Michael Curnes
Kansas City,MO
Summary
Dynamic and versatile professional with a strong foundation in business development, sales strategy, and market analysis across diverse sectors, including finance, technology, and entrepreneurship. Exceptional communication skills, organizational expertise, and a passion for collaborative problem-solving. Skilled in strategic planning, competitor research, and fostering innovative product development. Proven ability to analyze market trends and align business objectives with stakeholder needs. Recognized for mentoring and guiding startups, driving customer engagement, and contributing to the growth and success of entrepreneurial initiatives. Bringing hands-on experience as a venture associate, chief growth officer, and digital government specialist. Track record of securing high-value contracts, optimizing product roadmaps, and enhancing user experience. Adept at engaging cross-functional teams, managing complex projects, and delivering impactful solutions. Known for blending creativity with analytical insight to support sustainable growth and innovation within organizations.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Media Advisor
Bearfish Media
02.2025 - Current
- Advised clients on creating more efficient and effective marketing campaigns with data-driven resource allocation.
- Assessed ongoing sales strategies to leverage existing resources into new sales channels.
- Monitored industry trends to ensure decision making processes utilized the most current technologies.
- Implemented creative solutions to address client concerns, maintaining strong professional relationships.
Mentor and Subject Matter Expert
University of Missouri-Kansas City
10.2019 - Current
- Provide guidance and expertise via public forums and Executive MBA panels, supporting education for students and seasoned startup founders.
- Offer hands-on advice to mentees across various subjects including product development and branding strategy to achieve objectives in product development and customer engagement.
- Met with assigned students individually or in small groups to provide intentional, structured organizational support and mentorship.
Venture Associate
Missouri Technology Company
02.2022 - 09.2022
- Evaluated financial statements to analyze and report the status of operations and projects for 70 companies, increasing insight into their business strategy, product roadmap planning, and economic impact.
- Created and executed surveys and outreach campaigns with the help of analytical tools to produce content that received responses from 75% of the companies targeted.
- Attended board meetings for over 40 companies, generating qualitative and quantitative reports to track growth and product milestone achievement.
- Managed the assessment process for 12 potential investments to consider product roadmap and teams.
- Handled day-to-day tasks to assist executives of prospective opportunities navigating due diligence before receiving clearance to receive investment funds.
EScholars Entrepreneur
University of Missouri-Kansas City
10.2020 - 07.2021
- Selected as one of 50 ventures to participate in the EScholars program, a community entrepreneurial program with the mission statement of fostering innovation in the metropolitan area through select ventures.
- Interviewed industry experts in government technology and users to design integration software solutions.
- Developed a comprehensive B2G product roadmap that met the needs of local governments.
Chief Growth Officer
Subi LLC
11.2020 - 05.2021
- Quickly adjusted company marketing of our product, winning 3rd place among 100 early-stage startups based in Missouri.
- Identified and defined product requirements to create a backlog that was able to optimize development team efforts to further expand on customer experience improvements.
- Communicated with stakeholders, facilitating agreements for funding and support from marketing partners.
- Produced a product development roadmap that aligned with the company's product vision and strategic objectives.
Digital Government Specialist
OpenCities (now a Granicus Company)
01.2019 - 10.2019
- Secured a $180,000 contract by pursuing a creative strategy to highlight the ability of our Content Management System to provide better customer service over competing vendors.
- Delivered product presentations and demonstrations to municipal leaders, advocating why Digital Transformation was a crucial step forward in innovating public sector services.
- Conducted market and competitor research to identify industry trends and user needs by performing customer interviews with staff in over 800 municipalities.
- Onboarded new customers through in-person training sessions while collecting feedback to report to the development and sales team to maintain alignment and on-time completion of deliverables.
Education
B.S in Political Science -
University of Kansas
06.2020
Full-Stack JavaScript Developer Certificate -
University of Kansas
12.2017
Skills
- Strong Written and Oral Communication Skills
- Customer Support Experience
- Attention to Detail and Organizational Skills
- Proactivity and Eagerness to Learn
- Proficient in MS Office, CRM, and Project Management Software
- Competitor Research Experience
- Strategic Planning and Alignment
- Market Trends Analysis
- Project Management
- Market Research
- Product Development
- Strategic Planning
- Sales Strategy and Training
- UI/UX Design
- Career Counseling
- Student Counseling
- Business Planning and Analysis
- Investment Assessment and Planning
- Procurement Process Experience
Community Involvement
Missouri State University
- Advisory Board Member: Design Thinking Program
Porter House of KC
- Mentor, Advisor
Code for America Kansas City
- Project Manager: Policy Advisor
Enterprise Center of Johnson County
- Mentor
Timeline
Media Advisor
Bearfish Media
02.2025 - Current
Venture Associate
Missouri Technology Company
02.2022 - 09.2022
Chief Growth Officer
Subi LLC
11.2020 - 05.2021
EScholars Entrepreneur
University of Missouri-Kansas City
10.2020 - 07.2021
Mentor and Subject Matter Expert
University of Missouri-Kansas City
10.2019 - Current
Digital Government Specialist
OpenCities (now a Granicus Company)
01.2019 - 10.2019
Full-Stack JavaScript Developer Certificate -
University of Kansas
B.S in Political Science -
University of Kansas
Similar Profiles
Suzie SegalSuzie Segal
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER at Media Companies Include: Pilgrim Media Group, Lionsgate Films, Mike Mathis Productions, Style Network, E! Network, IMG Media, Harpo Productions, Shed MediaEXECUTIVE PRODUCER at Media Companies Include: Pilgrim Media Group, Lionsgate Films, Mike Mathis Productions, Style Network, E! Network, IMG Media, Harpo Productions, Shed Media
Grace BlakeGrace Blake
MTPE Project Coordinator & Editor at Digital Press Media (Books Digital Media)MTPE Project Coordinator & Editor at Digital Press Media (Books Digital Media)
SCOTT MILNERSCOTT MILNER
Operations & Logistics Manager at Bauer Media Group/a360Media/McClatchy MediaOperations & Logistics Manager at Bauer Media Group/a360Media/McClatchy Media
Robin ThomasRobin Thomas
Legal Assistant at Waits & BrownleeLegal Assistant at Waits & Brownlee
Ada D. TurrentineAda D. Turrentine
Operations Support Specialist at Heartland Regional Alcohol and Drug Assessment CenterOperations Support Specialist at Heartland Regional Alcohol and Drug Assessment Center