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  • Major BBA, Double Concentration in Management & Human Resource Management Minor, Dance
  • Work history Executive Director at Colorado Association for Viticulture & Enology (CAVE)

What do you do on a day-to-day basis?

As the executive director of a non-profit, I wear many hats, which keeps every day interesting! Day to day, I may go from meetings for specific events like our Colorado Mountain Winefest (our largest fundraiser) or VinCO (our regional trade conference) to preparing for more high-level items like our board strategy and budget development.

Planning large fundraising and community focused-events during my involvement with Phi Beta Lambda and the Cultural Diversity Board was the perfect primer for what I do now with CAVE. We run the largest wine festival in Colorado as well as a regional trade conference every January. My business degree and the one-on-one interaction with my professors and advisors provided the ideal foundation to the immense networking my career demands.

What was your transition like from being a student to your current career position?

I graduated in May of 2011 and was hired as CAVE’s first Executive Director in February of 2012. It was a quick transition from student life to running an organization but I dove right in! My time as the Director of the Cultural Diversity Board my senior year was incredibly helpful as I became familiar with the inner workings of managing committees and events and coordinating large numbers of volunteers.

What do you think set you apart from the other applicants for your current position?

I was very motivated and excited to work in the non-profit sector after graduation. I saw an incredible opportunity within our community regarding our wine industry and believe my enthusiasm coupled with my student life experience set me apart from other applicants.

What advice would you give to incoming college students?

Get involved! Attend events, take part in student life, apply for leadership positions, it really does make a difference! Networking is key and these connections can (and should!) last long after graduation.


Connect with Cassidee on LinkedIn.

Published 10/10/2018

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