Intrigued enough to want to learn more? Say less. Here is a great place to start.

  • In my last job role I learned the importance of absorbing information quickly and asking clarifying questions as needed. Though it may be easy to get wrapped up in your own title and job description, there is an understated importance in understanding your role within the context of the team, company, and industry. There is always more to learn, and always more that can be done to help those you work with- no matter how short or long you’ve been working there.

  • Good work should always be followed by praise. If we are leading people, it is our responsibility not only to keep morale high, but to also care about those on our team. This is what separates the good leaders from the great. It is far too easy to point out the 1 thing wrong vs the 100 things done right. Forget the compliment sandwich- keep track of the wins and celebrate them!

  • One of the hardest questions a person can be asked. I can’t possibly pick one, so here are just a few favorites. Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas, Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney, Devotions by Mary Oliver, 101 Essays that will Change the Way You Think by Brianna Wiest, and Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton.

I studied Communications, Business Management, and Philosophy at the University at Buffalo and apply that knowledge to both my personal and work life still today.

While at UB, I got to be a part of an amazing team with Red Bull North America. As a student marketeer team lead, I got to work alongside an exceptional group of similar minded individuals, promoting a brand I love and supporting community initiatives along the way. Red Bull Doodle Art, Wings for Life, and Red Bull Cliff Diving in Boston are just a few highlights!

Keep in Touch

ellenlcross@gmail.com
(716) 969-5026

Jamestown/Buffalo, New York

Skills & Work Experience

Skills & Work Experience

Chautauqua Institution

Donor Relations (Events and Communication) Intern

  • Provided professional communication with ongoing and potential patrons, facilitating and directing incoming questions, ensuring a functional flow to the office

  • Recorded and sent RSVP’s through mail, email, and over the phone

  • Supported the planning and execution in donor cultivation and stewardship events by handing out name tags, encouraging engagement, and fixing any last minute complications

  • Updated Raiser's Edge database by identifying and correcting inconsistencies in data

  • Contributed creatively to the Donor Relations team with the Boundless scavenger hunt initiative, stepping outside the box and engaging a new audience of possible donors

  • Assembled and edited weekly Endowment Stories to be published in the The Chautauquan Daily

  • Stood in for Morning Lecture Lunches, ensuring an enjoyable experience for the post-lecture meet and greet as well as informing the guest on who they would be eating lunch with and their connection to the endowment that funded their lecture

Red Bull North America

Student Marketeer, Team Lead

  • Represented the brand in a premium way, utilizing market research and brand language to better invite product trial in a seamless and interpersonal manner

  • Leveraged market knowledge and personal network to seek new opportunities and build distribution within the Buffalo market including Holiday Valley Resort

  • Identified and acted on unique opportunities to bring the brand to life by leading the  Buffalo Fourth of July Campaign, reaching and exceeding our goal of sampling 2000+ cans

  • Named Top Student Marketeer for 2023 in the Northeastern market for the Red Bull Doodle Art competition, contributing over 50% of the Buffalo Teams submissions. 

  • As a Team Lead, handled maintenance of warehouse, upkeep of branded cars and merchandise, and recruiting/ training new hires

  • Valuable experience in marketing tactics and in-house project management as the Red Bull Cliff Diving Interim Head for the Buffalo Team for the Blue & Silver Campaign in Boston

UB Department of Music

Concert Manager’s Assistant/ Crew Chief

  • Promoted to Crew Chief within the first 3 months, appointed as the main liaison between the managerial team and the artists on stage. Some artists include Seth Parker Woods and Melissa White with the Sphinx  Symphony Orchestra.

  • Coordinated pre and post concert events and arranged hospitality including welcoming guest artists, airport pickups, hotel correspondence, and ensuring all contracted needs were met

  • Created and distributed marketing materials, press releases, radio ads, and email invitations for student and local news

  • Lead, recruited, and trained staff on Box Office, House Managing, and Backstage Audio/Lighting positions

Chautauqua Institution Golf Club

Bartender, Cashier, Beverage Cart Attendant

  • Handled direct sales with high profile clients, offered premier customer service resulting in repeat customers and an increase in sales

  • Incorporated marketing/sales strategies into interpersonal interactions, mixology experience

Holiday Valley Resort

Student University Ambassador

  • Promoted college season passes on campus, met and exceeded sales goals of 300+ passes in 2 months on UB’s campus alone

  • Utilized media pack and graphic design tools to create compelling narratives and advertisements to promote the student focused ski sales and Ultimate season pass

Wicked Good Garlic

Communications Intern

  • Conducted thorough market research spanning the US

  • Created a comprehensive marketing plan focused on competitor practices and research methods

Sunset Hill Cemetery

Front Desk Associate

  • Recorded and organized orders for gravesites, lots,  and decorations

  • Fielded incoming questions and wrote up relevant work orders

  • Completely switched over the written records of all historical info into an online database

The Villager Newspaper Group

Student Writer Internship

  • Assigned pitches to pursue from the arts/events desk

  • Prepared notes and researched relevant topics, wrote published articles weekly in the Lakewood Ledger

  • Conducted interviews and correspondence in-person and over phone

Education

Education

University at Buffalo | College of Arts and Sciences Buffalo, NY

Bachelor of Arts in Communications | Minors in Business Management and Philosophy | GPA: 3.97 with Honors

Sorbonne University Paris, France

Cours de Civilisation Française de La Sorbonne (CCFS)