Donor Engagement Program Manager at Planned Parenthood North Central States - November 2024-Present
Note: This position was newly created when I was hired as a result of restructuring our team. As such, some of my work applies to both my time as Events Manager, and my time as Donor Engagement Program Manger, so the two sections below are purposefully duplicative in part.
Managing third party events and house party fundraisers to benefit PPNCS across 501(c)3, 501(c)4, and PAC entities
Planning and executing four annual fundraising events in FY25-26 across our five state affiliate - Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota - in close collaboration with major gift level donors
Developing individual donor and general support stewardship reports to demonstrate the impact of giving
Collaborating with the communications team and donor engagement specialist to develop and distribute three annual stewardship pieces for print and digital
Facilitating first time donor thank you program
Creating efficiencies in event planning and fundraising reporting processes
Collecting and synthesizing current donor data to help steer fundraising strategy as it relates to donor reported affinities including demographics, geography, and age
Piloted three affinity group donor engagement programs including board alumni, young professionals (Ambassador Council), and BIPOC (Black and African American Women in Philanthropy)
Planning and executing health center open houses to encourage donor engagement and demonstrate the direct impact of donated funds
Collaborating across teams to facilitate communications, graphic design, fundraising, reporting, and ticket sales
Liaising with event speakers and the communications team to develop event programs and addressing speaker needs
Facilitating relationships with RAYGUN, and various food/beverage, technology, software, and decor vendors across a five state affiliate
Preparing press bullets and event summaries for executive staff, media partners, and influencers
Recruiting and training volunteers for events including donor advisory committees for event planning
Writing copy for materials including event invitations, webpages, email promotions, programs, signage, internal communications, and slides for events
Writing, distributing, and analyzing results for post-event surveys
Participating in and co-chairing the first implementation of the Anti-Racism and Allyship Employee Resource Group since joining the organization in 2022.
Participating in the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging committee to work towards an equitable workplace.
Project managed the 2026 Health Equity Index application
Events Manager at Planned Parenthood North Central States - January 2022-November 2024
Promoted from Events Coordinator in March 2023
Planned and executed more than ten annual fundraising events in collaboration with the Senior Events Manager and Events Manager across our five state affiliate - Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota
Developed a frontline fundraising sharepoint site to ensure all frontline fundraisers have access to the data they need for donor communications and stewardship
Collaborated across teams to facilitate event communications, graphic design, fundraising, reporting, and ticket sales
Liaised with event speakers and the communications team to develop event programs and addressed speaker needs
Facilitated relationships with RAYGUN, and various food/beverage, technology, software, and decor vendors across a five state affiliate
Prepared press bullets and event summaries for executive staff, media partners, and influencers
Recruited and trained volunteers for all events
Wrote copy for materials including event invitations, webpages, email promotions, programs, signage, internal event communications, and slides for events
Wrote, distributed, and analyzed results for post-event surveys
Maintained and updated all event fundraising data via Raiser’s Edge and EveryAction
Monitored ticket inventory
Built events and managed ticket inventory using OneCause, QGiv, and Auction Harmony
Coordinated and fulfilled comp ticket requests
Collaborated with local photography and videography artists to capture events and produce pieces for event programs
Managed invitation mailings including list development and distribution
Managed contracts and account establishment with event partners to ensure timely payment
Researched and implemented new software for fundraising and volunteer opportunities
Implemented including accessibility details on all event registration pages and ensuring all guests needs are met
Oversaw a volunteer group of over 150 and sat on the Book Sale committee to collaborate on the bi-annual Planned Parenthood Book Sale
Participating in and co-chairing the first implementation of the Anti-Racism and Allyship Employee Resource Group since joining the organization in 2022.
Participating in the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging committee to work towards an equitable workplace.
Marketing Manager at Des Moines Symphony and Academy - August 2018-December 2021
Founded and facilitated an equity, diversity, and inclusion task force within the association board’s strategic planning committee alongside 3 other staff members
Prepared press releases and press bullets for those being interviewed for upcoming events
Tracked Symphony and Academy press using Google Alerts
Booked and facilitated all food vendors for the 2019 Yankee Doodle Pops event leading to an increase in vendor revenue and new vendor relationships
Inquired and booked all food vendors
Increased number of vendors by 18%
Increased vendor revenue by 46% for a total of $11,500+
Managed all day-of needs for vendors
Planned and executed all ReMix events in collaboration with the Director of PR & Marketing, local breweries, and various arts and young professional organizations
Inquired and booked featured brewery for each event
Booked pop-up performances
Planned and coordinated all activities including instrument petting zoos, crafts, bingo, and trivia
Coordinated food and drink orders for each event
Coordinated partnerships with local organizations such as ArtNoir, YNPN, and YPC
Facilitated donations for contributions to the Date Night Prize Package
Prepared front of house materials for all events
Set up marketing displays
Recruited and trained volunteers for all Masterworks and Pops concerts
Provided positive guest experiences by answering questions, distributing subscriber gifts, and assisting guests in the re-subscription process
Developed and monitored all Google/YouTube ad campaigns
Developed and distributed monthly e-newsletters via MailChimp
Wrote, distributed, and analyzed results for all post-concert surveys via SurveyMonkey and MailChimp
Maintained and updated all subscription and ticket sales data via Tessitura and PatronManager
Monitored ticket inventory and implementing dynamic pricing
Built events and managed ticket inventory for Live from the Temple using PatronManager
Facilitated all direct mail campaigns for ticket sales
Inventoried all marketing practices and tracked and reported return on investment and response rates
Collaborated with Director of Marketing & PR and graphic designer to develop all print materials for Symphony events – concert specific materials including program books, posters, postcards, and print ads as well as the season brochure
Collaborated with graphic designer to develop all print materials for Symphony Academy
Coordinated and fulfilled all comp ticket requests for donations, musicians, Academy students, and marketing trades
Coordinated all social media campaigns for Des Moines Symphony Academy
Oversaw development of a new website with the Marketing and Development teams and responsible for maintaining all content
Booked and facilitated weekly at home livestreamed concerts and prepared video materials since March 2019
Communicated with guests regarding cancellations, ticketing policies, and COVID-19 procedures throughout the COVID-19 pandemic
Collaborated with Symphony and Academy staff to develop scenario plans and safety precautions in order to safely host events since March 2019 while reimagining all of our programming and ensuring that it still fit within our mission
Facilitated community and business partnerships to diversify and expand our audience throughout the COVID-19 pandemic
Hired and managed summer marketing interns in 2019 and 2020 (in 2020 this was all done virtually)
Ticket Office Supervisor at the Iowa State Center - October 2017-August 2018
Organized and processed season ticket orders for the 2018-2019 Performing Arts Series
Built events and managed inventory through Ticketmaster and Archtics ticketing softwares
Brainstormed and developed plans with the Marketing department for the 2018-2019 Performing Arts Series and the 50th Anniversary of Stephens Auditorium
Proofread and edited marketing materials
Coordinated group sales for events
Processed tickets for sponsorships and promotional purposes
Managed ticketing staff
Maintained daily deposits and ensured accurate financial statements
Provided positive customer service experiences for and developed relationships with guests of the Iowa State Center
Built and utilized forms via WordPress for ticket orders and donor activities
Digital Marketing Coordinator for On the Road Travel LLC - November 2017-Present
Developing and maintaining a consistent social media presence for On the Road Travel on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Coordinating weekly blog posts with members of the agency
Editing all materials to ensure they match the On The Road Travel brand
Using Google Analytics to track success of posts and applying this knowledge to steer future content
Advising travel agents on how best to utilize their social media to engage audiences
PR/Marketing Intern for the Northern Iowa Symphony Orchestra - May 2016-December 2016
Developed and executed social media campaign on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for this ensemble at the University of Northern Iowa
Coordinated outreach opportunities within the high school orchestra community
Developed and produced video and photo content to be used for marketing purposes
Communicated with University administration to reserve performance space and acquire complimentary performance tickets for promotional purposes
Researched copyright and acquiring permission from composers and publishers in order to post performance recordings online
Intern with the Des Moines Music Coalition - May 2016-August 2016
Stage managed the Nationwide stage, which hosted primarily local musicians, during the 80/35 music festival, which is a two day progressive indie and jam music festival in Downtown Des Moines that celebrates local music and draws as many as 50 national, regional, and local bands on multiple stages
Updated blog posts using WordPress for the Des Moines Music Coalition, including band hype and previews
Updated social media content on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram
Developed, distributed, and collected data via survey for bands who participated in the 80/35 Music Festival
Developed and distributed a survey to collect data from performing artists upon the completion of the festival
Contacted business owners to complete street closure petition for the festival
Prepared and delivered complimentary tickets to sponsors and prize winners
Marketing Intern at the Des Moines Symphony - June 2015-August 2015
Distributed posters and prepared collateral materials for "Oh Say Can You Sing" competition and The Des Moines Symphony's Yankee Doodle Pops Concert, an annual outdoor concert held on the Iowa State Capitol grounds bringing in over 100,000 audience members annually
Organized and communicated with thirteen food vendors upon their arrival at Yankee Doodle Pops, and fulfilled their needs throughout the event
Updated social media for the organization via Facebook, Tumblr, and Twitter, posting bios of musicians and contest winners and updates during events
Participated in weekly marketing/development department meetings as well as full staff meetings
Assembled press packets to be distributed at the Yankee Doodle Pops Concert
Contacted businesses requesting donations for the Yankee Doodle Pops Viewing Party, a silent auction held in conjunction with the Yankee Doodle Pops Concert
Telemarketed to relapsed subscribers for the Des Moines Symphony's 78th Masterworks season
Collected information from 990 tax forms of comparable symphonies for the Board of Trustees
Attended the Iowa Arts Advocacy Caucus in Des Moines, a day long event discussing the importance of arts advocacy in the upcoming presidential election
Development Intern at Children's Cancer Connection - June 2014-August 2014
Organized volunteers for upcoming events using the VolunteerSpot website
Organized materials for upcoming events, such as backpacks for Camp Heart Connection, an annual oncology and family camp, and centerpieces for the Legends of Iowa Football Banquet
Volunteered at all events
Contacted businesses requesting donations and booking for events such as the Flapjack 5k/10k, The Des Moines Concours d'Elegance, and the Legends of Iowa Football Banquet
Sent "Thank you" notes to individuals and companies who helped volunteer at events or donated to help make the events possible
Developed marketing techniques and ideas for a capital campaign
Associate Substitute in the Ankeny Community School District - May 2014-present
Worked as an aid in special needs classrooms, grades K-5
Worked one on one with students and in small groups to help them accomplish work and keep them on task
Accompanied students to lunch, recess, and "specials" (e.g. Music, Art, P.E., Guidance, etc.)
Worked as an aid in behavioral disorder classrooms, grades K-5, 10-12
Worked one on one with students and in small groups to help them accomplish work and keep them on task in large group settings
Accompanied students to lunch, recess, and "specials" (e.g. Music, Art, P.E., etc.)
Worked as a media associate, grades 6-7
Helped students with book checkouts and returns
Inventoried books
Monitored study hall, grades 6-7 and 10-12
Ensured students remained productive, on task, and quiet
Signed students in and out of the class to get help from teachers or visit the media center