Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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SARAH RIZKALLA

Summary

Dynamic and results-driven executive with a record of driving revenue growth, forging strategic partnerships, and leading teams to success. Skilled in financial management and operational leadership, adept at transforming challenges into opportunities. Specializes in budget restructuring, operational consolidation, and fostering collaboration for exceptional outcomes. Visionary leader dedicated to driving profitability and cultivating lasting partnerships in diverse business environments.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience

Work History

Strategic Partnerships and Business Development

Bread Financial
08.2021 - Current
  • Cultivated strategic relationships with top 100 retailers, leveraging a relational approach to drive new business and foster account growth.
  • Spearheaded the development of a $500M pipeline within the first year, orchestrating end-to-end deal processes with internal stakeholders and securing partnerships predominantly with $1B+ partners.
  • Orchestrated targeted outreach campaigns and engagement strategies to establish connections with top-tier retailers, resulting in a 30% increase in partnership acquisition rate over two years.
  • Collaborated closely with internal cross-functional teams including marketing, product, risk and legal departments to develop customized partnership solutions tailored to each retailer's unique needs and objectives, fostering long-term, mutually beneficial relationships.

Apple Pay Business Management

Apple, Inc
01.2020 - 07.2021
  • Managed a remote team of seven in building relationships with new partners to drive Apple Pay adoption
  • Responsible for a portfolio of 220 partners
  • Owned cross-functional partnerships between business development and technical teams to engage, support, and build on-going relationships with partners
  • Trained and up-skilled entire team to ensure consistency in approach as well as focus on meeting aggressive goals of Apple Pay adoption
  • Developed new process guidelines and documentation to improve overall program efficacy and efficiency
  • Actively involved in weekly reporting to C Suite Apple leadership.

Business Development Leader - B2B

Apple, Inc
10.2018 - 01.2020
  • Strategically developed and managed a $2M small business portfolio from inception, demonstrating strong leadership in mentoring and guiding the store team to drive new business growth.
  • Collaborated closely with Apple channels to deliver tailored solutions to clients, consistently meeting or exceeding quarterly team objectives through effective cross-functional partnerships.

Founder, Editor-in-Chief

New York Minute Magazine, NYMM
01.2012 - 01.2021
  • Founded and created an online magazine, developing its framework, business plan, branding, and content strategy.
  • Established a virtual operating model, emphasizing team cohesion and delivering high-value content while optimizing operational efficiency.
  • Spearheaded advertising partnerships and media collaborations, championing women's empowerment and combating inequality in content dissemination.
  • Cultivated strategic alliances with prestigious universities nationwide, mentoring hundreds of interns to drive innovation and foster talent development.
  • Directed budget management and investment strategies to ensure optimal resource allocation and sustainable growth.

Chief of Staff

AXA Equitable
01.2010 - 01.2011
  • Managed day-to-day operations for the Business Management & Operations organization, overseeing offshoring strategy, outsourcing activities, and financial planning.
  • Designed, built, and aligned teams to drive strategic initiatives across the organization.
  • Partnered with senior business leaders on projects to establish and maintain working relationships with key stakeholders.
  • Directed the monthly business review process and conducted quarterly roadshows to all locations to ensure effective communication.
  • Led the Communications Team and implemented cultural initiatives to foster organizational cohesion.

Global Chief of Staff

UBS
01.2005 - 01.2009
  • Restructured $35M budget to enhance transparency and maximize ROI.
  • Consolidated disparate IT development and support groups to streamline IT operations.
  • Managed annual financial planning for EM IT program, overseeing budgets ranging from $14M to $40M.
  • Implemented a robust financial governance approach to ensure fiscal responsibility.
  • Developed and implemented an organizational operating model to drive ambitious results.

DRCM Hedge Fund Business Manager

UBS Bank
  • Restructured $35M budget to enhance transparency and maximize ROI.
  • Consolidated disparate IT development and support groups to streamline IT operations.
  • Managed annual financial planning for EM IT program, overseeing budgets ranging from $14M to $40M.
  • Implemented a robust financial governance approach to ensure fiscal responsibility.
  • Developed and implemented an organizational operating model to drive ambitious results.

Education

Bachelor of Science Communication Studies -

Trevecca Nazarene University

Skills

  • Leadership in Business Development
  • Client Relationship Building
  • Team Development, Mentorship
  • Partnership Development
  • Public Speaking
  • Excellent Communicator
  • Energetic, Ambitious, Visionary
  • Financial Management
  • Agile Thinker, Strong Problem Solver
  • Sales And Market Development
  • Adaptable, Focused, Organized
  • Bilingual in English and Arabic

Timeline

Strategic Partnerships and Business Development

Bread Financial
08.2021 - Current

Apple Pay Business Management

Apple, Inc
01.2020 - 07.2021

Business Development Leader - B2B

Apple, Inc
10.2018 - 01.2020

Founder, Editor-in-Chief

New York Minute Magazine, NYMM
01.2012 - 01.2021

Chief of Staff

AXA Equitable
01.2010 - 01.2011

Global Chief of Staff

UBS
01.2005 - 01.2009

DRCM Hedge Fund Business Manager

UBS Bank

Bachelor of Science Communication Studies -

Trevecca Nazarene University

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SARAH RIZKALLA