Sonja Ejups Email & Phone Number

Collaborates closely with the Executive Director, Development & Marcomms to steer and execute a global fundraising strategy and ensure revenue growth across diverse target audiences. Enhances fundraising efforts by gathering insights, informing best practices, and seizing multinational opportunities, contributing directly to the expansion of World Bicycle Relief's mission and impact.

Responsible for designing and producing signature events, rides, and experiences that attract new supporters and inspire our community to deepen their connection with World Bicycle Relief.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

• Cultivated and led campaign volunteers, donors, teams and participants by developing and implementing campaign appropriate strategies and relationship cultivation activities for successful recruitment, acknowledgement and retention• Identified and networked with corporations, community groups, schools, and key donors to engage their support of LLS• Provided input into the development of a strategic plan, including fundraising goals, budget recommendations, vendors, volunteer goals, and timelines. Evaluated fundraising efficiency, engagement, and overall event satisfaction• Developed positive volunteer interactions through recruitment, mentoring, and comprehensive fundraising support

Chicago, Il

• Managed the planning and implementation of statewide Walk for Wishes series including all logistics, fundraising, volunteer committee management, venues and site permits, and overall event experience• Worked with national and local corporate partners to solicit, steward, and secure cash and in-kind sponsorships• Created and executed recruitment and retention strategies for over 1800+ participants and teams across the state• Managed budgets for all events and provided continuous forecasting and revenue targets. Raised nearly $300,000 and increased participant activation rates by over 50% in first year• Evaluated potential markets and added two walk sites in new communities to support fundraising growth • Developed, recruited, and managed Walk Committees for each market to meet each site’s goals

Greater Chicago Area

• Managed process and coordination of complex wishes and contributed to process improvements as it related to the Wish Coordinator role• Responsible for the coordination, planning, and execution of wishes, as well as providing expertise and guidance to Wish Coordinators • Oversaw all incoming wish assists and managed relationships with local sports teams and vendors • Ensured accuracy, cost-effectiveness and timeliness standards were maintained for all wish arrangements• Reviewed resumes and interviewed candidates for open Wish Coordinator positions. Hired Program Services interns and served as their supervisor each term

Greater Chicago Area

• Planned and executed approximately 100 unique wish experiences per year• Coordinated all travel wish logistics including transportation, lodging and special activities for each trip• Built and maintained in-kind donor and vendor relationships to stay under budget• Coached approximately 200 volunteers each year on best practices and volunteer resources to accomplish team goals• Acted as point of contact during wish-related emergencies requiring development of multiple contingency plans and risk management skills• Created itineraries and multiple deliverables in English and Spanish for each wish experience

Chicago, Il

• Acted as the central point of contact for a set of clients, ranging from 150-1500 employees• Established implementation timelines, developed and delivered all employee communications in English and Spanish, and ensured completion of all key steps to launch a new program year or renewal• Performed analysis of engagement and health metric changes, creating and delivering client presentations to various levels of management and partners• Managed implementation tasks, logistics, materials and resources to ensure client and member satisfaction

· Provided English immersion and language development for the family's 3 children· Communicated with a team of employees while managing children's educational activities· Enhanced my Spanish proficiency and strengthened my Latino cultural competency

· Helped implement a Pediatrics Obesity program called L.I.F.E. for Kids· Assisted with grant writing & created a Community Resource Guide· Worked as a translator for Spanish patients & created Nutrition Assessment forms in Spanish

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.), Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Public Health

Spanish History & Literature