Managing Director of Operations, Social Media and PR Bio: Shelly grew up outside of Erie, PA in the small town of Girard. She has been an athlete since she was young. Shelly was a competitive swimmer from age 6 to 16, qualifying for the PA State Games. She then completed training and became a lifeguard and a Water Swim Instructor for the American Red Cross, teaching children to swim. Shelly was on the women's varsity soccer team and the only female on the men's tennis teams in high school. She was accepted into Kent State University and graduated with a BA in PR and Communications. After college, she moved to downtown Cleveland and fell in love with the city. She is currently the Director of Research at an executive research and recruiting services firm in Cleveland. Shelly began cycling 8 years ago when she registered for the Pan Ohio Hope Ride (POHR), after losing a dear family member to cancer. The ride is 326 miles from Cleveland to Cincinnati. When she signed up for this ride, she did not own a road bike and was scared to ride on the road. In the months leading up to this ride, she was lucky enough to meet Robert “Polo” Fernendez at a fitness class. She explained her goal to ride POHR, and Robert agreed to help. He trained her by making her ride up every hill in the Cuyahoga Valley several times, and in just three months, she was prepared, actually overly prepared. She completed the POHR and loved it so much, she did it the next two years, with Robert and friends. Shelly fell in love with cycling and has been riding ever since. Role: Shelly wears multiple hats and is working behind the scenes to keep this program organized and running smoothly from an operational standpoint. Shelly’s responsibilities include:
- Creating and writing all CCA internal organizational documents such as Strategic Plan, Bylaws, etc. - Implementing responsible non profit practices according to 501(c)(3) codes. - Recording notes from board meetings. - Conducting market research and reporting information to BODs Organizing and executing fundraisers. - Designing and executing marketing materials. - Creating and executing social media strategy and posts.- Networking to gain sponsors, partnerships and donors
