Claudia Parker
Franklin,TN
Summary
Accomplished, experienced, and highly adaptive professional with experience in working internationally with multicultural backgrounds, successfully performing a multitude of administrative and customer service functions while consistently producing top-quality results. Superior interpersonal and diplomatic problem-solving skills, honed by over 13 years of overseas postings at various U.S. Embassies, balanced with self-driven initiative, attention to detail, and follow-through abilities. Diligent and effective in fast-paced environments, prioritizing tasks, and meeting deadlines.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Assistant
Davis House CAC
Franklin, TN
03.2020 - 07.2023
- Greeted visitors warmly upon arrival at the office premises.
- Prepared reports, presentations, agendas, minutes, and other documents as needed by the executive staff.
- Managed and tracked expenses to meet in QB Online.
- Maintained company confidence and protected business operations by keeping sensitive information confidential.
- Provided accurate, up-to-date information to external parties through emails, phone calls and in-person interactions.
- Executed special objectives and projects in response to executive team and board member requests.
Community Liaison Coordinator & General Service Officer
American Embassy
Beirut, Lebanon, Lebanon
03.2015 - 07.2017
- Strategized and implemented orientation sessions to new community members in both job functions.
- Coordinated a team of local (Lebanese) employees as the Make-Ready Coordinator to ensure the effective and timely turnover of units for incoming Embassy employees.
- Responsible for coordinating all departure and arrival inspections of the units.
- Organized and managed the musical entertainment for the Embassy's 4th of July Celebration with 1,200 people in attendance.
- Interviewed and onboarded new employees for the Embassy and hospitality division.
Community-Liaison Coordinator
American Embassy Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
08.2011 - 10.2014
- Identified needs of the community and family members and advised the Ambassador and Deputy Chief of Mission about quality of life issues, recommending and subsequently implementing solutions and family-friendly post policies.
- Completed all duties of the CLO position's eight areas of responsibilities: community liaison, crisis management and support, education liaison, events planning, guidance and referral, information and resource management, welcoming and orientation.
- Initiated, secured and coordinated new outside vendors to come on post.
- Served as a non-voting member of the housing board, attending housing board meetings, EAC's (Emergency Action Committee) and country team meetings.
- Developed and implemented Embassy website (still in use today) with valuable information about life at post, particularly designed for incoming family members in addition to the distribution of the weekly CLO publication of events and bi-weekly newsletter.
- Cultivated outside contacts such as the CLOs from other Embassies, travel companies, and women's professional organizations to expand resources and cultural exchange.
- Supported and worked closely with President of the United States Secret Service Advance Officers in organizing the Embassy POTUS Meet & Greet for Embassy Staff and families.
- Coordinated and provided support for frequent VIP visits to Riyadh, including two Secretary of State visits consisting of 800+ people (Received State Department Meritorious Honor Award for outstanding Service).
Visa Section
American Consulate General
Istanbul, Turkey, Turkey
03.2006 - 06.2008
- Efficiently collected biometric indicators in a section handling up to 400 visa applicants daily and coordinated the data management and digitalization of files (including applicants for J-1, H1B, O-1 visas).
- Coordinated with Homeland Security organization and review of all CLASS 1 (sensitive) files of the unit to ensure compliance.
- Monitored and organized the section's in- and outgoing cable traffic.
- Managed congressional inquiries regarding status of immigration and visa applications.
Arrival and Departure Coordinator
American Embassy
Bogota, Colombia, Colombia
03.2004 - 11.2005
- Maintained existing inventory of Embassy's housing units and identified potential new properties in cooperation with local real estate agents in accordance to the Post's housing profile, including security and compliance inspections.
- Solicited preferences from incoming personnel and drafted assignments to available housing units.
- Managed and headed bi-weekly housing tours for members of the Inter-Agency-Housing Board (IAHB) to view units; presented planned appeals, assignments, policy and procedural concerns to the Interagency Housing Board (IAHB).
- Oversaw arrival and departure inspections and coordinated with the General Service Office (GSO) and/or employee's agency for necessary repairs and maintenance of the units.
Education
BBA - Economics, Human Resources, Business Administration
Fachhochschule Wirtschaft (University of Applied Science)
Skills
- Client relationship management
- Proficiency in handling monetary transactions in all forms
- Problem solving and crisis management
- Bookkeeping and auditing
- Analytical skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Publisher, and Outlook
- Event planning
- Attention to detail
- Professional demeanor
- Reliability
- Team collaboration
- Effective communication
- Multi-cultural experience
- Multi-lingual (German, French)
Accomplishments
- Volunteering with AFS Intercultural Programs USA, a leader in International High School Student Exchange, conducting interviews with potential host families and follow up and providing support to international students currently in the program.
- Committee member of the City of Franklin's initiative "Sister Cities" which provides intercultural student exchange program between Franklin's sister cities in Canada, Ireland and Germany,
- "Wish Granter" for the Make-a-Wish-Foundation of East TN, helping to make wishes come true for children with life threatening medical conditions
Languages
German (native speaker); English (fluency); French (working knowledge); Spanish (working knowledge)
Timeline
Executive Assistant
Davis House CAC
03.2020 - 07.2023
Community Liaison Coordinator & General Service Officer
American Embassy
03.2015 - 07.2017
Community-Liaison Coordinator
American Embassy Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
08.2011 - 10.2014
Visa Section
American Consulate General
03.2006 - 06.2008
Arrival and Departure Coordinator
American Embassy
03.2004 - 11.2005
BBA - Economics, Human Resources, Business Administration
Fachhochschule Wirtschaft (University of Applied Science)
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