Melissa A. Schiltz | Designer | Consultant

Phone: +1 (917) 673-1966    Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Professional Experience

Design, development, and marketing consultant­
New York, NY | 2009 – Present
Work with referral-based clientele consisting of landscape architecture firms, start-up companies, and nonprofit organizations to:

• Design and fabricate custom high-end landscape architectural features for urban and residential landscapes.
• Create specialized branding and marketing materials for start-ups and nonprofits.
• Design attractive, user-friendly websites, implement content management systems, and provide website maintenance
• Plan large and small-scale nonprofit events consistently under budget and exceeding fundraising goals.

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION The Shield Institute
New York, NY | 2008 – 2009

• Spearheaded a new department within the primarily state-funded agency to raise funds and create awareness for extracurricular programs for children and adults with developmental disabilities.
• Engaged the community to support this cause through effective marketing techniques, including books and film that highlight the creativity of the individuals served by the agency.
• Organized art exhibitions both within the studio and area galleries to gain the attention of New York collectors and enable artists with developmental disabilities to make a living from their work.
• Introduced eye-catching donor solicitation materials and stylized press releases to attract media and funder support.

director of marketing and development Housing Partnership Development Corporation
New York, NY | 2007 – 2008 (Consultant from 2009 – present)

• Coordinated all fundraising, public relations, and marketing for the affordable housing nonprofit.
• Exceeded fundraising goals by over 50% in first year through corporate grants.
• Organized a 700+ attendee gala under budget while earning record profits, allowing a $100,000 scholarship fund to be established with New York University with excess funds.
• Produced a 20-minute professional documentary film with over 30 interviews from government and housing industry leaders allowing new partners to understand the importance and successes of the organization, thus enabling expansion of the business to new territories outside of New York City.

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Teaching Experience

PART TIME FACULTY Columbia University
New York, NY | 2009

• Assisted in teaching a graphics course to graduate level students utilizing hand-drawn and digital architectural drawing techniques to successfully communicate design, enabling students to form a sound technical foundation for future design courses.
• Provided focused tutoring and open availability for each individual student, resulting in a 100% pass rate and positive end-of-semester reviews.

Corporate ESL Teacher AEON Corporation
Tokyo, Japan | 2004 – 2006

• Devised inventive lesson plans to teach English to Japanese business professionals, allowing students to learn while participating in fun, real-life situational conversations.
• Interviewed prospective students for admissions to accurately determine the level of their fluency and appropriate class placement.
• Advised students on their language education paths to prepare for career goals and opportunities.
• Continually prepared progress reports to encourage and motivate students, resulting in an 85% advancement rate.

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Volunteer Experience

Events/Marketing Manager James Rose Center for Landscape Architectural Research and Design
Ridgewood, NJ | 2009 – 2010

• Envisioned, planned, curated, and administered the museum’s first sustainable design competition, resulting in international publicity, a traveling exhibition, and increasing the season’s visitor rate by 60%.
• Heightened awareness of the works of modernist landscape architect and writer James Rose through organizing events, tours, and lectures.
• Coordinated and participated in restoration projects within the historical center.

PROJECT ORGANIZER Architecture for Humanity NYC
New York, NY | 2009

• Initiated and coordinated a relationship between a Bronx school for children with development disabilities and volunteers from Architecture for Humanity NYC to design and build a new and safe ADA compliant playground, enabling preschool children to have a safe and beautiful outdoor space for recreation and enrichment.
• Organized planning meetings to convey project objectives, brainstorm solutions, and facilitate design.

ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR Home Maintenance Workshop
Far Rockaway, NY | 2007 – 2008

• Assisted in 10-week course to teach first time homebuyers maintenance and repair essentials, empowering them to maintain their investments and save money by doing home improvement work themselves.
• Demonstrated course topics ranging from sheet rock repair, plumbing, electrical wiring, painting, and tiling.

STUDIO Volunteer Pure Vision Arts
New York, NY | 2006 – 2008

• Assist in marketing and execution of art events and gallery openings featuring the works of professional artists with developmental disabilities.

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Internships

LANDSCAPE DESIGNER ECL Landscape Designs
New York, NY | 2009

• Designed and implemented inspiring, high-end urban residential landscapes from concept to construction.
• Created image boards to convey design to clients.
• Measured sites and draw construction details and design renderings for client and building board approval.
• Ordered supplies and worked with manufacturers and on site with construction crews to ensure proper installation.

Marketing and Communications Intern The American Federation of Arts
New York, NY | 2006 – 2007

• Wrote and edited press releases and researched press outlets to expand coverage of art exhibitions.
• Promoted monthly Art Talks lecture series through print and digital media.
• Catalogued exhibition articles in order to document effectiveness of press outlets.

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Education

Columbia University Master of Science, Landscape Design, Urban Focus
New York, NY | 2010

new york university Courses in Fundraising and Website Design
New York, NY | 2007 – 2008

university of cincinnati, DAAP Bachelor of Fine Arts, Studio Art, Sculpture (Magna Cum Laude)
Cincinnati, Ohio | 2004

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Associations

• National Association of Professional Women
• Association of Professional Landscape Designers
• Metro Horticulture Association NY
• Architecture for Humanity NY
• National Society of Collegiate Scholars
• Golden Key International Honour Society

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Technical and Graphic Proficiencies

• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator,
• InDesign, Flash, Dreamweaver)
• 3D StudioMax
• AutoCAD
• SketchUp

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Raiser’s Edge
• HTML/Javascript
• Joomla and CMS Interfaces
• Mac and PC Platforms

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Hobbies and Interests

• Sustainable Design
• Politics and Public Policy
• Organic Gardening and Farming
• Art Production
• Graphic and Website Design

• International Travel
• Swimming
• Biking
• Mountain Trekking
• Scuba Diving