Elizabeth Parra

Hello,

My name is Ellie, and while my roots are in Southern California, I now call Philadelphia home.

My career has centered on arts administration, partnership development, content creation, and supporting vulnerable communities—work I find deeply meaningful. Over the past seven years, I have worked across the luxury travel, entertainment, and nonprofit sectors. I am passionate about building community, forging genuine connections, and telling stories—whether behind the scenes or in front of the camera.

I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business with a focus on marketing at Pennsylvania State University, building on a foundation in theater production. I am passionate about lifelong learning—whether through education, workshops, or hands-on projects—to stay current in the industry. My intention is to become a Creative Director—someone who unites people, sparks ideas, and guides teams to success through diverse experiences.

At the heart of this ambition is my identity as a storyteller—I believe the most effective Creative Directors are those who understand how to craft compelling narratives that resonate across cultures and reflect the complexities of life. In a world overflowing with fast-paced news, ideas, and products, I am dedicated to championing companies that are truly making a sustainable, positive difference in their customers’ lives.

I am genuinely grateful for the opportunity to contribute to meaningful work and to collaborate with inspiring individuals. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sales Support Manager at Kartagener Associates Inc. (2023-01 – 2026-06)

• Provided operational and strategic support for a boutique travel show with 100 attendees from the luxury travel industry.
• Developed a weekly newsletter distributed to 3500 subscribers via Squarespace, resulting in an average open rate of 40%
• Created content (using Canva, Adobe, and Buffer) for KAI's social media presence, which has increased by 35% followers
• Lead remote and in-person sales presentations and sales product trainings throughout the US & Canada.
• Cultivated strategic partnerships for our luxury cruise line partner, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
• Managed reservations in the North American market for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, working remotely alongside the German sales team.

Commercial Casting Assistant at Alyson Horn Casting (2021-01 – 2023-12)

• Scheduled concurrent auditions, coordinated multiple communication systems with agencies and talent, and actively supervised the flow of actors to maintain the audition schedule.
• Grew the agency's non-actor talent pool by proactively researching social media platforms and engaging with both new and existing communities to foster relationships.
• Assisted on-set by collaborating with creative teams, copywriters, and actors to support Spanish-speaking commercial shoots.

Shelter Coordinator at Volunteers of America (2021-01 – 2022-12)

• Regulated a safe living environment for 25 residents in transitional housing
• Collaborated with the local government to plan and execute activities and events to support the morale of the residents in pursuit of completing their 6-month program to receive rapid housing.
• Established new systems for receiving and distributing donations;
• Trained ten incoming monitors in best practices.

Lead Receptionist at Second Home US Inc. (2019-01 – 2021-12)

• Facilitated the opening of the company's Hollywood location
• Promotion to Lead Receptionist within six months and supervision of a team of seven.
• Formulated and implemented a daily schedule system, managed membership leads through CRM, onboarded all new members, and ran company-wide logistical support for 250+ members.

Social Media Coordinator & Certified SA Advocate at East Los Angeles Women's Center (2019-01 – 2023-12)

• Created social media content with Apple apps; managed a volunteer services Instagram account.
• Handled crisis calls 24 hours a month for ELAWC's SA crisis hotline
• Provided in-person hospital advocacy

Community Empowerment Organizer at Coeurage Ensemble (2019-01 – 2022-12)

• Developed promotional materials, spearheading a campaign that generated $30k in revenue in 30 days.
• Sourced local artists and organized the company's inaugural art exhibition during the 2022 Rent: The Musical run.

Program Founder at Hidden Lunches (2015-01 – 2021-12)

• Initiated a program to enhance food access for the unhoused by distributing gift cards within greeting cards, fostering inclusivity, independence, and community collaboration. The project reached over 300 homeless people throughout Los Angeles County.

Bachelor of Science in Business, emphasis in marketing – Pennsylvania State University (2028-12)

Certificate in Theater performance and production studies – American Musical and Dramatic Academy (2013-12)