Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Timeline
Generic

Laurna Strehl

Owensboro

Summary

Experienced with strategic planning, organizational leadership, and stakeholder management. Utilizes a collaborative approach to drive team performance and achieve company objectives. Track record of effectively managing resources and navigating complex challenges to deliver sustained growth.

Overview

35
35
years of professional experience

Work History

Executive Director

Western Kentucky Botanical Garden
04.2015 - Current
  • I was originally hired to increase awareness of The Garden and to facilitate children’s programming. My job quickly expanded to event planning and also managing The Garden’s private event rentals. I created a presence on behalf of the garden as an ambassador for the garden by attending Chamber events, conducting television interviews, and attending all community events that were pertinent. In June 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, I was appointed to the Executive Director role. Significant strategic, financial, and transformational policy and operational changes have occurred under my guidance and inspiration. In three years, the garden conducted a successful $2.8 million Capital Campaign. The last phase of the capital campaign is the completion of a $1.6 million event center by the end of 2026.
  • Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide operational strategy.
  • Oversaw financial management, ensuring fiscal responsibility and long-term sustainability for the organization.
  • Guided staff through periods of organizational change, maintaining morale and engagement during transitions.
  • Forge strong relationships with board members, providing regular updates on organizational progress and soliciting their expertise when needed.
  • Fostered work culture of collaboration and inclusion to increase morale and reduce turnover.
  • Built relationships with donors, government officials and other organizations to secure funding and support for organization.
  • Negotiated contracts with vendors, securing favorable terms while adhering to budgetary constraints.
  • Represented organization to local public by giving presentations and speeches and participating in community events.
  • Exercised appropriate cost control to meet budget restrictions and maximize profitability.
  • Collaborated with external organizations including non-profits, businesses and government agencies to create mutually beneficial partnerships.
  • Led successful fundraising campaigns, securing critical resources for program development and expansion.
  • Advocated for organization and company mission to raise awareness and support.
  • Created promotional materials and provided insightful information to social media, websites and print media to educate public.
  • Enhanced organizational visibility and reputation by spearheading comprehensive rebranding initiatives.
  • Oversaw business-wide changes to modernize procedures and organization.

Administrative Assistant

Sazerac Company
08.2014 - 04.2015
  • I was hired for a special project at the request of the Owensboro president of operations at the time, Chris Stout. I documented in great detail job descriptions and job functions for numerous positions in various departments.

Administrative Assistant

Ameriprise Financial Services
04.2013 - 04.2014
  • My responsibilities included managing a calendar for the CEO, customer service including assisting in event planning, administrative support to numerous staff, and written correspondence with clients.

Household Manager

Home
08.2002 - 04.2013
  • I chose to be a stay at home mom until all 3 of my children were enrolled in school. During these years I was always involved in church programs, volunteered at their schools in various capacities, and immersed my children in nature and art every chance available.

Manager

Omnicare: D & R Pharmacare
11.1994 - 08.2002
  • I worked in a fast paced environment for a long term care pharmacy. I managed both the order entry and medical records departments. I was a leader of the day to day operations. I was systems administrator for our proprietary software and implemented the conversion process and ongoing development of the software. I was also a customer service liaison for the directors of nursing for the 25 nursing home facilities that we provided pharmacy and medical records services.

Pharmacy Technician

Owensboro Health
07.1990 - 07.1994
  • My responsibilities included assisting the pharmacist for all pharmacy needs. It was a fast paced environment where I learned a lot of people skills as well as immeasurable amount of pharmacy knowledge.

Education

Graduate - Leadership Owensboro Class of 2022

Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce
05-2022

Pre-Pharmacy - Medicinal And Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Owensboro Community College
01.1994

Skills

  • Affective leadership skills
  • Possess drive and passion
  • Organized
  • Interpersonal communication skills
  • Event planning
  • Community engagement
  • Project management
  • Operations management
  • Budgeting and financial management
  • Public speaking
  • Leadership development
  • Business management
  • Operational planning
  • Marketing
  • Partnership development
  • Fundraising expertise
  • Social media
  • Operations oversight
  • Effective communicator and public speaker
  • Revenue growth

Accomplishments

  • Member of Impact 100
  • Second Vice President of St Vincent de Paul
  • Graduate of Leadership Owensboro Class of 2022
  • Past Chair of Leadership Owensboro Alumni
  • Rotary Club Member

Timeline

Executive Director

Western Kentucky Botanical Garden
04.2015 - Current

Administrative Assistant

Sazerac Company
08.2014 - 04.2015

Administrative Assistant

Ameriprise Financial Services
04.2013 - 04.2014

Household Manager

Home
08.2002 - 04.2013

Manager

Omnicare: D & R Pharmacare
11.1994 - 08.2002

Pharmacy Technician

Owensboro Health
07.1990 - 07.1994

Graduate - Leadership Owensboro Class of 2022

Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce

Pre-Pharmacy - Medicinal And Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Owensboro Community College

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Laurna Strehl