D. Hardy
Carpentersville,IL
Summary
Accomplished professional with 15+ years of experience in business development, account management, and customer experience. Demonstrated success in driving revenue growth and building strong client relationships. Skilled at identifying business expansion opportunities and implementing strategic initiatives to achieve organizational goals. Committed to delivering exceptional customer service and exceeding expectations.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Development Director, Youth Market
American Heart Association
Chicago, IL
09.2022 - 04.2024
- Identified and recruited 80 schools per year for the Kids Heart Challenge.
- Facilitated comprehensive event and communication planning sessions for fundraising efforts.
- Managed volunteer teams to ensure the success of fundraising campaigns in schools.
- Met with business owners to raise additional funds for schools.
- Executed kickoff assemblies to educate students and generate excitement for fundraising objectives.
- Boosted school recruitments from 40 to over 80 in one season by motivating and connecting with volunteers.
- Pioneered engagement and enlistment of CPS schools in first-ever Summer School fundraising program. The American Heart Association's fundraising calendar has typically run between October and March, so this initiative brought a new fundraising stream into the normally dormant summer months.
Director of Membership
GOA Regional Business Association
Itasca, IL
08.2021 - 09.2022
- Handled comprehensive membership operations focusing on enduring success and expansion.
- Established contact with potential members, organizing formal meetings with key decision makers such as C-suite executives, business owners, and business development managers in various sectors.
- Evaluated benefits to ensure alignment with member needs.
- Boosted membership from zero new members in 2019 to over 50 by early 2022 using effective strategies.
- Presented at all quarterly Board Meetings, introducing innovative growth concepts.
Sales Manager
Medieval Times
Schaumburg, IL
06.2017 - 04.2020
- Executed a wide range of sales management priorities with a determined mindset to surpass bottom-line results
- Diligently worked to establish relationships and close prospects in designated territory.
- Bolstered client engagement through strategic relationship-building, resulting in higher referral rates and ongoing business.
- Managed CRM system to monitor contacts and maintain communication.
- Enhanced national sales programs by creating uniform success strategies for ten locations.
- Secured new business through strategic outside sales techniques.
- Identified opportunities within guest experiences to enhance satisfaction and foster loyalty.
- Participated in and attended various tradeshows and special events.
Sales Manager
CarMax Auto Superstore
Schaumburg, IL
07.2014 - 05.2017
- Led growth and development of 26 direct reports and 100 sales consultants in a fast-paced environment.
- Directed and monitored staff performance consistently, focusing on customer satisfaction.
- Streamlined end-to-end sales practices to boost overall performance.
- Streamlined daily processes for better productivity.
- Delivered a combined turnover rate of zero percent while boosting sales by 24%.
- Received multiple accolades for outstanding sales leadership.
- Established a world-class sales environment by effectively managing customer concerns and embracing changes with agility and enthusiasm.
Sales Manager
Macy’s
West Dundee, IL
02.2011 - 07.2014
- Recruited to oversee various retail sales assignments in a high-volume environment with the aim of maximizing revenue and customer service practices
- Recruited, trained, and supervised a team of18 sales associates with a focus on marketing products and services for upsell opportunities
- Aligned daily operations with company values and top-notch service
- Worked with cross-functional teams and departments to achieve objectives.
- Exceeded expectations in building a top-performing team, achieving0% turnover rate for18+ months
- Adopted a client-centric approach to drive higher sales, guiding team members with successful methods.
- Increased customer satisfaction scores by 27 points, reaching a total of 83.
Center Hub Manager
FedEx Office
Rockford, IL
10.2005 - 02.2011
Education
Multimedia Communications Studies
Illinois Institute of Art-Schaumburg
Schaumburg, ILHigh School Diploma - undefined
Pomona High School
Arvada, COSkills
- Relationship Building, Partnerships
- Strategic Planning & Analysis
- Customer, Executive Relations
- Community Engagement
- Presentations, Negotiations
- Business, Program Administration
- Customer Service & Satisfaction
- Key Account Management
- Team & People Management
- Training and Coaching Staff
- Profit, Revenue Optimization
- Lead Generation, Networking
- Strategic thinking
- Data-driven decision making
- Customer journey mapping
- Creative thinking
- Relationship building
Certification
Sandler Sales Training, In Progress
Accomplishments
- Well-versed in building credibility and trust while influencing and recommending options for informed decision making among C-level executives and partner entities.
Affiliations
Volunteer, Feed My Starving Children & other food pantries, Schaumburg, IL ~ Volunteer, Bernie’s Book Bank, Lake Bluff, IL
Timeline
Development Director, Youth Market
American Heart Association
09.2022 - 04.2024
Director of Membership
GOA Regional Business Association
08.2021 - 09.2022
Sales Manager
Medieval Times
06.2017 - 04.2020
Sales Manager
CarMax Auto Superstore
07.2014 - 05.2017
Sales Manager
Macy’s
02.2011 - 07.2014
Center Hub Manager
FedEx Office
10.2005 - 02.2011
High School Diploma - undefined
Pomona High School
Multimedia Communications Studies
Illinois Institute of Art-Schaumburg