Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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Iretha Kerns

Charlotte,NC

Summary

Experienced Life Enrichment Director with a heart for music therapy, dedicated to infusing environments with joy, purpose, and creativity. Passionate about enhancing lives beyond professional roles. Actively engaged in community network building, sponsorship cultivation, and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. As a long time caregiver adept at managing life with dementia and as a volunteer Community Engagement Director, I am driven by a vision to establish a Wellness Clinic for underserved families. With 8 years of state-certified Life Enrichment expertise, coupled with 26 years of volunteering, nonprofit fundraising, and Six Sigma Greenbelt training, I am poised to contribute tenacious energy to a company that values talent, ambition, and the drive to create something extraordinary."

Overview

34
34
years of professional experience

Work History

Life Enrichment Director

Preston House Memory Care
01.2022 - 01.2024
  • Comprehensive Recreational Programming: Strategically planned and executed recreational programs catering to the needs and interests of 40 memory care residents, including exercises, games, sports, arts and crafts, and dancing, fostering a vibrant and engaging community environment.
  • Community Engagement and Outings: Coordinated weekly trips to the park for picnics, providing residents with opportunities for outdoor recreation and socialization, and served as a reliable transportation resource for residents' doctor's appointments, ensuring their health needs were met.
  • Staff Morale Enhancement: Through your leadership and presence, successfully elevated staff morale, fostering a culture of friendliness and respect among team members, ultimately enhancing the overall resident experience and quality of care.
  • Entertainment Expansion and Corporate Support: Increased resident entertainment options by 80% and actively supported corporate initiatives such as Pathways to Discovery, demonstrating a commitment to enhancing the quality of life for residents and aligning with organizational goals.
  • Recognition and Awards: Earned two facility awards and received bonuses for two consecutive years in recognition of outstanding customer satisfaction survey results, highlighting your dedication to excellence in resident care and satisfaction.

Director of Activities

Willow Ridge Assisted Living/Memory Care
01.2017 - 01.2021
  • Created engaging activities and programs to fulfill social need and improve quality of life for seniors w/dementia -Welcomed all new residents to the community upon move-in, strengthened relationships with family and friends -Conducted family nights and Alzheimer's support group meetings -Managed appointments for family visits, created community network & sustainable donation contributions -Maintained medical transport calendar & drove residents to doctor's appointments -First Activities manager to acquire corporate sponsor for Willow Ridge
  • Awarded the BB&T/ Truist Bank Lighthouse Grant

Dietary Supervisor

The Parc At Sharon Amity Memory Care/ALG
05.2016 - 12.2017
  • Boosted overall resident dinning satisfaction levels due to timely response rates on special diet requests or modifications.
  • Ensured consistent flavor profiles across dishes by carefully measuring ingredients according to established recipes.
  • Implemented a proactive approach to problem-solving within the department by encouraging open dialogue. Encouraged a culture of excellence & team building.
  • Managed budgetary constraints effectively, ensuring minimal impact on the quality of meals served to patients.
  • Revitalized department morale by consistently demonstrating dependability and lowering turnover rate. Everyone wanted to work with me when I managed the kitchen.
  • Approached job training with creativity by establishing space for internal communications . Implemented documentation for dress codes, job duties and training material for clinical staff to learn resident diets.
  • Maintained a clean and sanitary work environment, adhering to health department regulations and safety protocols.

Marketing Director

New Creation Outreach Ministries
01.2015 - 12.2015
  • Brand Enhancement and Messaging: Led the redesign of the organization's logo and revised the Mission Statement and Marketing Solicitation Packet, effectively aligning branding with organizational goals.
  • Strategic Foundation Building: Established a sustainable marketing department by conducting thorough marketing research and laying a strong foundation for future initiatives.
  • Community Engagement and Outreach: Conducted demographic research for low-income areas and Title One schools, facilitating targeted outreach efforts and community engagement strategies.
  • Database Development and Resource Compilation: Created comprehensive databases for clients and prospects, ensuring efficient communication and outreach efforts. Compiled a book of financial resources based on research from reputable sources like the Charlotte Business Journal.
  • Grant Acquisition Strategy: Implemented a monthly calendar to guide lead canvassing for grants, optimizing grant acquisition efforts and increasing funding opportunities for the organization.
  • Administrative Support and Communication: Managed administrative tasks and served as the primary point of contact for written correspondence. Additionally, created promotional materials such as special event flyers and maintained website updates and social media presence to enhance visibility and engagement.

Technology and Robotics Youth Development Professional

Boys And Girls Club
09.2010 - 01.2014
  • Academic Support and Social Development: Provided academic assistance and mentorship to 2nd and 3rd graders, addressing homework, projects, and fostering social skills through group discussions, conflict resolution, and positive behavior reinforcement.
  • Computer Lab Management and STEM Education: Managed and maintained a computer lab, implementing innovative strategies to optimize space and organization. Designed STEM stations with progressive projects to enhance critical thinking skills, fostering teamwork and collaboration among students through engaging activities with LEGO, dominoes, roller coasters, and games.
  • Revitalized Interest in STEM: Recognized for revitalizing interest in the computer lab and increasing student participation in STEM activities by 50%, demonstrating a passion for inspiring young minds in technology and robotics.
  • Board Recognition and Special Demonstrations: Acknowledged by management with a donation for a $600 robot kit, which students used to build and program a robot capable of moonwalking and speaking. Conducted special demonstrations for staff, showcasing student achievements and fostering pride in the classroom's accomplishments, making it a highlight of facility tours.

Much Ado Banquet Server

Davidson College
01.2009 - 01.2010
  • Provide excellent hospitality as first contact for guests during special events at Davidson College. - Mastered the ability to handle multiple interruptions while serving in high volume traffic situations.

New Business Marketing Representative

University Sam’s Club
01.2003 - 01.2008
  • Significant Membership Sales Growth: Successfully increased membership sales by an impressive 44%, demonstrating effectiveness in driving business growth.
  • Group Membership Sales Achievement: Closed a significant group membership sale just 8 weeks after deployment, showcasing quick adaptability and sales acumen.
  • Top Performer Recognition: Ranked as the seventh best out of three hundred marketing representatives, with the highest closing rate across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, highlighting exceptional sales skills and performance.
  • Regional Recognition and Awards: Earned the "Best in New Business" regional award for the University Store, reflecting outstanding contributions to new business development and sales success.
  • Adoption of Unique Marketing Approach: Received recognition from the corporate office for a unique marketing approach, leading to the adoption of your methods and the selection of you as a trainer for new hires from across the region, indicating leadership and innovation in marketing strategies.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to create cohesive marketing strategies that aligned with company goals and objectives.

Assistant Supervisor

Philip Morris
11.2002 - 11.2003
  • Efficient File Conversion: Successfully converted 500 files from Adobe PageMaker to MS Word 97 for the Training Center, improving accessibility and usability of documents. Hired on a one-year contract term to work exclusively on this project. Completed assignment in six weeks.
  • New Assignment: Promoted to Assistant Supervisor in Cigarette Manufacturing and efficiently eliminated Equipment Downtime Report backlog within three weeks, showed strong leadership and organizational skills.
  • Project Selection by Management: Asked to perform the Windows XP migration project, demonstrating trust in your abilities and technical expertise. Input was highly respected during attended meetings.

Computer Support Analyst for Corporate Real Estate

Bank of America
01.2001 - 01.2002
  • System Upgrade Implementation: Successfully managed and executed PC upgrade projects across multiple corporate locations, migrating clients from outdated platforms to newer systems on time and within budget.
  • Lotus Notes Database Administration: Oversaw regular maintenance and security access as a Lotus Notes Database Administrator, ensuring the smooth functioning of critical databases.
  • Executive Desktop Support and Reporting: Provided desktop support to senior executives and generated benchmark reports using SQL queries, contributing to informed decision-making processes.
  • CRE Property Management Database Maintenance: Conducted daily database administration tasks for commercial real estate (CRE) property management, ensuring data accuracy and system reliability.
  • Classroom Training Support and Management: Supported classroom training initiatives by providing hardware support and managing class scheduling, contributing to the effectiveness of training programs. Recognized for exceptional writing skills by executive management, demonstrating versatile capabilities in addition to technical proficiency.

Technical Computer Support

IBM
01.1990 - 01.2000
  • Streamlined IT processes by developing and maintaining comprehensive documentation of policies, procedures, and user guides.
  • Call Center Technical Support: Provided comprehensive technical support for software, hardware, network connectivity, remote systems access, printing, and mainframe configurations. Served as the contact for second-level Lotus Notes calls on the Global Services helpdesk.
  • Program Administrator and Trainer for IT Manager, where I trained 80 secretaries to use Lotus Notes, demonstrating leadership and instructional abilities.
  • Executive Administration and Event Planning: providing administrative support for Reengineering and Worldwide Business Strategy departments. Organized international symposium events for executives from France, Germany, and Japan, managing and editing presentations for speakers addressing groups ranging from 500 to 1500 attendees.
  • Career Progression: Started as a co-op student and was subsequently promoted from manufacturing upon completion of computer programmng degree, showcasing dedication and advancement within the organization.

Education

Computer Science -

CPCC

Diploma -

North Mecklenburg High School

Skills

  • Networking
  • Digital Marketing
  • Strategic Planning
  • Project Planning
  • Key decision making
  • Project Oversight
  • Cost Management
  • Stakeholder Relations
  • Social Media Marketing
  • Relationship Building

Timeline

Life Enrichment Director

Preston House Memory Care
01.2022 - 01.2024

Director of Activities

Willow Ridge Assisted Living/Memory Care
01.2017 - 01.2021

Dietary Supervisor

The Parc At Sharon Amity Memory Care/ALG
05.2016 - 12.2017

Marketing Director

New Creation Outreach Ministries
01.2015 - 12.2015

Technology and Robotics Youth Development Professional

Boys And Girls Club
09.2010 - 01.2014

Much Ado Banquet Server

Davidson College
01.2009 - 01.2010

New Business Marketing Representative

University Sam’s Club
01.2003 - 01.2008

Assistant Supervisor

Philip Morris
11.2002 - 11.2003

Computer Support Analyst for Corporate Real Estate

Bank of America
01.2001 - 01.2002

Technical Computer Support

IBM
01.1990 - 01.2000

Computer Science -

CPCC

Diploma -

North Mecklenburg High School

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Iretha Kerns