Walter Menzel Email & Phone Number

The Foundation’s business model is similar to that of a venture capital firm in that it sources, vets, funds and tracks innovative, high potential prostate cancer research at leading institutions including Memorial Sloan-Kettering, Stanford University, MD Anderson, University of California, Duke, and the University of North Carolina. Responsible for all aspects of leading and managing the Foundation including strategic planning, fundraising, cancer research vetting, institutional relations, donor relations, event management, and operations. Created and published an award-winning culinary arts book specifically to inaugurate the Foundation’s fundraising events with world-class chefs including Thomas Keller, Eric Ripert, Michel Richard and others.Achieved fundraising results of $2.7 million over first four years. Revenue ($000)2004 02005 2252006 6242007 7752008 1030

Founded in 2002, the WM Gropu provides a protfolio of critical business services and solutions to entrepreneurial and established enterprises on a contract basis. The WM Group has provided strategy, management, marketing, branding, creative and production services for non-profits and for-profits in food, wine, entertainment, health services and retail.WM Group client engagements include:Commissioned to produce award-winning culinary arts book for the Peter Michael Winery which involved close collaboration with 15 of the finest chefs in America.Contracted to establish and manage all aspects of the Peter and Michael Foundation which funds innovative prostate cancer research worldwide: serve as Founding Executive Director since 2004 responsible for leadership of the foundation, donor relations and fundraising, event management, and ongoing liaison with leading scientific and medical researchers around the US.Served as VP and CMO of Specialty’s Café & Bakery for two years: repositioned and rebranded the company, redesigned restaurant interiors, expanding the number of outlets by 25%, built commercial account sales force, produced all marketing and menu materials.Repositioning and relaunching The Marin School, a private college preparatory school.Executed strategic repositioning and identity makeover for Mill Valley Film Festival: new brand name, logo, movie trailer, television and print campaign.Developed brand ID and packaging for new cosmetics line from Shaklee.Raised capital for international food service start-up SandwichDirect.com.Conducted strategic repositioning consulting to Sega of America.Designed and produced Japanese fashion adverting for DFS Limited.

Responsible for all marketing and sales strategy and execution for privately owned café chain. Member of Management Committee. Reported to CEO. Rebuilt sales department with new organization, training, compensation and staffing.Rebranded the company with new restaurant interiors , signage, menus, and packaging and helped build five new format stores, increasing total to 19.Sales results included a 12% increase in ticket averages in new stores, a 60% increase in catering sales and a 35% total sales increase over the two year period to $27 million annually.Also serviced on Board of Directors from 2002-2009.

P&L responsibility for eight of the San Francisco office’s 14 accounts. Member of Executive Committee. Reported to Chairman.Improved average operating margin 42% through aggressive revenue enhancement and cost control.Generated $115 million in new business through winning competitive pitches.Developed and executed integrated marketing programs that resulted in significant sales increases and five.American Marketing Association Awards for effectiveness (EFFIES).Successfully retained at-risk accounts representing $40 million in billings through skilled relationship management.Successfully maintained an 85 year old client/agency relationship through five successive ownership changes.

Education record

Ba, With Honors, Psychology