As the Director of Development with the College of Science & Mathematics, my role and responsibilities are exquisitely multi-faceted. I have taken all my career experiences to-date and rolled them into a daily activity of marketing, advertising, branding public relations, graphic design, photography, printing/publishing, and ultimately fundraising.As the sole development officer for the College of Science & Mathematics at the University of North Georgia, I have the unique opportunity to put my stamp on rebranding the college and our fundraising efforts to generate $10M in capital for a new, $100M, two-phase STEM facility on the UNG Dahlonega Campus.I spearhead the fundraising efforts and have created a major gift pipeline through leveraging quality discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship conversations. Over this past year, I conceptualized and implemented effective marketing projects and campaigns to fund four distinct departments and one center: Department of Biology, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Department of Mathematics, Department of Physics & Astronomy, and the Environmental Leadership Center. Key contributions:» Established the ‘STEM IS IN’ brand and subsequent marketing/promotional materials to promote the public phase of the STEM Building Campaign in April 2022; the 2nd year phase of the brand: ‘STEM IS LIFE’ and, the 3rd year phase of the brand: 'STEM IS KNOWLEDGE.'» Created opportunities through bios and imagery for our alumni, students, and faculty to showcase their success stories on multiple social media platforms – specifically LinkedIn.» Introduced multiple first-time major endowed scholarships within first year of hire for First-Generation STEM majors.» Facilitated $3M in annual campaign funds by crafting influential proposals and distinctive presentations; applied tailored solicitation approaches across a portfolio of major prospects and donors located throughout the country.

Here, I provide executive-level leadership to small businesses, nonprofits and startups regarding diverse matters. As the 'CEO of Common Purpose' I deliver the following:» Facilitate clients by devising strategic plans, offering business mentoring, training workforce, and managing performance to meet organization's goals in an efficient manner.» Deliver quality advice to clients on strengthening board, volunteer, and community relations, while assisting with public speaking matters.» Provide constructive guidance on print publishing, sales, marketing, branding, advertising, production, and design.The Results:» Leverage leadership attributes to train and mentor individuals in sales, marketing, branding and professional practice.» Support client business success by delivering exceptional consultations.» Utilize business acumen to provide strategic direction, including plans and actions required to achieve client goals.» Assist clients with corporate/ individual fundraising activities, such as capital investments

AuxThera is an early stage commercial company focused on improving the health of companion animals through Trimauxil, a scientifically proven veterinarian prescribed product. Trimauxil provides an associated web app-driven Weight Watchers®-like program, that drives significant healthy weight loss in dogs.The consulting for this organization was under the Shepherd Collaborative LLC umbrella.

This position I am listing on LinkedIn is very similar to many individuals around the country who are faced with a healthcare crisis leading to the part-time and/or full-time care for a family member. I became the full-time healthcare surrogate for my mother who was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Her journey began with the news in July 2018 that she had 2-3 months to live if she did not do anything to combat this rare form of cancer (angiosarcoma). With the help of UF Health Shands, UF Radiation Oncology, UF Health Oncologists, UF Shands HomeCare and finally Haven Hospice of Gainesville, my mother was able to surpass everyone's expectations. I left my employment as a development officer with the University of Florida in July 2019 and immediately started providing full-time assistance to my mother, which included the following: two rounds of radiation, two rounds of chemotherapy, plus a surprise hernia operation in the middle of it all. I assisted her with daily meal preparation, support of her everyday home functions, grocery shopping, follow-up doctor's visits, in-home nurse and doctor visits, and many, many more responsibilities.While in this healthcare surrogate position, I re-ignited my personal consulting group, Shepherd Collaborative LLC, to enable me the flexibility to continue working in the areas of my expertise for an ultimate return to full-time employment upon my mother's passing.She passed away peacefully on February 6, 2021 after a 2 1/2 year battle.

During my time here, I established professional relationships with corporations, foundations, and University alumni aimed at soliciting philanthropic support for the University of Florida College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.One of my key tasks was to interact with 200+ portfolio prospects annually. Moreover, I was responsible for prospect research, outreach, qualification, and stewardship with university alumni.By coordinating with senior leadership, I established fundraising strategies and formulated processes/procedures pertaining to specific prospects and donors in national arena.Key contributions:» Developed multi-interest proposals and promoted strategic outreach among prospects/donors located in Florida, Atlanta, New York and Chicago by collaborating with academic leaders, development officers, and directors of external relations.» Ensured smooth running of the events by liaising with events team on special alumni engagements throughout the year.

In this position, I devised robust and competitive marketing strategies to generate business revenue.What I did:» Governed end-to-end operations of several existing UFAA corporate partnerships that included establishment of new revenue streams complemented by creation of value-added opportunities and mutually beneficial market activation programs.» Contributed to the UFAA Travel Program, the Emerson Alumni Hall Brick Program, and the Signature Collection (merchandise).The Results:» Acknowledged for creating a successful non-dues revenue stream for the association.» Strengthened the university’s financial position by generating surplus revenue through scholarships and endowments.» Collaborated with Florida GATOR magazine and Gator Nation News to effectively manage and implement advertising, sponsorship, and corporate partnership efforts, while capturing online advertising/marketing opportunities.» Key corporate accounts managed: GEICO, Herff Jones, Verizon, and Delta Air Lines.

In this role, I was an Adjunct Professor in the College of Fine Arts (Professional Practice Studio/MINT) and College of Journalism & Communications (Visual Communications), teaching professional practice, printing and publishing techniques to graphic design and PR majors 1996-2006. I appeared as a guest speaker at the University of Florida College of Journalism & Communications' Public Relations program on a requested, semester-to-semester basis on the subject of professional practice, public speaking and presentation skills.In Spring 2016 I was an Adjunct Professor in the College of Journalism & Communications teaching design to journalism majors. Also developed an online course for the new Media Sales Certificate Program within the college, called: Presentation Power (available online in Summer 2016). This class allowed participants to identify their audience and tailor their presentations to key decision makers, define 'big ideas' and generate content to support it, organize their presentations and also learn how to evoke power of emotion in their presentations.

Here, my key task was to cooperate with more than 1,000 independent agents/agencies across the State of Florida aimed at delivering guidance on sales with a keen focus on resolving the challenges faced by agents while working with key accounts.Other Key Tasks:» Identified the need to improve internal/external marketing representatives’ skills and conducted training sessions on sales, branding, marketing, and customer service to enhance performance.» Delivered expert advice on state-wide needs of independent agents to the Vice President of Marketing and Chief Marketing Officer.The Results:» Aided independent agents to develop staff skill-set in the areas of sales/sales management through formulation of ‘Tower Hill Sales School’, a twelve-step webinar series.» Developed sales training module for a state-wide platform on sales, marketing, PR, branding, and community relations.» Created a well-respected and highly-read blog on sales, marketing, PR, branding, and community relations.» Featured in the ‘Fromthetower.thig.com’ blog for independent agents and associated staff on sales, marketing, and customer service topics.» Created and oversaw “From the Tower - On the Road” series that trained independent agents on various aspects of quality business acumen across the state.» Public speaking topics and one-on-one agency training included:Value-added Sales, Time Management, Effective Communication, Public Relations, Overcoming Price Objections, Public Speaking, Leadership Development, Brand Strategy, Creating Your Value Proposition, Word of Mouth Marketing, Creating Robust Strategic Alliances, and Customer Service.

As the Director of Sales and Marketing, I managed all aspects of sales, public relations, community relations and marketing for a commercial sheet-fed printing facility specializing in offset printing, digital printing and mailing services; developed and implemented sales budgets, prepare annual business plans and regular management reports for effective production; lead and regulated all sales, marketing and public relations efforts at the higher-level institutions: University of Florida and Santa Fe College; managed, planned, directed and coordinated training of all incoming sales consultants; managed all company contract negotiations at the university, city and state levels; constantly developed new public relations and marketing strategies and reviewing/updating the five year sales plan for the company.

During my time with Naylor Publications, Inc. I represented this international publishing firm that specializes in producing magazines, books, directories, and trade-show guides for trade associations throughout the United States and Canada; supervised the entire publishing processes of each publication, including: editorial, advertising sales, marketing, graphic design, print production, inventory control and distribution; administered an annual publishing budget in excess of approximately $4.5 million each year for personal territory (seven states, inclusive of Washington, DC).

Partnered in creating and developing a marketing, design, print management and advertising agency located in the North Central Florida area; coordinated and managed all estimating and contract negotiations with all vendors; managed new business development for North Florida and South Georgia markets.

In this role, I was an Adjunct Professor in the Graphic Design Program - Commercial Print Concepts. Here I taught graphic design students professional practice in the printing and publishing arena. Also participated in the annual portfolio review - helping to guide students on interviewing techniques beyond college.

Top-performing sales team member for a North Central Florida commercial sheet-fed printing facility with emphasis in high-end publication printing;orchestrated the development of the Jacksonville, Florida market, resulting in doubling of company sales quota, thus opening and managing a satellite office for the region; led surge in new-business development in the southeastern United States market, which in-turn permitted the company to become a new associate of the Consolidated Graphics printing family (Houston, Texas).

In this role, I was an Adjunct Professor in the Graphic Design Technology Program teaching Printing Methods - I educated graphic design students how to design for print. I also appeared as a guest speaker with miscellaneous classes through 2012 in same subject matter area.

Directed art/production, sales, editorial, and circulation departments in producing the largest weekly business newspaper in the United States; managed art team responsible for all weekly business journal and monthly magazine design and layout; coordinated the design and layout of all marketing collaterals.

First-ever Art Director for growing national magazine - JAZZIZ (https://www.jazziz.com) - formed in Gainesville, Florida. Ad and layout design, photography editing for start-up publication.

Managed local photography studio specializing in various ranges of photography such as social, sports, college fraternity/sorority functions as well as proms and weddings; responsibilities included hiring, training and overseeing a staff of 35+ photographers.