Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Skills And Tools
Interests
Timeline
Generic

Karla Cortes

Portland,OR

Summary

Strategic and community-driven Senior Marketing Project Manager with over 5 years of experience at Columbia Sportswear leading cross-functional campaigns, store openings, and initiatives that blend brand storytelling with customer experience. Recognized for developing impactful marketing strategies, driving internal mobility and diversity programs, and cultivating meaningful partnerships with nonprofit and environmental organizations. Bilingual in English and Spanish, with strong leadership, communication, and project management expertise.

Overview

11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Senior Marketing Project Manager

Columbia Sportswear
03.2023 - Current
  • Lead seasonal marketing campaigns and product launches from initiation through execution, using Workfront to manage timelines, assets, and cross-functional collaboration.
  • Directed marketing execution for 8 new store openings across the U.S. and Canada as part of Columbia’s 'Store of the Future' initiative, elevating in-store brand experience through strategic campaign visuals and VM partnerships.
  • Evaluated the success of various marketing initiatives through KPI tracking and analysis; made data-driven recommendations for continuous improvement.
  • Developed and implemented marketing strategies to use for launches, rebranding campaigns and promotions.
  • Partnered with corporate Retail HR to increase internal mobility and diversity across the organization; led training sessions and monthly forums that contributed to an 18% increase in field-to-corporate applications.
  • Active member of employee resource groups including the Women’s Leadership Initiative and Vamos Unidos, fostering inclusive workplace culture and leadership development.
  • Recipient of Columbia’s Omni Award for launching one of the company’s most impactful initiatives alongside the store experience team.
  • Managed workflow between staff, coordinating documents, planning, and creative material distribution.

Marketing Specialist

Columbia Sportswear
11.2019 - 03.2023
  • Co-led the Community Marketing Program, enabling store teams to build stronger local engagement through events, partnerships, and grassroots outreach.
  • Elevated brand reputation through the development of compelling public relations strategies and media outreach efforts. Built and managed B2B relationships with national and regional partners including Save Our Shores, Conservation International, Surfrider Foundation, Ocean Conservancy, and National Park Foundation.
  • Drove a 20% increase in event engagement through strategic partnership activations and community-based marketing.
  • Supported the remodeling of Columbia’s employee stores in Portland, OR and Richmond, CA to align with updated brand and customer experience standards.
  • Increased brand awareness by developing and implementing targeted marketing campaigns.

Supervisor / Barista

Starbucks Coffee Company
08.2014 - 08.2019
  • Promoted from Barista to Supervisor while attending college full-time; led daily operations, coachedteam members, and maintained a strong focus on customer service in a fast-paced retail environment.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology, Human Development

University of California, Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA
05-2019

Class of 2014 -

Gilroy High School
Gilroy, CA
01.2014

Skills

  • Project & Campaign Management
  • Cross-Functional Team Leadership
  • Internal Communications
  • Diversity & Inclusion Strategy
  • Marketing & Community Engagement
  • B2B Partnerships
  • Community Marketing Initiatives
  • Visual Merchandising Strategy
  • WorkFront (Project Management)
  • Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator)
  • Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
  • Google Analytics

Certification

  • Leadership Development Program – Columbia Sportswear
  • Project Management Training – Columbia Sportswear

Skills And Tools

Project & Campaign Management, Project Planning & Execution, Campaign Development & Launch Coordination, Cross-Functional Team Leadership, Internal Communications, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy, Marketing & Community Engagement, B2B Partnerships, Community Marketing Initiatives, Visual Merchandising Strategy, Event Planning & Engagement Growth, Brand Development, Workfront (Project Management), Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator), Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word), Google Analytics

Interests

  • Environmental Conservation Projects
  • Participating in fundraising events to support local charities, schools, or community projects
  • Homelessness Outreach
  • Youth Development Programs
  • Graphic Design


Timeline

Senior Marketing Project Manager

Columbia Sportswear
03.2023 - Current

Marketing Specialist

Columbia Sportswear
11.2019 - 03.2023

Supervisor / Barista

Starbucks Coffee Company
08.2014 - 08.2019

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology, Human Development

University of California, Santa Cruz

Class of 2014 -

Gilroy High School

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Karla Cortes