AJ (Andrew) Wright

• Recognized as a trusted thought leader, offering direct support and strategic advisory to the Senior Leadership Team for over 5 years
• Executed a comprehensive diversity and inclusion strategy, encompassing 600 employees and 250,000 external stakeholders, resulting in transformative outcomes
• Aided the Blackstone (BREIT) portfolio in achieving exceptional DEI maturity, earning an advisory role on their monthly DEI Steering Committee
• Aided the development of data-driven people analytics, revolutionizing the management of human capital and DEI programs within the organization
• Significantly increased employee engagement and fostered an inclusive environment, leading to a notable 35% improvement over 4 years, which garnered an esteemed Workplace Transformation award from Quantum
• Formulated an impactful philanthropic strategy, forging key multi-year partnerships to expand corporate impact and drive positive change within the community
• Provided expert coaching to cross-functional senior leadership, igniting a collective reimagination of talent attraction, development, retention, and engagement practices to promote diversity and inclusion
• Established a robust employee mentorship program, attracting over one hundred mentors and mentees annually across all levels of the organization, fostering professional growth and knowledge sharing
• Established peer-nominated employee recognition program centered on influencing the company culture through custom service, teamwork, innovation, leadership, and DEIB
• Revolutionized culture and communication through the creation of a daily (now weekly) newsletter focused on company culture, DEIB initiatives, employee engagement, and business updates
• Designed and launched companywide intranet, Our Place, further solidifying a sense of community amongst the staff
• Cultivated and nurtured six dynamic company-wide employee resource groups, coaching and empowering them over a span of four years to achieve optimal performance
• Successfully managed a $6 million office expansion project, overseeing capital fund allocation and executing a new office and facility buildout to enhance operational efficiency and foster a positive company culture.

In the role of Customer Service Liaison, I effectively bridged the gap between international insurance providers and their clientele. My responsibilities encompassed skillfully managing emergency medical cases from initiation to closure, all while maintaining a sincere sense of empathy and kindness. Serving as a dedicated Case Manager, I adeptly handled urgent medical and travel situations that arose for individuals traveling globally, particularly from the UK and Ireland. Direct communication with hospitals and UK General Practitioners was a key aspect of my role, facilitating the acquisition of essential medical records and prior medical backgrounds to streamline the claims process for patients. I actively collaborated with medical teams both locally in Chicago and around the world to ensure appropriate patient care. Additionally, I played a pivotal role in coordinating travel arrangements for patients necessitating repatriation or curtailment. My commitment to going the extra mile for patients and their families resulted in consistent customer loyalty bonuses and recognition. Notably, I was recognized as Employee of the Month in March 2015, in acknowledgment of my exceptional professionalism and contributions to the team.

In my role as an educator, I undertook the responsibility of teaching two sections of THEAT 2811: The Craft of Acting, with each class comprising 16 non-major students. This encompassed the entire spectrum of syllabus creation, testing, grading, class management, and instruction. My commitment extended to approximately 20 hours per week dedicated to teaching, office hours, and thorough preparation. I consistently provided guidance to undergraduate students, not only within the classroom but also during rehearsals and throughout their daily activities. My teaching workload was extensive, spanning 16 credit hours across diverse subjects such as Research Methods, Advanced Script Analysis, Advanced Voice, and Advanced Movement. Simultaneously, I assumed a significant performing role as Hovstad in Henrik Ibsen's An Enemy of the People. Rehearsing nightly for ten weeks, totaling 20 hours per week, culminated in a successful performance over a two-week period in November 2015. Notably, I completed the semester with a perfect 4.0 GPA and garnered commendable reviews from all the students under my tutelage, reflecting my dedication and effectiveness as an instructor.

In the role of management, I held the responsibility of overseeing a team of 35 Front of House and 20 Back of House staff members at the leading US Elephant & Castle establishment, which generated approximately $4 million in annual revenue. My role encompassed a wide array of tasks including the recruitment, interview, and hiring processes, as well as the strategic scheduling of new employees. My responsibilities extended to orchestrating banquets, large events, and private parties, along with effectively managing inventory and procurement. I oversaw shift management, including employee break scheduling, task delegation, and addressing any employee issues through verbal warnings and written documentation. My involvement also spanned providing hands-on assistance in the kitchen, at tables, and behind the bar, ensuring a smooth operation.

The scope of my duties covered the entire spectrum of store operations. This included both opening and closing procedures, involving comprehensive paperwork, profit and loss analysis, meticulous inventory management, invoicing, security protocols, handling bank deposits, batch processing credit card transactions, as well as promptly addressing phone calls and emails from various stakeholders, including other stores, the corporate office, vendors, and valued guests.

My commitment to excellence extended beyond the local establishment. I traveled to Washington, DC to contribute to the successful opening of a new store. Over a span of ten days, I conducted comprehensive training sessions for 40 new Front of House employees, covering all essential service standards and ensuring a consistent level of excellence across locations. My dedication to managing operations and fostering an environment of exceptional service was reflected in the successful outcomes achieved and the growth of the establishment.