Nicole Canitano

• Oversees all curriculum & content, scheduling, recruitment of clients & selection of participants, marketing, budget and implementation of two programs:

Campus Cleveland, a program designed for college students with the goal of retention after graduation through connecting them to a network of peers, community leaders, employment opportunities and Cleveland's cultural & civic assets.

OnBoard Cleveland, a program for early career professionals with a focus on leadership development and gaining an awareness of critical community issues and how they can find their voice in the civic realm and connect with others to create positive change and make an impact.

• Assists with planning and execution of large-scale, signature events, Accelerate & Spark.
• Manages a team of associates providing program support.
• Through a partnership with Destination Cleveland, serves on the Cleveland Talent Alliance developing and implementing strategy alongside a diverse cross-section of community businesses and organizations around talent attraction and retention.

Role Highlights

• Combines vast knowledge of community assets and challenges with a large and diverse network of community leaders to enhance awareness of civic opportunities, leadership development, and personal and professional growth for program participants.
• Prioritizes building meaningful relationships with each program participant by honing in on communication and learning styles, motivation, experience, and goals.
• Intentionally constructs events, workshops, and program sessions around the concepts of design thinking, collaboration, and relationship building.
• Proven track record of fostering an environment of inclusivity, trust, transparency, and respect.

• Responsible for all aspects of designing, promoting, implementing and evaluating an annual pitch competition for all students, grades K-12, in 18 NEO counties.
• Led all entrepreneurship education, clubs and competitions for students, grades 9-12, at University School.
• Modeled creative problem solving tactics and innovative thinking across all programs, workshops, and competitions.
• Responsible for providing overall leadership and vision for YEI’s public, private and parochial high school programming across Northeast Ohio.
• Provided professional development and program support for educator partners.
• Curated and retained relationships with community partners in a variety of sectors to enhance the region's entrepreneurship ecosystem.
• Researched, identified, and secured new clients through market analysis and customized sales tactics.
• Worked closely with other YEI team members to ensure alignment across programs and drive the organization's mission that "every child should understand and experience entrepreneurship".
• Assisted in planning and implementing signature events: Enspire, National Lemonade Day and YEI Market Day.
• Managed program support team members.
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• Served as a key member of the Destination Cleveland management team responsible for spearheading Destination Cleveland’s mission to engage with and enhance the experience of visitors in Cleveland.
• Managed a team of 5 or more depending on projects.
• Created, implemented and led the Authentic Cleveland Experiences workshop
• Identified and consulted with local businesses, organizations, and individuals to implement experiential tourism elements alongside exisiting visitor services.
• Worked alongside Destination Cleveland's Sales and Convention team and local attractions and businesses to curate and implement onsite experiences for convention attendees to demonstrate Cleveland's "DNA".
• Managed Destination Cleveland's volunteer program.
• Assisted Marketing on local campaigns and activations inspiring residents to experience Cleveland with the intent to recommend it to friends and family as a destination for business and leisure travel.
• Wrote brand-aligned content for website, social media platforms and stakeholder communications.
• Led Cultural Enhancement Program and served on the Diversity & Inclusion Taskforce.

Role Highlights

• Responsible for curating a partnership with Cleveland Leadership Center in their Accelerate program through management of all aspects of the Authentic Cleveland Experiences category.
• Authentic Cleveland Experiences workshop educated almost 400 attendees trained in over 10 workshops on the value of adding more immersive and hands-on experiences resulting in a stronger emotional connection to Cleveland and "destination loyalty".
• Co-managed Cleveland Brewery Passport program including vendor and brewery partner collaborations, supporting participant experience, decision-making and management around marketing strategy, advisory board guidance, prize selection, inventory and fulfillment, and data reporting. Strategic partnerships included Masthead Brewing, Cleveland Cavaliers, Saucy Brew Works, Cleveland Indians.

• Supported Visitor Experience Programs Manager in the development of programming and events to engage and enhance the experience of visitors in Cleveland.
• Assisted with the training of local travel and tourism partners through the CLE Travelbackers workshop.
• Managed registrations of volunteers and workshop attendees in various digital platforms.
• Supported CLE Concierge Staff in CLE Visitor Center.
• Assisted Marketing with local and non-local leisure travel campaigns and activations and wrote content for website and stakeholder publications.

Role Highlights

• Wrote monthly Visitor Experience reports and tracked and reported on visitor metrics (700+ partners).
• Planned and executed annual Volunteer Appreciation Event.
• Created and led specialized workshops and presentations educating partners about Cleveland attractions, neighborhoods and accommodations.
  

• Served as the first point of contact for visitors.
• Answered guest inquiries, directed phone calls, developed and coordinated communications and information for team meetings.
• Worked diligently to uphold organizational culture while making visitors feel welcomed and valued.
• Remedied issues quickly and effectively through active listening, conflict resolution and dynamic communication skills.
• Facilitated visitor requests for dining and tourist attractions by researching and experiencing various venues and locales.
• Supported local sports teams, attractions and restaurants by promoting events to visitors.
• Engaged personally with visitors to recommend customized and experience-based itineraries.

Role Highlights

• Oversaw a team of 10+ volunteers in the CLE Visitors Center, as well as, off-site events and activations. Responsible for annual evaluations and reviews, both written and in person.
• Created experience-focused, interest-driven and thematic itineraries for convention attendees and visitors
• Created a Cleveland Bucket List featuring Cleveland's most authentic and iconic spaces.
• Interviewed and recommended volunteer candidates. Responsible for ensuring the volunteers were accountable, dependable and demonstrated best in-class customer service.

• Served as Sales Director supporting a team of 18 associates
• Cultivated and retained relationships of team members and clientele
• Provided personal and customized client support resulting in repeat business
• Created marketing and sales strategy and advertising initiatives resulting in record sales, unprecedented team growth, and brand loyalty.

Role Highlights

• Team became 1st in Northeast Ohio region within 6 months of tenure.
• Achieved 100% sales increase within a year by building trusting relationships, both internally and externally and instilling proactive sales approaches.

• Responsible for planning, implementation and assessment of curriculum across multiple subject areas.
• Implemented hands-on, immersive and exploratory methodologies.
• Helped students develop self-esteem and life skills by fostering healthy conflict-resolution, critical thinking and communication.
• Fostered a safe and inclusive culture by implementing class meetings and frequent discussions around social emotional learning.
• Responsible for meeting the educational needs and well-being of 75+ students with varying ability levels, IEPs, social, emotional and behavioral goals, as well as, identified gifted. Served on several professional development committees.

Role Highlights

• Developed curriculum for the state of Ohio's Career Education K-8.
• Wrote and was awarded a grant for a unit that exposed students to the roots of systemic racism based in slavery, the Civil Rights Movement, redlining and modern day prejudices and inequalities.