Karen Losch

A passionate, results-driven, and self-motivated professional with 10 plus years’ experience in the pharmaceutical arena, 12 plus years’ experience in sports administration and management in the NGO / Community space and 5 years’ experience in the Brand Activation, and Promotions Agency space. Highly skilled in developing and co-ordinating projects and programmes designed to create memorable experiences for participants, stakeholders, and sports enthusiasts, while ensuring an equal opportunity for all regardless of race, geographic location, financial means, or gender. Expert in the budgeting, management and reporting of programmes or projects, stakeholder engagement, and preparing and executing events.

Apply excellent communication and interpersonal talents to cultivate close relationships with clients, key stakeholders, teams, and management to implement best practices, share insight, and safeguard regulatory compliance. Highly experienced in time management and making logistical arrangements and administrative support to ensure the smooth and hassle-free running of events, schedules and travel.

I am looking for a new opportunity where I can use my skills as a seasoned Administrator, Co-ordinator, and Manager with experience in the pharmaceutical, Disability, NGO / Community and Events and Activation space. Adding value and making a difference to lives is key to me as is of completing tasks in time, on budget, and providing a quality experience,

ADMINISTRATOR & PROJECT MANAGEMENT– No Boundaries Events Pty Ltd (Jul 2019 to current)

Responsible for the administration and management of various projects, social media and promotional material, production and preparation of all documents, presentations, proposals and reports for events, product distribution and sales. Prepare budgets, manage suppliers, manage payments and recon accounts. Assist with travel, logistics and administrative support for the Director. Manage event databases, team meetings and correspondence with players, suppliers and other stakeholders.

Within No Boundaries Events I consulted for RAPT Creative and Mortimer Harvey to manage activations and permanent brand installations to drive brand awareness for key customers including preparing budgets for pitches.

Key responsibilities included managing the production budget, coordinating with all stakeholders; raising CE’s, working with cost consultants & issuing supplier PO’s, managing production of all elements for the campaign, including production of physical elements on time and in budget, set up and run the project from end to end, managed suppliers, ensuring they deliver elements on time and according to budget, complete the recon of the entire campaign, worked as part of a team, lending a hand to ensure the successful delivery of the campaign. One of the clients I was responsible for included designing, and manufacturing a food trailer, including managing the food trailer for events and activations.

Past projects include assisting to raise funds for Bokamoso Education Trust through vehicles such as the London Marathon and moving your way over various distances.

Contracted to the IPC (International Paralympic Committee) on a part time basis for the Para-Sport Against Stigma Project to oversee, analyse and draw up plans to develop a programme, identify athletes and develop them for the Paralympics in 2023 in Para-Athletics and Para-Powerlifting in Malawi, Ghana and Zambia while drawing up plans to break stigma and improve the perception on people with a disability.

Sales and distribution of high-tech sports products including Multi-Ball, str8bat, and A-Champs products in Southern Africa.

Match in Africa 6- South Africa

Contracted as a Core Team Member to assist in drafting and submitting all required administrative paperwork, plans, proposals, and reports for the Match in Africa 6 team, and managing key workstreams.

Key Responsibilities

Supported the successful delivery of Match in Africa 6 between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in Cape Town in Feb 2020, achieving a global historic record of 52 000+ spectators to watch a live tennis match in a soccer stadium.

Managed and responsible for workstreams providing ticketing, staff appointments, merchandising, and special needs portfolio for the event and was additionally the interface and primary point of contact for Mrs. Federer.

Orchestrated the event’s “We Care” solution for the elderly and patrons requiring physical assistance in and out of the stadium.

Wheelchair Tennis South Africa (WTSA) – South Africa

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (Jan 2008 to April 2019)

Provided senior leadership to Wheelchair Tennis SA, a non-profit association established to develop and support tennis for physically disabled persons, enhance the programme profitability, forge prominent sporting icons, and expand wheelchair tennis into the communities.

Key Responsibilities

Supported the player performance programme to create global icons - Lucas Sithole to attain the 2nd ranking globally (Quads) and win the US Open Grand Slam Singles in 2013 and the Australian Open Doubles Title in 2016, Kgothatso Montjane to achieve the 5th world ranking (women), and Evans Maripa to reach 9th world ranking (men).

Managed and oversaw the Wheelchair Tennis Development programme to become one of ITF’s (International Tennis Federation) leading and the most successful wheelchair tennis development programmes globally. The programme had 55+ centres with some in the most remote areas in SA. Two coaches within the scheme were nominated into the global coaching commission.

Liaised with relevant local and international personnel to successfully host four to six international events and 40+ regional events annually.

Contributed to the winning of the “Best Wheelchair Tennis” tournament in the World in 2015/2016 against major sports contenders, including the British Open, Japan Open, and USTA US Open and also the “Top Global Events” in associated categories for Soweto and Bloemfontein Opens in 2016.

Assisted in planning and coordination of the prestigious Wheelchair Tennis World Team Cup in 2011 (the event is equivalent to the able-bodied Davis or Fed Cups).

Achieved the “G-Sports Award” as the Federation of the Year in 2016 and was selected as a finalist in 2017 and nominated six times at the SA Sports Awards in 2015.

Guided the federation, staff, and athletes to win multiple provincial and national nominations/awards from 2010 to 2018 in categories of Sportsman / Woman of the Year with a Disability, Volunteer, Coach, Federation, Administrator, and Up and Coming Athletes of the Year.

Managed the staff, prepared documents for board meetings, wrote all proposals, presentations, reports and documentation, applied for global and local funding and managed the budgets reporting and payments. Applied for and prepared all documentation for events, booked and arranged travel for the board and players. Prepared the event files, logistics and was hands on for running the event.

ASG Sports Solutions

MANAGING DIRECTOR - Rudy Project (Mar 2007 to Dec 2007)

Provided strategic advice and reported results and findings to the chairman and board members for Rudy Project whose scope encompassed the production and selling of the custom-made eyewear.

Key Responsibilities

Formulated and implemented strategic plans and company policies, maintained active communication with stakeholders to expedite resolution of project issues and challenges, and identified approaches that optimised organisational success and profitability.

Built and enhanced the company's public profile at events, delivered speeches and presentations when needed, and ensure effective integration and alignment of community ethics with internal operations.

AstraZeneca / Zeneca Pharmaceuticals

MEROPENEM BRAND MANAGER (Sep 2005 to Mar 2007) / CASODEX & ZOLADEX (Prostate Cancer) BRAND MANAGER (Jul 2000 to Aug 2005) / MEDICAL INFORMATION OFFICER (Jul 1997 to Jul 2000)/ PRIMARY CARE SALES REPRESENTATIVE (July 1994-June 1997)

As a Brand Manager held accountability for budgets assigned for advertising and promotional programmes while ensuring the creation of high-quality promotional collaterals to establish and maintain product branding.

Brand Management Key Responsibilities

Developed brand strategy which covered the setting of brand guidelines, brand vision, and value proposition for short as well as long term and also planned and executed all communications and media campaigns on all channels.

Assisted in product development, pricing, and new product launches as well as in generating new business opportunities.

Conducted competitor and customer insights analysis, in addition to analysing sales forecasts and relevant financials and reporting on product sales.

Shaw Academy, Apr 2018

DIGITAL MARKETING DIPLOMA (Distinction)

Shaw Academy, October 2020

SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING DIPLOMA (Distinction)

PROJECT MANAGEMENT DIPLOMA (Distinction)

Manchester Business School, Manchester University, South Africa 2001 to 2002

MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (Finished Top of Class)

Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas, USA

BACHELOR OF ART HONOURS IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION, MINOR IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

Awards

Voted as SA Sports Administrator of the Year in 2016 and selected a Finalist in 2015.

Nominated the Gauteng Sports Administrator of the Year in 2016.

Awarded the “Women of the Year” for Kansas while in University for exemplary academic and sporting achievements and contribution to the community.

Named on the Who’s Who list for students in American Universities and Colleges.

Won the “NCAA Woman Athlete of the Year” for WSU.

Received Gateway Collegiate Athletic Conference Commissioners All-Academic Award and Certificate for outstanding athletic performance.

Professional Development

eCommerce – Starting an online business, Insaka eCommerce Academy, Jun 2020.

Teddy Tennis Coach, 2018; Basic First Aid Course, May 2019.

Marketing Excellence, Strategic Management, Emotional Intelligence, 2006.

Pro-Active Sales Management - Essential Selling Skills.

Medical Aid Legislation & Pharmaco-Economics, 2004.

Communicate Effectively in Business Presentations, PMA Marketing Code, 2003.

Conflict Resolution; Media Skills Training.

Coaching Skills – Sales Training & Development, 2001/2002.

Versatile Sales Person.

Represented South Africa at the Veterans 35+ Tennis World Championships, 2007.

Core Competencies

Microsoft Word/Excel Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Outlook

Worked on Canva

Personal Competencies

Languages – Proficient English speaker