Summary | Employment | Volunteer Experience | Education | Professional Memberships

Summary

Christy James is an information broker who specializes in facilitating strategic partnerships and collaborations by connecting organizations with key resources and information. Christy is a catalyst who recognizes the potential for symbiosis between parties and is able to bring them together and inspire action that builds community and encourages economic growth.

President, Christy James & Associates, Inc. St. Paul, MN 2001- Present

• Identified and contacted strategic partners across Minnesota to assist in the development of the Virtual Entrepreneurial Network (VEN).
• Created Community Clusters with six communities across Minnesota. Conducted community assessments of resources in each community.
• Facilitated fact-finding meetings and focus groups with entrepreneurs, business service providers and community leaders in each community to determine what's needed when starting a business: hurdles, pitfalls, helpful hints, etc. which resulted in the development of BizPathways, an online business development tool.
• Presented information about the BizPathways Network at National and Statewide conferences.
• Conducted trainings on how to use BizPathways, an online business development tool.
• Organized and facilitated Rural Resource Roundup meetings across Minnesota. Connected small business owners with local, statewide and national resource providers.
• Led strategy meetings to develop collateral materials, licensing agreements and presentation materials for the BizPathways Network.
• Edited and assisted in writing BizPathways Community
  Champion Handbook.
• Assisted in developing training materials for the BizPathways Community Champion training.

Vice President Community Development, VEZONE, Inc. Minneapolis, MN 2000 - 2001

• Created partnerships with various community organizations, enabling entrepreneurs to access resources more efficiently.
• Assisted in facilitating and coordinating International-networking events that resulted in strategic partnerships between attending companies.
• Assisted in writing Technology Opportunities Program grant with Minnesota Rural Partners to create the Virtual Entrepreneurial Network (VEN), later named BizPathways Network.
  
  

Corporate Initiatives Associate, Minnesota Technology, Inc. Minneapolis, MN, 1999 - 2000

• Spearheaded and engaged senior management in strategy for involvement with partner organizations.
  
• Represented the company at meetings, corporate functions and maintained regular contact with key partners.
• Facilitated the development of opportunities for Internet technology start-up companies to network, leverage resources and increase their visibility in the business community.
• Researched various Technology Transfer programs from Universities in the USA and Canada.
  

• Assisted in creation and maintained the Manufacturers' Training Resources.
• Coordinated and supported activities that generated qualified leads.
• Identified and collaborated with organizations who provided resources to small technology companies.
• Assisted in implementing 18-month calendar of events plan.

• Coordinated major fundraising events from budgeting to marketing.
• Cultivated partnerships with existing corporate sponsors, donors, media and participants of events.
• Recruited and trained volunteer chairs, committee members, and individual volunteers for events.
• Designed newsletters, flyers, and promotional brochures.
  

• Created resource guides marketing specific area real estate properties.
• Originated market research projects to determine sales potential.
• Increased client contact through bi-monthly newsletter.

• Assisted in American/Italian business and marketing procedures.
• Worked with clients to anticipate needs.
• Translated text for brochures and marketing materials.

Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, MN

• Congregation Council July 2002-Present.
• Coordinator of Lectors 2001-2002.
  
• Central Young Adults, leadership team 1999-2002.

Minnesota Entrepreneurs, Inc. Board of Directors

• Education Chair 2001-2002.
  
• Strategic Partnerships Chair 2002-2004.
  

American Cancer Society

• President, Hennepin Unit Board of Directors, 2000-2001.
• Facilitator of Public Education Seminars, 1992-2001.
• Volunteer Involvement Chair, 1996-1999.
• Coordinator of Uptown retail sites for Daffodil Days, 1993-1998.
• Co-Chair, Polar Bear Ball, 1994.
  • Oversaw Printing, Public Relations and Marketing Committees.
  • Received WCCO Radio's Good Neighbor Award, March 21, 1994.
• President, New Directions, 1994-1996.
• Secretary, Hennepin Unit Board of Directors, 1995-1998.
• Received Carol Owens Award for dedication to volunteer involvement, 1996.
• Relay for Life
  • Team Recruitment Chair, 1996
  • Chair of Event, 1997

United Way

• Emerging Leaders Committee, 2000-2001
• Service Through Technology Committee, 2001
• Speakers Bureau, 1994-2001

International Special Olympics

• Interpreted for the Italian delegation and soccer team at athletic events, July 1991.
  

Minneapolis Literacy Council

• English as a Second Language Tutor, 1989-1991.

• BA, Speech Communications, Augustana College Rock Island, IL.1983 - 1987

Additional Professional Training

• At Your Service: Working with Mulitcultural Customers, 2004
• Institute for Cultural Affairs Group Facilitations Methods training, 2004
  
• Energizing Entrepreneurs in Rural America training, 2003.
  
• Hennepin Leadership Academy, 1997-98.

• Minnesota Facilitators Network
  
• Alliance for Minnesota Microenterprise
  
• Minnesota Entrepreneurs, Inc
  
• Association for Enterprise Opportunity
  
• Java River Café Culture Club