Community Involvement

February 2012 – Present
Member             Des Moines American Marketing Association           Des Moines, IA
Member Des Moines American Advertising Federation          Des Moines, IA

Help plan events. Attend lunch and learns offered to members to expand on their marketing knowledge and skills. Speak to Drake University marketing student organizations. Conduct mock interviews for students and attend networking events where students can meet area professionals.

January 2013 – December 2015
President             Drake University Young Alumni Committee              Des Moines, IA

Helped organize and launch the first Young Alumni Committee at Drake University. Worked closely with Drake to develop the organization and select initial board members. Led monthly meetings and supplied leadership in both planning events and creating a better CRM of young alumni for the University. Collaborated to create the Drake Relays Young Alumni Brunch, an event that is an annual cornerstone for the University’s Drake Relays festivities.

January 2013 – December 2015
Committee Member             Des Moines MPO Tomorrow Plan               Des Moines, IA

Was selected to sit on the Des Moines Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Tomorrow Plan. The goal of the plan was to provide a roadmap of growth and infrastructure in Des Moines for the next 30 years. Worked with elected officials to develop and approve the roadmap for the Des Moines Metro’s surrounding area. Attended monthly meetings and events aimed at creating community awareness around the plan.

January 2009 – December 2012
President (Volunteer)              Young Professionals Connection (YPC)                       Des Moines, IA

Manage and support all channels of YPC business development. Provide leadership to 18 member board. Grow organization involvement and grow membership by 20% through events, promotions and community relationships. Manage strategic planning of 3 – 5 year plan for the organization. Balance relationships with organizations throughout the area. Network with young professionals to learn needs and foster new ways YPC can support the local community. Sit on Greater Des Moines Partnership Board of Directors to collaborate on new city-wide programs.

August 2010 – February 2012
YP Blogger                              Business Record, www.IowaBiz.com                         Des Moines, IA

Wrote YP topic blog posts for community blog twice per month. Created new collaborative ideas for blog team to grow readership and social media interaction. Conducted research for blog posts and follow up with readers’ comments and questions to develop brand value. Attended community blogger meetings to discuss industries, share trends and determine new ideas.

Awards, Honors and Leadership

Young Professionals Connection Board – Marketing Chair 2009, President-Elect 2010, President 2011, Past-President 2012

GDMP Board of Directors 2011, Workforce Development Committee 2010, Communication Advisory Council 2009

Drake University School of Journalism Alumni Council – 2009 to Present

MPO Sustainable Development Committee – Elected to 3-year project. (2011-2014)

Education

August 2000 – May 2004
Drake University, Des Moines, IA

Degree:  B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication
Minor: Management/Marketing

August 2000 – Presidential Scholar, Drake University
Fall 2001, Spring 2003 – Dean’s List
August 2001 - April 2004 - Sports Editor, Drake University Times-Delphic