Rian Edwards Email & Phone Number

Minneapolis, Mn, Us

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

Oversee the strategic direction, curriculum development, and operations of the Center for Experiential Learning's entrepreneurship program, including courses, competitions, mentoring programs, and consulting projects.• Manage 10 Entrepreneurship Fellows per year, focusing on developing leadership skills, providing mentorship, guidance on specialized projects, and fostering collaboration. • Lead Olin's Accelerator Class, overseeing the formation and recruitment of 10 startup companies. Develop project plans outlining task timelines and allocate $30,000 in resources for startup formation while addressing team communication challenges. • Collaborate with diverse stakeholders to develop strategic vision for entrepreneurship program, designing and implementing new courses and initiatives to drive engagement. Generate project reports and communicate progress updates to stakeholders and team members for program evaluation and improvement.• Planned and executed 2-year research commission to identify opportunities to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in Venture Capital funding. • Create and organize international trips for 25+ students, overseeing budget management and cost tracking. Assisting with client recruitment, travel logistics, vendor negotiation, company visits, and alumni events in each destination. • Analyze and present data for school rankings, contributing to program's recognition as #1 Program by Poets & Quants for five consecutive years.

Managed all aspects of the WashU Olin Entrepreneurship Program's offerings, including courses, contests, guest speakers, networking, mentoring, and entrepreneurial summits.• Managed project schedules for pitch competitions, demonstrating leadership in promoting, marketing, and vetting 300 founder entries per semester and awarding $200,000 in funding.• Provided operational support to founders, focusing on operational processes, financial models, and investor pitches.• Led cross-functional Salesforce implementation, identifying risks, tailoring project scope for entrepreneurship, and conducting clean-up of over 50,000 contacts.• Strategically built relationships with alumni and community partners, increasing program engagement from 100 to 1000+ interactions annually.

Served as the Consulting and Accounting Employer Account Manager for the Olin Career Center. • Developed and managed relationships with employers (recruiters, mid-level managers, executives) as a proactive account manager.• Developed programs and oversaw specialized interview knowledge & prep for students (executed by specialized coaches and/or external contractors)• Collaborated with faculty to advise and develop appropriate industry education programs in faculty’s specialty • Developed and managed relationships, in conjunction with A&D with alumni working in assigned industries• Worked with platform leads to ensure faculty are aware of changing employer needs and assist in curriculum changes as needed to better prepare students.• Created, and implement data tools to provide analytics for specific industries related to preparation, student satisfaction, industry trends, and student success• Provided regular updates on employer engagement to WUCC

Supported the WashU Business Development & Corporate Relations team in qualifying employer relations leads and managing strategic accounts. •Spearheaded the redesign of Salesforce CRM, empowering the team to streamline operations and make informed, data-driven decisions.•Oversaw the Annual Olin Award by managing and promoting the event, orchestrating an increase from 30 to over 150 attendees per event.•Informed strategic decisions for the Business Development Team by delivering comprehensive market research and insights into industry trends.•Designed and executed impactful marketing and email campaigns, resulting in a notable boost in employer engagement with the career center.

Oversaw the evaluation of startup pitches, guided funding decisions, and offered operational and project management support to portfolio companies, fostering their growth and success within the competitive startup landscape.•Provided operational and project management support to portfolio companies, nurturing their growth and success. •Directed the evaluation of startup pitches and provided insightful guidance to shape funding decisions.•Founded and spearheaded the internship program, generating over 60 applications for just 20 spots each semester.

Greater St. Louis Area

From idea to funded startup, I partnered with a founder to help launch a co-working space in St. Louis. Once launched, I oversaw all operations, including managing the workspace, fostering a community of 300+ women, and establishing processes while building and leading a dynamic team. Once established, I was able to help launch a second location in another city. Member Engagement & Recruitment• Researched potential members and partnership opportunities; developed strategies andspecials to increase sales; responsible for bringing in 72 new Members• Created and managed CRM database for 260+ members• Cultivated meaningful relationships with current and former members, generating business,reducing churn, and exploring extended business networks• Fostered member engagement, including onboarding members, identifying disengagedmembers and strategizing for re-engagement; coordinating engagement events, communityinitiatives, and weekly programming; and overseeing member committees• Reconciled member issues, utilizing effective communication and interpersonal skillscreating a welcoming environmentInternal Management & Supervision• Recruit, hire, train, and supervise a total of 8 part-time and full-time staff• Manage workspace finances, including monthly billing and salaries• Oversee workspace and Brand Standards, including collaboration with outside vendors,guest and member welcome experience and general office management• Manage all internal and external communications, including weekly digest, monthlynewsletter, emails, member Facebook page, and member portal for 260+ members

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Account Manager focused on increasing supplier diversity programs at Fortune 500 companies -Managed and expanded supplier diversity programs for 60+ corporate members, including industry leaders like Time Warner and Capital One, leading to an increase in diverse supplier engagement.-Contributed 20% increase in revenue through the acquisition of new corporate partnerships and development of customized supplier diversity solutions.-Led implementation of programs that provided resources, training, and networking opportunities for diverse suppliers, enhancing their ability to compete in the corporate supply chain.

Greater St. Louis Area

Interned at an early-stage startup in St. Louis. •Worked closely with CEO to create company business plans and investor pitch decks •Regularly attended meetings with investors to pitch company business plan •Developed a strong social media presence on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Increased Instagram followers from 500 to 5,000 by the end of the summer. •Handled administrative matters including screening calls, managing calendars, planning meetings, and composing documents

Master Of Business Administration - Mba

Bachelor'S Degree, Political Science And Gender, Women'S, And Sexuality Studies, 3.745/4.0

•Scholarships Received: Nelnet Scholarship, Denver Public Retired Employees Scholarship, College Invest 529 Scholarship, Wes '35.

High School, Weighted Gpa: 4.67/4.00

High School Valedictorian