Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Volunteer Experience & Community Involvement
Timeline
Generic
ELIZABETH COSSA GALLAGHER

ELIZABETH COSSA GALLAGHER

Fairfax Station,VA

Summary

Organizational Behavior Management specialist with advanced formal training in fine dining and hospitality, events and customer service and a deep understanding of people. Highly skilled in leading teams, optimizing organizational alignment and bringing client visions to fruition. Recognized for the ability to lead empathically while maximizing team engagement and developing leaders, teams and projects with the ultimate goal to align organizations towards the mission and strategies that support their future-ready position.

Overview

22
22
years of professional experience

Work History

FRACTIONAL CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER, ADVISOR

Creative Business Inc.
09.2023 - Current
  • Lead 5 client teams in creating and and delivering a supportive people strategy that aligns with the goals of the business
  • Advise clients on Human Resources Strategy, HR and business alignment and organizational transformation
  • Coach executives and team leads towards creating thriving teams and a productive and profitable work environment
  • Conduct check-ins with client leaders and teams to assess workplace health and personnel engagement

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER AND HEAD OF HUMAN RESOURCES

The Copernicus Project
05.2022 - 08.2023
  • Directed strategies towards scaling a start-up of 10 employees and multiple vendors including company transformation and financial guidance to support company growth goals
  • Held key meetings with multiple seed investors and partners
  • Improved employee engagement levels by fostering a positive work environment through effective leadership practices
  • Hired and onboarded a skilled start-up team, aligned with the mission of the project
  • Led organizational conflict management strategies for the company
  • Recognized for the successful implementation and execution of the Human Resources infrastructure and its operations for this client start-up

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND MARKETING CONSULTANT

Carient Heart & Vascular
05.2019 - 03.2022
  • Led the generation of a pivotal 28% increase in referring provider partnerships and new patient populations over the course of 3 years
  • Built strong rapport with key care teams within target organizations through consistent follow-ups and personalized communication
  • Directed build and design of website
  • Managed all brand efforts, including logo, design, and visual assets across the organization.

DIRECTOR, EVENTS + INDUSTRY RELATIONS

Inova Health Systems
01.2017 - 04.2019
  • Positioned Inova Heart & Vascular as a knowledge partner in the industry using the following strategies:
  • Architected an innovative educational strategy for Inova Heart and Vascular Institute in collaboration with the Medical Director of Education
  • Created the infrastructure for new training offerings for physicians and business executives
  • Directed all aspects of multiple local 500 attendee cardiology symposia and other related events and celebrations, including contract negotiations
  • Worked with 25 industry partners to single-handedly secure event funding
  • Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members
  • Reduced financial inconsistencies while assessing and verifying billing invoices and expense reports

DIRECTOR, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT + EVENTS

ITPG, Inc.
05.2013 - 12.2016
  • Cultivated and strengthened lasting industry relationships using strong issue resolution and dynamic communication skills
  • Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations
  • Led teams in strategically designing client visions for education and insurance-focused clients
  • Created and executed industry-specific content marketing strategies, driving value to client
  • Negotiated and managed budget and contracts on behalf of multiple clients
  • Built brand exposure through lead nurturing via e-marketing, live networking.

GENERAL MANAGER - LAUNCH

Del Campo Restaurant
03.2013 - 05.2013
  • Recruited, built and trained the launch team for this new concept
  • Created and directed staff training sessions to connect and inspire teams and align staff with company mission
  • Managed relationships between general contractor, designer, PR firm and the restaurant
  • Conducted pre-shift meetings to ensure brand consistency and organizational efficiency
  • Oversaw teams to ensure food safety compliance
  • Negotiated vendor contracts.

RESTAURANT CONSULTANT

The Dannon Company
12.2011 - 10.2012
  • Account Lead and project manager for all aspects of an extensive multi-million dollar contract inspired by The Dannon Company [The Yogurt Culture Company]
  • Directed operations, hiring of teams and retention, brand management, site design and construction; proved instrumental in building the business from the ground-up and achieving client vision
  • Reviewed business finances and back-end administrative procedures
  • Trained new employees in operational procedures and modeled duties for front and back house positions
  • Served as interim General Manager of the brand during which time the project was awarded the highest grade upon inspection from the NYC Department of Health.



OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

Tom Colicchio's Crafted Hospitality Group
04.2007 - 11.2011
  • Developed effective marketing strategies, brand initiatives for $10M NYC group
  • Single-handedly generated $100K in event sales in first three months of first outdoor concept
  • Launched and operated six new restaurant locations
  • Acted as a team leader in group projects, delegating tasks and providing feedback
  • Cultivated interpersonal skills by building positive relationships with others


ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER

Tallula Restaurant
04.2004 - 03.2007
  • Developed and executed strategies to improve guest experience, resulting in positive customer reviews and increased repeat business
  • Assisted in the recruitment, hiring, and onboarding process for new employees to build a skilled workforce committed to excellence in service delivery
  • Directed private event logistics, delegated vision and delivery to the private events team
  • Successfully managed large orders for corporate events or private parties while maintaining excellent customer service standards
  • Managed wine inventory for restaurant and retail business
  • Assisted with payroll management
  • Cultivated wine and food vendor relationships

Wine Consultant

International Cellars
06.2002 - 03.2004

· Contributed to the building of a global start-up wine distribution company, recruited and sold to 50+ retail and restaurant clients

· Organized and conducted wine tasting events to generate interest in new products and drive sales

· Supervised set up of banquet food stations and coordinated service to multiple dining areas

· Assisted in developing marketing materials such as newsletters and social media posts to promote store events and new wine arrivals

· Enhanced our distributor's reputation through exceptional customer service, extensive knowledge of wine varieties, and attention to detail

  • Shared knowledge of menu items and flavors, enabling customers to make personal decisions based on taste and interest

Education

Graduate Certificate - Organizational Behavior

Harvard Extension School
12.2023

MA - Foreign Languages, Spanish

George Mason University
05.2004

Bachelor of Arts - English & Spanish

James Madison University
05.2002

Skills

  • Organizational Behavior Management
  • Human Resources Strategy
  • Organizational Alignment Strategy
  • Organizational Transformation
  • Event Operations and Management
  • Negotiations
  • Organizational Conflict Resolution
  • Team Engagement
  • Marketing PR Strategy
  • Project Management
  • Spanish Language Fluency

Volunteer Experience & Community Involvement

  • The Copernicus Project, Officer [Secretary and Treasurer], 2022, Sept 2023
  • SHRM®, Member
  • WSET Level II Certified
  • PTA Lead, The Montessori School of Oakton, 2021, 2023
  • South County Athletic Association, Proud Soccer Mom and Head Coach

Timeline

FRACTIONAL CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER, ADVISOR

Creative Business Inc.
09.2023 - Current

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER AND HEAD OF HUMAN RESOURCES

The Copernicus Project
05.2022 - 08.2023

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND MARKETING CONSULTANT

Carient Heart & Vascular
05.2019 - 03.2022

DIRECTOR, EVENTS + INDUSTRY RELATIONS

Inova Health Systems
01.2017 - 04.2019

DIRECTOR, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT + EVENTS

ITPG, Inc.
05.2013 - 12.2016

GENERAL MANAGER - LAUNCH

Del Campo Restaurant
03.2013 - 05.2013

RESTAURANT CONSULTANT

The Dannon Company
12.2011 - 10.2012

OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

Tom Colicchio's Crafted Hospitality Group
04.2007 - 11.2011

ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER

Tallula Restaurant
04.2004 - 03.2007

Wine Consultant

International Cellars
06.2002 - 03.2004

Graduate Certificate - Organizational Behavior

Harvard Extension School

MA - Foreign Languages, Spanish

George Mason University

Bachelor of Arts - English & Spanish

James Madison University
ELIZABETH COSSA GALLAGHER