Sherry Claire Kowtko

Cell: 650-***-**** add68m@r.postjobfree.com

• Stanford alumna with 18+ years’ experience supporting senior executives.

• Communication management, calendaring, business operations, project management, event planning.

• Recognized for establishing/maintaining strong relationships with staff, departments, clients and stakeholders.

• International background. Fluent in French and Italian. Conversational Spanish and Mandarin. QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

● Excellent verbal and written communication management skills.

● High degree of customer service, diplomacy and confidentiality.

● Excellent editor and proofreader.

● Event planner, skilled at creating memorable occasions within budget.

● Manager of multiple concurrent projects.

● Negotiator and problem-solver within multicultural environments.

● Exceptional relationship builder - reputation as vital resource person for staff, clients, and vendors.

● Skilled user of software programs including Microsoft Office, and other applications. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Morgan Stanley, Menlo Park, CA February-May 2020

Executive Assistant, Investment Banking Division (contract position) Supported multiple bankers. Managed complex calendaring and email communications, prepared expense reports, organized travel, updated client database.

Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Palo Alto, CA September 2018 - December 2019 Administrative Assistant

Conservation and Markets Initiatives

Supported Program Director and 4 program officers. Complex calendaring involving multiple global time zones. Improved process and efficiency in preparing monthly expense reports. Remotely organized successful east coast and international meetings with grantees. Managed domestic and international travel for program director and program officers. Stanford University, Stanford, CA May 2012-September 2018 Executive Assistant September 2017-September 2018

Dean’s Office, Stanford Law School

Supported dean and emeriti faculty. Managed complex calendaring. Processed international and domestic travel for faculty, students, and visiting scholars. Negotiated vendor contracts. Successfully organized a series of 12 dinner events for clinical directors and 180+ law school students. Trained faculty on classroom software; informed and advised faculty on administrative processes and procedures. Organized logistics for 2017 Annual International Junior Faculty Forum. Administrative Associate May 2012 – September 2017 Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education Directly supported Senior Associate Vice Provost and Associate Vice Provost. Gatekeeper and first point-of-contact for the Office of the Vice Provost. Backup for Chief of Staff. Composed emails on behalf of the Vice Provost and Senior and Associate Vice Provosts; edited and proofread letters, essays and communications. Organized a 200-guest retirement celebration event in the Bing Concert Hall atrium on campus; hired a student string quartet. Planned all events successfully and within budget. Managed complex calendaring and email and phone communications for multiple executives. Organized international travel and special projects. Prepared and reconciled expense reports for the Vice Provost and executives. Morgan Autism Center, San Jose, CA March 2011 – May 2012 Development Associate

Assisted in planning and executing major annual Autism Conference attended by 400 people, which generated national and international interest. Organized exhibitors and vendors. Introduced new marketing and fundraising techniques and practices; trained staff. Personally managed major donors and donor database. International School of the Peninsula, Palo Alto, CA January 1997 - June 2010 Executive Assistant to Directors, Assistant to Director of Finance & Operations & Human Resources Manager

● 13 years in the Business/Human Resources office in two positions.

● Assisted three key directors: Assistant Head of School, Middle School Director, and Chinese Program Director.

● Editor and proofreader in French and English for the School’s internal and external correspondence, reports and newsletters.

● Managed calendars, emails and correspondence. Organized student field trips. Negotiated cost of expenses, saving the School thousands of dollars yearly.

● Managed and improved Elementary School Study Hall program--increased enrollment by 50%. Served as acting Assistant Head during 4 months--listened to and resolved parent and student issues.

● Processed payroll, accounts receivable and accounts payable.

● Served as employee and parent liaison to the business office. Executed a high degree of customer service, confidentiality, and professionalism. Managed HR benefits. Introduced and implemented new HR policies.

● Created, developed and presented annual employee orientation sessions. Increased employee awareness and knowledge of benefits by 90%. Researched and advised labor law compliance. Researched special projects. ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Ballet teacher, England, France and USA

Advisor and Promoter, French Cultural Delegation, Cambridge, England 1986-1988 French/English Translator and Language Tutor, France and England 1984-1986 Bilingual Administrator, French and Italian Department, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 1982-1984 Professional Ballet Dancer, Ballet of the 20th Century, Maurice Béjart, Artistic Director, Belgium 1973-1978 STANFORD UNIVERSITY VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES Usher at Bing Concert Hall, Stanford 2016 - present Welcome and seat patrons. Troubleshoot and resolve issues. Board of Directors, Stanford Alumni Club of Palo Alto Revived and further developed the alumni club and its membership. Developed a strategic plan marketed to Stanford alumni on the Peninsula; extended demographics and increased membership by 400%. Co-sponsored events with Stanford Graduate Schools: Business, Law and Engineering. Event Planner and Coordinator, Stanford Alumni Club of Palo Alto Chair, Annual Donation to Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, Jazz Music and Dance Event Co-founder and organizer, Annual Holiday Party, Rock and Roll Social Dance Event, at University Club of Palo Alto Co-organizer, Annual Wine Tasting/Silent Auction at University Club of Palo Alto Fundraiser for Stanford Class 25th Reunion Campaign Fundraiser for Stanford Challenge Campaign, $4.3 billion campaign Phone-a-Thon Fundraiser for Stanford Fund for Undergraduate Education EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

B.A. Linguistics with Distinction, Stanford University 1982 Project Management: An Introductory Hands-On Course, Stanford Continuing Studies 2014 Human Resources Course and Certificate, Independent School Management, Wilmington, DE 2005 Accounting Certification Level II, Cambridge Women’s Resource Center, England 1996 Certificate in Teaching Adults in Further Education, Cambridge Regional College, England 1996 Performing Arts Degree, MUDRA Performing Arts School, Brussels, Belgium; Artistic Director: Maurice Béjart 1976

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