Director of Conferences & Special Programs

MARIANNE DEMPSEY

*** ********** **** *: 202-***-****

Gettysburg, PA 17325 ***************@*******.***

www.linkedin.com/in/mariannedempsey

PROFILE

Skilled Fundraiser, Special Event and Conference Director, Project Manager. Six years of progressively greater

responsibility managing different revenue-generating departments at a private Catholic university, including full

budget responsibility. Hands-on leader with ability to foster accountability in a team environment. Signature

strengths include:

Strategic Business Planning Customer Satisfaction / Relationship Building

Budget Management Leadership and Team Building

Event and Project Management Teacher, Presenter

People / Organizational Development Sales and Marketing

EXPERIENCE

Mount St. Mary’s University, Emmitsburg, MD 2008 – Present

Second oldest Catholic University in the U.S.A., founded in 1808. Awards undergraduate and graduate degrees

in various concentrations. Includes largest seminary in the U.S.A. Approximately 2,200 students in total.

Director of Conferences & Special Programs / 2010 - Present

• Directed the university’s camp and conference programs. Coordinated the rental of university meeting

facilities by internal and external groups for all events. Demonstrated superior selling, project and

customer management skills. Highly results oriented. Lease and tenant manager for portfolio of

university residential properties.

• Generated $1 million in revenue annually. Surpassed university revenue-generating goals by 143%.

• Directed the Conference Office which manages more than 85,000 visitors to the campus annually.

• Interviewed event clients, established and supervised completion of projects and timelines, leveraging

EventPro Software.

• Directed and managed all phases of an external event, from booking groups and drafting contracts, to

the execution of the event itself (housing, meals, A/V, meeting rooms etc.), to final invoicing and

customer satisfaction measurement.

• Matrix managed other functional responsibilities across the organization including: Center for

Instructional Technology, dining services, physical plant and public safety.

• Campus System Administrator for EventPro Software.

• Assisted in leading Campus Events Committee and planning and executing major university events such

as Commencement, Reunion Weekend and Convocation.

Director of Annual Giving / 2008 - 2010

Responsible for raising $2.2 million annually in unrestricted donations to the Mount Annual Fund through

solicitation of current students, alumni and parents. Hosted events to raise money and show donor

appreciation, including regional phonathons, senior class gift fundraisers and wine tastings.

• Increased alumni giving participation (reached 21%, higher than most peer schools) and employee

giving participation (reached a record-breaking 92%, unmatched by peer schools).

• Supervised, hired and trained 2 full-time staff, approximately 170 volunteers and 45 student workers and

recruited student, alumni and parent volunteers for various committees.

• Created numerous solicitations and communications via mail, email, social networking sites and phone.

• Managed an operational budget of approximately $60,000.

• Tracked data and gift results from all solicitations (direct mail, email, phone and personal visits).

• Generated reports and produced charts to represent data and results for Board of Trustees and

executive management.

M ARIANNE DEMPSEY

PAGE 2

2004 – 2008

EMPSON (U.S.A.), INC., Alexandria, VA

Premium wine importer representing some of the best estates in Italy, New Zealand and Chile.

National Sales & Marketing Coordinator

• Planned itineraries for Italian winemakers to visit the U.S.A. Coordinated dates and locations, booked

travel arrangements and finalized details for daily appointments and special events. Assessed which

marketing materials were needed. Briefed U.S.A. Office on upcoming visits. Assisted in updating and

maintaining company calendar.

• Liaison between National Sales Team and corporate offices in the U.S .A. and Milan, Italy regarding

specific requests, needed materials and travel arrangements. Supported Sales Team with administrative

and graphics requests. Gathered nationwide pricing to complete pricing grids.

• Worked with professional printing companies on outsourced projects. Created marketing and point of

sale (POS) materials. Managed all POS by maintaining accurate inventory and organization in U.S.A.

Office.

• Edited and proofed all reviews and materials before printing or publishing. Responded to inqu iries from

website.

• Assisted in updating and maintaining client and customer database. Represented Empson (U.S.A.) at

public and trade events. Processed warehouse orders and sample requests.

2001 – 2004

The Wine Specialist (TWS), Washington, DC

High-end wine retailer with largest selection of Single Malt Scotch Whisky in DC. Closed in September 2010.

Office & Web Site Manager

• Managed website content and inventory, online orders and inquiries. Used html to write monthly

newsletters and enter data and calendar events. Worked directly with advertising companies to create

ad campaigns. Purchased computers, printers and accessories. Set-up network with DSL and email

accounts.

• Managed office, kept accurate supply inventory, received products from distributor s and verified delivery

was correct. Assisted owner with interviewing and hiring part-time staff. Coordinated wine classes and

in-store tastings. Represented TWS at wine dinners. Produced in-store promotions and signs. Created

office documents and memos.

2000 – 2008

Academic Travel Abroad (ATA), Washington, DC

Premiere travel company and tour operator established in 1950, specializing in unique educational experiences

at home and abroad for groups and organizations seeking to add educational travel opportunities to their

offerings.

Tour Production Officer & Editor (Part-time Consultant)

• Researched destinations and produced pre-tour mailings for participants and detailed briefing books for

tour staff; worked closely with clients, participants and over seas hotel and tour operators.

• Re-hired as editor on part-time basis to proof and revise international and domestic tour documents

created by current ATA Tour Production Officers.

Private & Public Schools, Venezuela; Mexico; Adams County, PA; Frederick, MD; Washington, DC 1995 – 2000

Classroom Teacher

• Taught English as a Second Language to all ages and levels in Barquisimeto, Venezuela through

UNBOUND, formerly Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA). Also taught English as a

Second Language in Merida, Mexico

• Taught 8th grade Spanish at Middletown Middle School and Spanish I & II at St. John’s at Prospect Hall

Catholic High School in Frederick, Maryland.

• Taught Pre-School at Adams County Pennsylvania Migrant Head Start and The Smithsonian Institute for

Early Enrichment Center in Washington, DC.

EDUCATION

M.B.A. with Certificate in Organizational Development, Mount St. Mary’s University, Emmitsburg, MD

B.S., Elementary Education and Spanish; Mount St. Mary’s University, Emmitsburg, MD

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