MICHELLE ORTIZ
Thousand Oaks,CA
Summary
Communications and community engagement professional with 8+ years of experience turning important initiatives into meaningful connections with the people they serve. Throughout my career with Whole Foods Market, Coca-Cola, and CenterCal Properties, I've developed public-facing campaigns, built lasting community partnerships, and translated organizational priorities into clear, engaging communications. From coordinating outreach across 50+ locations to managing more than $500K in annual community investments, I bring a thoughtful combination of creativity, organization, and measurable results. Passionate about strengthening public trust, making information accessible, and helping communities connect with programs and services that make a difference.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Regional Marketing, Community Engagement & Events
Whole Foods Market
San Francisco, USA
11.2021 - 06.2023
- Developed and coordinated regional communications, marketing, and community outreach initiatives across 52+ retail locations, ensuring consistent messaging and effective local engagement.
- Created and coordinated public-facing content, promotional materials, digital communications, and community campaigns to increase awareness and participation.
- Developed School Spirit Days partnerships with local schools, contributing to a 15% increase in store traffic and 12% increase in revenue through targeted community engagement.
- Managed $500K+ in annual community investments and nonprofit partnerships, coordinating outreach, stakeholder relationships, program communications, and community impact initiatives.
- Collaborated with store leadership, regional teams, nonprofit organizations, and external partners to develop outreach strategies aligned with organizational priorities.
- Supported four new store openings, coordinating public-facing events, local partnerships, promotional materials, and community engagement activities.
- Evaluated campaign results, participation, and audience engagement to identify opportunities for improvement.
Business Development Manager
CenterCal Properties
Portland, USA
11.2019 - 08.2020
- Developed and implemented communications, marketing, and community engagement initiatives supporting retail destinations and local business partnerships.
- Coordinated promotional content, public-facing communications, and community events designed to strengthen awareness and participation.
- Planned and executed large-scale events attracting 1,000+ attendees, managing vendor relationships, outreach materials, logistics, and stakeholder communications.
- Secured a $100K Maserati sponsorship through strategic relationship development, presentations, and partnership coordination.
- Worked closely with businesses, community partners, and internal teams to develop collaborative programs and maintain consistent messaging.
- Managed multiple projects, budgets, deadlines, and stakeholder expectations in a fast-paced environment.
Marketing Manager
Coca-Cola
Los Angeles, USA
11.2014 - 05.2018
- Managed relationships with 500+ retail and foodservice accounts, providing responsive customer service, clear communications, and ongoing account support.
- Served as a primary point of contact for customer questions, service concerns, promotional programs, and operational coordination.
- Developed tailored communications and presentations to explain products, programs, and business opportunities to diverse audiences.
- Consistently acquired 8–10 new accounts monthly through relationship building, outreach, and effective communication.
- Collaborated with sales, operations, and service teams to coordinate timely responses and resolve customer concerns.
- Used Salesforce CRM to maintain customer records, track interactions, and support consistent follow-up.
Education
Bachelor's Degree - Communications
California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA06-2014
Skills
- Field & Local Marketing: Multi-Location Marketing, Market Research, Local Marketing Strategy, Brand Awareness, Customer Engagement
- Community Engagement & Partnerships: Community Outreach, Strategic Partnerships, Sponsorship Negotiation, Stakeholder Relations
- Marketing & Events: New Store Openings, Brand Activations, Event Planning, Promotional Campaigns, Vendor Coordination
- Project Management & Analytics: Campaign Execution, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Budget Management, KPI Tracking, Performance Reporting
- Technical Skills: Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, Salesforce CRM, Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, GA4, Asana, Smartsheet
Career Pause | Family & Professional Development
July 2023 – Present
Took an intentional career pause to prioritize family while remaining connected to community initiatives and professional development. Now excited to bring my experience in retail marketing, events, and community engagement to a collaborative, customer-focused organization.
Timeline
Regional Marketing, Community Engagement & Events
Whole Foods Market
11.2021 - 06.2023
Business Development Manager
CenterCal Properties
11.2019 - 08.2020
Marketing Manager
Coca-Cola
11.2014 - 05.2018
Bachelor's Degree - Communications
California State University Northridge