Rio Marie Caramello-Uyeji
San Diego,CA
Summary
Expert in leveraging data-driven methodologies and cutting-edge technologies to enhance operational efficiency and minimize expenses. Proven ability to communicate effectively and solve complex problems while managing diverse tasks in dynamic environments. Adaptable to rapid changes and committed to delivering impactful results in community-focused initiatives.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Operations Manager
San Diego Coastkeeper
San Diego
09.2023 - Current
- Company Overview: Administrative and operational manager for environmental nonprofit specializing in litigation, policy compliance, citizen science, and community engagement
- Responsible for accounts payable/receivable, expense reporting, monthly reconciliation, and budget maintenance
- Monitor allocation of grant funding
- Assisting with overseeing the drafting and adherence to contracts and grant agreements with both nonprofit and for-profit business partners
- Communicate nonprofit mission to clients, donors, and volunteers to increase engagement with organization and create lasting relationships for repeat donations and volunteer attendance
- Build relationships with new organizations and funders to secure ongoing partnerships
- Event organization and management for volunteer events, partner and community events, annual fundraising gala
- Administrative and operational manager for environmental nonprofit specializing in litigation, policy compliance, citizen science, and community engagement
Event Sales Coordinator
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
San Diego
03.2023 - 09.2023
- Full scale organizing of catered events for San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park – event examples include weddings, large and small private dinners, educational presentations, corporate meetings and retreats, and media events
- Maintain detailed record of client needs and communicate details to all onsite teams including but not limited to guest services, food and beverage, retail, maintenance, and security
- Promote upgrades and special features for events during the planning process, encourage membership activations and donations in post event follow ups
- Coordinate details and manage contracts with third party vendors
- Work with philanthropy department to manage donor appreciation events and private VIP events
- Maintain up to date knowledge to communicate with guests any Zoo and Safari Park promotions, daily schedules, sustainability practices, global conservation efforts, and upcoming events.
Executive Assistant and Operations Associate
Umpqua Bank
San Diego
05.2021 - 07.2023
- Administrative and operational support for Executive Vice President and 4 Regional Managing Directors across 4 cities in Southwestern US
- Daily duties-managing calendars, travel, expense reports, daily financial reporting, and reconciliations
- Communicate with employees in office locations throughout entire footprint on process enhancements, operational assistance for budgeting and daily financial reporting. Footprint- Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, California
- Assist traveling company culture events, tradeshows, new location openings, and location remodels due to acquisitions and mergers
- Site Safety Coordinator tasked with all issues related to on-site work and safety precautions during Covid-19 pandemic and recovery.
Marketing and Special Events Lead Associate / National Expansion Team
Capital One
San Diego
01.2019 - 05.2021
- Play key role in national roll out of Capital One's new Café customer experience and locations nationwide; collaborate with corporate event teams on site utilization, program development, and educational content, responsible for developing and executing event plans, and develop partnerships and manage contract process with key vendors to finalize offerings
- Responsible for driving development and execution of event operations, partner with event personnel to finalize deliverables, and oversee logistics, including coordination of event committees, speakers/sponsors, guest lists, timelines, staffing plans, and vendor contact lists
- Develop and manage $45K event operations budgets, identified spending categories, research costs and spend analysis, lead negotiation of pricing with vendors, and support team in adhering to budget constraints; consistently execute events under budget
- Associate of the Year nomination and Associate of the Month winner 2x for outstanding customer service and team leadership abilities
- Leading local chapters for Women's Empowerment Business Resource Group and Asian/Pacific Islander Business Resource Group; leading 2 Lean In circles reaching 14 female members to discuss and share individual stories while drawing inspiration from each other to set new personal and professional goals as well as support customer facing associates move into higher positions and new lines of business.
Food Service Director
Compass Group
San Diego
03.2018 - 01.2019
- Managed onsite dining operations for large corporations serving up to 800 customers daily; oversaw day to day operations of all restaurant and food outlets, monitored and analyzed financials, worked with Management staff to forecast material and labor needs
- Coordinated all third party services for facilities including HVAC, kitchen equipment(hoods, ranges, cold storage), IT, uniform services, and janitorial assistance
- Led teams of 17- 46 Food Service personnel, provided direct support in day-to-day operations, led trainings on operations, financials, and leadership, and delivered personalized coaching and support; drove down staff turnover and saw significant increases in guest satisfaction and positive feedback
- Partnered with food and beverage distributors, and local restaurants in development and launch of new services, and negotiated favorable terms; ensured partners met and exceeded standards and adhered to documented processes.
Event Sales and Operations Coordinator
Giuseppe Restaurants and Fine Catering
San Diego
08.2016 - 02.2018
- Spearheaded event planning and execution for large Restaurant and Catering operation; oversaw all aspects of large events with hundreds of attendees, develop project proposals, timelines, and budgets, and worked directly with corporate, industry, and community partners
- Served as liaison for event stakeholders, developed and maintained relationships with personnel, led regular communications to ensure understanding of event and attendee expectations, and oversaw regular meetings to answer questions and ensured complete understanding of logistics; improved client relations while ensuring smooth event operations
- Managed transition from spreadsheet to Salesforce CRM, audited client communications and sales operations, and outlined new workflows and needed data; trained team on new software and saw improvements in organization, streamlined customer outreach, and decreased in mistakes and misunderstandings.
Education
Master's Degree - Sustainability Leadership
Arizona State University
Bachelor's Degree - Business Management
University of Phoenix
Bachelor's Degree - Hospitality Management
San Francisco State University
Skills
- Project Coordination and Guidance
- Salesforce, Hubspot
- Google Suite, Microsoft Office
- Power BI, Tableau
- Asana, Mondaycom
- Classy, Paybee, GiveButter, Zeffy, OneCause
- Data Reporting and Analysis
- Delphi, Agilysys, Triple Seat, CaterEase
- CaterTrax, Social Tables, Toast
- Adobe Acrobat, InDesign, Premier Pro, Photoshop
- Mailchimp, Constant Contact
- Google Ads, Google Data Analytics
- WordPress
Timeline
Operations Manager
San Diego Coastkeeper
09.2023 - Current
Event Sales Coordinator
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
03.2023 - 09.2023
Executive Assistant and Operations Associate
Umpqua Bank
05.2021 - 07.2023
Marketing and Special Events Lead Associate / National Expansion Team
Capital One
01.2019 - 05.2021
Food Service Director
Compass Group
03.2018 - 01.2019
Event Sales and Operations Coordinator
Giuseppe Restaurants and Fine Catering
08.2016 - 02.2018
Master's Degree - Sustainability Leadership
Arizona State University
Bachelor's Degree - Business Management
University of Phoenix
Bachelor's Degree - Hospitality Management
San Francisco State University
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