Meredith Dowling Email & Phone Number

Remote

Client services: Business development; public relations; media; brand identity campaigns; nonprofit fundraising; program development; marketing; event planning; grant writing; community outreach and development; management consulting. Client profiles: Business and trade associations; technology and life sciences companies; entrepreneurs/inventors; nonprofit organizations; universities; start-up companies; foundations; charitable institutions.

Laguna Beach, Ca

Chief Executive OfficerResponsible for the management and direction of all Chamber activities, events, fundraising, and operations, and accomplished the following key deliverables:- Established and implemented new organizational policies, operating procedures, by-laws, and governance guidelines. - Created a new membership sales and benefit package to attract and retain over 300 members and investors.- Built extensive volunteer network to support our member businesses and served as spokesperson and representative of the business community.- Secured and managed annual operating budget comprised of membership fees, corporate sponsorships, city grant funding, and event registrations. I cultivated and executed additional fundraising events including the State of the City Address, Pageant Night, and Annual Leadership Luncheon. - Increased attendance at Taste of Laguna from 500 to 1200+ attendees and implemented a new social media influencer campaign, which raised significant visibility for the organization and doubled revenue. - Organized and promoted ribbon-cuttings, member mixers, and small business workshops.- Led citywide Shop Local/Shop Small marketing and sales program and held the first Retail Forum to promote Small Business Saturday and encourage year-round merchant support.- Designed all social media, digital marketing, print collateral, advertisements, and press releases using software tools and platforms including MailChimp, Instagram, Facebook, Chambermaster CRM, Wix, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Canva, Mailchimp, PicMonkey and others.The Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce is a business organization that advocates for local businesses, builds community alliances, and offers new business and relocation assistance and advice.

Greater San Diego Area

Vice President, Business Development and Economic DevelopmentKEY ACHIEVEMENTS:Successfully created and implemented a proactive economic development program to establish the new retention, expansion, and attraction strategic plan initiated by the SDEDC's Board of Directors. Customized a series of corporate sponsorship packages and formed committees, projects, and marketing initiatives to align with the goals of its investor's and the organizational mission.Researched, wrote, and designed compelling fresh marketing and promotional materials to accelerate the new corporate sponsorship and investor relations campaign and support outreach efforts for the retention, expansion, and attraction program.Actively built and repaired key alliances with research institutions, trade organizations, academic institutions, community economic development advocates, and government leaders. The San Diego Regional EDC is a regional business association funded by public and private stakeholders to provide economic development support to companies, with an emphasis on key industry sectors such as Technology, Life Sciences, Healthcare, Aerospace, Defense, and Cleantech.

Dallas, Tx

Vice President, Business and Economic DevelopmentFocus Areas: Technology/Life Sciences/International/Sustainability Raised $3M budget and supervised 10 direct reports across three departments: International; Technology; and Life Sciences, to support the Chamber’s economic development, public policy and member engagement directives.- Conceptualized and produced CIO/CTO forms, exclusive investor events and executive roundtables.- Created and launched annual issue forums on cyber security, healthcare IT, life science breakthroughs, international trade, commercialization and innovation.- Received “Top Leads Producer Awards” for generating new members and prospects.- Prepared and presented economic data, impact analysis and industry insights to top officials from 29 foreign countries.The Dallas Regional Chamber is the area’s leading membership-driven business organization committed to promoting economic prosperity by leading economic development, driving improvements in public education, influencing public policy, and catalyzing and advocating for regional partnerships.

Grant Program EvaluatorFocus Areas: Technology/Education/Community Development/Digital InclusionIn 2003, the U.S.Department of Education awarded Community Technology Center grants totaling over $29 million to create or expand Community Technology Centers (CTCs) throughout the country in an effort to close the digital divide. Pangea Foundation was one of the worthy grant recipients selected to provide disadvantaged residents of economically distressed urban and rural communities with access to information technology and related training.I was privileged to serve as grant evaluator for Pangea's CTC program and report my evaluation reports and findings to the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). My role included designing the survey and methodology to measure the performance results; facilitating an automated data tracking system for students and teachers at each school site; analyzing and adjusting program deliverables, and reporting the successful results to the DOE on a timely basis.

San Diego, Ca

Senior Account Strategist/Supervisor, Public Relations & Public AffairsAreas of Focus: Infrastructure Projects/Public Relations/Commercial and Residential Developers/Marketing StrategiesDeveloped and implemented strategic programs for businesses, organizations, municipalities and public agencies seeking to build productive relationships with their stakeholders, customers and the community.- Secured approval and entitlements for transportation agencies, public utilities, and complex expansion projects.-Led branding and advocacy plans for land developers, utility companies and city infrastructure initiatives. - Wrote and implemented communications campaigns and corresponding projects for clients such as SDG&E, Pardee Homes, Westfield Corp., Susan G. Koman, and City of Coronado.− Created strategic message platforms, creative collateral, marketing campaigns and media content for client accounts.San Diego-based Southwest Strategies LLC is a full-service public affairs and public relations agency that specializes in the development and implementation of strategic programs for businesses, organizations and public agencies seeking to build productive relationships with their stakeholders, customers and the community. The company’s specialties include electric infrastructure, renewable energy, transportation, and a wide range of residential and retail projects.

Greater San Diego Area

Director, Community Development Areas of Focus: Digital Divide/Community Development/Entrepreneurship/EducationRaised and managed $1.2M from city and state funding, foundation grants and corporate donors, to design and launch RTA's community technology development program and the PowerUp program, serving over 30 schools, community centers and nonprofits countywide.- Honored by the State of California for producing, “Top Technology Community-Building Program.”- Co-authored, directed, and published San Diego's 1st digital divide study & regional impact report.- Collaborated with Dan Yankalovich on survey methodology, focus groups & data analysis.- Partnered with UCSD Civic Collaborative to conduct targeted focus group meetings & interviews.- Wrote grants, administered funds, met benchmarks, and surpassed revenue goals. Supported by the Waitt Family Foundation, San Diego Foundation, California Community Foundation, US Bank, AT&T, Cox Communications, State of California Trade and Commerce Agency, City of San Diego (TOT), San Diego Workforce Partnership, UCSD Civic Collaborative, San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation, San Diego State University and Coleman College, High Tech High, LISC, and others.The RTA was established under the California Technology Trade & Commerce Agency by California legislation in 1993 in response to the 1990s defense downsizing and base closures. The RTA, a non-profit corporation, focuses on general technology development through the following programs: entrepreneur services, community development services, and research.

San Diego, California, United States

La Jolla, Ca

MP3.com Annual Summit Event Manager Hired by MP3.com to coordinate, manage and produce its Second Annual MP3.com Summit and Digital Music Conference at the UCSD Price Center, held June 15-16, 1999.Boosted attendance, raised over 500K in corporate sponsorships, and secured significant digital, print, and live media coverage for the conference. Scope of contract included creating multi-tiered sponsorship packages and registration benefits; securing event sponsors; negotiating event logistics; managing marketing and promotions; designing exhibit hall layout and exhibitor participation; securing live entertainment with Lisa Loeb; and organizing VIP private events for B-Ya-Self Records and Spin Records.

Master Of Arts (Ma), Organizational Development And Communications

Activities and Societies: Development Intern at Manhattan Theatre Club; Lincoln Center Volunteer; Accounting & Public Relations for Hudson.

Bachelor Of Arts (Ba), English Language And Literature

Activities and Societies: Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA); Comic Relief Event Promoter; University Settlement.

Education record