Caroline Sykes
Little Rock,AR
Summary
A widely traveled professional and successful entrepreneur, I have extensive experience in business start-ups, not-for-profit leadership, and cross-cultural living. I seek to use my business, international, volunteer and educational experience to expand my roles in support of human rights, social justice and affecting positive social change for the common good.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Development Coordinator
Center For Arkansas Legal Services
03.2023 - Current
- Prepared grant proposals under tight deadlines.
- Implemented new funding database and research tools.
- Created strategic and tactical funding initiatives for forward planning to meet key objectives.
Executive Director
FightFear.us
05.2021 - 11.2022
- Operations and Filing FEC Reports
- Fundraising
- Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide operational strategy.
CEO
The Balloon Company, Inc.
03.1997 - 06.2012
Acquired, re-conceived and developed The Balloon Company, Inc., a retail party store, balloon bouquet delivery and logo balloon printing business headquartered in Oslo, Norway.
- Served as Owner and CEO
- Secured dot com address and led the creation of the online business that employed 15 people by 2002 and had an operating budget of $550,000
- Created the franchise model and business plan
- Commercialized the product/service
- Hired and supervised the staff
- Created a recognizable and trusted brand with yearly sales of $1.2 million
- Served clients ranging from The Norwegian Royal Family to Burger King, McDonald's, Peppes Pizza Chain and Hennes & Mauritz Corporation
- Coached and guided senior managers to improve employee job satisfaction and achieve higher performance levels.
- Established foundational processes for business operations.
Consultant
Propaganda DA
02.1992 - 03.1997
A language and translation consulting business for advertising and corporate clients in Oslo, Norway.
- Tutored executives at Zurich Insurance
- Translated company documents
- Translated marketing language for Norwegian and global companies during the 1994 Winter Olympics - Lillehammer
English Language Instructor
Berlitz International
03.1991 - 02.1992
A language and cross cultural training service tailored for the corporate executive.
- Completed a basic training course with Berlitz
- Taught the basics of English grammar and conversational speaking
- Developed a curriculum to improve Norwegian executives' conversational and business language abilities
Education
Master of Science - Public Service
The Clinton School of Public Service
Little Rock, Arkansas05.2020
Bachelor of Arts - History And English
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville. ArkansasSummer Study Abroad - Spanish
Stephens College
Valencia, Spain1985
Skills
- Project management, planning, organizational and interpersonal skills; accomplished team player
- Communication: accomplished listener, speaker and writer Accustomed to working discreetly with sensitive and confidential materials
- Cross-cultural: experience with cultural and language training; traveled/lived in 21 countries
- Management skills including supervisory, budget and time management
- Marketing and promotional skills
- Entrepreneurial skills
- Fluent in Norwegian
- Proficient in MS Office Suite and database management
Accomplishments
- Purchased, grew and sold a successful event and party business
- Raised money as a volunteer for Habitat For Humanity, Oslo, Norway
- Hosted First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, in Oslo, Norway, during her visit in February 1994 to the Lillehammer Olympic Games
- Oslo Accords : Translated the funeral speech for the Norwegian Defense Minister Johan Holst in January, 1994 and attended the service along with Secretary Warren Christopher, Chairman Yasser Arafat and Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin
- Hosted Secretary Madeleine Albright for Democrats Abroad during her book tour in August 2004, in Oslo, Norway
Volunteer Work
- Indivisible Arkansas: mobilizes voters to ensure values of equity, compassion, inclusion & justice are upheld at all levels of government in Arkansas.
- Planned Parenthood event promotion
Timeline
Development Coordinator
Center For Arkansas Legal Services
03.2023 - Current
Executive Director
FightFear.us
05.2021 - 11.2022
CEO
The Balloon Company, Inc.
03.1997 - 06.2012
Consultant
Propaganda DA
02.1992 - 03.1997
English Language Instructor
Berlitz International
03.1991 - 02.1992
Master of Science - Public Service
The Clinton School of Public Service
Bachelor of Arts - History And English
University of Arkansas
Summer Study Abroad - Spanish
Stephens College