Kira Costello

Experience

• 

  Talbot's Cyclery

  May 2016 - Jan 2017

  Sales Representative

  Transitioning from high school into university, I worked the sales floor of my local bike shop during my summer and winter break. This entry-level retail position taught me how to: manage merchandise, count stock, clearly communicate among store employees, approach customers, operate a register, sell bikes, and provide quality customer service. As a result of the Pandemic, many small family-owned businesses closed, including Talbots Bike store. Although this bike shop is no longer around, I fondly remember selecting my childhood bikes from Talbots and full circle years later helping kids pick out their first bikes. Show less

• 

  Hillary for America

  May 2016 - Jul 2016

  Student Fellow

  The summer following my freshman year at Gonzaga University, I was accepted for a Fellowship with Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign. In the heart of San Franciso, alongside a small team of student fellows, I: + Launched and oversaw campaign operations: Hillary Clinton attended our “Get Out the Vote” rally held in San Francisco + Canvassed SF neighborhoods and cold-called voters, providing locals with election information, assessing their political viewpoint, and encouraging them to vote+ Trained and organized volunteers for our phone banking “Get Out the Vote” events+ Transported Hillary’s marketing and pamphlet materials to volunteers posted throughout the Bay Area Show less

• 

  Stanford University

  May 2017 - Jul 2017

  Digital Media Intern

  As an undergraduate, I spent a summer supporting the Senior Director of Digital Strategy at Stanford University. As a digital media intern, I: + Monitored news outlets that mentioned Stanford University and updated the Office’s social media, drafting content for Twitter+ Categorized unorganized digital media files which included video/voice recordings of guest lectures, Stanford seminars, and round table discussions, paired with a detailed excel catalog+ Assisted on a video production shoot that highlighted Stanford’s newest building Show less

• 

  Campus Kitchen

  Jul 2017 - Oct 2017

  Assistant To The Campus Director

  While a full-time student, I spent my summer closely assisting Gonzaga's Director of Campus Kitchen-- a nonprofit organization that provides food services to local homeless and elderly. My responsibilities included kitchen maintenance, food deliveries, preparing meals, serving meals, and tending the university gardening.

• 

  Gonzaga University

  Aug 2017 - May 2019

  Late Night Assistant

  While a full-time student, I worked the front desk, providing circulation and information assistance during the night shift at my university library. My responsibilities included: organizing and sorting library literature, assisting students and community members with IT trouble, managing study room reservations, and performing closing duties.

• 

  Women Political Leaders (WPL)

  Jan 2018 - May 2018

  Political Intern

  During my Belgium study abroad, I attended Vesalius University and balanced a semester-long internship for WPL-- a non-profit foundation that aimed to establish a global network of female politicians. During this internship, I had two main projects: expand WPL’s global network into Africa and provide logistical assistance for WPL’s 2018 Lithuanian Summit. Responsibilities of this internship included: + Supported event management for the 2018 Summit: researching, drafting invitations, managing travel accommodations, updating attendance+ Revised the 2018 Summit itinerary to accommodate guest appearances and an award section + Complied a list of 15 candidates that fit the profile to receive the “35 and Under” award+ Researched and streamlined a database of Africa's female politicians, an essential step to advance WPL's outreach beyond Europe+ Utilized Excel spreadsheets and Salesforce database to manage and record WPL’s lengthy member list+ Presented and persuaded my action plan, which proposed three ways WPL can improve its social media presence Show less

• 

  Jasculca Terman Strategic Communications

  May 2018 - Aug 2018

  Public Relations Account Assistant

  Summer internship at a Chicago-based communications firm while attending Gonzaga University. My main project involved crisis management, working closely with Jasculca Terman’s Executive Vice President, I: + Researched and composed a daily email report for our client+ Analyzed media coverage to help determine crisis communication strategiesAdditionally, partnered with a senior account manager, I: + Drafted press released, media advisories, and social media content+ Built medial lists and cataloged daily media monitoring reports for clients+ Centralized media contact databases which included Chicago’s local radio, television, newspaper, and magazine outlets+ Pitched stories and client event/product to journalist and news sites, specifically for BP, Brookfield Zoo, and iBIO + Maintained and wrote/ edited content for clients microsites+ Staffed and coordinated client’s promotional events, a highlight was witnessing the opening of McDonald’s new Global Headquarters in Chicago’s west-loop As a Pacific Northwest local, that summer living on my own in Chicago was a thrilling opportunity. Show less

• 

  AmeriCorps VISTA

  Jun 2019 - Aug 2019

  Summer Associate

  The summer after my Undergraduate, I joined the AmeriCorps VISTA program, whose mission is to lift communities out of poverty. As part of a creative, fast-paced, and intimate team, we launched Camp-Read-a-Rama, a literature youth program available to low-income children in need of literacy intervention. + Our team designed four customized camp itineraries inspired by children’s literature + Oversaw and chaperoned small group and large group discussions, art projects, reading circles, science experiments, and meals + Produced and presented eye-catching Powerpoints and other camp-related documents+ Connected via phone/email with parents and fostering strong bonds with campers Show less

• 

  Workshop Education

  Jan 2020 - Mar 2020

  Teacher

  Alongside the Site Director, I co-led an after-school enrichment program serving elementary school children. I instructed and facilitated student-led group activities, including science experiments, art and craft projects, and sports. I assisted with homework, supervised outdoor play, assisted with the daily implementation of the after-school program, and assumed responsibility for onsite duties.Due to the national wide lockdown in March 2020, Bay Area schools were forced to close.

• 

  Integrated Design 360 LLC (ID360)

  Sept 2020 - Feb 2021

  Program Manager, Youth Sustainability Program at ID360 Academy

  Working closely with ID360 founder and president Melanie Jacobson, I took the lead on their new Youth Sustainability Program. As Program Manager, I: + Developed and structured a Waldorf- inspired youth curriculum with an emphasis on sustainability and green living practices+ Conceptualized and researched a variety of youth-friendly lesson plans, that included a variety of arts and crafts, science experiments, literature, creative problem solving, field trips, and physical education. These lessons introduced key environmental concepts like the solar system, water cycle, animal kingdom, recycling, climate change, and much more. + Taught and implemented my curriculum to a pilot class during Covid+ Collaborated one on one with the ID360 founder, Melanie, to transform her vision into reality The purpose of the Youth Program is to lay the foundation for a new generation of youths who are knowledgeable and educated on sustainability-related issues and promote an organic curiosity and appreciation for our planet. Integrated Design 360 is an experienced green building consultancy firm that offers sustainable design and construction services to organizations across California and the United States. This certified and women-owned small business’s primary mission is to empower and enable local organizations by giving them more power to fulfill their sustainability goals. Show less

• 

  Cascade Public Media

  Sept 2021 - Aug 2023

  - Managed relationships with a portfolio of donors at the $500 – $1,199 range - Tracked and analyzed data from mid-level donors to create programmatic strategies for donor retention, additional gifts, and upgrades- Cultivated relationships primarily through regular phone, email, and letter contact, as well as acted as the primary contact for customer service and donation questions for the portfolio- Assisted the Membership Campaign Project Manager in planning and executing quarterly fundraising campaigns- Worked with Membership Director and Director of Major Giving on regular donor communications and promotional material Show less Support Vice President of Philanthropy - Arranged appointments, managed calendar, coordinated schedules for meetings, visitors, and events- Coordinated Philanthropy Department all-staff meetings, Board of Director Development activities, and Philanthropy management team meetings- Supported Board Development Committee, which ranged from scheduling and setting up meetings- Carried out research and special projects related to identifying funding sources and engaging the board and donors as assigned Support Major Gifts- On a daily basis, performed major gift and planned giving entry into Salesforce system- Created and maintained dashboards, pulled reports, mailing lists, and created campaigns on an ongoing basis for annual major gift fundraising efforts- Worked with Director of Major Giving on timing and execution of monthly major giving solicitations- Provided monthly support to regularly assess and maintain data accuracy Show less

  • Individual Giving Coordinator

    Oct 2022 - Aug 2023

  • Philanthropy Coordinator

    Sept 2021 - Oct 2022
• 

  Environmental Defense Fund

  Sept 2023 - now

  Principal Gifts Coordinator

  • Engage high level donor portfolios and support the Principal and Major Gifts team.• Employ the highest standards of a donor-centered approach to fundraising playing a key role in the solicitation and stewardship of donors.• Liaison with various development staff in operational, institutional giving, data, information, prospect research, government partnerships, and membership teams.• Assist with donor deliverables and communication.