Gretchen Ahlstrom
Blaine,MN
Summary
Self-motivated, driven individual with a history of peak performance resulting in client satisfaction and revenue growth. Experience with sales, account development, strategic and tactical planning. Confident and willing to take initiative and make decisions, especially in relation to process improvement. Resourceful team player who excels at building trusting relationships with customers and colleagues. Ability to manage revenue forecasting and pipeline management. Exceptional organization skills that promote efficiency. History within the CPG industry that includes experiences within corporate retail, manufacturing and market research. Flexible team player with success in environments requiring the ability to effectively prioritize and manage multiple projects and responsibilities. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Revenue Officer
InContext Solutions
02.2023 - Current
- Cultivated strong relationships with clients, resulting in long-term contracts and valuable referrals.
- Achieved consistent year-on-year revenue growth by setting ambitious targets and motivating the team to exceed expectations.
- Reduced churn rate significantly by implementing proactive account management practices focused on customer success.
- Boosted overall company revenue by developing and implementing effective sales strategies.
- Championed a company-wide culture of accountability which contributed to sustained revenue growth over multiple years.
- Optimized sales processes for increased efficiency and productivity within the team.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction levels, leading to increased repeat business and client loyalty.
- Represented organization at industry conferences and events.
- Founded performance- and merit-based evaluation system to assess staff performance.
- Established a strong sales pipeline with targeted prospecting and lead generation techniques.
- Inspired customer success leadership to define and deliver on customer value proposition without sacrificing profitability targets.
Group Vice President- Client Development
InContext Solutions
11.2021 - 02.2023
- Strengthened client relationships through consistent communication, fostering loyalty and driving revenue growth.
- Delivered consistent revenue growth through diligent execution of strategic initiatives and effective management of the group portfolio.
- Oversaw talent acquisition initiatives to attract top-tier candidates and build a high-performing workforce.
- Developed cross-functional teams to achieve optimal collaboration and drive business growth.
- Represented organization at industry conferences and events.
- Initiated strategy to drive company growth and increase market share and profitability.
- Maintained P&L and shouldered corporate fiscal responsibility.
- Devised and presented business plans and forecasts to board of directors.
- Communicated business performance, forecasts and strategies to investors and shareholders.
- Founded performance- and merit-based evaluation system to assess staff performance.
Vice President of Client Development
InContext Solutions
01.2019 - 10.2021
- Negotiated high-value contracts that maximized profitability while mitigating risks for the organization.
Vice President of Customer Success
InContext Solutions
08.2017 - 12.2018
- Achieved 2017 bookings goals and contributed to YOY organizational growth of +26% through the evangelization of two key product solutions within my client base
- Outperformed H1 2018 goals driven by a focus on projects that incur recurring revenue (+129% to H1 goal) and those that align with a short delivery time enabling client ROI to be recognized immediately
- Responsible for managing an account base representing $2.3M in annual bookings through ShopperMX virtual solutions
- Lead quarterly business reviews to highlight the value of virtual and strengthen my relationships with strategic account partners
- Experience with strategic planning for the changing landscape within CPG using virtual visualization, respondent testing and activation
- Deep knowledge of InContext offerings and ability to create demand through education and sharing examples of best-in-class application of virtual solutions
- Voice of customer as a member of Project TEAM, encouraging progression to maintain and improve upon InContext’s cutting edge technology
- Leader for Sr
- Customer Success Manager team members by sharing guidance on building relationships, positioning sales proposals and communicating the value proposition for our virtual solutions
- Nominated to the Executive Advisory Committee with responsibility to provide the CEO and other executives with ongoing feedback regarding company culture, policies and creative suggestions for improvements
Director of Client Development
InContext Solutions
08.2016 - 07.2017
- Achieved
Director of Account Management & Operations
Gigwalk
02.2015 - 08.2016
- Responsible for account outreach, securing meetings, completing demos, communicating capabilities, identifying client needs, matching needs with Gigwalk’s offerings and closing deals
- Head of the Operations team with responsibility for managing the technical and quality support models for both enterprise and crowdsource solutions
- Met revenue goals in 2015, which contributed to doubling the organization revenue vs 2014
- Secured two SaaS enterprise partnerships in Q1 2016
- Generated organic revenue within a new division of my top account through a creative approach and relay of Gigwalk capabilities
- Adaptable to working in a very fast-paced environment with crowdsource sales cycles averaging a week and SaaS sales cycles averaging a few months
- Liaison and day-to-day contact for Gigwalk’s top channel partner
- Member of the committee charged with securing a third-party partnership for improved visualizations, which strengthened Gigwalk’s deliverables
- Mentor to two junior members of the Account and Client Success teams
Director, Strategic Solutions
Information Resources, Inc. (now Circana)
08.2011 - 02.2015
- Played an active and strategic role in the RFP process from account needs assessment to pricing and contract generation
- Managed and tracked account messaging, responses and overall engagement
- Strategized with team to determine account-specific engagement plans
- Supported cross-functional collaboration to ensure we represented the organization as one voice
- Built trusting relationships with accounts by providing meaningful and impactful analyses and industry information
- Ownership of retail portal management, including, new agreements, renewals and portal training
- Designed and implemented best practice training materials for clients participating in pilot programs
- Advanced skillset within IRI’s Market Advantage and Consumer Shopper Insights Advantage
Manager, Client Insights
Information Resources, Inc.- 3M Corporate Onsite (now Circana)
06.2009 - 08.2011
- Managed client contract, deliverables, services and overall relationship with IRI
- Provided ongoing training and software support for client users
- Supported 3M’s retail partnerships through the completion of category analysis, including, insights and recommendations
- Managed monthly and quarterly scheduled deliverables
- Recommended updates that both met the client’s needs and reduced the overall time dedicated to each report refresh
- Sold incremental contracts to Stationery and Construction Home Improvement Markets divisions valued at $400k, contributing to IRI revenue growth of +32% vs
- YA on the 3M account
- Partnership with internal IRI teams (GOC, TSG, etc.) to deliver custom database, custom stub, Hendry market structure and IMPACT site
- Recipient of 2 Make It Happen awards
Marketing Analyst
Andersen Corporation
04.2007 - 05.2009
- Created and maintained the standard Operational Planning Document used for all executive business reviews
- Implemented the monthly performance review for the Home Depot team
- Managed competitive reporting through the utilization of sources, such as, Traqline, Morgan Stanley reports and market insights
- Responsible for Home Depot category reviews containing sales, pricing, promotional and other analyses
National Accounts Sales Analyst
Ghirardelli Chocolate Company
02.2007 - 04.2007
- Partnered with Team Leader to forecast national account sales based on approved promotions, marketing initiatives and projected growth of the brand
- Managed and reconciled trade funds through Gelco software
- Provided compelling product information to National Accounts to gain support for future store positioning, competitive pricing and inclusion of new items within the premier chocolate set
Senior Business Analyst/Business Analyst- Music Team
Target Corporation
06.2005 - 02.2007
- Promoted to Senior Business Analyst in July 2006 based on work accomplishments and the Systems Knowledge Assessment
- Responsible for a $50M business by managing inventory through orders, transitions and vendor returns
- Planned, implemented and reacted to weekly advertised titles
- Partnered with Vendors to negotiate discounts, shipping and placement of titles
- Leader of a team of fellow Analysts via Open to Buy, Forecast, Vendor, Transition and Mentor Captainships
- Initiated, planned and led a Vendor Day to discuss new strategies and opportunities
- Mentored an Analyst in Training throughout the onboarding process
Business Analyst- Fragrances and Cosmetics Team
Target Corporation
01.2005 - 06.2005
- Successfully set the largest transition of product as the first step in the Beauty Evolution reinvention
- Worked with the Buyer and my Mentor to choose the assortment for the 2006 Beauty Evolution reinvention
- Negotiated a pushback in the implementation date of the Elizabeth Arden common pre-distro conversion after recognizing the potential inventory risk if original timing and action were followed
Commission Accountant
Clark Consulting (now Integrated Healthcare Strategies)
03.2004 - 01.2005
- Audited all commission payments received and submitted timely updates to each carrier
- Consulted with carrier contacts regarding payments, challenges and forecasts
- Prepared recurring revenue reporting and gauged performance
- Recipient of the Outstanding Contribution Award
Assistant Case Coordinator
Clark Consulting (now Integrated Healthcare Strategies)
09.2002 - 03.2004
- Processed all incoming premium payments from clients
- Served as liaison between carrier contacts and the Senior Plan Administrators with respect to premium billing and receivables
- Responsible for updating all premium billing records and files
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Business, Communications
Concordia College
Moorhead, MN05-2002
Skills
- Executive Leadership
- Budgeting and Forecasting
- Sales Leadership
- Collaborative Problem-Solving
- Sales Growth
- Sales Coaching
- Proposal Development
- Sales Technology
Accomplishments
- Concordia College Dean’s List (4 times)
- Concordia Merit-based Excellence Scholarship
References
Available upon request
Timeline
Chief Revenue Officer
InContext Solutions
02.2023 - Current
Group Vice President- Client Development
InContext Solutions
11.2021 - 02.2023
Vice President of Client Development
InContext Solutions
01.2019 - 10.2021
Vice President of Customer Success
InContext Solutions
08.2017 - 12.2018
Director of Client Development
InContext Solutions
08.2016 - 07.2017
Director of Account Management & Operations
Gigwalk
02.2015 - 08.2016
Director, Strategic Solutions
Information Resources, Inc. (now Circana)
08.2011 - 02.2015
Manager, Client Insights
Information Resources, Inc.- 3M Corporate Onsite (now Circana)
06.2009 - 08.2011
Marketing Analyst
Andersen Corporation
04.2007 - 05.2009
National Accounts Sales Analyst
Ghirardelli Chocolate Company
02.2007 - 04.2007
Senior Business Analyst/Business Analyst- Music Team
Target Corporation
06.2005 - 02.2007
Business Analyst- Fragrances and Cosmetics Team
Target Corporation
01.2005 - 06.2005
Commission Accountant
Clark Consulting (now Integrated Healthcare Strategies)
03.2004 - 01.2005
Assistant Case Coordinator
Clark Consulting (now Integrated Healthcare Strategies)
09.2002 - 03.2004
Bachelor of Arts - Business, Communications
Concordia College
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