Leah Simpson Email & Phone Number

Northeastern North Carolina

Leah Simpson, LLC, St. Louis, MO & Elizabeth City, NC • 2002-PresentConsulting services for individuals & organizations on communications, strategy, culture, marketing & customer serviceOwner & Consultant Began as a commercial photography venture; in working with clients, identified opportunities to leverage business/organizational consulting expertise garnered from prior experience. Such engagements became increasingly requested by clients, and extensive referral pipelines formed organically. Created and successfully implemented proprietary training programs—with primary focus on achieving organizational, professional, and personal growth. Clients ranged from fellow artists and photographers—to boutique marketing firms and sales-oriented organizations—to a local community college. Programs were group oriented; also provided 1:1 personal development coaching. Key challenge addressed: “Creative types” tend to lack business acumen and general business development instinctsSolution implemented: Engaged with a range of fellow photographers and artists, helping these individuals harness and translate their innate innovative, pioneering, and entrepreneurial spirit into developing their businesses and monetizing their talents. Assisted with business plan development, SWOT analysis, marketing strategy, cross-portal/digital/social media presence, customer service, etc. Extremely successful results per feedback. Key challenge addressed: Many companies and organizations lack clarity around their core values/culture, mission, and brand. In fact, 75% of M&A integrations fail due to cultural incongruences and brand dilution Solution implemented: Created, implemented and facilitated 13-week “Results & Happiness” program to help companies find their core values, and infuse their programs, projects and internal and customer-facing communications with messaging centered on these concepts—ultimately driving increased revenue. Extremely successful results per feedback.

Freedom Personal Development, Madison, Wisconsin • 2003-2013 Specialists in helping entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, and sales professionals realize greater business and life success COO & Partner/BuilderProvided instrumental organizational direction, leadership, and change management during a time of critical flux for the business. Shepherded migration from an exclusively “memory training” organization to a provider of a broader services and training program portfolio—to reach corporate objective of achieving 20% non-memory training-related annual revenue. Updated Vision Statement for the organization, reflecting this new direction. Managed/supervised internal support team of Marketing, Finance, IT, and Customer Service specialists. Key challenge addressed: Company facing the need to diversify offerings Solution implemented: Leveraged feedback from existing clients and competitive benchmarking to add Goal Setting, Time Management, Positive Mental Attitude, Personal Development, Sales Process Development, and Core Values trainings. Also developed partnership with an established Speed Reading program.VP, Sales Promoted to oversee hiring, training, coaching, and development of Sales staff. Created sales and sales management strategies. Won Kestleman Award; “most inspiring person”; named by colleagues. Key challenge addressed: Sales needed enhanced structure and clearly defined Best Practices fostering sustainable success Solution implemented: Developed KPIs. Designed and implemented technology-based sales tracking methods. Company’s sales footprint expanded to 1000+ clients across Finance, Real Estate, Insurance, Automotive, Healthcare, Manufacturing, etc.Instructor & Sales Representative Successfully motivated thousands of cross-industry professionals; 98% of trainees voted as “Best” or “Top 10%” of all instructors. Initially hired in Sales; winner of Salesperson of the Year 2004; highest sales production company-wide.

INTRAV/Kuoni, St. Louis, Missouri • 1997-2002 Providing discerning travelers with unhurried opportunities to experience places of natural beauty & cultural interestDirector of Programs Entrusted to build and lead several new programs and travel packages. Negotiated contracts, calculated budgets, and coordinated all aspects of itineraries. Managed onsite logistics across 60+ countries. Key challenge addressed: Company needed direction and renewed focus post M&A cycle; acquisition by KuoniSolution implemented: Led department tasked with creating and implementing customizable, individualized trips to Africa, Europe, Hawaii and Asia—meeting the needs of a broader, yet still discerning customer base; instrumental to implementation of Kuoni’s (the acquiring firm) new strategy.

Emba, Business Administration And Management, General

Emba, Business Administration And Management, General

Ba In Politics

Activities and Societies: Magna Cum Laude