Bio | amyleyden

Director of Marketing & Communications

Director of Marketing & Sales

Event Manager

McNamara Alumni Center, University of Minnesota

2000-present

I was hired to build from scratch the event business at the McNamara Alumni Center, a 231,000 sq. ft office and conference center privately owned by the University of Minnesota Foundation and the University of Minnesota Alumni Association. I was hired as the sole employee. Over time, I hired staff and built an award-winning, multi-million-dollar event business of nearly 800 events each year. For 22 years I led this successful event business with net profit margins averaging an impressive 18-27%.

Trained in graphic design and writing, I have led all stages of McNamara's marketing lifecycle from brainstorming to execution since the alumni center opened in 2000. I give direction to designers, photographers and videographers to create marketing solutions that integrate print, web, video, events and social media. Highlights include creating the content strategy and navigation for McNamara’s websites; co-writing a musical comedy and 20th anniversary program honoring company clients; winning a Grand Prize from Theknot.com for McNamara's wedding marketing and producing a series of videos to launch sales. Big projects with big impact. On budget and on deadline.

Director of Alumni Programs

University of Oregon Alumni Association

1994-1999

Coordinated and planned programming for reunions, Homecoming festivities, Oregon Duck Cotton-Aloha-Las Vegas Bowl football pre-game parties, and other alumni events. Designed most related invitations, brochures, posters and promotional materials.

Senior Account Executive

KPR & Associates in Seoul, Korea

1993-1994

Publications Coordinator

Grand Opening Coordinator

Minnesota History Center

1991-1992

Public Relations Associate

Boston Children’s Hospital

1988-1990

BA Communications /Speech

Minor in Graphic Design

University of St. Thomas

Cum Laude Honors

Adventure Seeker

I pack a lot of activity and purpose in my life. I am an older-child-adoption advocate,

mosaic artist, tennis enthusiast and international traveler (28 countries visited).