Social Sector Advisor

Posted on: 2006-02-21

RENE ANN ESLER Killian Street 404-228-1246 Atlanta, GA 30312 [email protected] Experienced Program Designer & Manager Senior manager known for ability to creatively design and implement targeted programs that solve existing market problems with buy-in from all stakeholders. Proven track record of innovative design, timely and thorough management, motivational leadership, concrete relationship building, and controlled budgeting in international and domestic settings. Areas of Expertise Include: • Successful Program/Product Launches • Key Account Management • Strategic Planning • Team & Capacity Building • Marketing Plans & Proposal Writing • Budget and P&L Management PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: US Agency for International Development- Yerevan, Armenia 2003-2005 Program Manager/Advisor Brought in to manage $15.4 M social sector and health portfolio and improve key government relationships. Successfully launched social security card, customer-focused social services and child protection program. Team leader for implementation of introduction of primary care health services. Managed programs in local economic development, vocational skills training, and NGO strengthening. Researched and wrote RFPs and RFAs for program portfolio. Applied diplomatic pressure to end abusive childcare institutions. Led 11-person team in design of 5-year program strategy. Impact: Designed a construction vocational training program that satisfied the concerns of government officials, private industry and Diaspora communities in response to severe PR crisis regarding a US Government contractors hiring of foreign laborers to build US Embassy. Program achieved 74% offer rate and 63% placement rate, and received Embassy program design award. Lucent Technologies- Atlanta, Georgia 2000-2002 Business Manager- Major Accounts (2001-2002) Methods Analyst- Order Fulfillment (2000-2001) Analyzed and managed financial performance of program-managed CLEC, Channel and Cable customers. Responsible for reporting revenue, costs and margins for 112 active customers with sales of $178.9M. Researched, prepared and delivered quarterly and annual internal income statements. Assisted in development and implementation of process changes that promoted improved service delivery, increased margins and reduced cycle times. Managed instructional design for efficiency improvement programs. Impact: Managed merger of new order processing system resulting from corporate acquisition into existing order management system. Success focused on reduced response times and improved order accuracy. United Arts Council- Greensboro, NC 1998-2000 Director of Marketing and Public Relations Managed production of print and broadcast media including annual report (1999 ADDY award), PSAs, brochures, print ads, newsletters and fundraising material. Coordinated marketing and publicity of annual events (1999 event experienced a 262% increase in ticket sales resulting in a net income increase of 36 %.) Introduced and managed agency’s first university internship program focusing on non-profit management. Impact: Designed and launched an anthology music CD featuring acts such as Emmylou Harris and Johnnie Whitlock to counteract decreasing support for local arts. Responsible for budget, performer contracts, track selection, distribution, inventory, cover design, marketing and promotion. Sales resulted in increased revenue flows and consumer support for local artists. North Carolina Zoo- Asheboro, NC 1996-1998 Public Relations Specialist Coordinated and supervised media campaign that led to a 21% increase in zoo visitation. Created 13-part environmental educational TV series for PBS affiliate. Prepared press releases about zoo events, activities and feature stories including a profile of the zoo mail delivery person that was featured on the Letterman Show. Responded to media and public inquires. Synchronized commercial shoots. Impact- Created, solicited and supervised Sunday newspaper supplement with distribution to 165,000 households in response to increasing competition from area attractions. Initial supplement led to a 31% increase in gate attendance. Initiative continued as semi-annual insert. WXII/NBC Television- Winston-Salem, NC 1995-1996 Assistant Producer/Assignment Editor Responsible for content and flow of daily news program. Researched and assigned stories to reporters. Division of Health Education- Scholastic Television- Rabat, Morocco 1992-1995 Media Advisor/ TV Producer (John Snow/US Peace Corps) Wrote, produced and marketed a 12-part video series on primary healthcare; 10-part televised PSA series on health and hygiene, and a 12-part nationally televised language learning series. Coordinated training programs in social marketing, behavior change communication and educational media. Impact- Mobilized support from local and national political and cultural leaders to produce an UN Award winning video on HIV/AIDS. Navigated religious opposition, co-opted local and international health experts, and coordinated open forum discussions regarding the infection’s impact on economy and community. Sunbury Manor Secondary School, Sunbury, England 1990-1991 Mathematics Teacher CONSULTANCIES Technical Writer/Marketing Consultant, Fenner & Esler Insurance, Oradell, NJ current Creating user support material and website copy for firm specializing in professional liability. Technical Writer, Information and Data Solutions, Atlanta, GA 2005 Prepared users manual for new energy pipeline scheduling software. Marketing Consultant, Population Services International, Port-au-Prince, Haiti 1999 Developed marketing and media plan for product launch of SELAVI, a price-sensitive oral rehydration solution. Designed corresponding BCC material for use in rural clinics, schools and mobile health units. EDUCATION MBA 1999 University of North Carolina, Greensboro, NC Master of Education 1990 University College Cork, Ireland. Bachelor of Science 1989 Boston University Boston, MA LANGUAGES/CLEARANCE French, Moroccan Arabic, Spanish, Basic Russian & Armenian. Active Clearance- Secret