1. Samantha B. Ledford https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-ledford-9b532776
828-320-7093 | Wilmington, NC 28411 | sbledford@gmail.com
Strengths
 Cross-functional team management
 Platform research and development
 Database management and reporting
 Competitor and Market Research analysis
 Defining requirements and roadmapping
improvements
 Marketing and client communication during vetting process and
post-platform launch
 Ability to direct maintenance on existing platforms based on sales
and customer insight
 Prioritization and product-workflow management
 Data-driven decisions
 Analytical & problem solving skills
Experience
Online Platform Manger/Associate Product Manager: CastleBranch 07/2016-Present
 Lead cross-functionalteams for platform creations in the educational technology market.
◦ Ownership of platforms from initial research to launch.
▪ Evaluation of market space,existing web offerings, and competitors.
▪ Creation of documents to outline business impact and which clients will benefit most from a new service.
▪ Creation of website design and functionality/components.
▪ Plan and oversee developmental process (involving coordination of multiple departments).
▪ Determination of target industries,as well as specific target clients.
▪ Outlining sales tactics and messaging for platforms, and administering to a 40+ person sales team.
▪ Creation for initial marketing materials for launch, and approval of continuous marketing for platforms, both internal
and external.
◦ Responsible for existing platforms’ evaluation, maintenance, and improvements.
▪ Analysis of data that is specific to individual platforms, to ensure products are: properly sold, technology
maintained, and proper client communication is occurring.
▪ Recommending and controlling new iterations of platforms.
▪ Approving marketing materials and campaigns for owned platforms.
 Determining marketing channels and recipients.
 Initiating market research of possible new platforms
◦ Responsible for identifying, and communicating with, possible business partners/purchase ventures, while maintaining
relationships with current outside vendors.
◦ Evaluate new product and platform iteration requests from sales,customer service, and marketing departments.
◦ Contacting outside vendors and communicating company message/platform goals.
◦ Determine whether or not platform development, acquisition, or integration into company’s current systems will be
profitable for the business, as well as the best fit for clients.
 Maintain customer relations with top clients.
◦ Plan, coordinate, and control advisory council that consists ofup to 10 top clients and daily platform users.
▪ Determine which users are the best fit.
▪ Conduct two, 3-4 day events for council per year, as well as teleconferences/webinars as needed.
 Develop informational materials around current products and potential new platforms for meetings.
 Communicate current company culture and offerings, as well as company’s vision for the future.
 Gain customer insight, distribute to all departments,and implement feedback into developmental process.
 Share outcomes with attendees as new processes are implemented from feedback.
◦ Assist in creation and outcome management of meetup groups for clients and non-clients in metropolitan areas, as part of
a content marketing strategy (idea arose from advisory council). Allowing individuals in a shared industry to meet and
share platform utilization strategies.
Platform Analyst/Product Development Researcher: CastleBranch 01/2016-06/2016
 Gained ownership of individual platform creation, as well as worked cooperatively with product development team on co-
owned products.
 Conducted market research, competitor analysis,and end-userpersona creation (per industry) of potential new, as well as
existing, platforms.
 Created and oversaw marketing campaigns to gain customer insight during product creation process.
◦ Conducted A/B testing to determine best message and guarantee response rates.
 Creation of market research projects, and overseeing process and progress of other researchers.
◦ Analyzed team’s findings, to implement in product discoverprocess.

2.  Took over responsibilities of determining members and organizing advisory council meetings (listed above).
 Worked directly with product managers to determine requirements and developmental roadmaps for platforms.
 Designee for database maintenance and report functionality for multiple platforms.
 Assisted in conducting discovery meetings with end users to gain feedback on systemand possible new offerings.
 Created process for new product/customization requests for entire company.
Sales Analyst/Administrative Assistant: CastleBranch 09/2014-01/2016
 Managed a team of sales and client retention oriented individuals, assisting in efforts to generate revenue and maximize
departmental efficiency.
 Maintained department’s database and created new reporting functionalities.
 Reviewed messaging and determined recipients for email campaigns.
 Evaluated activity of team in relation to sales funnel and client communication.
o Identified clients that were dissatisfied, not properly engaging in our systems,and/orhad a significant drop in
revenue. Directed sales reps to contact client and provide feedback.
 Analyzed data and provided summaries to necessary department heads to initiate changes in customer
service and customized client accounts on company's websites.
 Created process in which sales team vetted product ideas with current clients. Analyzed results,and provided product
development team with recommendation of whether or not platform would be successfulamong our current client base,after
vetting was complete.
o Attended pitches from existing e-businesses with product development team, and pitched each platform to sales
team.
o Directed reps on which clients to call, what messaging and marketing materials to use, timeframe in which to
discuss potentialofferings, specific outcomes needed from client communications, and how to supply client
feedback for analysis.
 Assisted in leading meetings and building action plans for internal communication committee. Helping to develop new
company standard operating processes and defining company vision.
Independent Contractor: Property Management (Ship Shape) 05/2014-09/2014
 Responsible for communicating with clients and tailoring services to individual property requirements.
 Evaluated client needs and oversaw projects in relation to the property.
 Created quality customer experience for each client.
 Worked individually and with contracted teams, directing individuals as needed.
 Maintained database of customers and invoices.
Independent Contractor: Independent Sales Representative (Mary Kay) 11/2012-12/2013
 Responsible for sales, customer service, financial investments,and marketing of personalbusiness.
 Managed personalwebsite and ordering platform for clients who wanted to conduct business electronically.
 Created social media pages and campaigns to generate new, and retain existing, business.
 Created blog to promote and demonstrate products.
 Created and maintained database of contacts,products,orderhistories, marketing efforts, and revenue.
 Evaluated current profit and projected sales in order to determine products to purchase for inventory.
 Organized and conducted public, in-person marketing campaigns to gain new clients.
 Hosted private events to demo products and conduct in-person sales.
 Engaged with existing clients, as well as drew in potential customers, through multiple avenues of marketing and consumer
outreach.
Education
North Carolina State University – GPA: 3.725 Spring 2013
Bachelor of Arts – Psychology (Magna Cum Laude)
Bachelor of Arts – Sociology (Magna Cum Laude)
Awarded acceptance as a member of Arts Village (Living Learning Community of approximately 150) 08/2010-12/2011
Study Abroad (1 Semester) - Lancaster University Spring 2012
Member of Alpha Kappa Delta