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
Raleigh, NC
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.
Raleigh, NC
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
Cary, NC
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
Palo Alto, CA; Summit, NJ
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
New York, NY
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
Philadelphia, PA
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
Princeton, NJ
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.
Princeton, NJ
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