Kiarah Deshields
Ellicott City
Summary
Motivated Special Events Manager with a proven track record at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, excelling in event planning and vendor coordination. Achieved cost reductions through strategic budgeting and enhanced client satisfaction. Skilled in digital marketing and multi-event management, driving successful community events and fostering strong stakeholder relationships.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Special Events Manager
Reginald F. Lewis Museum
Baltimore
12.2023 - Current
- Lead end-to-end event planning and execution, including logistics, vendor coordination, and on-site management for high-profile events.
- Streamlined data entry, invoicing, contracts, and record-keeping through Salesforce.
- Developed event budgets, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and resources.
- Assessed event success and identified improvement areas through client feedback.
- Serving as the primary point of contact for clients, vendors, and stakeholders, ensuring smooth operations.
- Manage budgeting and venue negotiations, successfully reducing event costs by optimizing resources.
- Collaborating with the Mayor's Office to coordinate monthly, community-based events.
- Voted best rental venue of 2024-2025 by The Baltimore Times "Best of Black"
- Interim Facility Rental Manager (Special Events Department), April 2025 - Present.
- Collaborated with local vendors to secure services and supplies for events.
Founder and CEO
Ki Nailed It
Ellicott City
06.2021 - Current
- Built a thriving beauty brand, doubling sales in the first year through strategic marketing.
- Creative filming, editing, and social media content strategies leading to millions of views and engagement.
- Developed and executed social media campaigns, maintaining a 4.8-star customer satisfaction rating.
- Managed daily business operations, including product development, budgeting, and customer service.
- Designed marketing campaigns to enhance brand visibility and customer engagement.
- Identified potential partnerships to expand the reach of the business.
Digital Media Specialist
Lipton USA
Baltimore
06.2020 - 01.2023
- Spearheaded customer engagement strategies, increasing brand interaction via social media management.
- Handled over 100 customer interactions daily, ensuring prompt responses and brand consistency.
- Managed CRM software (Sprinklr) to monitor customer feedback and improve marketing strategies.
- Created and managed email marketing campaigns to enhance customer engagement.
- Coordinated online advertising efforts across multiple channels effectively.
- Managed online advertising campaigns using Google AdWords and other PPC tools.
Event Support Staff
Columbus Gardens Catering
Perry Hall
10.2015 - 06.2019
- Provided exceptional customer service during weddings, banquets, and large-scale events, ensuring guest satisfaction in a fast-paced environment.
- Maintained high standards of cleanliness, professionalism, and compliance with food safety regulations.
- Assisted with event breakdown and reset, contributing to an efficient turnaround between events.
- Managed inventory of supplies and ensured stock levels were maintained.
Education
Online course - Event Management & Design Certification
Community College of Baltimore County
Remote06.2025
Bachelor's degree - Social Science
University of Maryland-University College
Largo, MD12.2020
Associate's degree - Sociology
Community College of Baltimore County
Essex, MD05.2019
Skills
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO) (3 years)
- Sales
- Events management
- Microsoft Office
- Event planning
- Social media management (five years)
- Project coordination (two years)
- Conflict management
- Digital marketing (three years)
- Administrative and business operations (four years)
- Time management
- Vendor coordination
- Budget management
Timeline
Special Events Manager
Reginald F. Lewis Museum
12.2023 - Current
Founder and CEO
Ki Nailed It
06.2021 - Current
Digital Media Specialist
Lipton USA
06.2020 - 01.2023
Event Support Staff
Columbus Gardens Catering
10.2015 - 06.2019
Online course - Event Management & Design Certification
Community College of Baltimore County
Bachelor's degree - Social Science
University of Maryland-University College
Associate's degree - Sociology
Community College of Baltimore County
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