Nina Riedl-Dojan

Director of Customer Experience, Marketing & Communications | Executive Leadership Team - Deneen Pottery - St. Paul, MN

(2022-08 - 2024-08)

Hired to stabilize customer service operations coming out of COVID with a 16-month backlog; expanded department to seven employees, hiring and training five direct reports while scaling marketing, brand strategy, and design to support organizational growth.
Spearheaded market expansion strategies and strengthened partner relations across National Parks, destination organizations, entertainment launches, and featured artists, creating organic growth in new sectors and optimizing high-value vendor/partner relationships.
Led a major pivot in 40-year brand strategy, elevating product origin, sustainability, and craftsmanship across multi-channel customer communications, print/digital marketing campaigns, industry events, and strategic partnerships.
Analyzed customer demand and operational capacity to introduce targeted seasonal offerings and premium rush-order availability, turning unused capacity into incremental peak-period revenue.
Conducted an operational study identifying communication barriers across a diverse workforce; developed a color-coded production/labeling system that reduced errors and increased throughput by 20% in Q1.
Earned a seat on the 3-person Executive Leadership Team after 10 months, advising ownership on partner retention, marketing strategy, pricing, capital investments, and long-range organizational growth.

National Accounts, Designer & Customer Care Consultant - ROOM & BOARD - Golden Valley, MN

(2012-11 - 2021-05)

Worked at the intersection of design, product knowledge, and client experience on a national account team responsible for 90% of direct client contact beyond traditional sales; trusted lead for simplifying complex information and resolving high-stake engagements.
Led a cross-functional team in researching regulatory mandates (Proposition 65), translating complex compliance guidelines into clear, accessible multi-channel communication templates.
Guided communication and de-escalation protocols through major global disruptions, including international labor strikes, COVID-19 shutdowns, supply chain failures, and cyberattacks; advocated for transparent messaging policies and meaningful customer options.
Designed and executed an employee feedback initiative to map team strengths and workflows, leading a departmental restructuring that improved productivity and boosted retention by ~85%.

Creative Manager & Print Project Consultant - NRD DESIGN - Minneapolis, MN

(2002 - 2012)

Delivered end-to-end project management, creative direction, and account oversight to businesses, non-profits, and agencies during major staffing transitions and high-demand growth periods.
Managed concurrent multi-stakeholder projects, coordinating direction across clients, writers, designers, printers, and production vendors from concept through press checks and final delivery.
Built a thriving, referral-based consultancy through dependable execution, sound financial and creative judgment, and long-term client stewardship.

Graphic Designer & International Production Coordinator - MARTIN WILLIAMS ADVERTISING - Minneapolis, MN

(1998 - 2002)

Coordinated and designed complex, multi-language international communications projects across up to 16 languages for global accounts, partnering with international translators, project managers, and overseas vendors.
Served as primary print and production liaison, managing international vendor partnerships, translation accuracy, quality control, and strict delivery timelines to maintain cross-cultural brand integrity.

Licensed REALTOR® - Residential Real Estate - Greater Twin Cities, MN

(2007 - 2022)

Guided individuals and families through complex, high-stakes decisions through active listening, market analysis, structured negotiations, and trusted relationship building.
Managed complex contracts, inspection contingencies, financial timelines, and legal documentation while coordinating seamlessly among lenders, attorneys, contractors, and title professionals.

Substitute Teacher / Multiple Charter Schools - ZEN EDUCATE / KELLY EDUCATION - Mounds View and Roseville Area School Districts

(2024 - 2026)

Built positive relationships with students, administrators, and staff while managing changing schedules across multiple schools, including a full-year assignment at Pike Lake Kindergarten Center (Title I).
Applied clear communication and de-escalation skills to support family engagement and targeted educational interventions for diverse and underserved student populations.

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