LINDI ROELOFSE
MBA, HDFP, EDI
Applied Economist
PROFILE
Results driven strategist with proven track record of bringing multi-disciplinary stakeholders, market intelligence, and resources together to optimize assets and build new capacities for the future. Global perspective with diverse portfolio of cross-cultural deal negotiations. Winner of several academic awards.
EDUCATION
Masters in Business Administration (MBA), Strategic Management, 2005. UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
Economic Development Institute Certificate, (EDI), 2010 UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA
Housing Development Finance Professional Certification, (HDFP), 2009 NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
Adjunct Faculty Online Teaching Certification, 2006 UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX
Direct Marketing Certificate, 2004 DIRECT MARKETING ASSOCIATION
STRATEGIC & OVERSIGHT LEADERSHIP
Meskwaki Inc., Chair, 2011 – Present
Governor’s Rebuild Iowa Office Housing Task Force, 2008
Iowa Innovation Gateway, Executive Board, 2008 – 2012
Iowa Connections, Board of Directors, 2007 – 2011
Cedar Valley Regional Partnership, Board of Directors, 2011 – 2012
Central Iowa Tourism, County Representative, 2007 – 2012
Region 6 Planning Commission Council of Governments, Board of Directors, 2008 – 2012
Region 6 Housing Trust Fund, Board of Directors, 2009 – 2012
Region 6 Revolving Loan Fund, Board of Directors, 2007 – 2012
Arlington Texas Arts Alliance, Board of Directors, 2005 – 2006
University of Iowa Performing Arts Residence Hall Floor, Founder & Board Member, 2000 – 2002
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
ECONOMIC EVOLUTIONS
Applied Economist, Presently
TAMA COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
Executive Director, 2007 – 2012, Economic vitality via job creation, capital investment and capacity building for a county that includes a Sovereign Nation and Settlement. Executive authority for county wide community foundation, entrepreneurship trust, diversity alliance, convention and visitors bureau, historic preservation commission and certified local government.
- Over a period of five years, through an national recession, manufacturing plant closings and natural disasters, lead increase in taxable sales, a record high increased in the average county wage, decrease in retail leakage, and record high new small business formation.
- Recruited and facilitated $812 million in new capital investment via various projects into the project pipeline. Tripled number of viable industrial leads during first year in new position. Site visits also tripled proportionally. Sustained trend through economic downturn.
- Diversified sources of funding for operating budget. Tripled financial leverage on each county tax dollar invested.
- Lead Tama County to an Iowa Great Places designation for vision and over $4M in proposed strategies to actualize its authentic quality of place assets, 2009-2012.
- Expanded group of stakeholder formally working together with 35% increase in private-sector partners, 400+ organized volunteers, as well as Meskwaki Tribe signing their first 28E inter-governmental partnership.
SYMPHONY ARLINGTON INC
Executive Director, 2005 – 2006. Strategic authority and implementation of young top 100 US professional orchestra in size.
- Strategized and implemented a new low cost marketing portfolio to exceed the previous year’s total earned revenue within first 3 months. After that we integrated online and technology components to increase information dissemination and sales. Within one month of project launch, one third of new sales could be directly attributed to online integration.
- Increased new customer base (dollar volume) by 300% over the preceding year. Increased loyal customer base by 33%. National industry numbers where decreasing during this time period.
- Strong track record of fiscally responsible budgeting and project management. Consistently produced high ROI as different growth projects were introduced.
- Diversified patron base to be more representative of the community we served.
OTHER RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE
Research & Development, 1997 – Present. Growth and development in sectors that include technology, education, healthcare, social cognition, politics, arts & entertainment, with a special emphasis on an interdisciplinary approach.
- EXECUTIVE COACHING INTERNATIONAL, Strategic Marketing Consultant. Conceptualization and strategic marketing of international executive coaching firm specializing in standardized assessments and team building, 2003 – 2005.
- POMERANTZ BUSINESS LIBRARY, Graduate Assistant. Research and structuring of synchronous long distance competitive intelligence course, 2005.
- WARNER BROTHERS, Intern: Analyzed the market strategies in facilitating low cost online-offline market integration. Results anticipated the current trend of strategic partnerships between CPG and entertainment technology. It furthermore illustrated that additional opportunities are being missed, 2004.
- HOSPICE, ST. LUKE’S HOSPITAL, Consultant: Introduced a five pronged low cost pull branding campaign. Solution addressed the challenge that local patients join the program significantly later in their end of life cycle when support could have been available earlier, 2005.
- X-BLOX, Owner: International recognition for leading an independent research and development team to produce a standardized assessment for quantifying and facilitating improvements in verbal communication for ages 6 and up. Designed in 1997, it is to date the only assessment of its kind. Business plan for the commercialization of this product as an educational game won the Volding Business Plan Competition, 2002.
- NONCOG, Research Assistant (by ACT Inc.): Conducted qualitative and secondary research in the launch of new product to assist universities and colleges in decreasing dropout rate. Findings were published, 1999 – 2002.
- AARP, Research Assistant: national primary research study assessing the technological proclivity and interest of member persons over 50 years of age. Results lead to an expansion of membership services, 2001.
- OTHER, Events Manager – Recruited, hired, trained and managed various combinations of business leaders, elected officials, community leaders, volunteers, sales reps, designers, managers, technicians, and artists to facilitate a smooth operations/development of approximately 500 events in a variety of genres, 1999 – Present.
AWARDS
- ATHGO anti-corruption social policy draft winner, World Bank, 2008
- Nine educational scholarships, 2003 – Present
- A Volding Business Plan Competition winner, 2002
- National Math Olympiad medal winner, 1997
- International Young Scientist Project winner, Human Sciences, 1997
OTHER SKILLS
COMPUTER LITERACY: Proficient with qualitative and quantitative statistical analysis programs, competitive intelligence databases, spreadsheets, database integration and management, word processing, and audio/visual recording, design and editing packages. Special interest in using pictures and graphics to communicate complex points to lay audiences. Comfortable learning new interfaces and remaining abreast of software and hardware evolution.
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE: Bilingual: Fluent in English and Afrikaans. Lower proficiency in a handful of other languages. Educated and lived extended periods in four different continents including Africa, Americas, Australia and Europe. Dual citizenship: United States and South Africa.
FINE & PERFORMANCE ARTS: Strong appreciation for the arts as a vehicle for expanding perspectives of our changing world, economic development and building innovating cultures. Winner of various arts related awards.
COMMITMENT: No restrictions on relocation or travel for the right opportunity.
