Vanessa Dueñas
New Orleans,USA
Summary
Dynamic professional with extensive experience in office management and business development. Strengthened brand presence and client relations through strategic initiatives, while providing high-level executive support to ensure organizational success. Known for fostering collaboration and implementing solutions that drive operational efficiency.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Freelance Consultant
Self-Employed
New Orleans, LA
07.2021 - Current
- Consulted on operations, accounting, translation, PR, and hospitality for start-ups, medical offices, non-profits, and family trusts.
- Coordinated fundraising efforts for animal rescue initiatives, enhancing operational support.
Executive Director
Jon Renaudin, Inc.
New Orleans, LA
05.2020 - 06.2021
- Business Operations.
- Managed the day-to-day operations for several companies within the Renaudin Enterprises family of companies including: The Renaudin Foundation, a 501(c)(3) focused on community relief assistance, BE Creative, a graphics company specializing in wide-format printing and campaign consulting, and JRenaudin, L3C, a provider of business advisory and logistics services.
- Utilized strong multi-tasking skills to manage projects including fundraising, organizing mental health partnerships with Nola.com, and coordinating on-site logistics for disaster relief GOHSEP contracts.
- Non-Profit, Advertising, Consulting
Operations & Marketing Consultant
Alaris Financial, LLC & Blue Sky Capital, LLC
Great Falls, VA
08.2014 - 12.2020
- Business Operations. Organized small business start-ups, consulting on corporate structure, human resources, compliance, and risk mitigation, while providing IT, research, data analysis, accounting, and internal audit services.
- Marketing. Increased revenue growth by 30% through social media integration and website development, authored English/Spanish press releases and customer communications, spearheaded networking and outreach campaigns, organized event and trade show participation, and designed promotional materials and presentations. Commodities Brokerage/Money Management
Business Development Strategic Advisor
Achieval Strategies, LLC
McLean, VA
12.2019 - 12.2020
- Business Development. Drove new business and marketing initiatives through integrated messaging, targeted outreach campaigns, social media and website management, increased operational efficiencies, talent sourcing, and applicant tracking system (ATS) management.
Chief Operating Officer
Chesapeake Investment Services Inc.
Vienna, VA
04.2004 - 07.2014
- Process Improvement.
- Restructured firm departments and re-calibrated operational processes, contributing to the firm’s growth from start-up to a premier futures broker and commodity investment manager overseeing over a quarter billion dollars in assets.
- C-Level Executive Support.
- Directly reported to the CEO and was involved in all confidential and development matters, including strategic initiatives, project supervision, budgeting, bookkeeping, scheduling, travel logistics, contract negotiations, technology migration, data management, human resources, resource procurement and allocation, sales benchmarks, and customer retention.
- Senior Management.
- Advanced from EA/CTO to COO within 5 years through rapid study, creative problem solving, organized multi-tasking, and tactful negotiation, achieving balanced short and long-term objectives.
- Managed several cross-functional teams ranging from 5 to 15 people.
- Data Analysis.
- Doubled efficiencies in sales, internal operations, performance calculations (GAAP), and revenue collection through the quick and effective management of large amounts of data, keenly interpreting qualitative data and devising algorithms (Microsoft Excel) to analyze and report on quantitative data.
- Public Relations.
- Served as the firm’s ambassador and first line of contact, increasing trust through active and tactful communication and interpersonal skills.
- Employee Relations.
- Boosted employee morale and productivity by organizing engagement events, providing counseling and training in ethics, derivative products, sales methods, and conflict resolution, serving as liaison between executives and employees, and fostering strong interdepartmental collaboration.
- Business Development.
- Increased sales and B2B connections by over 50% by liaising with over 50 affiliate offices and potential partner brokers, facilitating joint endeavors and matching work groups.
- Writing & Editing.
- Fortified firm’s relations by co-authoring, editing, and increasing the frequency of communications with clients and employees, as well as developing clear internal procedural documents such as employment contracts, human resources guides, regulatory compliance guides, and training manuals.
- Marketing.
- Augmented firm prominence and return on marketing initiatives by strengthening messaging, authoring press releases and adverts, designing artwork (Adobe Illustrator/Photoshop), spearheading mass-mailers, improving firm’s web and social media presence, creating dynamic multi-media presentations (Microsoft PowerPoint), coordinating TV and radio appearances, handling event and trade show logistics, and conducting presentations for U.S. and international audiences.
- Compliance.
- Secured Business Continuity and Ethical Standards by revamping and maintaining firm’s Compliance and Legal department, including keeping up to date with regulatory and industry best practices, performing annual internal audits and monthly checks, conducting employee training, working closely with regulators to ensure all external audits (NFA, CFTC, FINRA) received clean bills of health, and managing legal and arbitration matters such as communication with counsel, brief revisions, document discovery, and case preparation.
- Commodities & Securities Brokerage/Money Management
Education
Bachelors of Business Administration - International Business and Operations Management
Emory University Goizueta Business School
Atlanta, GA05-2003
High School Diploma - International Baccalaureate
International Escuela Campo Alegre
Caracas, Venezuela06-1999
Skills
- Business Operations
- Business Development
- Process Improvement
- Compliance
- Data Analysis
- Marketing
- Public Relations
- Bilingual Writing & Editing
- C-Level Executive Support
- Senior Management
- Interpersonal Skills
- Human Resources
- Microsoft Office
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Google Suite
- Salesforce & CRM
- Canva
Personal Information
Work Permit: Authorized to work in the US for any employer.
Volunteer Experience
- Take Paws Animal Rescue
- Lucky Dog Animal Rescue
- Devotion to Children
- Alumnae Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta
Background Check
Able to pass a background check and have references at the ready for a security clearance.
Additional Information
Organized Strategy, Versatile Communication, Tailored Messaging., Organized – Resourceful – Balanced. These are the results-achieving strengths I bring into all my endeavors. I take initiative and am able to swiftly develop ethical action plans that involve problem identification, research, qualitative and quantitative data analysis, and strategic solution workshopping, while maintaining budgets, compliance standards, deadlines, and benchmark goals in mind. Strategy, betterment, and growth run on auto-pilot. I never shy away from a problem. Simply put, it can be done. And if not, we will find the next best solution., Communication Is Essential. Growing up amongst expatriate and diplomatic communities in the Americas helped me develop a solid appreciation and understanding of different cultures, their geopolitical and socioeconomic drivers, and the strategies necessary to facilitate cooperation. Excellent interpersonal skills and diversity training have been a forefront in my ability to fortify client relations and employee engagement. Naturally empathetic with a business mindset, I quickly connect, relate, and resolve., Messaging Is Key. I am naturally inquisitive and when I see an advert, rule, or strategy, my mind immediately analyzes: Who is this for? Does it Work? What would I do to improve it? Having spent my formative years with Procter & Gamble Strategy/Marketing meetings in the background, my transition into operations and financial services was seamless.
Timeline
Freelance Consultant
Self-Employed
07.2021 - Current
Executive Director
Jon Renaudin, Inc.
05.2020 - 06.2021
Business Development Strategic Advisor
Achieval Strategies, LLC
12.2019 - 12.2020
Operations & Marketing Consultant
Alaris Financial, LLC & Blue Sky Capital, LLC
08.2014 - 12.2020
Chief Operating Officer
Chesapeake Investment Services Inc.
04.2004 - 07.2014
Bachelors of Business Administration - International Business and Operations Management
Emory University Goizueta Business School
High School Diploma - International Baccalaureate
International Escuela Campo Alegre