GIGI BENSON
Marketing, Communications & Business Development
Principal, MCB Connect Consulting Services 2011 - Present Serving global firms, B2B & NonProfit entities to achieve strategic client development goals, launching
& administrating campaigns, identifying & engaging clients for creative collaborations.
Be A Friend Project, Inc. 2022 - Development - Identify and engage potential donors, grants & events
The Field Library, Peekskill, NY 2021- Circulation Desk/Volunteer Friends of the Field Library
Fundraising Pat Paulsen Vineyards 2015-2020. Launched marketing operations for an entrepreneurial venture, established PPV Wine Club, two wine tasting venues (EBGB the underground wine bar, and Tesla vintners), and a Website: www.ppvwines.com Key Clients 2010-2015: DSI, Trainor Fairbrook, RGA, IEEE, Drexel Burnham: Admin/PR/MarCom Initiatives
UCSF - Administrative Officer III Center for Cellular Construction March 2018 - 2019 Direct Report: Wallace Marshal, Center Director, and Debra Singer, CCC Program Manager Deliverables: Internal/Digital Communications & Logistics: Annual Retreat, NSF Site Visits, Quarterly meetings utilizing: Zoom/websites (editing content, graphics)/Database/Calendars/Billing/Travel/Presentations
Director, Business Development
Kroll Consulting Group-West Coast 2008 - 2010
Developed new business through strategic introductions & industry alliances for targeted West coast clients.
•Cultivating lead generation developed regional events/client training increasing new contact relationships by 48% Merger with Marsh McClellan resulted in all marketing operations relocated to NYC Headquarters in 2010. California Regional Manager, Business Development & Communications
Jones Day California: 2004 - 2008
Top AmLaw firm opened four offices in three years, built a regional marketing department to expand services.
•Achieved 25% increase in litigation sector clients with target events, X-marketing and presentation skills
• Increased event attendance 30-50% with "C" Class targets & VC community- Increased sector clients 25% Bay Area Regional Director, Marketing & Client Relations Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP, San Francisco, CA - 2001 - 2004 Implemented firm-wide initiatives and events with regional objectives to increase market share, visibility, and NorCal attorney’s engagement in marketing and events efforts by 40% in 18 months.
• Increased NorCal offices production of RFPs/events/webinars/PR/collateral 60%, client attendance 50% Global Intelligence Manager, Marketing & Client Services Brobeck, San Francisco, CA 2000 - 2001 Launched competitive intelligence/knowledge management program integrating CRM training & use
Marketing Director, ZIA Information Analysis Group, Inc., San Francisco, CA 1996 - 2000 Built marketing and client services department to provide forensic/data analysis for litigation. EMS merger 1999
Web Site Specialist, Heller Ehrman LLP San Francisco, CA 1995-1996 Designed and built the firm’s first website, integrating new tech practices, attorneys, and client service events online Marketing Manager,
Sybase International Users Group, Emeryville, CA 1993-1995 Marketing Liaison with Channel Marketing on User Group Events for product rollouts, events & procurement. Recruiting & Events Manager,
Fulbright & Jaworski, NY, NY 1989-1992, Lateral/Summer Assoc. Education, Honors, and Awards
Master of Arts- Developmental Theatre & Communications, University of Colorado, Boulder- 1980 Bachelor of Arts - Communications/Theatre & Dance University of Colorado, Boulder - 1979 Honors, Dean List, Magna cum laude, Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, London Shakespeare Fellowship/University de Chambery LMA Award of Excellence - Community Service Corporate Identity Campaign 2004 - Alameda Legal Aid LMA Best Marketing Materials Bay Area Legal Marketing Association: 1998 - Alameda Bar Foundation Communications & Technology Skills: CMS, CRM integration & design, video production, podcasts, blog, and email marketing expertise.PR/sales/recruiting, networking training, web & graphics design, Adobe Suite, Visio, Powerpoint, Mac, Word, CRM’s: SalesForce, Reuters, InterAction, Constant Contact, SharePoint, Lexis/Nexis, Razors Edge, Zoho, SEO, Google Analytics, DP, Paychex Payroll 26 Brandeis Avenue Mohegan Lake, New York 10547 510-***-**** ************@*****.***