Interior Design, Sales, Business Development

Katherine Willems R.I.D

*** - *** **** *** ****** ( North Vancouver BC ( V7L 1L3 ( cell. 778 840

**** ( *********.*************@*****.***

Experience

STAPLES ADVANTAGE, Furniture dept. Vancouver 2000 - present

SA is a business to business office products supplier. In 2008 Corporate

Express was purchased by Staples, which added contract furniture

capabilities to the B2B arm of Staples Advantage, North American Delivery.

Furniture Business Development Executive (promotion rec'd in May 2013)

. Nurture and develop relationships in the Architectural and Design (A&D)

community with the objective to increase awareness of capabilities

leading to new business opportunities.

. Connect with end users with potential for furniture business. Develop

required marketing and presentations - customized to the audience.

. Oversee all projects through to completion. Take all actions necessary

to ensure success including, but not limited to, new client onboarding,

project planning, product selection, client & coordination meetings,

verification of site measurements, order implementation & follow up,

communication with all parties (both internal & external).

Accomplishments:

. Grew database & built healthy foundation (500+) resulting in referrals

and repeat business.

. Launched scholarship program to two local universities, including

showroom tours, class presentations and panel of professional designers

to jury the projects.

. Strong supporter of professional associations, such as IDIBC, IDC, NEWH

and Canadian Construction Women (CCW). Plan to leverage these and join

others, such is IFMA.

. Mentor junior associate in design, proof-read design solutions.

Senior Designer (2000 - 2002 : 2004 - 2013)

. Performed activities related to the design, space planning, layout, and

specifications of commercial-grade office furniture and systems products.

Coordinated and implemented detailed space plans to address customer

requirements within allotted timeline and budget.

. Worked with a wide range of individuals, such as other designers, trades,

manufacturers, agents, corporate head offices, managers and various

departments.

. Managed special projects and oversaw large installations.

. Trained new employees and provided guidance to current employees.

. Partnered with sales team to add value to sales calls and project

meetings - liaise with clients, design professionals, trades, and

manufacturers as necessary.

. Attended site to verify measurements and evaluate existing furniture as

required.

. Assisted with programming, furniture selection, product pricing,

selection of fabrics and finishes.

. Validated plans against construction, electrical engineering and

Architect & Design (A&D) drawing sets.

. Tracked all project changes and revisions.

. Provided regional design support and leadership for key accounts

(Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, Enbridge, Edmonton Federal

Building).

Accomplishments:

. Designer of the Year 2012 - recognition for contributions & achievements

within the company.

. High level of accuracy leading to successful projects.

. Instrumental in local projects such as Fortis BC, MMM Group, Nanaimo Port

Authority, BC Nurses Union, Rocky Mountaineer.

. Built Relationships with the A&D community which resulted in increased

sales.

. Involved in marketing to A&D industry through Lunch & Learns, CEU's and

other promotions.

. Planned, designed and implemented Vancouver showroom, rated top in

company given limited budget and space availability.

. Instrumental in streamlining processes for ISO certification.

. Standardized and systemized Vancouver design department.

. Created training manual for design and furniture sales positions.

. Involved with internal Green Committee since inception in 2008, sat as

chair person in 2009/2010, wrote first Green Newsletters, wrote the

proposal that won the 2009 Recycling Council of B.C. MOBI Award for

excellence in environmental stewardship (award is in the Boardroom).

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

Interior Designer/Space Planner/Home Staging/Property Management

. Home staging work through Kathleen Mongeon, a realtor in the Tri Cities

Area, since 2006 - 2008

. Project Management for office and retail projects work through Park West

Interiors in 2004.

. Property Management with Michelle's Import Plus Ltd, a property

owner/investor, from 1999 - 2004. Managed 5 commercial heritage

properties in Gastown, comprising over 150,000 sq. ft. Oversaw all

operations, including: repairs and maintenance, leasing, tenant

improvements, capital projects, invoicing and reporting. Also handled

all office administration.

. Property Management with S&U Homes from 1998 - 1999. Michelle's Imports

bought 73 Water Street from S&U Homes, which is how I came to work for

Michelle's. S&U Homes managed over 115,000 sq. ft. which included 2

properties with a mix of Medical, Office, Retail, School, and Shopping

Plaza.

. Interior Design & Property Management with Interlink Plaza Inc from 1996

- 1998. When my previous boss left the country to go manage the family

business, he introduced me to a friend that owned property. I began

doing the tenant improvements in a primarily vacant building, and when

the building was full I was asked to manage the properties. Managed

57,000 sq. ft. building (later purchased by S & U HOMES).

. Interior Design & Office Management with Union Development from 1995 -

1996. Union Development was a residential custom home builder. In

addition to managing the office I generated drawings and specifications

to suit client requirements and budget.

Volunteer Roles

IDIBC co-chair for Habitat for Humanity Designer Garage Sale (2 yrs), IDIBC

Business Development Committee (responsible for 2 events per year to foster

relationships between industry and designers), 2 years as Executive Board

Member of Gastown Business Improvement Society, fulfilled various roles on

strata councils for both personal and investment properties over the years.

Education

Particular interest in LEED certification courses - intro workshop

completed while at Corporate Express.

2007 - 2015 East West Academy Vancouver, BC

* Completed the Professional Feng Shui Practitioners Program.

2003 - 2007 Peak Potentials various locations

* Numerous courses in professional and self development.

2003 Kwantlen College Richmond, BC

* Bachelor of Applied Design in Interior Design (B.I.D.)

* NCIDQ standards exam, Certification #018559

1998 - 2000 University of British Columbia Vancouver, BC

* Second year Diploma Program in Urban Land Economics.

* Completed courses include finance, economics, and law.

1994 BC Institute of Technology Burnaby, BC

* AutoCAD Level II Certificate

1994 American Home Lighting Association

* Certified Lighting Specialist

1994 BC Institute of Technology Burnaby, BC

* Professional Sales Course

1990 - 1993 Kwantlen College Richmond, BC

* Diploma of Interior Design (D.I.D.)

* Achieved President's Honour Role status.

* Recipient of Edith and Gordon Wight Memorial Award.

1986 - 1988 Fraser Valley College Abbotsford, BC

* Two year of Liberal Arts on scholarship.

Computer knowledge and skills

Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, AutoCAD (latest versions), 20/20 CAP,

Visual Impressions & Worksheet. Use Salesforce for sales funnel tracking &

client database. Data.com within Salesforce is used to help find the right

connections in companies that we want to connect with. Use internal

ordering programs (Alpha and CFS) as needed. Ability to learn new programs

easily.

References available upon request

Contact this candidate