I'm interested in working with high-growth organizations and entrepreneurial ventures striving to make a big impact.
I can help you identify and implement strategies to increase revenue and optimize the operation of your business.
I'm committed to doing work that offers opportunities for learning and growth. That commitment has taken me on a journey from culinary school in New York, to working as a butcher in southern France, to a degree in International Studies, to founding a Seattle coffee roasting company, to running an incredible nonprofit serving hundreds of families, to consulting with small businesses and international organizations to help increase their impact, to leading a customer success team at a tech startup.
Some may see my roving path as indecisiveness, but I believe it is one of my strongest assets. Over the years, I've acquired a diverse set of skills, used those skills to achieve success in a wide variety of projects and environments, and collaborated with an incredible array of talented people. Through it all, I've deepened my commitment to and understanding of the values that govern my life and my work.
BACKGROUND
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
I'm an operations and account management professional with years of successful experience in program management, systems development, event design, financial oversight, visionary leadership, and coalition-building in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors. I have broad-based management skills, planning, organizational, and decision-making ability. I'm an accomplished administrator of people, physical, and financial resources with outstanding written, verbal, and interpersonal communications skills.
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VOLUNTEER WORK
Volunteering has given me incredible opportunities. Opportunities to gain knowledge and wisdom, opportunities to forge innovative partnerships with incredible individuals and organizations, and opportunities to learn and practice leadership, communication, and organizational skills. Volunteering allows me to demonstrate my solidarity with important causes, and to take part in our shared responsibility to bring about positive social change.
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EDUCATION
My academic background is in food – cooking it, sharing it, eating it - and its importance in dynamic systems of global power, wealth, access and justice.
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values
Values govern everything I do. They serve as my guide in business and life.
I value efficiency and effectiveness. Our resources are not limitless. Efficiency is about follow-through, working smarter, and delivering rapid, consistent results; it's about doing things right. Effectiveness is about focus, planning, and strategy. It's about only committing to the things that are important; it's about doing the right things. The Manifesto of a Doer provides some great rules for how to achieve these goals.
I value hospitality towards all people, from clients and co-workers to friends and strangers alike. At it's core, hospitality is about thoughtfulness, dialogue, and empathy. It's about anticipating and understanding the needs of others through careful observation and listening, and meeting those needs with an authentic spirit of generosity and service.
I value conviviality, the fundamental importance of connecting with others in order to nurture curiosity and enjoy life with and through each other. My greatest treasures are the people I love and the experiences that we have shared together.
I value resiliency and adaptability. The world is full of challenges and obstacles. Despite our best efforts, sometimes we get off-track. Rising to meet these moments with awareness, purpose, creativity, and realistic optimism is the definition of strength. Being flexible, agile, and open to opportunities and change are the keys to good leadership.
I value social justice. I believe we have a personal, local, national, global, and planetary impact, and a responsibility to ensure that the things we do make the world better. I believe that all people deserve the opportunity to thrive and lead productive lives.
PROJECT LEADERSHIP
Project Leadership is the foundation of all the services I offer. My goal is to be an invested teammate and a partner to you and your organization, not just another vendor.
I will help you leverage your existing resources and provide the tools and expertise needed to develop a comprehensive plan, define and achieve measurable outcomes, and create a credible schedule for delivery. My diverse experience and adaptability make me an asset whether you need assistance addressing a systemic problem, launching a new project or campaign, developing content, or increasing the bandwidth of your internal management and leadership. I seek to move your organization and your mission forward and deliver lasting impact.
STRATEGIC MEETING FACILITATION
Your organization's long-term impact relies on stakeholder engagement, shared ownership, and an articulate vision and direction. I can help you transform your vision into reality.
I facilitate well-researched, highly organized, high-impact meetings and strategic planning processes from internal organizational meetings, to stakeholder outreach, to board and staff retreats. Important work requires complex iterative processes, skillful listening, and conversations that can be challenging, controversial, and complex. An experienced, objective facilitator can help you ensure that meetings are inclusive, objectives are met, diverse opinions are valued, and next steps clearly outlined.
EVENT DESIGN & PLANNING
Every detail matters at events. From their first impressions to what they say afterward, good event design engages guests, making them feel welcome, excited, and inspired.
I have over a decade of experience orchestrating numerous events ranging from intimate formal dinners to larger-scale gatherings. I will facilitate the best opportunities for your event's success, including smart-sourcing materials, ensuring appropriate brand management, managing vendors and venues, negotiating contracts, and creating easy access registration, sales, or donations. My background allows me to develop streamlined financial plans resulting in overall lower costs and increased return, without sacrificing the guest experience.
TEAM BUILDING
An organization's people are it's greatest resource. Building a strong team requires investment, but results in valuable returns in productivity and staff satisfaction.
Accelerate your team’s performance by improving communication, cooperation and trust. My experience designing and leading team-building and leadership seminars includes using a combination of fun exercises, group discussions, strategy sessions, and experiential learning to help motivate and unite teams behind a common purpose. With a more aligned and engaged team your organization can be more effective, adaptable, and collaborative.
PRAISE
I am honored to work with people and partners I so deeply respect.
“As a manager and logistician, I have a close and enduring knowledge of Theresa’s imense capability to organize, manage, and direct a collective toward a goal. She has a passion for excellence and the know-how to achieve it like none other I’ve ever met in my life.”
“Creative, passionate, and hard working are the words that best describe Theresa. She always gives careful thought to how things should be done in an organized and efficient manner, while respecting the needs of others. She has the discipline to never drop the ball.”
Camp Leo for Children with Diabetes, Seattle, WA
2013-2015
Led organization through period of unprecedented growth, developing foundational operations policies and practices, guided leadership team through business plan development. Oversaw all aspects of organizational success, including governance, program planning and management, human resources, financial planning, marketing, communications, community relations, advocacy, and risk management.