Debbie Smith-De Souza
Riverside,CA
Summary
Results-oriented achiever with proven ability to exceed targets and drive success in fast-paced environments. Combines strategic thinking with hands-on experience to deliver impactful solutions and enhance organizational performance.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Account Executive
Accelerate Learning Inc
09.2024 - Current
- Mentored junior account executives, fostering a positive work environment and encouraging professional growth.
- Increased account retention by building strong relationships with clients and addressing their needs promptly.
- Maintained comprehensive knowledge of market trends, industry news, and competitor offerings, ensuring informed decision-making and strategic planning.
- Cold called prospects to explain partnership benefits, representing company values.
- Sold new products and services and developed new accounts to maximize revenue potential.
- Motivated team members to meet and exceed sales targets.
- Met existing customers to review current services and expand sales opportunities.
Senior Account Executive
Amplify
08.2021 - 09.2024
- Exceeded 2022 and 2023 sales goals 120-150%
- Leveraged established district relationships to increase pipeline to exceed yearly goals
- Collaborate regularly with product development and marketing teams to generate successful selling campaigns
- Research districts to identify new initiatives and trends to target new opportunities
- Continue to increase my knowledge of the Amplify bookbag and uncover new opportunities
- Increased account retention by building strong relationships with clients and addressing their needs promptly.
- Negotiated contracts that maximized profit margins while maintaining competitive pricing for clients.
- Implemented sales strategies that consistently exceeded quarterly revenue targets.
Account Executive Language Arts
Benchmark Education
06.2016 - 08.2021
- Exceeded sales goals, 2017, 2018, and 2021
- Awarded Rookie of the Year, 2017 sold 14M
- Established and maintained professional relationships with key district decision-makers prioritizing the customer's needs
- Utilized internal resources and divisions to maximize solutions for customers
- Work collaboratively across divisions to effectively sell educational solutions
- Identified district-specific trends to inform senior management on areas of opportunity
Account Executive k-12 Supplemental and Core
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
06.2009 - 06.2016
- Exceeded sales goals 2010-2016
- Invited to CEO CLUB- Cayman Island, 2016
- Managed 34 districts in a K-12 multi-million dollar territory while consistently exceeding quarterly goals
- Sold Supplemental material covering 72 districts
- Worked collaboratively across division to effectively sell educational solutions
- Recognized by my customers and colleagues as a team player
- Successfully sold intensive intervention supplemental materials, 2010-2014
- Identified new markets selling curriculum across divisions within HMH: Digital Curriculum Solutions, Riverside Assessment material, Traditional Basal programs, Advance Placement material and Supplemental material
Sales Consultant (Part-time, Independent Contractor)
04.2008 - 06.2009
- Launched successful pilot programs that resulted in District Wide Math Adoptions throughout southern California
- Managed multiple pilot programs and met regularly with individual teachers
- Trained elementary teachers in multiple districts
- Introduced innovative ways to teach lessons for specialized needs in districts
- Recognized by district curriculum directors for highly successful, engaging trainings
- Developed email campaigns to promote new products
Sales Consultant (Part-time, Independent Contractor)
McGraw-Hill Companies
01.2006 - 04.2008
- Recognized for excellent follow-up with piloting teachers
- Supported Southern California sales representatives with sales presentations
- Established and maintained professional relationships within districts
Sales Representative
Quaker Oats Company - Gatorade Division
01.1997 - 08.1998
- New site acquisition for national startup division for Gatorade
- Acquired vending sights and food service accounts by generating business through 100% cold calling
- Managed strategic vend partners and food service distributors in San Diego
- Oversaw all aspects of territory management including monthly maintenance and merchandising of new and existing accounts
- Created successful, individualized sales presentations to school districts resulting in securing three to five year exclusive Gatorade contracts
Retail Sales Merchandiser
Gillette Company
09.1995 - 01.1997
- Increased and maintained sales accounts by expanding product distribution in retail stores
- Created national contest store displays
- Prepared monthly marketing and competitive activity reports and weekly sales success stories
Education
California Professional Clear Teaching Credential - CLAD
San Diego State University
08.2005
California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential - CLAD
San Diego State University
05.2000
Bachelor of Science -
San Diego State University
05.1994
Skills
- Client relationship management
- Relationship building
- Team collaboration
- Sales quota achievement
- Strategic selling
- Creative thinking
- Prospecting and networking
- Sales expertise
Accomplishments
- Outperformed educational sales goals consistently, 01/01/10 - 12/31/24
- Transformed a $200K sales territory into a $20M territory leveraging key district relationships, presenting solutions for district initiatives/state adoptions, 01/01/16 - 12/31/19
- Executed customer centric selling strategies, resulting in top sales, 01/01/12 - 12/31/24
- Identified key strategic adoption pilots, winning 90%- 95%, 01/01/14 - 12/31/24
Timeline
Senior Account Executive
Accelerate Learning Inc
09.2024 - Current
Senior Account Executive
Amplify
08.2021 - 09.2024
Account Executive Language Arts
Benchmark Education
06.2016 - 08.2021
Account Executive k-12 Supplemental and Core
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
06.2009 - 06.2016
Sales Consultant (Part-time, Independent Contractor)
04.2008 - 06.2009
Sales Consultant (Part-time, Independent Contractor)
McGraw-Hill Companies
01.2006 - 04.2008
Sales Representative
Quaker Oats Company - Gatorade Division
01.1997 - 08.1998
Retail Sales Merchandiser
Gillette Company
09.1995 - 01.1997
California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential - CLAD
San Diego State University
Bachelor of Science -
San Diego State University
California Professional Clear Teaching Credential - CLAD
San Diego State University
Similar Profiles
Karina GimenezKarina Gimenez
Published at Accelerate Learning incPublished at Accelerate Learning inc
Brandi NicholsonBrandi Nicholson
Curriculum Project Manager at Accelerate LearningCurriculum Project Manager at Accelerate Learning
Gowripriya RajasekaranGowripriya Rajasekaran
Sr. Program Manager at Accelerate LearningSr. Program Manager at Accelerate Learning
Tommy TranTommy Tran
Material Handler Team Lead at Complete Coach WorksMaterial Handler Team Lead at Complete Coach Works
Stephany RoseteStephany Rosete
Customer Service Representative at Make It Fit AlterationsCustomer Service Representative at Make It Fit Alterations