Preston Waltman Knight
Berlin,Berlin
Summary
With strong problem-solving abilities, a willingness to learn, and excellent communication skills, I will contribute to team success and deliver positive results. Ready to tackle new challenges and advance organizational objectives with dedication and enthusiasm. As an experienced leader with a strong background in guiding teams, managing complex projects, and achieving strategic objectives, I excel in developing efficient processes, ensuring high standards, and aligning efforts with organizational goals.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Editorial & Project Manager
SchubertFiction
12.2024 - Current
- As an Editor at SchubertFiction GmbH, my role is to shape manuscripts into polished, impactful works ready for publication
- I collaborate with authors, refine narratives, and ensure every book aligns with our publishing vision
- Manuscript Evaluation: Reviewing submissions to assess their potential and fit with the company's publishing strategy
- Editing: Providing in-depth content editing to enhance structure, tone, and style, while preserving the author's voice
- Proofreading: Ensuring grammatical accuracy, consistency, and a professional polish to every piece
- Project Management: Coordinating the publication process, from concept to release, working closely with production, marketing, and design teams
- Author Support: Maintaining strong communication with authors to guide them through the editorial and publication process
- Negotiated and managed third-party contracts.
- Coordinated with cross-functional teams to resolve project issues and mitigate risks.
- Recruited and oversaw personnel to achieve performance and quality targets.
- Provided detailed project status updates to stakeholders and executive management.
Texas Organizing and Coalitions Lead
The Human Rights Campaign
10.2022 - 05.2023
- Company Overview: The largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Americans
- Spearheaded statewide LGBTQIA+ advocacy initiatives, leading to an increase in community engagement and support
- Managed core relationships and collaborated directly with elected officials and candidates across Texas, for HRC Texas
- Managed and directed 4 metro-area steering committees across Texas, enhancing volunteer involvement and operational efficiency
- Implemented innovative project management strategies, ensuring the successful execution of multiple high-impact electoral goals
- Cultivated strategic partnerships, resulting in sustainable growth and increased funding support for key campaigns
- Political lobbying
- The largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Americans
Texas Field Organizer
The Human Rights Campaign
02.2020 - 10.2022
- Company Overview: The largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Americans
- The role of Texas Field Organizer covers a broad range of responsibilities, including managing strategic coalition relationships, executing HRC's electoral goals, providing educational activities, collecting and analyzing metrics, in addition to expanding HRC's ability to mobilize grassroots advocates
- The Field Organizer also oversees peer-to-peer SMS campaigns, e-mail alerts/newsletters, SMS alerts, and other member communications within the state
- In coordination with HRC's volunteer Steering Committees in Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio, the Field Organizer will increase HRC's visibility and presence in Texas through solid partnerships with state and local LGBTQ and allied organizations
- The largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Americans
Temporary Texas Field Organizer
The Human Rights Campaign
08.2020 - 11.2020
- Company Overview: The largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Americans
- Recruited, trained, and managed volunteers throughout the Dallas / Ft
- Worth metroplex
- Engaged in volunteer recruitment for weekly text banks, phone banks, and lit drops
- Completed weekly reports and consistently met or exceeded campaign goals
- Partnered with campaigns of endorsed candidates and collaborated on virtual events
- Managed phonebanking efforts via multiple platforms
- Collaborated and built coalitions with State House and Congressional races for the DFW Metroplex
- The largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Americans
Volunteer Co-Chair, Volunteer Engagement & Membership Outreach
Human Rights
01.2017 - 08.2020
- Recruit, maintain and grow the HRC general membership through Pride and community events
- Plan and execute community events in coordination with HRC Membership Outreach Manager
- Major responsibilities include: Plan and execute local membership building and fundraising events
- Collaborate with HRC staff to achieve annual community event goals
- Grow and maintain membership outreach committee and Subcommittees
- Recruit and train volunteers and organize logistics to participate at all Pride events
- Sign up new and renewing members at each event
Nonprofit Consultant (Service Learning Project)
Journey to Dream Foundation
08.2019 - 12.2019
- Developed a best practice volunteer driver program recruitment plan
- Collaborated with class members to develop, administer and analyze survey findings of current volunteers
- Collaborated with class members to develop volunteer driver job descriptions and recommendation on a risk management strategy
Medical Scribe & Trainer
ProScribe
09.2018 - 06.2019
- Ensured new-hire scribes are trained to company standards
- Empowered scribes to achieve personal growth goals
- Completed the training of multiple new hires and provided developmental support to scribes
- Worked 1:1 with medical providers to ensure all patient labs, assessments and notations were accurately inputted into patient records and necessary staff was notified
Barista
Starbucks
08.2017 - 07.2018
- Consistently provide excellent customer service by building rapport with patrons while preparing orders
IT Consultant
Drive Casa
01.2017 - 12.2017
- Provided IT insight and management to two dealership locations in the DFW area
- Planned, contracted and ensured success of technology deployments
- Provided on-site and remote technical support to the employees of Drive Casa
- Consulted on new technology decisions within the company
Co-Founder, Trainer
Car Crue
10.2014 - 09.2015
- Company Overview: Modern Dealer, LLC provides Online Inventory Marketing Photography for Commercial Automotive Dealerships, along with Operational Integration, Logistics, & Workflow Management Consulting
- Responsibilities Include: Marketing, Sales, Contract Negotiation, New Client Account Development & Integration, Existing and New Client Site Assessment, Asset Allocation, Recruitment, Staffing, & Training, Workflow Installation & Oversight, Data Management, Social Media, Customer Service
- Training of New Staff Photographers including: Nikon Camera Instruction, Apple Computer Training, Client Software Training, Workflow Optimization, Quality Assessments of Staff Performance
- Management of greater than 5 locations in TX, USA and GA, USA
- Modern Dealer, LLC provides Online Inventory Marketing Photography for Commercial Automotive Dealerships, along with Operational Integration, Logistics, & Workflow Management Consulting
Studio Manager, Photography Instructor
Harlow + Crue
01.2013 - 09.2015
- The mission of the Studio Manager is to facilitate effective communications, photography workflow, and client experiences
- As the Studio Manager many task involve working closely with cross-functional teams across many projects at once, including marketing, editorial, and outside vendors
- The Studio Manager has hands-on management of the workflows and capacities of designers and writers on the team, contributing to workflow and process optimization, development of efficient and repeatable systems, reducing internal costs and improving and implementing new production processes
Photography Assistant
Blake Ryan Photography
08.2012 - 11.2014
- Commercial Photographer's Assistant
- Development of Innovative photo shoots for commercial and private clients
- Assisted in all aspects of client relations, customer service, and contract negotiations
- Management of photography logistics to include location scouting, shoot scheduling, lighting, and equipment acquisition and selection
- Developed expertise in DSLR Photography, Workflow Management, Composition, Post-Production editing, Studio Lighting, Adobe Photoshop, and Web design
- Clients Included: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Dallas Market Hall, The Kim Dawson Agency, SEWELL, Lamborghini Dallas, Aston Martin Dallas
Education
Certificate - Paralegal Studies
University of Houston
Houston06-2024
Bachelor of Science - Integrative & Interdisciplinary Studies
University of North Texas
Denton, TX05-2020
Skills
- Project tracking
- Feasibility analysis
- Systems implementation
- Workforce training
- Project development
- Work flow planning
- Risk management
- Advanced problem solving
- Relationship building
- Partnership development
- Program oversight
- Resource mobilization
- Data tracking
- Community resource management
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
German
Elementary
Work Preference
Work Type
Full TimeWork Location
On-SiteRemoteHybridSimilar Profiles
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