Kara LaFleur

Last updated December 21st 2011
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Kara LaFleur

Philadelphia, PA 19147


http://KaraLaFleur.com

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Summary 

Self-motivated and innovative collaborator with extensive experience in non-profit organizations, community engagement, event planning, social media and grassroots organizing. Passionate creative professional excited about community, sociology, technology and thinking outside of the proverbial text box with interests in education, social change, and the arts and culture communities of Philadelphia.

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Skills 

Project Management, Financial Management, Communication, Teamwork, Leadership, Mentorship, Problem-solving, Organization, Multi-tasking, Community Management, Community Mobilization, Grassroots Organization, Educational Programming, Event Planning, Social Networking, Database Creation and Maintenance, Website and Content Management. Software: Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Wordpress, Basecamp, Google Applications, MS Office, QuickBooks, HTML, CSS, Social Media Platforms, and the internet at large, Mac and PC compatible.

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Work Experience 

Community Outreach, Organizing & Advocacy

Philadelphia

Arts, Culture, & Social Change Community

2004 - Present


  • TEDxPhilly An independently organized TED event from the conference that brings you Ideas Worth Spreading. The 2011 theme is "The City"
  • 2011 Marketing and Communications Manager
  • 2010-present volunteer, community advocate

  • BarCamp Philly A user generated, open-format tech and creative conference organized by the community and held at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia.
  • 2011 logistical support, volunteer, community advocate
  • 2010 volunteer, community advocate
  • 2009 volunteer crew coordinator, community advocate
  • 2008 planning committee member, community advocate, sponsor

  • Ignite Philly Part of a larger, worldwide network that entertains and educates people in short 5 minute bursts; this local group highlights great ideas coming to life in Philadelphia.
  • 2009 volunteer team leader
  • 2008-present attendee & community advocate

  • InLiquid Provides opportunities for visual artists and designers, serving as a public hub for arts information and resources, while making the visual arts more accessible to a broader audience.
  • 2009 Global Creative Economy Convergence Summit (GCECS) Panel Presentation, Speaker Beyond the Web Site: Social Media's Role in the Visual Arts
  • 2008-2011 member artist
  • 2005-2010 Annual Auction Benefit and Art For The Cash Poor volunteer; community advocate

  • 2009 Indy Hall Community Partner Coordinator
  • 2007-2010 participating artist
  • 2005-present general volunteer & community advocate

  • 2009 POST Coordinator; member; moving volunteer, painting crew, IndyHaul & general support.
  • 2008-present community advocate & event sponsor

  • Geeks Who Give Based on the concept of open source community giving; mobilized the Philadelphia tech scene to channel their powerful and positive energy towards socially-conscious causes.
  • 2009 School Supply Drive & Mentor Sign-up for Philadelphia Futures
  • 2008 Food Drive for Philabundance
  • 2008 Co-founder, Co-organizer, Marketing & Communications Manager
  • Initiated marketing campaigns utilizing social media, including social networks, blogging, and twitter, interpersonal networking and grassroots inspired canvasing to effectively execute several highly successful events to benefit local causes

  • Work To Ride (WTR) A program for at risk and urban youth focused on horsemanship, equine sports and education in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park.
  • 2005-present: general volunteer; youth mentor, educator, transportation, fundraising, mailings, staff support, technical support; community advocate; financial & in-kind donor
  • 2006-present photographer & community advocate
  • Work To Ride (a work in progress) A long term photographic project using color holga photography to uniquely convey the underlying sociopolitical implications inherent within the Work To Ride program.
  • 2008 Leeway Art and Social Change Grant
  • 2007-present Exhibitions: University City Arts League; Indy Hall; Project Basho; Reverie; Freeman's Auction House; Philadelphia Open Studio Tours; The Center for Emerging Visual Artists; University of the Arts.

  • 2007 Metamorphosis Young Professionals Fundraiser Event Chair
  • 2006-present Regional Community Arts Program Member
  • 2005-2009 Annual Benefit Volunteer
  • 2004-present general volunteer & community advocate

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VP of Cheerful Communications

Philadelphia, PA & Vienna, Austria

Slash7

July 2011 - November 2011


Cheerful communications for a cheerful software company. Software doesn't have to hurt, good software is cheerful software.
  • Our approach to communications is fairly unorthodox, we only use the dictionary to confirm that we've created a new word, and the AP style guide is full of our favorite rules to break. We believe in helping people do better to be better, and sometimes that involves pirates, lemurs, and unicorns (or some combination thereof). We use glitter pens on a fairly regular basis.
  • We write software, teach classes, and in our spare time dabble in world domination. We also have a jellyfish tank in our office, are passionate about what we do, hang out with each other outside of work, and share a common interest in making the world a better place to work and live.


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Marketing & Community Relations Coordinator

Glenside, Pennsylvania

Canary Promotions

August 2010 - July 2011


Publicity, Marketing, Community Engagement & Communications for Arts, Culture, Entertainment & Mission-Driven Clients.
  • Responsible for generating community engagement utilizing grassroots marketing fundamentals to facilitate audience participation both online and off.
  • Community outreach research to identify relevant outlets, groups, organizations, and community resources relevant to client projects. Communications and management of direct, personalized outreach to targeted audiences.
  • Content development for client communications including conceiving and executing branded social media campaigns, newsletters and marketing materials such as websites, blog posts, social media updates, campaigns and print materials.
  • PR management, pitches, report management and client relations.
  • Implement marketing and business development strategies for Canary including proposals, newsletters, managing social media profiles, website and contributing blog content.


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Marketing Coordinator

Philadelphia

Night Kitchen Interactive

November 2007 - February 2009


  • Created community engagement utilizing grassroots marketing fundamentals to help promote client projects and facilitate visitor participation through a variety of social media tools
  • Implemented marketing strategies including the development of proposals, promotional material, newsletters, and communications strategies while managing marketing contacts
  • Coordinated company events and public relations opportunities
  • Project Management

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Summer Program Director

Philadelphia

Work To Ride

June 2007 - August 2007


  • Oversaw the summer program of this non-profit prevention program providing disadvantaged youth with activities surrounding horsemanship, equine sports and education
  • Created unique experiences to engage, entertain and educate the youth at age appropriate levels
  • Scope of responsibility included resources management, safety, curriculum development, equipment and supervision of 16 personnel including interns and up to 40 campers

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Administrative Coordinator

Philadelphia

Center for Emerging Visual Artists

June 2006 - June 2007


  • Provided administrative excellence in daily operations by managing pertinent documents, maintaining databases, and direct assistance to President and CEO
  • Managed organizational website, including artist and event updates
  • Coordinated fundraising initiatives including organization and management of direct mailing projects
  • Researched potential funders including grant makers and individual donors
  • Served as a liaison for the Board of Directors, committees, and staff for this agency focused on career advancement of emerging artists
  • Managed financial operations including accounts payable, accounts receivable, sales transactions, and budget reporting
  • Administrative & Development Project Management

  • Research, Development & Administration Assistant December 2005 - June 2006
  • Researched potential funders including grant makers and individual donors
  • Content Management for organizational website
  • Created and maintained social networking presence
  • Gained valuable experience in all aspects of office operations including fundraising, workflow, and filing
  • Updated and maintained MS Access databases

  • Application Review Coordinator July 2005 - November 2005
  • Organized and oversaw applicant review process including preliminary review of 200 applications, detailed review of 100 applications, double-blind reviews, and applicant selection by the Board of Artistic Directors
  • Maintained databases, prepared slides and distributed materials

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Education 

BFA

2001 - 2005

University of the Arts, Philadelphia
Photography Major, Bookmaking Minor

 

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Awards and Honors 

2009 Creative Economy Summit Panel Presentation with InLiquid
2008 Leeway Art and Social Change Grant
2005 MacBus Award for Outstanding Business Identity
2001 University of the Arts Promising Young Artist Scholarship

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Press 

Philadelphia Inquirer Look Who's Cooking, August 20, 2009
City Paper In the Event that..., March 26, 2009
Philadelphia Inquirer A Meeting of the Minds a-la Benjamin Franklin February 25, 2009
Philadelphia Inquirer "The Picture Place" November 27, 2007 (article currently unavailable online)

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Clubs and Organizations 

The Center For Emerging Visual Artists (CFEVA) Regional Community Arts Member, Friends of the Philadelphia Free Library, Indy Hall, InLiquid, The Junto, Philabundance, Philadelphia Futures, Philadelphia New Media Association (PANMA), Philadelphia Open Studio Tours (POST), The Photo Review, The Print Center, Project Basho, Refresh Philly, Society for Photographic Education (SPE), University City Arts League (UCAL)

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Interests 

Philadelphia, Community, Culture, Social Change, Photography, Bookmaking, Printmaking, Knitting and Crafting. Accomplished Equestrian, Certified Yoga Instructor. Social Media Nerd. Geek Socialite.

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