KAREN J. RALSTON

Work History

Client Services Administrator

BABY PROOFING MONTGOMERY

Montgomery County, MD

01.2013 - 01.2023

Responsible for converting prospects into customers and moving them through the sales cycle, while providing a positive experience from initial inquiry to final installation.
Served as initial contact for potential clients, scheduled all evaluation and installation appointments and managed busy company/client calendar.
Managed employee relations and initiated plans to improve company morale.
Educated clients and collaborated with them on creating customized safety solutions for their homes.
Created and implemented protocols for tracking clients' progression through the sales process and collected testimonials for use on company website and promotional materials.
Developed systems for organizing and sharing client estimates and other company-wide documents.
Sought opportunities for company growth and organized events and presentations to promote services to new parents.
Implemented conflict resolution and problem solving initiatives.

Regional Coordinator

LET ME RUN

Montgomery County, MD

01.2017 - 01.2020

Responsible for building and developing the Let Me Run program throughout the Metro-DC area.
Marketed the program to area elementary and middle schools.
Developed community relationships to cultivate donors and volunteers to ensure region's revenue and goals were achieved.
Prepared and executed presentations at local schools, county PTA meetings, and other relevant groups.
Recruited and trained coaches and managed coach retention.
Secured local team sponsors and donors.
Managed site and coach registration for several teams per season.
Raised scholarship funds through special events and other avenues, and strategically allocated scholarships among teams.
Created and consistently updated social media campaigns.
Developed marketing and awareness plans that raised the visibility and understanding of Let Me Run in the region.
Established and continually adjusted regional budget.
Researched local 5K races and partnered with race directors. Managed all aspects of teams' participation in end-of-season celebratory race.

Director of Recruitment and Retention

KENSINGTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT (KVFD)

Kensington, MD

01.2009 - 01.2016

Responsible for building organizational capacity by recruiting volunteers for membership and training as firefighters and emergency medical service providers.
Identified potential sources of volunteers and implemented strategies to reach those communities.
Established and maintained partnerships in the community to ensure incoming flow of new volunteers.
Actively pursued and scheduled speaking opportunities and conducted recruitment presentations to community groups.
Created marketing materials for recruitment, outreach and publicity.
Updated and enhanced the KVFD website and utilized social media to boost publicity and marketing programs.
Wrote and distributed press releases and public service announcements to support recruitment efforts and visibility.
Organized and executed events to elevate KVFD's profile in the community.
Performed news searches and kept membership informed about current events relevant to recruitment and retention.
Generated online surveys and subsequent analytical reports in order to improve retention within KVFD membership.
Executed team-building events and initiatives to ensure continuous improvement of morale among KVFD members.
Collaborated with other volunteer organizations on retention issues and solutions.
Guided prospects through application process and led new members through training and probationary periods.
Oversaw human resources committee and participated in all phases of the application process, including review of applications, scheduling and conducting interviews, and evaluating candidates for acceptance into training program.

Director of Marketing & Outreach

THE PRINCETON REVIEW

Washington, DC

01.2005 - 01.2007

Responsible for increasing awareness of and enrollment in test preparation programs.
Developed short and long-term marketing strategies in an effort to increase enrollment and convert prospects into customers.
Created and executed email and internet campaigns. Designed promotional materials and advertisements to be used in marketing campaigns. Determined most effective media for ad placement.
Cultivated and maintained partnerships with organizations and educational institutions in an effort to promote products.
Monitored prospect stream and student enrollment, anticipated problem areas, and worked to ensure achievement of enrollment goals.
Ensured effective implementation of marketing campaigns, promotions, events and national messages.
Lead and managed team of interns and field marketing representatives ensuring an aggressive presence at area colleges.
Researched and reported on the efforts of competitors.

Director of Special Events and Development/Communications Specialist

CYSTIC FIBROSIS FOUNDATION (CFF)

Bethesda, MD

01.1999 - 01.2003

Responsible for developing, planning, marketing and promoting, implementing, and managing fund-raising events.
Exceeded expectations and financial goals for each event. Raised revenues in excess of $500,000 per year.
Pursued, developed, and maintained media connections.
Consistently drove revenue into the CFF by developing past sponsors and volunteers. Successful in obtaining new volunteers and sponsors, contributing to event growth and exceeding expectations and goals each year.
Created presentations and spoke before large corporate groups to solicit funds and procure corporate sponsorships.
Wrote effective advertising and promotional materials including brochures, flyers, press releases and public service announcements.
Recruited and supervised volunteers, conducted interviews with job applicants and assisted in making hiring decisions. Trained and managed event coordinators and directors.
Built budgets and timetables pertaining to special events.
Developed and led volunteer event committees. Built a growing network of business contacts in the region.
Managed all aspects of nine walk-a-thon sites, golf tournaments, marathons, galas, and other revenue-generating events throughout the Washington, DC area. Directed all logistics on event day.
Designed and wrote monthly newsletter highlighting CFF developments and fundraising events.

Overview

Work History

Client Services Administrator

Regional Coordinator

Director of Recruitment and Retention

Director of Marketing & Outreach

Director of Special Events and Development/Communications Specialist

Timeline

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