Joy Nelson Email & Phone Number

Kuwait

I supervised the daily operations of the U.S. Embassy employee association. This included overseeing teams of interns, FT and PT staff, and volunteers that manage a cafeteria, gift shop, diplomatic alcohol sales, a pub, member services, activities and classes, and major events. COMMUNICATIONS:✦Created impactful internal communications for multiple levels of stakeholders -- including generals, ambassadors, and expatriate employees from 29 countries. ✦Led corporate rebranding initiatives, including new logos. Revamped website to improve user-friendliness. ✦Improved community engagement by conceptualizing and instituting advertisement improvements.✦Rewrote employment contracts to comply with local law; drafted and negotiated new multi-year contract with vendor.SALES & MARKETING:✦Awarded 2022 Worldwide Employee Association Manager of the Year by the U.S. Department of State.✦Improved inventory turnover 8% and drove 8x increase in sales -- by introducing new products and marketing strategies. ✦Increased sales across all property outlets after championing and leading a large-scale technology upgrade that enabled employees to sell from anywhere on the property, rather than at a physical cost center.✦Increased service revenue 1,000% by hiring a new contractor and leading six-figure renovations of the gift shop and bar.STRATEGY & OPERATIONS:✦Unlocked ~$200K in operating funds by resolving ongoing signatory issues with local banks. ✦Simplified SOPs for all operations, including resolving election process compliance issues with the association bylaws.✦Reduced YOY losses during COVID by $56K – transforming a previously underperforming organization into a profitable operation, despite not being able to fully restore services under COVID restrictions. ✦Saved $170K over five years by negotiating new license agreement eliminating utility payments, while adding IT and facility maintenance support services.

Global

During a period of frequent global relocations, I oversaw a portfolio of personal, volunteer, consulting, and contract projects. Key Achievements:✦Created an exciting learning culture in varying global academic settings by home-schooling a child during several back-to-back global moves. Created and facilitated curriculum, set goals, evaluated performance.✦Fostered inclusion within the Minsk expatriate community by founding the International English-Speaking Coffee Club.✦Researched and authored a travel book about the region of Umbria, Italy. ✦Built, maintained, and promoted multiple websites. Led all aspects, from planning to production. Researched, wrote, and published newsletter articles for Tri-Mission Embassy Rome and U.S. Embassy Tunis. ✦Planned events of all sizes for Americans in Belarus, including events at the personal residences of high-level officials. ✦Contracted with U.S. Embassy Dhaka on press briefing kit creation. Prepared press-briefing kit for members of White House traveling press and members of POTUS delegation. ✦Increased value of residential property $60K by serving as Designer and Project Manager for a $25K remodeling project.

Dhaka, Bangladesh

While living in Bangladesh, I directed daily operations and led a staff of 98 employees at a recreation club for U.S. diplomats. The club was comprised of 4 eateries, a movie club, tennis courts, a pool, and fitness facilities. Key Achievements:✦Oversaw $120K remodeling project of all club restaurants, poolside eatery, and lavatories, as well as numerous general improvements. Partnered with management to ensure compliance with U.S. government policies and fiscal regulations. ✦Improved on-time payments after developing and instituting new rules concerning non-payment of club bills.✦Realized six-figure savings by uncovering and halting a kickback scheme involving 6 employees and multiple vendors.✦Improved the working conditions of local Bangladeshi women working for the association by upgrading the bathrooms and lunch area for female local employees.✦ Planned company events that fostered a sense of inclusion; collaborated with managers of other local clubs to coordinate events and improve services for local expatriates.

Dhaka, Bangladesh

As an Asst. Public Affairs Officer, I managed a team of 10 direct and 18 indirect reports across multiple departments. In this role, I drafted and edited program evaluations, grant applications, reports, performance evaluations, and speeches for the U.S. Ambassador and Deputy Chief of Mission. Key Achievements:✦Spearheaded nomination and successful funding of the highly competitive Volunteer Visitor Program. ✦Planned and implemented a regional American Studies conference for South Asia, as well as multiple speaker programs.✦Drove nomination process and secured funding for a senior Fulbright candidate.✦Improved information promoted by media by partnering with global O&G companies to create an informational roundtable about export issues.✦Discovered $3K in additional funding for the Information Resource Center through self-initiated research.✦ Represented Embassy at international engagements, trade shows, and conferences; presented at USIS-sponsored programs.

Boise, Idaho

As a Public Information Officer at Idaho School-to-Work, I collaborated to advance a federal grant that supported secondary students in transitioning from school to work. Key Achievements:✦Communicated with Board and state officials; created, reviewed, and edited executive communications, including the final copy of Idaho’s continuation grant. ✦Planned large-scale events, including a gubernatorial proclamation and statewide celebration. ✦Built media partnerships and worked with external agencies to create promotional materials that increased awareness.