time by 2 days by implementing best practices to simplify repetitive processes and reduce human error.o Led value stream mapping sessions in 5 plants and shadowed sales representatives in east coast territories to document and streamline the sales funnel.o Redirected financial savings to invest in employees. Created a computer-literacy program for Hmong and non-English-speaking plant employees in Sun Prairie that was built on collaborative and peer-led training. Set the precedent for a company-wide training program.

Butler, Wi

Implemented best practices from Customer Service/Sales to Prepress to Production, and to automate repetitive processes to remove human error. Eliminated the cause of 30% of errors, which reduced order lead time by 2 days, saved $12,000 in office consumables, and $80,000 in production annually.Led value stream mapping sessions in 5 plants and shadowed sales representatives in east coast territories to document and streamline the sales funnel.Researched and created ROIs for company to invest in new manufacturing equipment from $50,000 die cutters to $3 million digital presses, to be approved by plant managers, regional managers, and CFO.

Milwaukee, Wi

Summary: Created and taught art and art history curriculum for low-income K4-8th grade BIPOC students in Milwaukee Public Schools. Emphasized contemporary culture, critical thinking, personal growth, and hands-on learning.o In one year, increased student attendance tenfold and saw a 95% reduction in student fights by promoting a culture of shared responsibility. The art room became a safe oasis for students to redirect their energy towards creative projects.o Collaborated with Milwaukee Art Museum’s Education Department to put on an exhibit of the students’ artwork at the Museum in spring 2011. This show became a shared goal for the students to work towards collectively.

St. Louis, Mo

Managed staff during the 65,000 sq ft Museum expansion on former Steinberg Hall. Managed 12 museum attendants for show installations and events.Wrote all training manuals, SOPs, and assessments for security + facilities employees on safety, security, and world-class customer service.

St. Louis, Mo

Summary: Assisted figurative oil painter Jamie Adams on his paintings and promotional materials.o Built traditional linen canvases with rabbit’s skin glue, built shipping crates for paintings as large as 10 x 10 feet, created under paintings and studies, classically trained as an representational figure painter in oil and acrylic.o Coded and built the 2009-2010 version of the artist’s website. Created marketing materials to send to galleries.

Summary: Created an artist and inventory database of gallery’s outsider art collection.o In addition to creating a new database for the gallery’s existing collection, assisted in the receipt of new acquisitions and delivery of artwork to collectors and patrons. Updated and maintained archives of represented artists from over 40 countries including Brazil, Chile, Haiti, Peru, Venezuela, and the US.o Responsible for monthly bookkeeping, website maintenance, and email marketing.

Master'S Degree, Fine And Studio Arts

Bachelor Of Fine Arts - Bfa, Printmaking/Drawing

Graduated Cum Laude Dean's List all four years Selected by faculty to receive CORE Award