The largest business association in the region, the BRBC is comprised of six affiliates: the Bridgeport, Stratford, and Trumbull Chambers of Commerce, the Bridgeport Economic Development Corporation, Leadership Greater Bridgeport, and the Women's Leadership Council.• Liaison between 550+ business and nonprofit members, their employees, and our small team• Collaborated closely with members and stakeholders to drive programming, ensuring alignment with evolving preferences and needs, to enhance involvement and investment in the organization while contributing to the advancement of the regional business ecosystem• Relaunched and led Ambassador Program, facilitating monthly meetings, ambassador assignments, and pairings with new members• Created ad hoc events geared towards member engagement and increasing community partnerships, including 2022 Impact Together Expo and Spring 2023 Bridgeport Entrepreneur Exchange• Actively maintained account management database, updating and analyzing data to steer decision-making and strategy

• Orchestrated logistics for signature events, including Annual Meeting and Holiday Dinner and Leadership Awards, while securing sponsorships and event sales• Coordinated and actively participated in monthly meetings of the Economic Development and Government Relations Committees, as well as the Bridgeport, Stratford, and Trumbull Chambers of Commerce, fostering collaboration and strategic partnerships• Developed dynamic event programming tailored to diverse needs, ranging from webinars and panel discussions to networking events and speaker series, both in-person and virtually, ensuring seamless management of the event life cycle with meticulous attention to profitability and loss• Crafted compelling print and digital marketing collateral, social media graphics, and engaging weekly e-newsletters, driving brand awareness and fostering community engagement• Spearheaded the planning and execution of the 2021 Bridgeport Regional Business Expo, managing safety protocols while coordinating a diverse committee of 15 individuals, 50 exhibitors, 15 sponsors, vendors, and attendees from the public

Genius Box is a STEM subscription box service delivering hands-on activities to curious kids each month, empowering the change-makers and problem-solvers of tomorrow, today.• Launched company senior year of college through Husky Start-Up Challenge, securing funding through crowdfunding and small grants• Developed over 70 STEM kits and educational curricula, guiding creation of supplemental handouts, accompanying comics, and social media strategy alignment for each month's kit• Created an engaging e-commerce website for effective customer conversion and brand storytelling• Achieved 100% year-over-year subscription growth during first three years of business• Expanded sales channels from individual households to classrooms and after-school programs, resulting in significant repeat bulk orders• Transitioned business to new ownership after eight years to position for continued growth and success • Retained as a consultant for three months to ensure a seamless handover

Massaro Community Farm is a nonprofit certified-organic 57-acre farm with the mission to keep farming, feed people, and build community.• Supported fundraising initiatives including grant writing, event sponsorship solicitation, annual appeal support, donor acknowledgements, and online fundraising campaign initiation and management, resulting in increased donor engagement and financial support• Facilitated the implementation of new donor management system, enhancing efficiency and data tracking

Spooner House is a homeless shelter and food bank serving the Lower Naugatuck Valley with the mission of providing food, shelter, and support services to people in need.• Focused on fundraising initiatives including grant writing, annual appeals, and online giving campaigns• Planned fundraising events, including annual walkathon and food drives, overseeing sponsorship acquisition, participant recruitment, and volunteer coordination to ensure successful event lifecycle• Cultivated support among area congregations, schools, businesses, organizations, and individuals, fostering a robust network of community stakeholders committed to the organization’s mission and goals• Coordinated volunteers of food bank, reception, kitchen, and special events as needed, ensuring smooth operations and a positive volunteer experience• Led monthly volunteer orientations to onboard and engage new volunteers, providing essential training while fostering a sense of community and purpose• Managed website and online presence including social media channel updates and email newsletter, effectively communicating with stakeholders while promoting organizational activities and initiatives

• Coordinated outreach, awareness, and fundraising events at local organizations for 14 state, 63 day cross-country bike ride for HIV/AIDS• Liaised with local media outlets including print media, radio, and television to share our story• Managed social media updates to maintain relationships with donors, hosts, and supporters worldwide• Fundraised over $4,000 individually and $53,000 as a team for global health non-profits FACE AIDS and Partners in Health• Maintained blog throughout journey: www.kateraa2013.tumblr.com

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, concentrating in Entrepreneurship and Innovation along the Social Entrepreneurship track, with a minor in International Affairs. Graduated Magna Cum Laude.

• Service-learning and capacity-building with local NGO Bhoruka Charitable Trust to develop nutrition curriculum and internal documentation system, specifically geared towards those affected or infected by HIV/AIDS• Grassroots community development focusing on economic empowerment of women through co-operative business model

• Supported development team on various fundraising initiatives, including 2013 New York Gala preparation, managing relationships via Salesforce• Developed IBJ Youth Scholars program to include youth as stakeholders within the IBJ organization• Managed social media and partner outreach for the JusticeMakers 2012 HIV/AIDS Global Competition• Created and sent out a variety of email newsletters via Constant Contact platform

• Represented Ben & Jerry’s at Scoop Shops and events in the community, serving ice cream and enthusiastically explaining our premium product, Fair Trade commitment, and other social initiatives

• Supported the OpportunityNation team on multi-sector campaign promoting opportunity, economic mobility, and access to the American Dream• Managed data within Salesforce platform

• Consulted with local women entrepreneurs on marketing and branding initiative

• Integral part of Fixed Annuity marketing team, project managing an array of marketing literature from inception and design phase to compliance and distribution stage• Supported a variety of internal and external databases and procedures• Responsible for weekly Fixed Annuity interest rate communication process, gathering data and updating marketing literature, distributing final products to hundreds of brokers• Integrated ideas amongst departments to create a more efficient and user-friendly Fixed Products website• Aided Structured Settlements department in ad-hoc projects: updating marketing materials, compliance process, directing and verifying updates to the website

• Demonstrated outstanding customer service and experience, from hand-crafting beverages to enthusiastically explaining products and mission• Worked in a team consisting of various managers, supervisors, and co-workers while balancing responsibility and tasks to maintain daily operation within a fast-paced environment• Implemented Action Items consisting of new procedures, products, promotions, and policies on a day-to-day basis• Exhibited close attention to detail while performing cash and credit transactions, depositing tips, and initialing bank deposits