


Else Owen, Virtual Operations Consultant/Owner
After a decade working in the customer service industry, and another decade in corporate America, I decided working for The Man just wasn't for me. While I excelled in my roles and gained invaluable experience, I chose to move towards fields in which I felt like my work had a more direct impact on the people around me. This new career path allows me to focus on what I love best: problem-solving, finding creative solutions to difficult problems, coaching upcoming staffers, and – especially – learning.
This transition led me to my current role: building and running my very own business. Every day as a Virtual Operations Specialist, I work with entrepreneurs and small- and mid-sized businesses to help them achieve their missions. While my responsibilities vary from client-to-client – which keeps things interesting and fast-paced – I am able to regularly utilize my particular set of skills: technical and organizational document creation; social media, blog, and other content production; event coordination; executive management; strategic thinking; and special project and committee leadership.
Most recently, I have found that what drives me is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion work. Through the creation of a DEI Committee embedded at the heart of a 501c3 newsroom, I have spearheaded the development of new initiatives to drive the organization forward. These include, so far: launching a monthly training program focusing on both inclusive journalism practices and supportive workplace culture; developing DEI-informed policies and procedures; implementing DEI-aware editorial strategies in the newsroom; and enhancing accessibility on our highly trafficked website. While there is an infinite amount to learn in this space, I am devoted to the work – both for myself, and for the organizations I work with.
Work Experience
November 2019 - Present
September 2020 - Present
May 2021 - November 2021
January 2020 - Present
January 2020 - April 2021
Virtual Operations Consultant/Owner - EO Virtual Assistance
Provide remote expert consultation services in administration / management, social media management, writing / design, and operations / special projects; managing multiple clients at once.
Executive Operations Specialist - Religion News Foundation
Manage administrative duties for CEO, organization leadership, and Board; manage special projects including youth journalist fellowship program, in-person and virtual events, and podcasts; create and update organizational guidebook; chair of Internal Communications Committee; co-creator and chair of DEI Committee.
Project Manager - Brother Justus Whiskey
Researched and provided analysis of target markets, competitors, and marketing strategies; drafted systematically aligned events, sales, and marketing plans; created target market-tailored collateral
Design Consultant - Jean Obermeier, Basil House Culinary, Tawny Sterios
Duties include designing website and branded collateral; Managing CRM systems; Managing product orders; Social media/newsletter/blog/website content creation and schedule management; Managing event logistics and execution; Course membership management
Virtual Assistant - Delegated Divas
Managed CRM systems; created content and managed scheduling for social media; managed communication with course members; managed onboarding for memberships