Resumé

PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTs

Maria Clark Photography
Owner & Photographer, 2011–Present

  • Work collaboratively with corporate, small business, and individual clients to produce exceptional branding and headshot images, websites, and marketing materials

  • Organized community service days for professional portraits in partnership with other local independent creatives and nonprofits

Department of Biochemistry, University of Kentucky College of Medicine
Graduate Studies Assistant & NIH Grant Administrator, 2008 – 2011

  • Tracked academic progress for 20-30 graduate students; served as contact point for students and other campus departments

  • Optimized use of $1mil grant funds for 12 faculty to support research effectively; managed communication for selection of new grant faculty; facilitated grant renewal process to ensure labs work seamlessly without funding interruptions

  • Streamlined two full-time positions into one full-time role, saving the department nearly $40,000 in salary and benefits for additional administrator

University Press of Kentucky
Marketing Intern, Editorial/Design/Production Assistant, 2006–2008

  • Created and maintained at-a-glance book schedules for three consecutive seasons simultaneously; liaised with 10 personnel across three departments to collect updated information on progress of titles; presented reports at monthly interdepartmental meeting

  • Prepared manuscripts for typesetting; coordinated editorial contractors and completed in-house proofreading

  • Wrote press releases, jacket copy, and catalog copy for new titles

LEADERSHIP & SERVICE

Junior League of Owensboro, 2017 – Present
Executive Vice President/President-elect

  • Collaborate with other board members to create and maintain strategic plan

  • Oversee management team to create and execute annual plan aligned with the organization’s long-term strategic plan

  • Lead fundraising efforts with entire membership and write grants to fund initiatives

  • Expertly handle media communication, including press releases and media interviews

Vice President of Fund Development

  • Managed fundraising efforts across the organization; surpassed goal by 30%

Chair, Charity Ball 2022

  • Planned and organized major annual black-tie fundraising event; managed team of volunteers and vendors—both within and outside organization—to coordinate fundraising, decor, and logistics

Fund Development Manager

  • Managed committee in raising funds totaling more than $52,000 (30% over projection); personally secured title sponsorship of $15,000

Vice President of Marketing & Communications

  • Expertly managed all internal and external communication, including media releases, interviews, and social media content

  • Implemented new social media–driven advocacy/fundraising initiative and conducted training for 50 members; now an annual initiative

Foundation for Daviess County Public Schools, 2024 – Present
Board member, Secretary

  • Record, refine, and distribute meeting minutes; evaluate and vote on district funding requests; evaluated and interviewed candidates for new Executive Director

Owensboro Museum of Science & History, 2020 – 2023
Vice Chair, Marketing Committee Chair

  • Took minutes regularly and led meetings as needed; worked with full board and graphic designer to update museum logo and branding

Capturing the Moment, 2022-Present
Owensboro Health Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center
Volunteer Photographer and Retoucher

  • Gifted professional portrait sessions for local cancer patients

Help-Portrait, 2011-2021
Owensboro/Daviess County, KY: Organizer/Director, Photographer, Retoucher
Franklin, TN: Volunteer Photographer
New Haven, CT: Volunteer Photographer & Retoucher

  • Gifted a professional portrait experience for low-income individuals and families

Education

M.A. Organizational Leadership
Graduate Certificate, Communicating in Organizations
Western Kentucky University
May 2024

Graduate Certificate, Publishing
University of Denver Publishing Institute
July 2006

B.A. English
Transylvania University
May 2006

Competencies

Leadership
Organization
Communication
Time & task management
Attention to detail
Dependable collaboration
Project management
Strategic thinking
Problem solving

technical skills

Copyediting & proofreading
Chicago Manual of Style
Apple computers & programs
Adobe Creative Suite
Windows-based computers
Microsoft Office programs
Canva