Michelle Petty
Tucson,AZ
Summary
Sales and talent development leader focused on coaching, recruiting, and performance management. Background includes leading campus hiring, improving employee experience, and managing top-of-funnel execution that produced 998 account updates, 103 opportunities, and stronger long-term retention.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Program Manager
Terry J. Lundgren Center for Retailing
12.2025 - Current
- Develop and maintain strategic relationships with corporate partners, alumni, recruiters, faculty, students, and campus stakeholders to support organizational and student goals.
- Identify, cultivate, and secure new industry partnerships; added three new corporate partnerships for center flagship Retail Fuse event.
- Manage partner communications and engagement through full relationship cycle, including prospect outreach, coordination, event execution, and post-event follow-up.
- Plan and deliver large-scale events with corporate partners, recruiters, alumni, students, and university stakeholders, including marketing and communications strategies to increase awareness, engagement, and participation in center programs.
- Recruit, train, supervise, and develop student employees and interns while balancing multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Built and implemented alumni advisory board to strengthen alumni engagement and connect industry professionals with current students as strategic mentors.
- Lead development and expansion of Campus Closet @ LCS Lab through community partnerships, donor outreach, student engagement, and program operations.
- Develop and execute strategic outreach initiatives, events, workshops, networking programs, and industry engagement opportunities from concept through follow-up. Serve as industry coach providing students with resume guidance, job-search support, professional development, and industry connections.
Manager, Sales Development
Curriculum Associates
01.2023 - 11.2025
- Oversaw FY2025 metrics, generating $5.7M in annualized opportunities from 103 leads, securing 8 wins totaling $136,417 in immediate revenue, and identifying 95 future opportunities valued at $2.7M.
- Directed team performance, facilitating 123 appointments for Field Sales and executing 998 account updates.
- Restructured onboarding and development processes to improve employee experience and retention.
- Designed and executed a multi-tiered employee development program that increased multi-year retention by 20%.
- Led recruiting efforts at University of Arizona and University of North Carolina Greensboro through career fairs, campus partnerships, and referral programs.
Team Lead, Sales Development
Curriculum Associates
01.2021 - 01.2023
- Coordinated with marketing, inside sales, and sales leadership to develop and implement multi-channel outreach campaigns.
- Led team of 10 part-time college staff in executing top-of-funnel sales outreach to generate leads.
- Coordinated daily priorities across cross-functional teams within educational publishing operations.
Account Development Specialist
Curriculum Associates
06.2017 - 01.2021
- Recognized as the regional account development specialist of the year.
- Achieved sales targets on a weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual basis to drive revenue growth.
- Developed and executed territory-based sales plans in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
- Engaged with current and prospective schools and districts to identify needs and deliver tailored solutions.
- Coordinated with sales operations, marketing, IT, and customer service to ensure aligned execution of strategies.
- Delivered virtual product demonstrations using strong industry and product knowledge.
Early Childhood Education Teacher
Ascension Lutheran Church & School
08.2015 - 05.2017
- Facilitated learning for 13 preschool students, fostering a safe and engaging environment.
- Crafted lesson plans and partnered with families and staff to enhance student learning.
Early Childhood Education Teacher
Resurrection Lutheran Church
02.2012 - 07.2015
- Designed and implemented activities that fostered early language, motor, and social development in children.
Director of Children & Family Ministries
Resurrection Lutheran Church
04.2008 - 02.2012
- Directed Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and Fall Festival, engaging over 1,100 participants and coordinating 300 volunteers.
- Recruited, trained, and scheduled volunteer teams to ensure effective program delivery and community engagement.
- Managed communication with congregants through announcements, bulletins, and church updates.
Inside Sales Representative
Lisa Frank Inc.
09.2005 - 04.2007
- Liaised between National Account Managers and corporate office.
- Collaborated with Product Development on new product concepts for major retailers.
- Created sales presentations and maintained reporting on sales, inventory, and profit.
Executive Team Leader (Assistant Manager)
Target Corporation
06.2002 - 07.2005
- Promoted ahead of standard 18-month timeframe.
- Managed six Department Managers across ten departments.
- Directed daily operations, sales initiatives, and customer service.
- Led department transitions, resets, and process improvements.
Senior Account Representative
Arizona Daily Wildcat Newspaper
08.1999 - 05.2002
- Built and expanded a sales territory through client relationship development.
- Recipient of the Arizona Daily Wildcat Alumni Award and Excellence in Sales Award (20012002).
- Exceeded semester quota by 76.14%.
Education
B.S. - Retail And Consumer Sciences
The University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona05-2002
Skills
- Sales Strategy & Pipeline Development
- Sales Team Development
- Sales Talent Acquisition
- Team performance management
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Territory Planning & Market Discovery
- Project & Program Management
- Customer relationship management
- Data-driven decisions
- Proficient in Salesforce, Workday, Microsoft Suite
- Sandler training
- Leadership program completion
Timeline
Program Manager
Terry J. Lundgren Center for Retailing
12.2025 - Current
Manager, Sales Development
Curriculum Associates
01.2023 - 11.2025
Team Lead, Sales Development
Curriculum Associates
01.2021 - 01.2023
Account Development Specialist
Curriculum Associates
06.2017 - 01.2021
Early Childhood Education Teacher
Ascension Lutheran Church & School
08.2015 - 05.2017
Early Childhood Education Teacher
Resurrection Lutheran Church
02.2012 - 07.2015
Director of Children & Family Ministries
Resurrection Lutheran Church
04.2008 - 02.2012
Inside Sales Representative
Lisa Frank Inc.
09.2005 - 04.2007
Executive Team Leader (Assistant Manager)
Target Corporation
06.2002 - 07.2005
Senior Account Representative
Arizona Daily Wildcat Newspaper
08.1999 - 05.2002
B.S. - Retail And Consumer Sciences
The University of Arizona