Collette Stendahl
Fort Wayne,IN
Summary
Accomplished professional with experience in account management, business development, sales, finance and education. Talented and motivating Account Director skilled and experienced in managing high volume clients, nurturing client relationships, increasing revenue, managing multiple projects simultaneously, and exceeding goals while providing best-in-class service to all clients. High-energy and motivated self-starter who takes initiative, excels in any environment, quickly learns and exceeds goals.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Account Director
EDE Corporation
04.2023 - Current
- Led strategic account planning to exceed client expectations and drive revenue growth for multiple accounts
- Developed and maintained strong and trusted relationships with key stakeholders within all accounts to enhance client experience and success
- Managed cross-functional teams to deliver integrated solutions tailored to client needs to exceed expectations for all projects and events
- Oversaw and negotiated favorable contracts to signature for all projects while driving revenue
- Mentored junior team members, fostering professional development and enhancing my overall team's performance
- Managed contract budgets for all accounts, ensuring optimal allocation of resources for maximum impact and revenue
- Orchestrated seamless onboarding experiences for new clients, setting standard for excellence in client service
- Strengthened client relationships and secured contract renewals by delivering personalized account management, consistent communication, exceptional service and understanding individual client needs
Senior Account Manager, Preferred Accounts
Impact-XM
11.2022 - 04.2023
- Expertise in building partnerships, managing projects from creative concept through final billing, while meeting or exceeding projected profit margins and client expectations
- Strong leader with robust background in customer relationship management and finance
- Developed strong relationships with clients to improve overall experience and grow revenue base along with acquiring deep knowledge of lines of businesses
- Exceeded sales goals for global account by bringing in new opportunities and upselling designs and sponsorships to existing clients
- Built and continuing to build team of account managers and account coordinators while mentoring to help achieve company performance goals as well as personal goals of team members
- Work closely with Account Executive on $20,000,000 book of business by managing high level events and partnerships along with team
- Drive internal and external collaboration to ensure project deliverables are completed successfully, effectively and efficiently
- Integral part of RFP team to prepare proposals and present to new accounts as well as to build existing business
Senior Account Manager/Account Manager
Group Delphi/Sparks
05.2017 - 11.2022
- Manage high profile accounts worth up to $10,000,000 working closely with Account Executive while overseeing team of 5 employees
- Develop and maintain positive and productive relationships with clients, vendors, internal departments and global trade show venue operations teams
- Collaborate to effectively manage projects including all necessary approvals are obtained, variances requested, documentation submitted, and all rules and regulations are met with global venues
- Prepare client budgets for all projects to include increased profitability, value engineering, and increased ROI while ensuring all projects tracked successfully
- Mentor junior account management professionals to develop skills, ensure adherence to all client Master Service Agreements, and increase company revenue and project profitability
- Cultivate productive relationships with business partners and work closely to develop strategic business and account plans while uncovering needs and matching to available solutions or developing new solutions
Cost Accountant
Group Delphi
03.2016 - 05.2017
- Managed entire accounting cycle through completion, including gathering information, reconciling accounts, preparing documents, finalizing reports and closing books
- Monitored, analyzed, and managed financial accounting of all projects while identifying areas for improvement within financial cycle
- Supported monthly reporting analysis to achieve validation of internal reports and to reconcile production operations and general ledger
- Reviewed accounts, resolved coding areas and tracked recurring expenses for accrual entries
- Prepared working papers, reports and supporting documentation for audit findings
- Reviewed accounting structures and procedures on regular basis to identify areas in need of improvement
- Trained new employees on accounting principles and company procedures
ParaEducator/ParaProfessional
Northwest Allen County Schools
11.2011 - 03.2016
- Work with and teach middle school students with mild learning disabilities
- Observe students' behavior and assist with reports and IEPs
- Create, implement, and reinforce instructional strategies
- Facilitate and ensure each students' accommodations are being met
Front End Manager
Barnes & Noble
08.2007 - 11.2010
- Oversaw all monies within store, balanced and reconciled registers, made daily deposits, and managed staff
- Responsible for addressing any discrepancies between monies and cashiers
- Handled bulk sales to schools and organizations
- Exceeded sales expectations for memberships and developed cashiers to promote membership sales
Sales Account Representative
Recycled Paper Greetings
03.2006 - 06.2010
- Handled all sales, merchandising, and customer service for the Fort Wayne region including 8 big box retailers, 14 national chain stores and many independent accounts
- Increased and drove sales while meeting and exceeding all goals
- Worked within specific geographic territory to cultivate new prospects and reach sales goals through cold calling and networking
- Developed and managed positive business relationships with national retail store management and employees through exceptional interpersonal skills
Education
Accounting And Finance
University of Minnesota - Honors Program
Twin Cities, MN Skills
- Relationship building and management
- Strong knowledge of global trade show and event planning management
- Persuasive Communication - oral and written
- Account and Client management and development
- RFP Process
- Contract and Price Negotiation
- Leadership and Conflict Resolution
- Account Development
- ERP Software - SAP and IFS
- Hubspot, Salesforce, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Powerpoint, Microsoft Outlook, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Chat, Google Drive, Google Meet, Teams, Skype, Zoom, Dropbox, Box, Concur, SAP Ariba, Adobe Acrobat
Accomplishments
- Received Ovations Award in 2009 for being in the top 25 group of sales representatives for the highest percent increase in total overall sales along with many Ovations Awards for Service Excellence
- Only employee ever to be nominated for Insanely Great Service Award in both company locations
Timeline
Account Director
EDE Corporation
04.2023 - Current
Senior Account Manager, Preferred Accounts
Impact-XM
11.2022 - 04.2023
Senior Account Manager/Account Manager
Group Delphi/Sparks
05.2017 - 11.2022
Cost Accountant
Group Delphi
03.2016 - 05.2017
ParaEducator/ParaProfessional
Northwest Allen County Schools
11.2011 - 03.2016
Front End Manager
Barnes & Noble
08.2007 - 11.2010
Sales Account Representative
Recycled Paper Greetings
03.2006 - 06.2010
Accounting And Finance
University of Minnesota - Honors Program