LaTonya Turner
Community Relations
Lansing,MI
Summary
Dynamic and highly motivated Community Outreach & Engagement Professional with over 10 years of experience engaging members of diverse communities, government agencies and private organizations in strategic partnership ventures to develop cross-functional relationship that contribute to business growth and awareness raising. Proven ability to promote mandates and services with corporate and non-profit sectors through market trend analysis and detailed research. Meticulously organized and implemented customer and community engagement initiatives flawlessly to build long-term relationships with stakeholders and community members.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
License
Work History
Community Collaborator
City of Kalamazoo, Department of Public Safety
Kalamazoo , MI
11.2020 - Current
- Implemented strategies to help community manage stress and difficult emotions.
- Foster strong community relationships which include bridging gap between our local universities and Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS).
- Established trusting relationship with community by maintaining professionalism and honoring confidentiality, including billing, payments, and contracts.
- Assist in planning, organizing, and implementing of
internal and external events through KDPS, utilizing expertise in contracts, customer relationship management, and technological infrastructure. - Liaison between KDPS and the community organizations in Kalamazoo, ensuring positive collaboration, to support the vision & goals of KDPS.
- Develop and implement community contact marketing plan or provide clear strategic direction for initiative execution, increasing community partnerships by 60%.
- Develop contacts with vendor or referral sources to maximize partnership opportunities.
- Resolve external complaints to promote positive interaction with the community.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
Community Outreach & Engagement Specialist
Consumer Energy Energy Efficiency Program
East Lansing , MI
01.2019 - 11.2020
- Developed presentations for public events, community groups and school assemblies.
- Connected individuals with available and relevant resources.
- Acted as main point of contact between management, clinical staffs and external community.
- Created and implemented community-based programs to improve education or energy efficiency needs.
- Surveyed local program participants to ascertain problematic areas requiring improvement.
- Conducted community workshops to promote different programs and educate public on available services.
- Managed programs focused on providing community services to underserved populations.
Membership Representative II
Auto Club Group/ AAA Insurance
03.2013 - 01.2019
- Maintained membership database, ensuring that all information was current and accurate.
- Lead member service representative, responsible for receiving and processing inquiries, requests and concerns.
- Creates customer accounts and serves as primary liaison between organization and customers.
- Reply to written and/or verbal inquiries regarding memberships, investigating and resolving any situations that may arise.
- Identified issues and immediately stepped up to guarantee speedy and effective resolutions.
- Quick thinking and documenting of all necessary information.
- Contacted customers and prospects to generate new business to achieve company growth goals.
Insurance Account Representative
State Farm Insurance, Stacy Lewis Agency
10.2008 - 03.2013
- Educated clients on insurance policies and procedures.
- Analyzed customer needs to provide customized insurance solutions.
- Met with customers to provide information about available products and policies.
- Calculated premiums and established payment methods for sales.
- Determined financial needs by assessing existing coverage and aligning new products and services with long-term goals.
- Maintains customer accounts and serves as the primary liaison between the organization and the customer.
Marketing Representative
State Farm Insurance Company Stacy Lewis Agency
Lansing , MI
05.2006 - 12.2007
- Coordinated with sales and operational teams to verify alignment of marketing initiatives with company goals.
- Determined customers' needs and provided brand awareness and recommendations to fulfill requirements.
- Developed robust knowledge of all products and services.
- Maintain working relationships with third parties and vendors. Produce literature, merchandise, signage and other marketing materials necessary to increase awareness and productivity by 50%.
- Developed and implemented comprehensive marketing strategies to increase brand awareness and customer acquisition.
- Track marketing and expenses in an organized fashion.
- Maintain working relationships with third parties and vendors.
- Cultivated interpersonal skills by building positive relationships with others.
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
Variable Annuities New Business Processor
Jackson National Life Insurance
12.2007 - 07.2008
- Performed exceptional customer service on collection calls and maintained calm and professional demeanor.
- Managed over 50 customers per day increasing sales by approx. 10%.
- Provided superior customer service support to clients and worked to move their business forward.
- Provide information regarding product features, contract values, fund performance, IRA transfers, and rollovers.
- Make recommendations regarding procedure changes and system enhancements.
Special Ed. Substitute
Lansing School District
08.2005 - 12.2007
- Instructional and classroom management processes for teachers when they are absent. Reinforce core concepts.
- Insures instructional activity continues as usual.
- Adapted teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- Upheld classroom routines to support student environments and maintain consistent schedules.
- Kept students on-task with proactive behavior modification and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Enforced school and class rules to maintain order in classroom.
GSP, Electronic Enrollment, Admin. Asst. III
Michigan Education Special Services Association
East Lansing , MI
11.2003 - 04.2005
- Started as Administrative Assistant, then onto an Electronic Enrollee, then Group Service Processor.
- Maintained a healthy, organized, work fostering atmosphere. Assumed all clerical tasks and office support help.
- Greeted customers, in person or over the phone with highest levels of customer service.
- Worked to ensure proper timing for processes and assignments to meet deadlines.
- Ensured eligibility for enrollment.
- Executed record filing system to improve document organization and management.
- Fostered new business relationships with school enrollment coordinator through inbound call center.
Education
Bachelor of Science - B.S. Computer Information Systems, Business Mgmt.
Ferris State University | College of Business
Big Rapids2002
Skills
- Customer Account Conflict Resolution
- Community Engagement
- Event Planning & Coordination
- Strategic Planning and Facilitation
- Relationship Building
- Community Government Outreach
- Event Budget Management
- Analytical Problem Solving
Accomplishments
COMMUNITY OUTREACH & ENGAGEMENT
Plan and orchestrate grand events that will promote and foster strategic community partnerships and relationships. Help to organize and implement consumer outreach programs and other marketing events, including meetings, preparing PowerPoint presentations, as well as managing vendors. Developed and managed expansive community contact registry to align with the organization’s vision.
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
Distinguished public speaking, communicates information clearly and effectively with an ability to adapt to various audiences and speaking situations.
Notable Public Speaking Presentation
- AAA public speaking presentations on TheOlderandWiserDriverandSafetyforSchoolAgedChildren in Lansing and East Lansing area.
- Supervised and presented insurance and financial service workshop for community participants.
Certification
- Licensed Producer, State of Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Service, Life/Accident/Health - [2008]
- Licensed Producer, State of Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Service, Property/Casualty - [2007]
Work Preference
Work Type
Full TimeWork Location
HybridImportant To Me
Company CultureWork-life balanceCareer advancementPaid sick leavePaid time off401k matchHealthcare benefits4-day work weekTeam Building / Company RetreatsFlexible work hoursWork from home optionPersonal development programsStock Options / Equity / Profit SharingProfessional and Personal Development
- Moral Courage College Training Program [2023]
- Cultural Agility for Leadership and Service in Public Entities [2023]
- West Michigan Women in Leadership Symposium, National Diversity Council [2022, 2023]
- Leadership Kalamazoo Cohort [2021]
- Agent Development Program (ADP) [Leadership] Training - [2012]
Timeline
Community Collaborator
City of Kalamazoo, Department of Public Safety
11.2020 - Current
Community Outreach & Engagement Specialist
Consumer Energy Energy Efficiency Program
01.2019 - 11.2020
Membership Representative II
Auto Club Group/ AAA Insurance
03.2013 - 01.2019
Insurance Account Representative
State Farm Insurance, Stacy Lewis Agency
10.2008 - 03.2013
Variable Annuities New Business Processor
Jackson National Life Insurance
12.2007 - 07.2008
Marketing Representative
State Farm Insurance Company Stacy Lewis Agency
05.2006 - 12.2007
Special Ed. Substitute
Lansing School District
08.2005 - 12.2007
GSP, Electronic Enrollment, Admin. Asst. III
Michigan Education Special Services Association
11.2003 - 04.2005
Bachelor of Science - B.S. Computer Information Systems, Business Mgmt.
Ferris State University | College of Business
- Agent Development Program (ADP) [Leadership] Training - [2012]
- Licensed in State of Michigan - [2008]
- Licensed in State of Michigan- [2007]
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