KATE Keough
Kate Keough
iTech US, Inc.
Career Highlights:
Director of Operations iTech US, Inc. June 2008 – Present Collaborate with CEO on SWOT analysis and business growth strategy Identify, coordinate, and schedule project costs, intermediate deliverables, milestones, and required tasks for projects Evolved the legal strategy to an emphasis on over compliance with government regulations—which has become a staple of iTech’s reputation both in the field of IT services, as well as increased employee retention and referrals. Position client and employee needs at the forefront of processes that are implemented in Human Resources, Legal, Direct Sales, and Marketing departments. Driven to make iTech a better place to work by planning and managing small and large scale projects from end-to-end—including corporate/personal insurance negotiations, IP2 (internal software program), social responsibility presence, and increased perks. Work with clients and employees to expand iTech’s presence on preferred vendor lists. Encourage and implement creative approaches to problem solving Streamline iTech’s public communication towards a more consistent message, including the gathering of client testimonials, references, employee credentials and profiles for release in November 2011. Immigration Coordinator iTech US, Inc. January 2007-June 2008 Established a highly effective management system to serve a caseload of 350 employees who need work-authorized nonimmigrant and immigrant petitions/applications, such as Visas, Labor Certifications, and Green Cards. Coordinated the filing of over 2,000 petitions/applications An average law firm would have at least 3 staff people to attend to a case load of this size. Administrative Assistant iTech US, Inc. October 2006-January 2007 Walked into the position knowing nothing about immigration. Learned through research, trial and error, digesting legal blue books. Met deadlines with minimal supervision at a dynamic pace Volunteer Management Consultant Howard Center October 2005- February 2007 Moved the largest nonprofit in Vermont towards comprehensive volunteer policy by balancing what accreditations require, tending to the needs of volunteers, and creating policies and procedures that are Board approved. Increased public outreach through the creation of marketing materials including brochures, press releases, editorials, flyers, public service announcements, and website design. Americorps Volunteer Howard Center August 2005- August 2004 Functioned as a communications liaison between mentors and clinical staff regarding scheduling appointments, child placement, and project development. Supervised a caseload of 20 mentor matches while also implementing special events for matches, providing support to children’s families, and promoting long term healthy lifestyles for the youth. Graphic Designer/Customer Service Frank Liquor Distributor August 2004- August 2005 Created marketing program focused on offering clients free materials (menus, tabletops, wine reviews, specials, events, etc) which increased client’s liquor/beer/wine sales. Expressive Arts Coordinator Rape Crisis Center Jan 2004 —May 2005 Created an Expressive Arts program to expand the resources for survivors of sexual violence, including the design of a training manual with concepts and objectives pertinent to the center.
Community Involvement:
Dismas House of Vermont October 2009- Present Mission: Dismas House is a supportive community for former prisoners transitioning from incarceration. Living in community accomplishes the Dismas mission of reconciliation. Community is fundamentally about relationship and it is precisely the relationship between the offender and their community that is broken, first by the crime committed and subsequently by the resulting incarceration. In reconciliation, wholeness is restored to the former prisoner and to society. Experience: I've enjoyed cooking for Dismas house, as we don't "serve" the housemates, but rather prepare food and sit together for the meal. I feel that sitting together removes any power balance that could be present. I've learned a lot about forgiveness, that we all inherently want to get better, and that getting better is easier when you're surrounded by people cheering you on. Dismas housemates are the most grateful bunch I've ever volunteered for. Small Farms Food Fest Each September, 2008-present Experience: Served up as much apple betty, apple pie, and cider donuts at the Shelburne Orchards festival each year. I enjoy this event, as I'm able to give back to the farms that work so hard to put food on Vermonters tables. Clothes Exchange Jan 2011-May 2011 Mission: The Clothes Exchange is a mission driven social enterprise dedicated to turning clothing into cash for community benefit. Experience: I assisted in creating a check-out workflow to handle a large number of transactions in a short period of time. I also coordinated the largest group of volunteers from a company, iTech US, to staff the check-out are. I've enjoyed getting our company more and more involved in the community, as it helps us grow as a team, as well as give back. Toys for Tots December 2010 Experience: I coordinated iTech staff to purchase hundreds of toys to both get in the spirit of the holidays, as well as an opportunity to train on meeting budgeting goals for an output that served a wide range of age groups. Holiday Giving Project, Howard Center December, 2005-2008 Experience: Each year had a variety of roles, including handling phone calls from the public, distributing gifts, and organizing large purchases of gifts in a corporate setting. Volunteer Management Consultant October 2006- February 2007 Experience: Started as a grant position, but then continued the effort during this period as a volunteer. Moved the largest nonprofit in Vermont towards comprehensive volunteer policy by balancing what accreditations require, tending to the needs of volunteers, and creating policies and procedures that are Board approved. Increased public outreach through the creation of marketing materials including brochures, press releases, editorials, flyers, public service announcements, and website design LCI Fishing Derby Each June, 2006-2007 Experience: Assisted in the selling of raffle tickets, at a variety of venues, who's proceeds went to the Howard Center's Community Friends program Safe Space January 2006- August 2006 Volunteered for their call line, as well as created a workshop for survivors of sexual abuse to promote dialogue around self-injury issues through expressive arts. Rape Crisis Center, Madison WI May 2003- May 2005 Experience: Staffed their 24-call line, as well as created a weekly Expressive Arts program to expand the resources for survivors of sexual violence, including the design of a training manual with concepts and objectives pertinent to the center. Awards associated with experience: Backyard Hero Award, United Way and Isthmus Newspaper, 2005; Dominican Leadership Award, Edgewood College, 2004; Outstanding Community Service Award, United Way, 2003 Sharing and Caring Hands, Minneapolis, MN May 1999- Aug 2000 Experience: Through a high school career mentoring program, I was the mentee of the epic Mary Jo Copeland--who runs one of the country's largest homeless shelters. Through my year internship and beyond, I learned the balances of how to give without ego, the importance of setting boundaries and expectations, as well as the limitlessness of the human spirit. Award associated with experience: Dick Underferth Humanitarian Award, Chamber of Commerce, 2000
Favorite part of job?
Every single day I have a new challenge, problem, idea to make things better. My CEO trusts me to make it happen , and that keeps me coming back for more. I love my job.
Most inspiring mentor?
Mary Jo Copeland: http://www.sharingandcaringhands.org/maryjo.htm
Who is your living hero?
Paul Farmer.
Favorite downtime activity?
Pairing local food with conversation and my best pals.
Favorite Vermont Escape?
Shelburne Orchards.
Favorite social network?
LinkedIn.
Favorite website?
Pitchfork.
Vermont Business Person you would most want to network with?
Justin Cutroni, he's brilliant.
VBM's Publisher John Boutin, Kate Keough and Lt. Governor Phil Scott.