Greater Chicago Area
Early riser. Adventure seeker. Globally minded creative. Widely experienced in event leadership roles, both internationally and domestically, Rachel is passionate about Events, Creative Entrepreneurship, Visual Arts, Small Businesses and Cross Cultural Engagement.
• Manage events ranging from private roundtable dinners to events and receptions hosting 300+ attendees. Speakers include international heads of state, policy makers and thought leaders. • Coordinate national and international travel logistics for high-level speakers and participants • Create copy and use back-end website/content management systems to create public facing event registration platforms • Source venues and negotiate contracts for private and public events. Manage vendor contracts, billing, timelines, event planning and day-of coordination for 80+ events each year. Recent venues include the Art Institute of Chicago, University Club of Chicago, Chicago Athletic Association, Palmer House Hilton, and Park Hyatt. • Lead event coordinator for Washington D.C. itinerary for rising leaders in Chicago’s public and private sectors. Coordinated logistics for private meetings at NPR, Washington Post, Ambassadors’ Residences, House of Representatives, and Senate.
Collaborated with writers to produce leadership development courses, blog posts, and social media content. Clients including: o SM Leaders – Business/life coaching for corporate executive groups and individual subscribers based on Navy SEAL performance/leadership principles. o The Collared Scholar/690 Security Services – High-level training for military/police security K9s at group and private level; life coaching.
Organized/conducted tours for 100+ international students/corporate guests in San Diego, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and San Francisco; coordinated logistics, ran advance trips, and built relationships with hotels, transportation companies, and venues. • Handled high-dollar contract agreements and worked directly with general managers of restaurants, clubs, and venues to plan menus, music, security, etc., for events of 1000+ guests. • Bridged language and cultural barriers, communicating with schools and universities in San Diego as well as international students and business leaders.
• Managed all aspects of retail store, overseeing nine employees • Improved monthly sales to top ranking out of nine stores • Developed cross-promotional strategies with other local businesses • Managed hiring/firing process, payroll, schedule, and sales training • Contributed to brand merchandising, social media marketing, and event planning • Designed styling for high-profile women in San Diego and for fashion shows
• Coordinated wholesale selling and shipping of furniture, accessories, custom stationery • Managed store merchandising and display design • Recorded inventory • Achieved sales targets • Oversaw booth display and sales at street fairs