Susan Verdolini-Sheats Arlington, VA 22202 703-967-9336

ss12c0a5c@westpost.net entrepreneurial app marketing and manag Established a reput acumen. Key compete

Creative sales and marketing professional with a disciplined roach. Extensive international, national and regional sales, ement experience in travel, advertising and not-for-profits. ation for strong account development and marketing promotion ncies: Brand Development Team Improvement C- Level Presentations Public Speaking Marketing Campaign Design Key Account Acquisition/Management National Advertising Sales Cause Related Marketing Contract Negotiations Strategic Media Planning/Sales Database Management Fiscal Management PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Vice President Communications OPEN International - Arlington, VA 2009 - present A school located in rural Senegal in Africa, providing quality education to chil dren and young women focused on economic empowerment. 99% of donations go direct ly to the school. Applied for and was granted 501C3 status, participate in fundraising events, pre pare PR materials, generate interest and thereby donations to build the school, review plans for school, initial construction underway. Prepared Creative Brief to outline objectives and assumptions for the project. Found talented photograph er/documentarian to go to Senegal, gratis. Advise and oversee marketing to inclu de development of logo, brochures, social networks and the website. Found innova tive funding sources. Exploring cause related marketing with the corporate commu nity to see where the best fit lies. * Within the first year of operation, 55 students passed the national exam, allo wing them to continue their education past the 8th grade. 65 students currently enrolled. Senior Account Executive Partner Relations Gozaic/National Trust for Historic Preservation - Washington, DC 2009 to 2010 Online social networking site for cultural and heritage travel. Gozaic was a sta rt-up, for-profit subsidiary of The National Trust for Historic Preservation. Created overall program branding and promotion to include web 2.0 social media. Presented web technology to a vast array of businesses, city, state and local go vernments and organizations. Researched prospects. Negotiated with and closed pa rtner destinations. Developed Circle sponsorships. Delivered national marketing campaign via e-mail, paid media, online verticals, SEO/SEM and public relations. National Account Manager - Travel Advertising Washington Post Media - Washington, DC 2005-2009 Internationally recognized Fortune 500 media company that delivers world-class r eporting in print, online and mobile environments. Developed both long-term strategic plans and short-term creative solutions for n ational and international travel clients. Conceptualized, sold and managed natio nal branding campaigns and promotions. Developed and maintained executive level, long-term relationships. Successfully utilized cross platform selling of all Wa shington Post Media products to include newspaper, magazine, mobile and online.

Page 2

Susan Verdolini-Sheats

* Recognized with Sales Excellence and Sales Achievement awards during major dow nturns in both the travel and newspaper advertising industries. * Created million-dollar advertising proposals, negotiated pricing and contracts and closed sales with top advertising agencies, international and national airl ines and hotel clients. Founder/President World Exposures - Washington, DC 2003-2005 Southern Exposures - Washington, DC 1990-2003 Southern Exposures originated as a regional network of 4 high-performance, multi -line travel sales representatives, which parlayed into World Exposures, an inno vative national network covering 19 major markets throughout North America. Clie nts included airlines, rail, car rental, hotels, tour operators, resorts, and de stinations. Conceived and launched a unique travel sales and marketing organization. Maintai ned long-term client retention. Oversaw every aspect of the business to include start-up, operations, sales, marketing, financials, and reporting. Managed, supe rvised, coached and trained an exceptional team of territory sales representativ es to include goal setting and progressive revenue achievement. * Consistently increased territory sales by over 25% each year, for 9 years, for largest hotel broker in the world. * Increased territory sales from under $100,000 to over 9 million in 5 years for one account. * Uncovered and developed the largest account in the U.S. for 3 clients. * Negotiated and maintained over 100 hotel contracts in the Mid-Atlantic region for one client resulting in start-up production in excess of 10,000 room nights per year. EDUCATION & DEVELOPMENT Citadel, Charleston, SC - (Psychology & Engineering) College of Charleston, SC - B.A., Art and Architectural History (Graduated Cum Laude, Phi Kappa Phi, Alpha Lambda Delta) University of South Carolina - Columbia, SC (Fine Arts) Rutgers University - New Brunswick, NJ (Fine Arts) Relevant Training: Leadership for Results, Performance Management, Professional Selling Skills Proficient in Microsoft Office (PC and Mac), SalesForce CRM Civic Involvement: CERT: 1st Civilian Emergency Response Team certified in VA, NIMS/ICS certified. OPEN: Board of Directors, VP Communications - school for girls in Senegal, Afric a PTA: Finance Chairman, Communications Chairman Church: Chairman of The Board of Trustees - negotiated capital improvements cont racts and financing for million-dollar project. Oversee real estate property mai ntenance for 13 million dollar physical plant to include 12 rental properties.