Brenna Partridge
Omaha
Summary
Dynamic professional, adept in event management, and program development. I spearheaded initiatives. I’m skilled in effective communication and process improvement; I excel in fostering collaboration and delivering impactful programs and events.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Recreation Therapist: Employee Whole Health Coordinator
VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Healthcare
Omaha
09.2023 - Current
- Manage, plan, maintain, and administer health and well-being offerings for ~2,700 employees
- Produce and execute events and wellness challenges such as steps challenges and health fairs
- Manage all aspects of event logistics, including development, marketing, volunteer and staff management, data collection, reports, awards, budget, and fundraising
- Create and distribute marketing and educational material through emails, newsletters, SharePoint webpages, print material, events, and presentation to maintain high program visibility
- Research, create content, schedule, promote, and present customized wellness related content
- Collect, manage, and disseminate needs and outcome data
- Respond to employee inquiries, feedback and information requests
- Establish annual program plans and goals
- Monitor and report on the status and progress of work
- Develop training materials for staff educational needs
- Advocate for supplies and space through relationship building, data collection, and personal testimonies
- Generate agendas, facilitate discussions, create goals, and oversee progress as the chair of multiple committees
- Partner with other services, VISN contacts, and community organizations to develop goals, strategic plans, and to create offerings that help enhance the wellness and safety of employees and veterans
- Give presentations from five minutes to two hours in length, locally and nationally several times per week
- Create quarterly and annual reports
Recreation Therapist
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare
Los Angeles
02.2019 - 09.2023
- Performed individual and program needs assessments
- Established, implemented, and oversaw recreation therapy programs for 200 + clients
- Developed monthly event calendars
- Planned and executed community reintegration, weightlifting, athletics, yoga, creative arts, cooking, gardening, sailing, fishing, and events
- Prepared and directed large events, such as the Greater Los Angeles Veterans Creative Arts Festival (GLACAF)
- Veteran participation in GLACAF doubled under my management
- Introduced internal and external resources to enhance client leisure and community experience and to encourage proactive pursuit of high levels of overall health and well-being
- Evaluated programs, made recommendations, and initiated process improvements
- Partnered with internal departments (e.g., Center for Development and Civic Engagement, Grounds, Maintenance, Medical Media, and Housekeeping)
- Fostered relationships with community organizations (e.g., UCLA, Jimmy Miller Surf Foundation, LA Metro, and Woodley Park Archers)
- Attended and facilitated team, department, program specific, and committee meetings and huddles
- Provided education and guidance to staff and clients through events, webinars, presentations and classes on a local and national level
- Supervised veterans enrolled in VA work programs, interns, volunteers, and program support staff
- Provided guidance, leadership, and education, to volunteers, interns, and staff
- Participated in, chaired, and provided reports for professional workgroups
- Initiated large projects, such as the veteran garden where I spent a year, creating proposals, gaining access to 14 acres of land, writing grants, and acquiring equipment and supplies
- I developed and executed a garden program
- Head coach for national veteran events, such as the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic and the National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic
- In these roles, I oversaw logistics, training, and all event communication
- Oversaw risk management and quickly identified and resolved issues and circumstances that arose daily
- When Covid-19 precautions and quarantine were instated, within 48 hours, I established a new program plan for my area that adhered to all precautions, allowing veterans to still receive wellness services
- Prepared and maintained budget and finance documents related to recreation programs, events, and department annual projections
- Adhered to Federal purchase card processes including, proposing, completing, and reconciling approved purchases
- Managed, obtained, maintained, and inventoried supplies and equipment
Event and Outreach Manager
Sun Valley Institute
Ketchum
03.2018 - 02.2019
- Produced internal special events and large community events
- For example, I produced an event called Harvest Fest for the city of Hailey, ID which incorporated music and live festivities and a food tour among local restaurants
- Developed and presented proposals to internal and external clients
- Established and maintained collaborative working relationships with community partners, such as 30+ local restaurants, local farmers, venues, Chamber of Commerce, waste and recycling companies, and city officials
- Created and distributed marketing material through traditional, email, and social media marketing platforms
- Organized, scheduled, and oversaw volunteer and staff teams
- Created projected and final budgets
- Acquired supplies and services
- Set merchandise pricing
- Collected and managed payments
Special Events Manager
Limelight Hotel Ketchum
Ketchum
08.2016 - 02.2018
- Part of a 5-manager team that successfully opened a new hotel for Aspen Skiing Company
- Built catering and event program for hotel
- Coordinated with clients, established plans, communicated plans, and executed plans
- Ensured client satisfaction in product and service
- Developed event menus and worked closely with food and beverage services
- Maintained and inventoried catering and event equipment
- Made equipment requests and recommendations
- Utilized Microsoft Suite applications and/or hotel database system to create client profiles and develop proposals, contracts, budgets, marketing material, and reports
- Created and implemented catering and event guidelines, policies, and procedures
- Developed systems, analyzed systems, performed process improvements, and coached team members
- Organized and led weekly staff meetings to disseminate important information
- Familiarized staff with new equipment and taught proper catering and events practices
- Created event budgets, payment schedules, and procured payments for events and catering
- Worked directly with finance department to manage funds
- Became proficient in running hotel audio and visual equipment
Education
Leadership Development Institute -
Veterans Administration VISN 22
Los Angeles, CA07.2023
Therapeutic Recreation Distance and Extended Learning Program -
Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WA07.2011
B.S. - Recreation and Tourism
Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA06.2008
Skills
- Event management
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Effective communication
- Organizational skills
- Program Development
- Servant Leadership
- Microsoft Suite
- Process improvement
Timeline
Recreation Therapist: Employee Whole Health Coordinator
VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Healthcare
09.2023 - Current
Recreation Therapist
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare
02.2019 - 09.2023
Event and Outreach Manager
Sun Valley Institute
03.2018 - 02.2019
Special Events Manager
Limelight Hotel Ketchum
08.2016 - 02.2018
Leadership Development Institute -
Veterans Administration VISN 22
Therapeutic Recreation Distance and Extended Learning Program -
Eastern Washington University
B.S. - Recreation and Tourism
Central Washington University
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