Christine Okon-Waterhouse Resume

CHRI STI NE OKON-WATER HOUSE

RESUME

CHRI S TI NE OKON-WATER HOUSE

OVERVIEW

Christine Okon -Waterhouse • Graphic Design • Communications • Social Media

Available for: Hire & Freelance Work IN PERSON 1125 Kingsley Ave. St. Joseph, MI 49085 T: 269.325.3912

Personal Statement I

am

a

talented,

original,

optimistic,

and

E: cwaterhouse@me.com

creative thinker with a desire to develop your

www.christineokonwaterhouse.com

vision and turn it into success. I create effective,

www.linkedin.com/in/christineokonwaterhouse

“

“

ONLINE

written and visual communications that provide the desired results.

St. Joseph High School 1989 Lake Michigan College 1990-1994 Michigan State University Bachelor of Arts, Anthropology, May 1994 University of New Wales, Sydney Overseas Social Sciences program, 1994

Technical Skills 10 8 6 4 2 0

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Experience

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Education

Awards & Affiliations 2012-2013 Women’s Service League 2011-2013 Michigan Foundation Alliance 2008-2013 American Schools Foundation Alliance 2012 Powerschool & Powerscheduler Certified 2005 Adjunct Graphic Design Instructor with Lake Michigan College 2004 Top 40 Business People under 40 in West Michigan, Business Direct Weekly 2003 AHA Award for Print Design Presented

by Heritage Papers 2002-2004 Member LMC CIS Advisory Committee 2000 Winner of Cornerstone Alliance Platinum Stake Award 1999 WCA Tribute to Women Honored as a nominee 1992 & 1994 Miss Southwest Michigan (America)

July 2008-Present Director of Communications St. Joseph Public Schools July 2008-July 2013 Foundation Coordinator St. Joseph Public Schools Foundation February 2007 until June 2008.

Director of Development Well of GRACE Ministries August 1997 – February 2007.

President & Artistic Director CEODesign, Inc. July 1994 – July 1997 Graphic Designer Whirlpool Financial (WFC)

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CHRI S TI NE OKON-WATER HOUSE

WORK EXPERIENCE

Director of Communications St. Joseph Public Schools & Foundation Coordinator, St. Joseph Public Schools Foundation July 2008 until present In this position I am responsible for all communications internally and externally including those with staff, parents, students, donors, alumni, Board Members and the community. In July of 2013 I stepped down from the Foundation to focus on my role as Communications Director and to co-chair the 4th Annual American Girl® Fashion Show.

My responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Create an annual communications plan and develop all print/electronic material for District including, newsletter, school shopper materials, annual report, school calendar, video production, photo shoots, social media, electronic newsletters, web site etc.

Includes concept, design, writing, proofing and distribution.

Manage social media sites for the school and Foundation, including Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn Publish press releases on a regular basis as well as communicate with the press during times of crisis (i.e. flu outbreak, snow days, student successes, etc).

Work closely with the Superintendent to create and communicate the Strategic Plan, speeches and other important messages to staff and community.

Work with Foundation Board to develop an annual strategic plan to meet fundraising goals. Design program, all collateral and marking material for the End-of-Year Giving Campaign, No Show Ball, and the American Girl Fashion Show® event. This includes coordinating over 200 volunteers, creating budgets and end of event reports, as well as selling tickets and creating new innovative ways of promoting the programs through traditional and social media, working with the AMG parent company to ensure brand integrity and awareness, all print and marketing material, as well as new ideas to encourage giving.

Research and prepare grant applications to obtain additional funding. Successfully wrote several grants including one for over $100,000 for the Upton Planetarium renovation in 2010, $70,000 from Fairmount

Minerals in December of 2011 and another $75,000 matching grant from the Upton Foundation for 1 to 1 Computing in December of 2011, Fairmount Minerals in January of 2013 for $18,000.

Development of a plan for the school to reconnect with alumni through the Foundation. Including an alumni database, Alumni Mentoring network, Thank A Staff Member program, digital alumni newsletter, reunion packet and Planned Giving program.

Develop new marketing and fund raising strategies throughout the year. To date have raised over $3,000,000 for SJ Public Schools

Director of Development Well of GRACE Ministries February 2007 until June 2008 Plan and coordinate all fundraising activities including annual Gathering, Mud Volleyball Tournament, Fall Fashion Show and Youth Concerts. Develop all print material necessary to promote the ministry, including posters, brochures, CD covers, displays and other material. Maintain donor communication, write and distribute press releases, quarterly newsletter and any other media relations including newspaper and radio interviews. Maintain web site.

Responsible for researching, writing and maintaining all grant activity. Successfully obtained several local grants. Continue to work with the organization on a contract basis. For more information please visit www.wellofgraceministries.com.

President & Artistic Director CEODesign, Inc. August 1997 – February 2007 Designer and developer of corporate and commercial web sites, e-commerce solutions, multimedia presentations, packaging and print marketing materials.

Employed and managed six full time graphic designers and sales personnel. Worked extensively with local and nationally recognized companies including Whirlpool Corporation.

Graphic Designer Whirlpool Financial (WFC) July 1994 – July 1997 Worked in the graphics center creating presentations for sales presentations, credit card applications, POP material, trade show signs and marketing materials.

CHRI S TI NE OKON-WATER HOUSE

EXAMPLES

WEB DESIGN

SOCIAL MEDIA

MORE EXAMPLES: www.linkedin.com/in/christineokonwaterhouse

EMAIL CAMPAIGNS

CHRI S TI NE OKON-WATER HOUSE

RECOMMENDATIONS

Anna Abdelnour President, Blossomtime

SJPS Foundation Board Member

Co-Chair American Girl Fashion Show 269-428-0663

Leslie Kroeze Director, Well of GRACE 269-428-WELL Dan Fette Berrien County Econ Dev Director 269-325-6569 Julie Beck Vice President Branch Sales & Administration Horizon Bank 269-930-7542 Al Skibbe Former Superintendent

St. Joseph Public Schools 269-930-6144

“Christine is regularly recognized by process partners as highly responsive to their requirements.

Not only does she always deliver what is needed in a timely fashion, but she also adds value by proposing effective format and content solutions. Christine has singlehandedly moved WFC into interactive multimedia as a tool to enhance presentations. Christine’s activities have resulted in stronger, more innovative and professional ‘leading edge’ sales presentations, contributing to a number of sales successes.”

- 1996 WES at Work Awards Celebration Whirlpool Financial Corporation

CHRI S TI NE OKON-WATER HOUSE

M O RE EXAMP LES: www.lin ke di n . com /i n /ch r i sti n e ok on w ate r hou s e