Proven Leader

10/2005 - 12/2008

Payless ShoeSource Inc. (Corporate Office)

Individual Contributor

• Store Communication Advisor, Topeka, KS 2008 • Budgeted/planned/developed high end communication vehicles, bid print jobs, and managed the financial cost of projects through the entire process up to and including the delivery of the final communication piece. • Performed and reported ad hoc analysis for the Associate Communications and Retail Operations Teams. Analyzed and presented the frequency, types, audiences, and message initiators to a variety of corporate office business partners. • Consistently built and maintained strong partnerships throughout the organization. Store Communication Specialist, Topeka, KS 2005 – 2008 • Spearheaded the design, development, and implementation of the Announcements and Actions real time communication vehicle for stores. • Developed, adapted and managed the delivery of a broad range of communications targeted specifically to over 22,000 field associates. • Improved the accountability/understanding of messages by developing a “Store Lab” for the entire Human Resources Team to reference. • Contributed content for organizational articles and publications for over 26,000 Payless associates. • Advised the Retail Operations, IT, Learning and Development, HR and Law departments on developing communication strategies, schedules, and formats that ensure the messages conveyed to store associates are clear, concise, and accurate, and support their efforts to satisfy our customers. • Planned for, obtained, and managed the billing for communication translations for international Field Associates from various business partners. • Strengthened the Communication Team’s Communications Calendar and Metrics to more effectively track the frequency/type of communications by including a Project Tracker, InfoSource review/mailing schedules, and message initiators as well as a year over year frequency monitor. Reduced the number of store communications by 28 percent from 2006 to 2007, and an additional 12 percent from 2007 to 2008. • Piloted the development of The Stores’ Look Book (quarterly publication celebrating the season’s new styles) and Payless in the Press Articles on Payless Central (Stores’ Intranet) for 4,000 Stores. The Stores’ Look Book led to an average quarterly increase of 23% in stores processing in-store special orders of product for customers. • Facilitated training breakouts for over 300 field leaders at Payless’ annual Customer Celebration Meetings. • Orchestrated and conducted quarterly District Manager and Store Manager roundtable discussions in various markets across the chain to obtain feedback and suggestions to ensure field communications were clear, concise and added value to store operations.

8/2000 - 10/2005

Payless ShoeSource Inc.

Manager

• Training Supervisor, Saint Louis, MO 2000 – 2005 • Achieved two consecutive years with highest Customer Satisfaction Scores for a region of 1,500 stores within 11 states. • Earned Teamworks Award 2002 and 2003 for delivering exceptional leadership and support for a 70 store market. • Produced an average yearly sales increase of three percent for applicable store group. • Reduced store shrink for applicable store group by an average .4 percent annually. • Promoted nine individuals to Store Manager and one to Training Supervisor.

4/1999 - 8/2000

TJ Maxx

Manager

• Assistant Manager • Hired, trained, supervised and motivated a team of 40+ full and part-time associates. • Ensured the proper processing and display of merchandise. • Executed and monitored shrink reduction plans. • Managed the daily activity of the sales floor. • Governed store operation to include cash office, layaway desk, front line, receiving and store maintenance.