Tamara Decker Email & Phone Number

Kathmandu, Nepal, And Jakarta, Indonesia

When my husband moved to Kathmandu to teach at Lincoln School, Nepal, I enthusiastically accompanied him. While there, I worked in both the school library and kindergarten/first grade combined classroom. I also offered two after-school programs for middle and high school students. In that time employed in the Young People Realm, I discovered a joy not previously experienced in my corporate career. I've since shifted my career goals to include working as a teacher.Between my work stints at the school, I've explored parts of Asia and at the same time, myself. While dealing with the harsh conditions of living in a developing nation, I discovered that my cushy life in the first world might have contributed to my life-long problems with anxiety and depression. It turned out that I was afraid of being uncomfortable. Since life in Nepal -- whether dealing with poverty and pollution in Kathmandu, altitude sickness and landslides in the Himalayas, or extreme heat and charging rhinos in the jungle -- is all about discomfort, I've finally learned about living life on life's terms. I dubbed this time my "Quest for Fortitude" and while working on a book about my adventures, I've occasionally written blog posts and counseled friends on what I've learned about living with anxiety and depression.

Albuquerque, New Mexico Area

Why Transcending Branding?It’s not about the perfect resume or an alluring social media presence. It’s about knowing who you (really) are, how you’re uniquely gifted, and why that matters to the world.It’s about finding your True North – the place that your needs, desires and values meet – and heading in that direction.It’s not about getting what you want by selling yourself to people for what they can give you. It’s about using your strengths and skills to help people and making sure those who need you can find you. This moves you beyond fear (not enough money, failure, success, etc.) and launches you into clarity, purpose, and energy.Two Key Ideas:True North - Where your top needs, desires and values intersect, you have the most power. This True North is the “star” you want to follow. It’s the direction you want to go.Whom do you serve? – In traditional marketing, extensive research is recommended to find your best customers based on the products you offer. To achieve meaningful personal success, I recommend you concentrate your efforts on reaching those you can uniquely help, versus who can help you. This lends you an attractive authenticity and leads you to lasting success.Two Key Takeaways:The Brand Essence – Who you are, how you’re different, and why that matters, summed up in three words. Like an essence in cooking, it’s your True North and your positioning statement boiled down. In traditional marketing, a brand essence is called the “heart and soul” of a company. The same principle applies here.The Brand Litmus – Keywords, questions, and a plan to hold your actions, decisions, and personal presentation (online presence, resume) up to your Brand Essence.

Albuquerque, New Mexico Area

Collaborated with film & media industry and community leaders to ensure the best possible wages and working conditions for actors and stunt performers. Balanced negotiating and enforcing contracts with creating resources and opportunities for union members. Accomplishments include envisioning and organizing the New Mexico Business of Acting Conference, writing and presenting a personal branding strategy for industry members, and winning various hard-fought battles with major producers to compensate performers fairly. My colleagues in this job were primarily lawyers, while I brought a touch of marketing and communications to the role.

Los Angeles, Ca

During and post-film school (i.e. scrounging in Hollywood like everyone else), I created consulting opportunities with a wide range of clients, doing a wide range of of work. Large projects included working as the project manager with the CDC (the Centers for Disease Control) on an outreach project to syphilis patients at the Jeffrey Goodman AIDS Clinic in Hollywood. This led to a long-term contract with the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, acquiring, retaining and activating sponsors for Center events and the AIDS/LifeCycle ride. "Tammy came to the Center highly recommended but lacking any real medical background and no experience with the type of difficult project she took over and successfully managed. Experts in the field who have evaluated the project have called it the best managed one of its kind they have ever viewed. Not many people could have pulled that off. She's a "utility" person -- one that can be placed in a variety of departments and positions with confidence that the job will be successfully managed and completed." - Darrel Cummings, Chief of Staff, L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center (Jeffrey Goodman AIDS Clinic)

Australia, Africa, Great Britain, Europe, Asia, South America

Cashed in my Janus stock options and traveled the world. Immersion language courses in Paris and Grenada, Spain. Blogged before people blogged -- sent travel stories to my network via internet cafes and Hotmail. Best investment, education, and career choice I ever made. I still have friendships all over the world from this experience, as well as great stories and an ability to adapt and deal with unexpected circumstances.

Greater Denver Area

Started in the call center with investors while I attended college. Ended up as a Marketing Manager, specializing in sponsorship, trade shows, and philanthropic partnerships. Accomplishments included being nominated to the prestigious Janus Jazz Aspen Board, commandeering the much-sought title sponsorship of the world-class Cherry Creek Arts Festival, and winning awards for the accompanying collateral materials. Also co-executive produced an award-winning film for the re-branding of Janus (which led to my decision to pursue a film career). Was part of the 4-person team who initiated and completed the rebranding of Janus in 1997.

Teacher Certification Program, High School/Secondary Certificate Programs

I am working towards a teaching license for English Language Arts Grades 7 - 12.

Bachelor Of Arts, Summa Cum Laude, Liberal Arts And Sciences/Liberal Studies

Also wrote an Honor's Thesis and was awarded a *magna cum laude*.

Film/Cinema/Video Studies