Ruth Drennan
Apex,NC
Summary
Self-driven, organized and dependable administrative professional with 16+ years of experience working with high-achieving executives. Proven track record supporting personal and professional needs with well-organized precision, compassion and discretion. Successfully manage high-volume workloads in rapidly changing environments while maintaining a positive attitude and calm demeanor. Accustomed to managing multiple priorities and working with a variety of cross-functional internal and external partners. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to help team achieve company goals.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Owner/Operator
Ruth Drennan Cakes
04.2023 - Current
- Design and create custom cakes for special occasions
- Manage day-to-day business operations
- Consult with customers to assess needs and propose optimal solutions
- Evaluate suppliers to maintain cost controls and improve operations
- Prepare bank deposits and handle business sales and transaction reports
- Create print and online advertisements to attract new customers
- Manage logistics and coordinate with other vendors to insure that client projects are accurate, complete, and on time
Executive Assistant to the SVP, Customer Success
Red Hat Inc.
12.2018 - 03.2023
- Work with Customer Success leadership to initiate new projects and assist in various processes
- Produce accurate documents, reports and presentations for executives using G-Suite software
- Organize and coordinate domestic and international conferences and monthly meetings, and handle logistics, catering, agendas and travel arrangements for meeting and event planning for senior organization leadership
- Streamline operations and prioritize tasks, allowing senior staff to increase productivity
- Process travel expenses and reimbursements for SVP and leadership team
- Train executive support staff in correct procedures, reporting requirements, PO creation and invoice processing using Oracle
- Coordinate events and work on special and/or ad-hoc projects of varying degrees of complexity
- Successfully manage international team of 10 people with competing priorities to clarify goals, streamline onboarding process and establish consistent company-wide requirements for Solution Architects
Executive Assistant to Town Manager (Temp)
Town Of Cary
05.2018 - 11.2018
- Provided high-level administrative support to Town Manager and Assistant Town Manager
- Investigated and reconciled three-year backlog of out-of-pocket and corporate card expenses for Town Manager
- Researched and created essential background reports to prepare Town Manager for important meetings with outside companies
- Answered calls, emails and other correspondence on behalf of Town Manager and redirected citizen queries to appropriate parties for resolution
- Compiled and edited weekly email report to Town Council and Town staff
- Planned and facilitated off-site work meetings and events
Executive Assistant
McKinsey & Company
05.2011 - 04.2018
- Served as right hand to two partners with large, c-level client base
- Organized rapidly changing schedules, screened and prioritized high volume of incoming calls and e-mails and composed and handled highly confidential correspondence
- Coordinated complicated domestic and international travel arrangements, itineraries and meetings, including visa applications
- Created and submitted billing letters and liaised with clients and vendors
- Processed AMEX and expense reports
- Arranged and prepared for conferences, meetings and calls
- Interviewed and trained temporary and new employees
- Screened calls and emails and initiated actions to respond or direct messages for managers
- Answered high volume of phone calls and email inquiries
Executive Assistant
Sonenshine Partners
10.2006 - 03.2009
- Assisted two (of three) Managing Directors and served as back-up to CEO of well-respected boutique Park Avenue financial advisory firm
- Maintained schedules and arranged travel for multiple junior and senior executives, screened and prioritized high volume of incoming calls and e-mails and composed and handled confidential correspondence
- Processed travel expenses and reimbursements for executive team and senior management group
- Screened calls and emails and initiated actions to respond or direct messages for managers
- Trained junior office staff in correct procedures and reporting requirements
Senior Writer/Editor
Medical Broadcasting Company
07.1999 - 07.2002
- Created effective, concise healthcare and pharmaceutical-related copy for consumer and professional audiences for Internet, corporate intranets, print and video
- Collaborated with art directors and creative directors on concept and content
- Edited copy, reports and proposals for clarity, content, grammar and style
- Prepared, rewrote and edited pieces to improve readability and impact
- Reviewed articles for grammar, spelling, punctuation, syntax, accuracy and compliance with quality standards
Coordinator, Study Abroad Programs (Temp)
Princeton University
12.1998 - 03.1999
- Created and managed publicity and materials for Princeton-affiliated programs
- Researched study abroad data and compiled statistics for reports and institutional plans
- Maintained master schedule and set up appointments
- Gathered and organized materials to support operations
News Writer
Bloomberg L.P.
06.1995 - 12.1998
- Bloomberg News
- Wrote synopses of breaking US and Japan news stories
- Monitored news wires and live television broadcasts for story leads
- Updated Top Stories of Day for Bloomberg computer system
- Research Assistant, Bloomberg Business Directory
- Developed and maintained corporate database of company officers with sole responsibility for German, Austrian and Dutch public companies
- Contacted companies to request information
- Scrutinized and translated German newspapers
Education
Master of Arts - German Language And Literature
West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV05.1995
Bachelor of Arts - International And Intercultural Communication
West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV08.1993
Skills
- Executive Calendars
- Employee Training
- Remote Support
- Self Starter
- Process Improvement
- Executive Support
- Strong Problem Solver
- Executive Counseling
- Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable
- Confidentiality and Discretion
- Logistics and Schedule Management
- Project Planning
- Travel Accommodations
- Hotel Booking
- Vendor Relations
- Problem-Solving Strengths
- Travel Administration
- Event Management
Languages
German
Professional Working
Timeline
Owner/Operator
Ruth Drennan Cakes
04.2023 - Current
Executive Assistant to the SVP, Customer Success
Red Hat Inc.
12.2018 - 03.2023
Executive Assistant to Town Manager (Temp)
Town Of Cary
05.2018 - 11.2018
Executive Assistant
McKinsey & Company
05.2011 - 04.2018
Executive Assistant
Sonenshine Partners
10.2006 - 03.2009
Senior Writer/Editor
Medical Broadcasting Company
07.1999 - 07.2002
Coordinator, Study Abroad Programs (Temp)
Princeton University
12.1998 - 03.1999
News Writer
Bloomberg L.P.
06.1995 - 12.1998
Master of Arts - German Language And Literature
West Virginia University
Bachelor of Arts - International And Intercultural Communication
West Virginia University
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