Suzanne Ruark, M.A. Email & Phone Number

Louisville, Kentucky, United States

Leads TARC efforts in two core areas – community engagement, aimed at increasing transit ridership and continuing to build TARC’s reputation as a critical community resource and partner, and business development, the creation, expansion and maintenance of partnerships with corporations and nonprofit organizations interested in public transit for their clients, employees and members.• Participate and support key Marketing and Communications Departments functions and projects• Plan, coordinate, and implement TARC’s overall community engagement program, o Build and maintain list of outreach events and community partners and make recommendations on agency priorities;o Coordinate TARC community partner sponsorships; o Coordinate existing TARC community partnerships, identify additional partnership priorities and coordinate efforts to secure new partnerships;o In coordination of Director of Marketing and Communications, oversee work of Marketing Coordinators;• Plan, coordinate, and implement agency-wide business development effortso Assess and review current business development structure and program; make recommendations for continuous improvement and maximizing revenue and partnershipso In coordination with other departments, coordinate fare programs and strategies including internal and external point of sale partnerso Create effective sales strategies by gathering market data and research and capitalizing on opportunities; identifies and reports on trends in the market including pricing and innovations.o Generate outside sales leads and revenue through independently growing existing account lines and soliciting new customerso Maintain contracts in good standingo Monitor and track existing corporate partner satisfactiono Research and evaluate latest best practices and innovative programs

Louisville Metropolitan Area

• Rebuilt community outreach program post-pandemic;• Presented TARC Tomorrow Strategic Plan to community organizations to garner feedback;• Liaise with community organizations regarding TARC support, partnerships and sponsorship;• Support Health and Safety Committee and employee engagement in events;• Organize community outreach efforts and events with regional chambers, business associations and nonprofit organizations; and• Organize speaking opportunities for Executive Director.

Louisville Metropolitan Area

- Oversaw all events for all TBAIN&Co. including: Today's Woman Show and Magazine, Black Jockeys Lounge corporate and special events, and Derby Diversity Week, consisting of the events Ideathon, Derby Sneaker Ball, International Derby Travels the Runway and the Isaac Murphy Legacy Awards - Provided support for marketing, grant writing, communications and leadership- Supervised a team of two event planners- Coordinated partnerships with companies and organizations with complimentary goals

New Albany, Indiana

Responsible for planning, development and implementation of all of the organization’s marketing strategies, marketing communications and public relations activities, both external and internal;• Directed efforts of the communications staff and coordinated at the strategic and tactical levels with the other functions of the organization;• Designed, implemented and facilitated a comprehensive annual marketing and communications plan for 1si. Updated plan regularly and responded proactively to the changing needs of the organization;• Responsible for the achievement of marketing/communications/public relations mission, goals and financial objectives;• Acted as a special project manager in a variety of circumstances including comprehensive event planning, educational programming and volunteer coordination;• Developed annual budget in coordination with CEO and Controller;• Researched, updated and implemented new website for 1si;• Coordinated the appearance of all organizational print and electronic materials such as letterhead, use of logo, brochures, membership applications, website, etc. while maintaining brand standards are met;• Oversaw research, writing and content development for all marketing and communications vehicles, including grants and applications for honors;• Assisted senior staff with speeches, talking points and presentations for events and programs as needed;• Managed 1si’s local, regional and national media relations activities, including writing and distributing news releases to the media and coordinating 1si news conference briefings;• Regularly provided articles on subjects important to small businesses for inclusion in 1si publications, Face Book, Linked In, etc.;• Created and implemented ongoing social media strategy and is responsible for a monthly editorial publishing calendar;• Coordinated and planned the Annual Meeting and Annual Report; and• Supervised and prioritized activities of Communications Manager.

Louisville, Kentucky, United States

Responsibilities included managing planning, promotion and execution of eight major events, resulting in nearly $270K gross revenue/$112K net revenue (44% of all company revenue.); • Planned and supervised more than 20 networking events annually, including signature events: Business Opportunity Fair (approximately 350 attending); Annual Meeting and Agavé Awards (approximately 300 attending); 25th Anniversary Celebration; and annual golf outings; • Conceptualized and managed year-round calendar of educational programming for two separate client groups; • Established and nurtured relationships with prospective corporate members and key supporters in West Virginia;• Worked with creative agency partner on two TSMSDC re-branding projects including all marketing, communications, services and events; • Re-positioned annual Opportunity Fair to enhance relevance and generate stronger attendee engagement. • Produced press releases and managed content for social media outlets; and • Actively initiated community partnerships to strengthen organization’s presence, including public speaking engagements for civic organizations.

Louisville, Kentucky, United States

Created and managed a professional Development Department that handled marketing, event planning and fundraising for a small private, independent Catholic school for children with mild to moderate disabilities. - Development and implementation of a marketing plan and budget for fundraising and community relations; - Revitalized annual donor appreciation Mardi Gras event and organized annual fundraising barbecue (approx. 3,000 attending);• Initiated a formalized membership drive;• Produced a quarterly external newsletter and PowerPoint presentations to further the school’s mission.• Responsible for majority of networking activities;• Identified and pursued special projects and grants; and• Analyzed public relations program and managed media relations.

New Albany, Indiana, United States

Directly responsible for marketing, fundraising, public relations and special projects for a $5.4 million nonprofit organization with seven departments serving over six hundred clients and families.• Doubled income for annual Awards Ceremony Dinner fundraiser;• Initiated Annual Donor Appreciation Reception; introduced and managed planned giving program. • Responsible for majority of networking activities, Annual Meetings and company-wide staff education days;• Coordinated grant writing for seven departments resulting in $200,000 in income;• Produced weekly internal newsletter and quarterly external newsletter;• Managed media relations and presentations; analyzed public relations efforts; and• Developed and managed a membership program and maintained all donor records.

Paris, Tennessee

• Organized four annual fundraising events including a formal ball, a wine tasting and auction; "A Taste of Paris" with 15 local restaurants; alumni football game and concert with national talent; and Mystery Movie Night;• Expanded membership base by 100 percent;• Teamed with board members to solicit major gifts and collect over $100,000 in lost pledges;• Supervised a volunteer staff of 15 and paid staff of two; coordinated 25+ volunteer committees;• Produced quarterly donor newsletter and managed continual local, state and national media exposure; and• Created four major historical exhibits annually with formal opening events.

Ma, History

Activities and Societies: President, Xi Lambda Chapter, Phi Alpha Theta Editor and Contriubtor, Xi Lamb MagazineGraduate Assistant.

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), American History (United States)

Activities and Societies: Delta Zeta Sorority KY Kernel Contributing Writer UK Honors ProgramHonor Program Graduate UK Football Little.