Fernanda Colantonio

Whit, tenacity and resilience are my attributes. I have a drive and commitment to achieving results.

Starting my career I was tasked to report to the President of a major retailer with over 200 retail locations. My project: report my findings post analyzing their top 20 categories for the organization. That I did - I was then assigned as the youngest Category Manager for the organization.

My experience then took me to an Account Manager role for Relationship Marketing - working on major tier one accounts - connecting with thousands of consumers, tracking their response and churning positive results.

Then to an office supply powerhouse as a Category Manager - provided with just a list of ingredients I worked diligently to create and launch a proprietary custom print website. Armed with a team of allies all with the same big audacious goal to succeed. That I did. Launched and delivered. Next onto Category Management in the technology division where the competition is fierce. I negotiated several exclusive contracts with vendors whereby the competition could not compete. Success - market share skyrocketed, sales increased.

Next challenge: the quick service restaurant industry as an Operational Director/Franchisee. Tenacity took me to a world of physical hard work, mentoring and service. Success does not come from a "do you want fries with that" mentality but with out of the box marketing, community engagement and resilient networking. Being only the third franchisee in a relatively new high end QSR concept, I knew stepping up the game was key to turning a profit. That I did! Not only did I win multiple community awards - I turned the franchise to new hands profitably in just two years.

From wholesale, retail, marketing, and service - with over 20 years' of experience I have swam with the sharks, dipped toes with the dolphins and succeeded slaying the piranhas'.

Now onto the next..