Open To Work
Debra Freund
Backus
Work Preference
Summary
Results-driven Executive Assistant with extensive experience in optimizing operations through effective scheduling and travel management. Skilled in handling sensitive communications and organizing high-profile events, maximizing executive efficiency. Demonstrated success in enhancing project management processes and delivering exceptional customer service. Expert in prioritizing tasks and providing comprehensive administrative support to executive teams with professionalism and sound judgment.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Assistant to Museum Director
Museum Access
Greenwich
05.2022 - Current
- Provide high-level executive support to the Museum Director, managing complex calendars, meetings, and travel arrangements with precision and discretion.
- Prepare presentations, board materials, and executive reports for trustees, donors, and community stakeholders.
- Managed confidential correspondence, donor lists, and patron communications with professionalism and attention to detail.
- Supported planning and execution of museum events, exhibitions, and donor receptions, working closely with curatorial and events staff.
- Monitored project timelines and budgets for special initiatives, exhibitions, and partnerships.
- Maintained a thorough understanding of museum policies, programs, and exhibitions to assist with executive-level decision-making.
- Served as primary liaison between the Director’s office and external partners, including cultural organizations, government agencies, and media contacts.
- Oversaw travel, accommodations, and itineraries for museum leadership, visiting artists, and guest curators.
- Television Production Co. Greenwich, CT
Senior Executive Assistant
Medica Insurance Company
Minnetonka
08.2023 - 05.2024
- Carried out administrative tasks for 4 senior VP’s, requiring effective communication, time management, and multitasking abilities.
- Maintained calendars for senior executives, resolved conflicting priorities, resulting in a 20% increase in meeting efficiency.
- Organized and scheduled appointments as well as various meetings.
- Meeting support: preparing materials, coordinating room arrangements, and set up Teams, Web-Ex, and Zoom meetings.
- Booked travel arrangements and facilitated expense reporting.
- Served as a main point of contact of external and internal clients.
- Submitted 3rd party invoices in Concur to initiate the internal expense approval process.
- Provided backup for other Executive Assistants.
- Project management.
Senior Executive Assistant HR / Benefits
Hubbard County Development Center
Park Rapids
11.2022 - 06.2023
- Provided comprehensive support to high level executives in a fast-paced environment.
- Improved administrative efficiency and experience in drafting office documents such as memos, processes, and reports.
- Created onboarding plans and educated newly hired employees on HR policies, internal procedures and regulations.
- Generated official internal documents such as offer letters, announcements, performance improvement plans, termination letters.
- Created newsletters for donors and clients.
- Maintained physical and digital files for employees and their documents for benefits, payroll, and attendance records.
- Experienced with data privacy laws governing confidential information.
- Took appropriate disciplinary action against employees who violated rules and regulations and addressed employee grievances.
- Provided support for all employees that had questions regarding their benefits and payroll.
- Assign and track training and follow up with employees.
- Initiated and followed through with DHS background checks on all new hires, and conduct reference checks.
- Researched and keep abreast of current and new laws and regulations in Human Resources that affect the business.
- Worked with managers to create and post new positions.
- Project management.
- Event planning.
Remote Public Health Outreach Liaison
Battelle Memorial Institute
Columbus
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Boosted enrollment by 20% over one year through strategic upselling techniques.
- B2B sales and marketing – Midwest.
- Experience with report writing, oral presentation or other methods of sharing analytic results.
- Conducted statistical analysis.
- Covid 19 government contract position, reached out to congregate settings such as schools, nursing homes, childcare centers, and jails.
- Ensured follow-through of all discussed items in meetings, with updates being incorporated into reports.
- Maintained appointment schedules and calendars.
- Planned and scheduled meetings, conferences, and travel.
- Maximize the executive’s time by reading, researching and routing correspondence, drafting letters and documents, collecting and analyzing information.
- Managed multiple email inboxes for executives.
- Project management.
Executive Assistant / Office Manager Senior
St. Cloud State University
St. Cloud
01.2007 - 12.2020
- Supported executive-level staff by managing appointments, records, and general correspondence, fostering effective communication and operational efficiency.
- Maximize the executive’s time by reading, researching, and routing correspondence, drafting letters and documents, collecting and analyzing information, initiating calls and team meetings on their behalf.
- Maintained appointment schedules and calendars.
- Planned and scheduled meetings, conferences, and travel.
- Made travel arrangements including flight and hotel bookings and ground transportation.
- Managed multiple budgets.
- Accounts payable and receivable.
- Oversaw all human resource functions.
- Provided customer and vendor support.
- Provided backup support for other Office Managers.
- Managed multiple email inboxes for executives.
- Took notes at all Leadership Team meetings and distribute electronically.
- Supervised administrative office staff.
- Event planning.
Executive Secretary to the Forest Supervisor
US FOREST SERVICE
Walker
01.2003 - 01.2007
- Streamlined records management system, leading to a 15% boost in retrieval and access of information.
- Maintained appointment schedules and calendars.
- Planned and scheduled meetings, conferences, and travel.
- Processed travel expense reimbursement forms.
- Made travel arrangements including flight and hotel bookings and ground transportation.
- Managed multiple budgets.
- Provided customer and vendor support.
- Maximize the executive’s time by reading, researching and routing correspondence, drafting letters and documents, collecting and analyzing information.
- Managed multiple email inboxes for executives.
- Took notes at all Leadership Team meetings and distribute electronically.
- Supervised administrative office staff and YCC Youth Program.
- Acted as the frontline in dealing with public relations, boosting the organization’s credibility.
- Project management.
- Event planning.
Education
Bachelor's Degree - Business Management / Human Resources
Northern Michigan University
Marquette, MISkills
- Leadership and supervision
- Effective communication
- Scheduling and calendar management
- Time optimization
- Travel logistics coordination
- Expense tracking
- Confidentiality and discretion
- Technical proficiency
- Videoconferencing support
- Conflict resolution
- Analytical thinking
- Problem-solving
- Multitasking efficiency
- Invoice processing
- Customer service excellence
- Business development strategies
- HR benefits administration
- Document review and preparation
- Google Suite proficiency
- Microsoft Office expertise
- Office 365 knowledge
- Microsoft Teams collaboration
- Zoom video conferencing skills
- WebEx facilitation
- CRM software proficiency
- ServiceNow IT management knowledge
- Concur travel software expertise
- SharePoint document sharing proficiency
- docuSign solutions expertise
- AS/400 proficiency
- Sage 50 US expertise
References
References Available Upon Request
Timeline
Senior Executive Assistant
Medica Insurance Company
08.2023 - 05.2024
Senior Executive Assistant HR / Benefits
Hubbard County Development Center
11.2022 - 06.2023
Executive Assistant to Museum Director
Museum Access
05.2022 - Current
Remote Public Health Outreach Liaison
Battelle Memorial Institute
01.2021 - 01.2022
Executive Assistant / Office Manager Senior
St. Cloud State University
01.2007 - 12.2020
Executive Secretary to the Forest Supervisor
US FOREST SERVICE
01.2003 - 01.2007
Bachelor's Degree - Business Management / Human Resources
Northern Michigan University