Melanie R. Valenzuela

Kansas City, Missouri/Vilamoura, Portugal

KCtraveler@aol.com

PROFILE

Freelance writer, living in the U.S. and Europe, with experience writing in several areas including education, business and travel. Experience creating materials for education, training, marketing, and communications. The ideal position would be part-time, for optimum work/life balance.

Proficiency in Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Publisher, & Internet. Familiar with Google Docs, WordPerfect and Quick Books. 

RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE

Marketing Zen & Freelance Writer, online 2015-current

Staff writer/Writer

Daily copywriting and blogging for clients, using SEO-rich content.
Social Media marketing for regular clients.
Writing meaningful and memorable copy for various industries. 
Specializing in travel and business writing.

The Climate Corporation, Leawood, Kansas, USA 2014-2015

Office Manager

Manage the Kansas City branch of the company, assist management with daily tasks.
Coordinated the expansion of the office, tripling in size.
Work with vendors, suppliers, building management and catering to develop systems and procedures for this growing office.
Daily use of Google Docs.

St. Agnes Catholic School, Roeland Park, Kansas, USA 2013-2014

Administrative Assistant

Provided support for the Principal and Vice-principal of the school in all capacities.
Served as first contact for parents, teachers and students in support of school policies.
Daily use of Microsoft Office software while re-organizing the school office to be more efficient.
In charge of updating confidential information of families and staff.
Supported all school-wide events by creating marketing and communication materials.

Cristo Rey Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri, USA 2010-2013

Development & Special Events Associate

Responsible for planning, scheduling and implementing all school-wide events including the largest fundraising events in the school’s history, raising record-breaking amounts(over $700,000) and attracting the largest group of guests/donors (over 950+).
Developed and produced the first online annual fundraising appeal for the school.
Create fundraising materials, including concept, design, production and distribution.
Managed school’s Facebook, Twitter and YouTube communications.
Trained and supervised students and volunteers for numerous events and activities.

Avila University, Kansas City, Missouri, USA 2007-2010

Major Gift Officer/Annual Fund Director

Responsible for all live auction procurement, adding new items and catalog copy, décor and set up and general assistance for all other areas of the annual auction. 
In charge of all direct mail appeals for Avila University. Created compelling copy, determined mailing list and tracked results.
Started a new fundraising concept for Avila, an online auction.

Avila University, Kansas City, Missouri, USA 2006-2007

Office Manager 

Primary contact for all adjunct faculty and coordinator for all instructor materials.
Assisted with special events and contributed to marketing/media efforts which led to exceeding total enrollment goals for 2006-2008 school years.
Designed and wrote content for newsletter, prepared reports and mailings.

The DeFeo Law Firm, P.C., Kansas City, Missouri, USA 2001-2004

Office Manager

Supervised and managed new law office, hired staff, developed all office procedures.
Started promotional speaking engagements which developed a national reputation for the firm, accounting for about 50% of referrals the first two years of business. 

Independent Travel Consultant, Lee’s Summit, Missouri, USA 1992-1997

Researched and created travel itineraries for clients.
Organized group travel for school and leisure trips.
Certified as an Accredited Cruise Counselor.
In 1996-1997, over 80% of new business from client referrals, surpassing goal of 60%.
Won majority of company contests in most bookings for specific vendors.

Hallmark Cards, Inc., Kansas City, Missouri, USA 1981-1991

Assoc. Senior Research Analyst/Inventory Controller

Set up first national test network of stores to provide sales information. 
Served as event planner for network training-related travel nationwide.
Created original materials, and provided training for stores to facilitate testing
Designed first-ever corporate test store newsletter, improving communication and continued training with stores.

 EDUCATION

Cambridge University Extension, Madrid, Spain

C.E.L.T.A. – English 

Rockhurst University, Kansas City, Missouri, USA

M.B.A.- Emphasis in both Marketing and Management

Rockhurst University, Kansas City, Missouri, USA

B.S.B.A.- Marketing and Management