Bike

Lifestyle

Outdoor

Health & Fitness

Kayaking

Running

Eating

Cycling

Hiking

Tour Guide

I work with businesses and non-profits, often lending my management and leadership skills to help these groups as they achieve their goals.  I look at challenges by asking how I can contribute to the solution and by developing long-term plans for growth and improvement.  I believe that the key to success in most endeavors is building a strong team with a diverse skill-set, and then enabling that team to perform and succeed.

When making decisions and planning, I rely on research and analysis.  I read a lot.  I keep records of business metrics, and look for trends/changes/opportunities.  I ask my colleagues questions about what they see and what they think.  I share my thoughts and what I learn with others.  Building and growing, for me, is an ongoing conversation.  It is a way of doing things.  It is what keeps me engaged with my work.

In my free time, I cycle, run, hike, camp, kayak, and I try to be the dog owner that my dog wants me to be.  Opportunities for growth in these arenas abound.

This job combines a lot of things that I love: teaching, history, and the outdoors. I get to wander around the cemetery's sprawling 90 acres with folks that want to learn more about the history of the area. Sometimes we get to see some deer or an owl.

Wave Hill is a stunning public garden located in the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx, and it is the best office I have ever had. I work to make sure the visitor experience is top notch, and I ensure that our security, operations, and events run smoothly.

Key Accomplishments:

• Manage visitor service and security operations
• Recruit and schedule volunteers
• Lead effort to interpret Wave Hill history for the visitor
• Maintain and analyze institutional attendance data

Manager of Visitor Services

I represented the Vibram brand in NY, NJ, PA, MD, DE, and DC. This involved a lot conversations with business and retail employees about the quality of Vibram FiveFingers, in addition to Vibram's position as a quality component in several footwear lines. I worked with businesses to ensure they had the right Vibram finished goods in their assortment to grow their business. Additionally, I trained retail staff so that they could speak to the brand's strengths. These efforts culminated in significant year-over-year growth for the territory.

Key Accomplishments:

• Grew territory sales by 47% for 2015, 61% growth for 2016, trending +25% growth for 2019
• Managed approximately 60 accounts
• Represented the brand at national trade shows (OR & GOA) and large-scale marketing events (Warrior Dash)
• Trained retail staff about product features and selling techniques

Mid-Atlantic Brand Representative

Paragon Sports is a single door, brick and mortar business that has been serving the NYC market since 1908. I led the team on the sales floor in the outdoor sports portion of the business. Mentoring supervisors and managers was a large part of my role. I also built relationships with buyers, merchandise managers, and vendors as we worked together to grow the business. Together, we hit sales targets while providing exceptional customer service.

Key Accomplishments:

• Drove a business that trended +10% in 2013 and trended positively for 2014
• Led the store in customer service expectations, averaging a mystery shop rating of 98.7% in 2015
• Developed existing talent, resulting in four reports promoted to positions with more responsibility
• Managed a staff of 70+ associates, including sales managers and department supervisors

Associate Store Manager

My time at the Princeton Review helped me to develop and fine-tune my teaching and mentoring skills.  Also, the organization's strong focus on results and student improvement was exceptionally appealing to me.

SAT Instuctor

Guide, Floor Supervisor - Boston, MA - 10/2006 - 10/2009
Floor Supervisor - New York, NY - 10/2009 - 4/2010
Assistant Store Manager - New York, NY - 4/2010 - 6/2013

I initially took a part-time position at EMS to help support myself as I completed my graduate degree. This turned into a seven year relationship, where I was able to grow into a management role with the company. I supported EMS in many capacities: operational management/shrink reduction, sales growth, hiring and retaining great talent, and sales floor leadership.

Key Accomplishments:

• Supported store sales’ growth to nearly $12 million in 2010, and nearly $14 million in 2011
• Interviewed/hired entry level employees; created/implemented an onboarding program for 2012
• Scheduled a staff of 50+ associates; improved scheduling communication
• Improved inventory control that resulted in a $21k reduction in inventory shrink in 2009
• Managed sale sets and seasonal merchandising

Assistant Store Manager

While studying at BC, I held several graduate assistant positions.  I held these positions (grader, archivist, etc.) while taking classes full-time and working off campus 30+ hours a week.  All of this is to say that I manage my time well, and can work at several tasks without compromising quality or effectiveness.

Graduate Assistant

I owned a small general contracting firm that specialized in home and commercial renovation.

Amanda Cragen: Tour Guide in NEW YORK, NY

Amanda Cragen

Sleepy Hollow Cemetery

Wave Hill

Vibram

Paragon Sports

The Princeton Review

Eastern Mountain Sports

Boston College

Cragen Construction

Kaser-Spraker Construction

Boston College

University of Notre Dame