About Me

CORE SKILLS
Operations Organizational Leadership Mentoring & Training
Project & Team Management Graphic Design Events & Fundraising
DEI Focus Branding & Content Strategy Program Development
Strategic Planning Relationship Building Tech Tools & Initiatives
EDUCATION
2003 - 2005
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY – NEW YORK, NY
M.A. in Art Therapy
Steinhardt Graduate School Of Education
1998 - 2002
SCHOOL OF VISUAL ARTS – NEW YORK, NY
B.F.A. in Computer Art
Certificate in Art Therapy
PUBLICATIONS
Thong, S. A. (2007). Redefining The Tools Of Art Therapy. Art Therapy: Journal Of The American Art Therapy Association, 24(2), 52-58.
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Action Oriented - Keeping pace with fast moving environments
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Analytical, Critical Thinker
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Attention to Detail
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Collaborative Team Player
- Efficient & Accurate
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Outcome & Process Driven
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Logical, Forward-Thinking
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
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Highly Creative
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Lead by Example
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Master Organizer
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People & User Focused
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Proactive
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Flexible Problem Solver
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Quick & Perpetual Learner
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Tech Savvy Operator
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Time Management Skills
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Adobe Creative Suite
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Photoshop
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Illustrator
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Acrobat
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Audition
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Dimension
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Dreamweaver
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In Design
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Premier
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Airtable
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Asana, Basecamp, ClickUp
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Bamboo HR & Jazz HR
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Google Suite
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Sheets, Docs & Slides
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Analytics & Datastudio
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Forms & Sites
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Drawings
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Microsoft Office
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Excel & Word
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Powerpoint
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Quickbooks
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Shopify
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Wordpress, Wix & Squarespace
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Zapier
TECHNICAL SKILLS
WORK EXPERIENCE

2021-Present
Chief Operating Officer
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Manage day-to-day operations of online marketplace for fine art prints including fulfillment, vendor payments, and customer support.
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Support content, business development, marketing, and finance teams with CRM, contract evaluation, cost analysis, resource management, and project implementation.
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Develop and manage Google Datastudio dashboards, to support data collection and ensure that the metrics and insights enable our teams to better reach their goals.
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Expand and own the company's HR and people processes, including recruitment, onboarding, evaluation and termination.
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Implement and maintain company-wide policies and procedures, ensuring that the company's approach to retention, DEI, benefits, and awards reinforce a positive and success-oriented team culture.
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Oversee administration of federal, state and local regulatory licenses & registrations as well as legal contracts & agreements

2016-2021
Chief Operating Officer
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Manage day-to-day operations of the Ruscio Institute platform, including the website, blog, social media, podcast, book, YouTube, 2 ecommerce stores, and FMF product line.
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Motivate a multi-disciplinary, international team of over 30 employees and contractors to perform at their best through positive encouragement and consistent communication.
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Assess, analyze, and report on $3M budget to find ways to minimize expenses and optimize profits while coordinate staffing needs.
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Oversee operational policies and procedures, strategic plan and overall efficiency to drive sustainable growth and minimize losses.
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Develop and design marketing materials for web and print media including social posts, eblasts, opt-ins, product labels, and landing pages while maintaining brand integrity.
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Provide operational support for sister company, The Ruscio Institute for Functional Medicine Clinic.

2013-2015
Program Director
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Managed and supervised day-to-day operations of the Cornerstone at Campos Plaza Community Center and served over 200 school age children, teens, adults, and seniors.
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Developed and implemented theme-based STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) learning and ABCD (Arts Based Community Development), identifying learning goals and milestones for after-school students.
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Recruited, trained and supervised a diverse team of over 60 group leaders, masters-level art therapy interns, arts specialists, coaches, teachers, tutors, volunteers, and administrative staff.
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Managed and analyzed a $500K program budget to find ways to stretch every dollar
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Work closely with and collaborate with school personnel, city organizations, and community leaders to coordinate public events and fairs to build program awareness and share resources for the well-rounded growth of the participants and their families.

2009-2013
Creative Arts Director
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Supervised and mentored over 20 masters level art therapy students from NYU, SVA, Pratt, and C.W. Post who have all gone on to complete their degrees.
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Researched and helped prepare RFPs and RFAs, established new relationships with stakeholders, and reached over 100 new families in 1 year while providing art making opportunities to over 300 children, teens, adults and seniors annually.
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Developed and taught ceramic, craft, painting, drawing, and digital art curriculum for school age children, teens, and senior citizens with a focus on DEI.
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Launched the first art portfolio-prep course providing specialized individual attention and guidance to middle school and high school students, culminating in “Breaking Ground” the first teen only art exhibition in HH’s 116 year history.