Rebecca Styn

REBECCA A. STYN 530 Vermont Ave., Erie, PA 16505 |- |-| www.rebeccastyn.com PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Room 33 Speakeasy, Erie, PA 10/2017 to Present Founder & Proprietor | Leads a team of eleven employees. Works to optimize profits through cost control and strategy development. Responsible for menu development and design, event planning, marketing, social media, communications and advertising. Responsible for continual monitoring of bar and restaurant ensuring food quality and service standards are consistently met. Erie Innovation District, Erie PA 3/2019 to Present Assisted in securing a $10 million fully funded opportunity zone fund to attract and retain businesses into the community’s eight opportunity zone regions. Vice-President | Responsible for the execution and coordination for all marketing, grant writing, fund development and investment. Duties include, but are not limited to: Shaping an opportunity zone fund raise with the CEO and manage the opportunity zone fund(s); recommending investments and managing operating budgets, partners, and cohorts for the Secure Erie Accelerator program. Responsible for brand development, graphic design, internal and external communications Oversees a team of two. Erie Reader, Erie, PA 3/2011 to Present Erie, PA’s weekly newspaper. Launched publication with key cover story of jazz legend in inaugural issue; responsible for securing several national celebrity interviews. Served as contributing editor until 2016 working with freelance writers and editing articles for print and online. Contributing Writer | Pitches and composes cover stories, profiles and op-eds. Currently, pens monthly column, “Gem City Playbook,” focusing on the entrepreneurial arena. Idea Fund Erie / Erie Management Group, Erie PA 2/2017 to 3/2019 Executive Director Served as founder and executive director for the organization, supporting early stage entrepreneurial development with a focus on women, veterans and minorities, through education and funding opportunities. Responsible for the outreach, development and implementation of programming, grant writing, fund development, marketing, and communications for the organization. Director, Nonprofit & Community Development Responsible for overseeing all funding requests for the Black Family Foundation as well as marketing and outreach into the Erie community. RS Events Group, LLC, Erie, PA 1/2005 to 4/2017 Raised nearly $2 million for charitable organizations through grant-writing, individual fundraising and event planning. Principal | Specialized in event management, public relations, marketing crisis communications and strategic planning services for various non-profits throughout the Erie community. Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel 4/2014 to 6/2016 Booked over one million in corporate sales revenue –achieving 156% of annual goal. Senior Sales Manager | Identified key accounts and implemented strategies for revenue growth with monthly goals of 59k in room sales revenue and 35k in catering sales revenue; conducted market research and helped establish corporate business; maintained a high level of exposure for the hotel in major areas through direct sales, telephone, contact and written communication; arranged familiarization / site inspection trips to hotel by major clients; prepared daily and other reports as needed. Lake Erie Lifestyle Magazine, Erie, PA 3/2009 to 4/2016 Contributing Writer | Wrote regular contributing articles to monthly print publication . The Clinical Practices of LECOM 1/2007 to 4/2014 Promoted from freelance to Director. Established a relationship manager program for all internal employees that resulted in better communication amongst 15 practices, higher levels of service, and improved relationships amongst physicians and employees. From 2008 to 2014, MAE saw an annual growth increasing from a $4 mil to $7 mil operating budget. Director, Marketing & Communication | In charge of marketing, public relations, communications, and development, reporting directly to CEO. Create marketing materials for distribution to prospective and current physician and overall patient base of 40k. Responsible for advertising, grant writing, brand development, graphic design, media buying, creative outlines, internal and external communications. In addition, responsible in part for the public relations and marketing for Millcreek Community Hospital (MCH) and the LECOM Medical Fitness & Wellness Center. Widget Financial, Erie, PA 12/2005 to 12/2006 Managed a $300k marketing budget, consistently staying under budget guidelines while helping to increase membership base by 10%, and increasing dividends thereby improving the accuracy of budget forecasts. Marketing Manager | Responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, and maintenance of the credit union’s marketing campaign for seven branches and 35000- member base. Responsible for design, development and implementation of all marketing programs; analyzed market trends and demographic data concerning current and potential members; developed and implemented strategic marketing plan; handled all advertising; determined major goals and objectives for increasing customer penetration and coordinated all internet/website marketing. Oversaw a department of three. SafeNet, Erie, PA 10/2004 to 12/2005 Launched overall fund development program and implemented $1 million capital campaign strategy for organization. Director of Development & Communications | Responsible for the planning and implementation of all fund development programs, marketing, outreach and public relations activities. Responsibilities included securing grants, endowments, individual donations and sponsorships; serving as editor and designer of all materials used in fund development; developing and implementing special events; serving as primary liaison with committees of the board of directors and for capital campaign and endowment building projects; and coordinating outside and internal media relations. Erie Art Museum, Erie, PA 12/2003 to 10/2004 Helped raise $250k within one-year cycle for a $700k operating budget. Director of Development & Marketing | Managed all fundraising programs within the organization, including: special events; grant writing; planned giving; donor relations; annual appeal; and capital campaign. Accountable for all marketing activities. Safe Harbor Behavioral Health, Erie, PA 12/2001 to 12/2003 Secured largest community grant at the time awarded in Erie to help increase services for patients. Director of Development & Public Relations | Responsible for developing this role - which included the implementation and management of all fundraising and public relations within the organization. Responsibilities included: grant writing; planned giving; donor relations; special events; annual appeals; capital campaigns; outside and internal media coordination. Responsible for overseeing various interns and committees SKILLS Proficient in use of: Adobe Creative Suite CS6 - Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign and Microsoft Office OTHER EXPERIENCE • • • • • • • • • • • • Presenter, PA Downtown Development Conference, 2019, “The Relationship Between the Entrepreneur & Entrepreneurial Leader.” Presenter, “Freedom and Frameworks of Leadership,” CHESS Conference, Gannon University, 2019 Presenter, “Domains of Leadership,” CHESS Conference, Gannon University, 2018 Co-Emcee, TEDxErie, Bridges Over Barriers, 2017 Presenter, TEDxErie, “The Dark Side of Charisma,” 2016 Panelist, “Women Who “Werk,” Edinboro University, 2016 Panelist, 2016 Nonprofit Day, “Young Leaders in the Nonprofit Sector,” 2016 Emcee, Guess that Tune Gala, SSJ Neighborhood Network, 2015 Emcee and Committee Member, Wintertime at the Maritime, 2015 Chairperson & Emcee, Festival of Trees, Saint Vincent Foundation, 2010 Co-Emcee & Chairperson, All Hands On Deck, Flagship Niagara League, 2009 Co-Emcee & Chairperson, Generation-E Awards, Young Erie Professionals, 2009 Emcee & Chairperson, 40th Anniversary Celebration – Art On the Rocks, Erie Art Museum, 2008 BOARDS Erie’s Blues and Jazz Festival, 2018 - Present Public Relations Society NWPA, Past President, 2016 – Present Erie Redevelopment Authority, 2017 - 2018 Association of Fundraising Professionals, 2017 - 2018 Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority (EMTA),- Film Society of Northwestern Pennsylvania, 2012 to 2013 Erie Art Museum, Board Member (Until 2010, VP of Board), 2006 to 2012 Advertising Federation of NWPA, 2005 to 2010, (President 2009) Greater Erie Youth Symphony Orchestra, President, 2003 to 2007 EDUCATION Ph.D., Organizational Learning & Leadership (ABD) Gannon University, Erie, PA, - expected graduation 2020 Master of Public Administration Gannon University, Erie, PA 2002 Bachelor of Music, Piano Performance Mercyhurst College, Erie, PA 1998 AWARDS Coretta Scott King Award, Martin Luther King, Jr. Center, 2019 40 Under 40 Recipient, Erie Reader, 2016 Women Making History Award, Mercy Center for Women, 2012 Finalist for Woman of the Year, Women’s Roundtable of Erie, 2010 Generation-E Award, Young Erie Professionals, 2007