1. Paula J. Pagonakis
1855 Westerham St., Keswick, VA 22947 home 434-296-1239
paula.pagonakis@gmail.com cell 302-897-8788
https://www.linkedin.com/pub/paula-pagonakis/6/715/b65
Human Resources and Business Development
ü Change Agent with proven Strategic Planning success driving Business Development
ü Strategic and Operational Training and Leadership includes Team Building
ü History of results driven Creative Collaborations across diverse business cultures
ü MBA Human Resources, Sales Leader, Marketing
ü Confident Public Speaker
Experience and Accomplishments
*ACE – Action Center for Entrepreneurs October 2011 – present
Founding Manager/Owner Charlottesville, VA
• Entrepreneurial training, coaching, consultation supporting small business to start and
operate successfully including exit strategy planning
• Co-authored/created more than 1,000 feasibility studies and business plans
• Extensive network of successful collaborations
• Instrumental in successful launch and operations of multiple area businesses
* PVCC June 2008 – present
Adjunct Instructor - on demand Charlottesville, VA
Courses and workshops focusing on: Cultural Adaptation and Workplace Skills for Refugees,
Workplace Skills and Coping Skills for those who find it hard to gain and keep employment,
Resume Writing, Interviewing, Professional appearance and conduct including business
dining etiquette
*Charlottesville Albemarle Technical Education Center (CATEC) September 2008 – May 2014
Business Development and Entrepreneurship Instructor Charlottesville, VA
Project Manager * Marketing * Strategic Planning * Culture Change * Event Planning
• Prospect new partnerships creating strong rapport with professional organizations resulting
in shared benefits
• Frequent interaction and collaboration with educational and community leaders
• Persuasive approaches generating equipment donations and scholarship funds totaling over
$600,000
• Promotional events and activities to raise awareness of opportunity in CTE (Career &
Technical Education)
• Incorporation of entrepreneurial concepts and practices creating new solutions and culture
change for students, teachers and staff.
• Taught entrepreneurial concepts for all students and organized pitch contest providing
thousands of dollars in scholarship awards to winners
• Change Agent initiating strategic planning process
* Pagonakis & Associates April 2004 – October 2011
Founding Manager/Owner Charlottesville, VA & Middletown, DE
One-on-one business coaching in: Concept Development, Business Finance, Promotion, Marketing,
Sales, Customer Service, Human Resources and Project Management
* Limited Brands (L Bands) November 1997 – March 2004
Sales - Manager – Regional Recruiter/Trainer (7 stores) Canton, OH & Middletown, DE
• Consistent top 10% sales leader
• Troubleshooting, Teambuilding, Management Development/Training
• Regional Sales Training
• Creation of Customer Loyalty Programs
• Improved Staff Motivation resulting in 10% turnover rate (national turnover rate 67%)
• Audited District Personnel Files
• HR issues included Diversity, Sexual Harassment, Mediation
• High Volume Recruitment, Hiring and Training – 100 employees per week Holiday Season
• Internal and external Shrink Control training

2. 2
Leadership and Community Service
• Jackson Twp. Community Improvement Corp.
• Jackson Twp. Joint Recreation Board
• 1st Darden Entrepreneurship Pitch Challenge - Judge
• Certified Supreme Court appointed Mediator
• Village of Rivanna Citizens Advisory Council – Supervisor’s business appointment – assisting
with Comprehensive Plan development
• Leadership Charlottesville - Board of Directors
• Community Investment Collaborative (CIC)- Founder
• Charlottesville Tibetan Association By-Laws Author
• Minority Business Council By-Laws Co-Author
• McIntire Botanical Garden Strategic Plan Author
• Leadership Charlottesville Board of Directors
• CATEC Entrepreneurship Challenge Founder/Facilitator
• CATEC Foundation Board
• SCORE Mentor – 11 years
Honors and Awards
• PVCC Nominee for Chancellors Award
• Charlottesville Albemarle Technical Education Center Contributor of the Year 2008
• SCORE National Military Award with client, Spinal Health and Wellness
• B License Soccer Coach – 20+ years coaching youth, high school, college, club level with over
20 state, regional and national titles
Education
Goldey Beacom College Wilmington, Delaware
MBA – Human Resource, with Honors
Kent State University Kent, Ohio
Organizational Psychology and Human Resource
Bowling Green State University Bowling Green, Ohio
BS – Elementary Education, Secondary Health, Fitness and Recreation