Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Volunteer Experience
Languages
Websiteportfolioprofiles
Timeline
Generic

Ursula Banda

Silver Spring,USA

Summary

Dynamic business development professional with a proven background in supporting marketing, sales and social media teams. I have a multi-cultural and diverse background horned from extensive global travel, spending the last 15 years travelling, working and studying in South Africa, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Canada and United States.

Adept at customer relationship management, content management, digital and social media management to generate new business opportunities in various sectors.

Overview

14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Marketing Coordinator II

L'Atelier Spa
Rockville, MD
11.2023 - Current
  • Promote and upsell spa products and services.
  • Coordinate monthly spa client appreciation cocktails and events.
  • Assist the marketing team in developing and implementing marketing plans and strategies to boost company visibility.
  • Support the development of digital, social, and email marketing content and initiatives.
  • Help grow and foster influencer engagement.
  • Create marketing collaterals, i.e., brochures, presentations, and sales support materials.
  • Provided support in the planning, coordination, and execution of promotional campaigns.
  • Coordinated with design teams to develop creative materials such as brochures, flyers, and advertisements.
  • Assisted in developing content for websites, blogs, and social media platforms.

Country Ambassador (Malawi Chapter)

Women's Entrepreneurship Day (WEDO)
New York, NY
11.2017 - 05.2023
  • Participated in community outreach activities to promote the organization.
  • Encouraged other country ambassadors through proactive guidance and team building activities.
  • Enhanced organization public image by building strong relationships with stakeholders, the media and social media platforms.
  • Assisted in organizing and executing marketing events and outreach programs.
  • Established and maintained cooperative relationships with representatives of community, consumer, employee, and public interest groups
  • Prepared and delivered speeches to further public relations objectives
  • Responded to requests for information from media and designated appropriate spokesperson and information source
  • Compiled detailed reports on all PR activities for senior management review
  • Greeted and welcomed international dignitaries to events, meetings and conferences.
  • Attended various forums, seminars, workshops and official functions.

Business Development and Sales Executive

Business Creative Hub
Lilongwe, Malawi
04.2019 - 09.2021
  • Incubating new startups, youth, and women-led businesses, especially social entrepreneurship, by coaching and motivating teams to drive sales and deliver exceptional customer service.
  • Conducted site visits and sales meetings with private sector and corporate clients.
  • Monitored team productivity and performance to support goals and address operational issues.
  • Fostered positive relationships with clients through proactive communication tactics.
  • Collaborated with staff to develop and carry out processes, resulting in improved performance.
  • Monitored sales activities and identified opportunities for improvement, displaying keen analytical skills.
  • Analyzed and resolved quality and customer service issues, recommending system improvements.
  • Analyzed market trends regularly in order to develop targeted marketing campaigns that achieved desired results.
  • Represented business in the marketplace and developed relationships with key accounts to promote and market the business.

Founder/ Creative Director

Makeover Guru Inc
Lilongwe, Malawi
05.2010 - 10.2019
  • Company Overview: Makeover Guru Malawi began as Malawi's first professional bridal makeup and hair artistry studio.
  • Developed and implemented a comprehensive business plan to launch the company.
  • Oversaw all aspects of operations including product development, marketing, sales, customer service and finance.
  • Building strong relationships with customers by providing exceptional service throughout the entire customer journey
  • Pursuing networking events, trade shows and industry-related meetings to increase brand awareness.
  • Building an effective marketing and sales strategy to successfully drive growth.
  • Created comprehensive marketing campaigns that increased brand awareness and drove sales across multiple channels.
  • Developed and implemented strategic plans to increase revenue, streamline operations, and improve customer experience.
  • Leveraged digital media platforms for effective communication and promotion of products and services.
  • Negotiated contracts with vendors to secure favorable pricing on materials and supplies.

Corporate Sales Executive

Sunbird Hotels & Resorts
Lilongwe, Malawi
04.2012 - 05.2014
  • Conducted cold calls and on-site sales calls to prospective clients.
  • Responsible for managing key corporate client account portfolios, which were the main revenue drivers for the Group's seven hotels and resorts.
  • Handling business development of existing clients, reviving dormant accounts, and new acquisitions.
  • Maintained up-to-date knowledge of industry trends, technologies, and best practices.
  • Conducted product demonstrations and presentations to prospects in order to close deals.

Education

Master of Business Administration -

ALU School of Business
01.2018

Bachelor's Degree - Media and Mass Communication, International Relations

Monash University
01.2009

Skills

  • Proficient in Pivotal UX
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office 365
  • Proficient in SharePoint
  • CRM management
  • Media Relations
  • Digital Marketing
  • Event Planning
  • Sales Support

Certification

  • Certificate, Business Strategy, McKinsey Academy, 2018
  • Certificate, Problem Solving Methodologies, McKinsey Academy, 2018
  • Certificate, Communicating for Impact, McKinsey Academy, 2018
  • Certificate, Introduction to Corporate Finance, Wharton, University of Pennsylvania, 2017
  • Certificate, Introduction to Accounting, Wharton, University of Pennsylvania, 2017
  • Certificate, Introduction to Operations Management, Wharton, University of Pennsylvania, 2017

Volunteer Experience

Country Ambassador, Women's Entrepreneurship Day (WEDO), New York, NY, 10/01/16, Present, Participated in community outreach activities to promote company., Established positive relationships with customers, vendors, and partners., Represented brand's values and mission with integrity and enthusiasm., Acted as positive role model for other team members and ambassadors., Served as liaison between company and public, fostering positive relationships., Utilized social media platforms to amplify brand messaging and reach., Implemented creative strategies to increase brand awareness and engagement., Tracked and reported on key performance metrics related to ambassador activities., Assisted in organizing and executing marketing events and activations., Established and maintained cooperative relationships with representatives of community, consumer, employee, and public interest groups., Prepared and delivered speeches to further public relations objectives., Responded to requests for information from media and designated appropriate spokesperson and information source., Compiled detailed reports on all PR activities for senior management review.

Languages

English, Native

Websiteportfolioprofiles

www.linkedin.com/in/ursulabanda

Timeline

Marketing Coordinator II

L'Atelier Spa
11.2023 - Current

Business Development and Sales Executive

Business Creative Hub
04.2019 - 09.2021

Country Ambassador (Malawi Chapter)

Women's Entrepreneurship Day (WEDO)
11.2017 - 05.2023

Corporate Sales Executive

Sunbird Hotels & Resorts
04.2012 - 05.2014

Founder/ Creative Director

Makeover Guru Inc
05.2010 - 10.2019

Master of Business Administration -

ALU School of Business

Bachelor's Degree - Media and Mass Communication, International Relations

Monash University

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Ursula Banda