Cheryl Strickland 622 North Ashland Ave Unit 3   Chicago, IL 60622

Email: CherylJStrickland@gmail.com   Telephone: (919) 673-2060 SUMMARY I am a seasoned executive with extensive international experience currently pursuing a long-term career with a progressive organization that can benefit from an overachiever with business development expertise, adaptive communication skills and the ability to make strategic business decisions. With polished negotiation skills and a consulting background, I am comfortable maneuvering longer sales cycles and a diverse audience. I have worked, studied, and lived in 25 countries and have the unique ability to adapt to cultural diversities and practices, enabling a high level of success in my business endeavors. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Dimension Data North America Chicago, IL January 2007 – February 2016 Alliance Program Manager for the Americas • Managed a portfolio of large Cisco Systems partner incentive programs resulting in $34.4 million in rebates first

year, with an average of $25M annually. • Managed the manufacturer certifications and specializations process for the Americas to ensure compliance and

competitive advantage. • Defined, collected, analyzed, interpreted and reported on various sales and partner performance data. • Collaborated with cross-functional teams (sales, finance, systems integration) to create and build sales

enablement tools that consolidate large data sets into performance summaries and detailed reports at the individual contributor level.

• Operational lead for systems integration and onboarding for large acquisitions project (Nexus IS acquired 2015). • Regularly developed and delivered program launch presentations and field training for audiences of 1,500 or

more. • Strategic lead with executives and vendors to create enhancements and next steps for program adoption and

maximized profits. • Promoted from North American Sales Operations Program Manager to Alliance Program Manager, November

2009. • www.dimensiondata.com Cisco Systems, Incorporated Raleigh, NC January 2004 - December 2007 Program Manager • Full responsibility for five multimillion-dollar programs on the promotions governance team. • Final decision maker for compliance issues and ensuring determinations are ethical, profitable and reasonable. • Additional responsibilities included detailed reporting and tracking of revenue within established discount

programs, working with Marketing towards developing and establishing new promotions, and training Sales and Management members on how to use the promotions effectively.

• Promoted from Inside Channel Account Manager to Program Manager, July 2005. • Contracted as Channel Account Management for approximately 450 registered resellers in Southern California,

Nevada and Hawaii. • Responsible for increasing revenue in territory, profiling new partners, training on Cisco resources and products,

reporting on product motion in the area and assisting with price deviations and sales programs to ensure captured market share for Cisco.

• Received numerous recognitions for exceptional quality of work and commitment to serving the customer. • Reached 50% of a $1M annual target within first 30 days of employment. • Promoted from inside sales/lead generation contract in Inside Channel Account Manager, July 2004. • Consistently exceed stretch goals and often lead entire floor in lead generation capacity. First quarter results

were 131% over goal on a combination of quality assessment and volume of leads. • www.cisco.com

The Calumet Group, Incorporated Yongsan Garrison, South Korea July 2002 – July 2003 Assistant Project Director (U.S. government contract position) • Held senior management position in South Korea with Calumet, which won a US Government umbrella contract

managing 14 Army Community Services (ACS) programs. • Responsible for recruiting, interviewing, training and advising contractors in program operations. • Provided marketing expertise to reach the Military and DOD civilian community through seminars, briefings,

guest speaking opportunities and extensive networking. • Regularly applied organizational and administrative acumen creating forms, spreadsheets, reports and manuals

for training and tracking of employees and their activities to insure they adhere to accreditation standards and corporate goals. Crafted policies and the adopted SOP guidelines as part of training program development.

• Held lead role in planning and coordinating corporate events and functions. Unico Search, Incorporated Seoul, South Korea September 2001 - July 2002 Senior Consultant, Executive Recruiter, New Business Development (contract position) • Directed new client acquisition of Fortune 500 companies doing business in Seoul for Unico, the largest and

oldest executive recruiting firm in Korea specializing in multinational and large chaebal (Korean conglomerate) clients.

• Marketed services to foreign executives, including corporate presentations and collateral development working closely with internal PR and Marketing departments.

• Maintained an active membership and networking presence with influential organizations such as American Chamber of Commerce, American Women’s Club, Career Women in Korea, Seoul International Women’s Association, Australia New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Korea, and the European Union Chamber of Commerce in Korea.

• Conducted interviews, researched clients and candidates, developed proposals, authored contracts and negotiated assignments resulting in successful placements at Disney, Mattel, Hyundai Corporation, and Estee Lauder.

• Provided high-level service to ensure repeat orders and long-term customer relationships. • Identified alliances and business opportunities to expand Unico’s reach and capabilities. • Developed strong understanding of both Western and Eastern corporate culture, market place and current

trends. • Monitored activities and plans of large multinational companies to capture business in this extremely competitive

environment. • Consulted with candidates on career development, interviewing skills, resume improvement, and domestic hiring

trends. • www.unicosearch.com Digiton Corporation, Incorporated Raleigh, NC May 2000 – January 2001 Director, Business Development (contract position) • Senior consultant within start-up management and communications consulting firm. • Provided client services in sales strategy, process development, research, training, and marketing

communications. • Authored the sales and organizational plan establishing systems and personnel required for all aspects of firm’s

business development including but not limited to; training, dbase development, information flow charts, proposal procedures, client relationship reinforcement, and account maintenance.

• Created and implemented standard operating procedures, policies, and guidelines for employees including training and supervision.

• Worked with Executive VP on corporate branding and marketing collateral development. • Assigned as senior consultant for firm’s largest revenue earning client, GlaxoSmithKline. Secured $1.5M

contract to help establish, brand and promote internal client training department. Project was successful, resulting in subsequent assignments at the client’s UK HQ as lead consulting firm contracted to spearhead training initiatives for a new international division.

• www.digiton.com

Charles & Colvard Raleigh, NC August 1997 – March 2000 Director, International Sales • Managed international sales efforts pre-and post-IPO for the Moissanite gemstone, jewelry and testing device

product lines. • Built international sales department from conception to a multi-million dollar earner in a two-year period resulting

in production of more than 80% of company’s total first year earnings. • Remained top revenue generator for duration of employment in addition to managerial and distribution

development responsibilities. • Responsible for all international channel development including establishing distribution alliances for Asian,

European and part of South American markets from scouting/introduction stages through negotiation, selection, sales training and relationship management.

• Developed systems for lead generation. Effectively negotiated agreements with top executives and business owners from around the world. Company lead for executive level strategic planning of overseas markets.

• Advised and authorized clients/distributors on various aspects of territory development including marketing, corporate branding, retail setup, media launches, customer capture and retention.

• Collaborated with legal team to create distribution contracts and various other legal documents. • Coordinated and participated in international trade shows, conferences, sales events, launches, international

media coverage and other corporate networking events. • Recruited and hired departmental staff and lead all training initiatives. • Promoted from International Sales Manager to Director, International Sales, August 1998. • www.moissanite.com Mo’Muse Seoul, South Korea January 1994 – May 1997 Owner/Operator • Established, owned and operated a start-up international model and talent agency creating a brand known for

quality of service, reliability, and credibility. • Responsibilities included managing, marketing, networking, translating, scouting, negotiating, and accounting. • Worked directly with the Korean designers, choreographers, photographers, and directors supplying

international models for various advertising firms, fashion shows, videos, and magazines. • Managed a talent division supplying singers and dancers for various large venues and events. EDUCATION

St. Andrews Presbyterian College Bachelor of Arts – with majors in History/ International Studies – minors in English and Mandarin

• ASIA (Asian Studies Intercollegiate Association) – Honor Society • Phi Gamma Mu – National Honor Society

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

• Scholastic Excellence Award Beijing Foreign Language Teachers’ College – Beijing, China

• Valedictorian – Top Scholar Award PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT • CSE (Cisco Sales Expert) and CSEP (Cisco Service Expert Program) Certified • Trained in Question Based Selling Methodology “QBS” • Advanced language studies in both Mandarin Chinese and Korean • Intensive Sandler Sales training (The Presidents’ Club and Peak Performers) • Certified in “Management by Strengths” TECHNICAL SKILLS • Microsoft Office Suite *Willing to travel frequently, relocate overseas or relocate to major cities domestically