Vanessa Rhinesmith

Last updated November 28th 2011
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Vanessa Rhinesmith

Champaign , IL


http://vanessarhinesmith.com

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SUMMARY

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Vanessa Rhinesmith is a digital communications and community strategist with a passion for helping others achieve their potential. She is motivated by the changing landscape of information and communication as it intersects with technology and society.

Vanessa brings with her a diverse background that includes web communications, social media, community building, relationship management, and project management. She has worked in a wide range of industries from small non-profits to large for-profits as well as tech start-ups. She demonstrates deep understanding of communication needs to drive results and brings a strategic approach to all projects she tackles.

Recently, Vanessa was a contracted social media manager with Affect Strategies, a marketing, communications, and PR firm in New York City. She collaborated with them to develop and execute social media programs for their clients. Vanessa brings passion to her work particularly when it involves engaging others in the use of communication technology to build community online and off. She currently contracts for TechSoup Global focusing on global community building programs.

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WORK EXPERIENCE

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November 2011 - Present
Director of Outreach

StartSomeGood

Washington DC/San Francisco (remote)

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April 2011 - Present
Community Strategy Contractor

TechSoup | NetSquared

San Francisco, CA (Remote)

  • Developing criteria and guidelines for the creation and execution of NetSquared advisory board
  • Facilitating board development including the identification of roles and responsibilities
  • Expanding current social media guidelines to develop a social media best practice guide
  • Maintaining and updating handbook used by over 80 local organizers globally
  • Developing recommendations to encourage the community use of internal web platform
  • Creating content and supporting NetSquared community via multiple social media channels

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January 2011 - Ongoing
Communications & Community Outreach Manager

Proxy Apparel

Boston, MA (Remote)

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February 2010 - May 2011
Social Media Manager

Affect Strategies

New York, NY (Remote)

Responsibilities include developing and executing social media programs for a wide range of clients, including B2B and nonprofits, as well as researching and reflecting on trends in the B2B space in relation to social media and community management. Support account teams by providing social media account recommendations to improve customer interactions and achieve account goals.

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August 2009 - January 2010
Sales Specialist

Taza Chocolate

Somerville, MA

Customer service, product support, and product distribution with current customers nationwide.

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August 2009 - December 2009
Social Media Consultant

Freedom States Alliance

Boston, MA

Completed independent project that focused on the communication needs of the organizations through a detailed needs assessment and complimentary recommendations. Developed comprehensive communications and social media self-training program documentation for the organization and it's national sub-groups.

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January 2009 - October 2009

WEGO Health

Boston, MA

Moderated community of over 2,000 Health Activists; Managed interns and part-time in-house community staff; Developed policies and procedures as part of the community strategy; Coordinated and developed monthly webinar series; Created and implemented recruitment and engagement campaigns; Created editorial content; blogging, written interviews and podcasts; Assisted in strategy development by aligning community to business goals; Managed weekly and monthly community metrics; Outreached to potential partners and collaborators
  • Community Leader Women's Health (August 2009 - October 2009)
  • Online Community Manager (January 2009 - August 2009)

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February 2008 - January 2009
Project Coor. | Web Communications

Tufts University

Somerville, MA

Developed the first centralized department-wide approach to the management of projects to ensure that projects are appropriately defined, client needs are met, resources are available and goals are achieved; Worked with internal and external clients to assess needs, define requirements and assist throughout the project's lifecycle to ensure a successful and sustainable outcome; Managed client relationships on an ongoing basis to provide operational and technical support; Ensured resources are allocated efficiently in order to establish project priorities and developer capacity within the department; Worked with management to create service level agreements, best practice and documentation as part of a long-term project management strategy

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September 2007 - December 2007
Social Media Marketing MBA Intern

Stonewall Ktichen

York, ME

Responsible for researching, analyzing and reporting on ways to implement social media capabilities, as they deem advantageous in both the long- and short-term

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September 2006 - December 2006
MBA Admissions Coordinator

Simmons College

Boston, MA

Acted as the first point of contact for potential applications via phone, email and in-person inquiries that led to applications; assisted and guided prospective students through the application process resulting in completed applications, acceptance and enrollment in the program

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January 2005 - September 2006
Internal Communications Associate

Liberty Mutual Group

Portsmouth, NH

Provided communications support to management leading to the development of strategic initiatives and increased flow of communication throughout the organization; Developed and created brands, logos, videos, newsletters and other marketing collateral that promoted an understanding of key projects and resulted in message consistency that aligned with corporate objectives; Managed intranet; developed content that resulted in an increase in online traffic and employee participation; Coordinated the creation and implementation of I/S wide special events, including Take Our Sons and Daughters to Work Day, United Way Fundraiser Day and Annual Holiday Party that promoted a positive employee work environment; Oversaw meeting logistics, including presentation content, which resulted in the successful implementation of six quarterly Town Meetings to an audience of approximately 3,000 employees

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August 2003 - December 2004
MercyWorks|Volunteer and Friends First Coordinator

Mercy Home for Boys and Girls

Chicago, IL

Matched at-risk youth with adult volunteers, resulting in positive, life changing mentoring relationship. Managed relationships with social service agencies to establish an active referral network that assisted clients in critical times of need. Supervised a team of three caseworkers, which led to a high level of quality support and assistance provided to client base. Analyzed, created and implemented program policy and procedures to enhance the overall quality of the Friends First mentoring program

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EDUCATION

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September 2006 - August 2009

Simmons College

Boston, MA

MBA

  • Organizational Behavior

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September 1999 - May 2003

Fairfield University

Fairfield, CT

BS

  • Marketing

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COMMUNITY

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  • Urbana Bike Co-op, Content Strategy Volunteer, 2011
  • Champaign County Nursing Home, Volunteer, 2011
  • Community Roundtable, Member, 2009 - 2010
  • Social Media Club, Boston Member, 2008 - 2009
  • Simmons College, Technology Governance Committee, Student Rep, 2007 - 2008
  • Edun LIVE on Campus, Marketing/Social Media Mentor, 2008
  • Haymarket Peoples' Fund, Communications Committee Member, 2008

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PRESENTATIONS

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  • IT Entrepreneurship, University of Illinois, Graduate School of Information and Library Science, April 15, 2011
  • Innovators Improv: Sparking Creativity, video

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ON THE WEB

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  • LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessarhinesmith
  • Twitter http://twitter.com/vrhinesmith
  • Blog | Left Behind Bottle Caps http://vanessarhinesmith.com/blog/best-of
  • Blog | CurrentMom http://www.currentmom.com/currentmom/about-vanessa.html
  • Blog | TechAffect http://www.techaffect.com/author/vanessaaffect/
  • Skype: vanessa.rhinesmith



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