Helen Kouvelis
Des Plaines,IL
Summary
Proactive Executive Assistant with extensive experience managing executive calendars, coordinating travel, and handling confidential information. Known for streamlining communication, organizing events, and supporting senior leadership with professional administrative assistance. Possess strong skills in meeting planning, document preparation, and office management.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Assistant
American Freight Furniture and Mattress
07.2023 - 11.2024
- Maintained confidentiality and handled sensitive information with discretion and tact.
- Managed executive calendars, scheduling meetings and appointments and coordinating travel arrangements to optimize time.
- Processed travel expenses and reimbursements for executive team.
- Served as a liaison between departments to facilitate effective communication throughout the company.
- Coordinated monthly meetings, planned special events, volunteered for corporate fundraising and worked on ad hoc projects..
- Prepared and edited high-quality presentations on behalf of executives for both internal meetings and external conferences.
- Collaborated on special projects to improve overall business operations within the organization efficiently.
- Facilitated onboarding of new employees, ensuring smooth transition into company culture and workflow.
Communications Manager
American Freight Furniture and Mattress
04.2022 - 06.2023
- Developed key message frameworks providing a strong corporate identity, clear branding and consistent messaging within the organization, while also tailoring communication styles to suit diverse audiences.
- Maintained accurate distribution lists, ensuring messages were effectively received by the appropriate groups.
- Improved organizational efficiency by streamlining the process for gathering and disseminating important company updates.
- Worked with cross-functional teams to create communications consisting of content ranging from informational to actionable to urgent.
- Developed and distributed weekly internal newsletters that kept staff informed and engaged.
- Managed company website content and access, enhancing user experience and engagement.
Business Development Manager
American Freight Furniture and Mattress
10.2019 - 03.2022
- Fostered strong relationships with over 700 franchise and independent store owners by providing on-demand support as well as regular communication and training resources to ensure successful partnerships and collaboration built on trust and mutual respect.
- Improved efficiency in the commission process by optimizing daily sales commission calculation and validation procedures and streamlining report distribution to franchisees.
- Managed close process for commissions accounting, ensuring timely payouts and accurate financial records.
- Minimized errors in commission calculations by maintaining up-to-date knowledge of plan structures and requirements and provided timely and accurate commission updates addressing any discrepancies promptly.
- Performed ad hoc analysis as requested by senior management to analyze trends, outliers, and areas for improvement within the franchisee commission structure.
- Maintained detailed documentation on all aspects of the commission program, facilitating easy reference for team members when needed.
Assistant Merchant, Signing & Display
Sears Hometown & Outlet Stores Inc.
05.2014 - 02.2015
- Worked with store managers in over 500 locations to implement new displays, promotions, signage and store layout changes to enhance store aesthetics, optimize floor space, and maximize sales.
- Played a key role in seasonal signage changeovers, preparing stores for fresh displays with minimal downtime.
- Facilitated communication between corporate visual merchandising teams and local staff members, ensuring consistent implementation of branding guidelines across all locations.
- Developed strong relationships with vendors, negotiating favorable terms for production and delivery of signage and display materials.
Executive Assistant
Sears Holdings Company
01.2005 - 10.2012
- Handled confidential and sensitive information with discretion and tact.
- Managed executive calendars, coordinating travel arrangements to optimize time.
- Processed travel expenses and reimbursements for executive team.
- Prepared and edited presentations on behalf of executives for both internal meetings and external conferences.
- Screened and answered a high volume of calls and emails and responded accordingly to support executive correspondence.
- Ensured smooth daily operations through consistent maintenance of office equipment, troubleshooting issues when necessary.
- Facilitated equipment and systems access requests to ensure a smooth onboarding process for new hires.
Skills
- Confidential Executive Support
- Strong Problem Solver
- Interpersonal Communication
- Meeting and Event planning
- Advanced MS Office Suite
Timeline
Executive Assistant
American Freight Furniture and Mattress
07.2023 - 11.2024
Communications Manager
American Freight Furniture and Mattress
04.2022 - 06.2023
Business Development Manager
American Freight Furniture and Mattress
10.2019 - 03.2022
Assistant Merchant, Signing & Display
Sears Hometown & Outlet Stores Inc.
05.2014 - 02.2015
Executive Assistant
Sears Holdings Company
01.2005 - 10.2012
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