Julie Drago AIFD CAFA CFD
Etobicoke,Ontario
Summary
Innovative Floral designer, hard working and job passionate.
Accomplished Professor at Seneca Polytechnic and seasoned Freelance Floral Designer, Excel in critical thinking and team leadership. Renowned for elevating educational and design standards, Adeptly blend public speaking for presentations and work shops, with course planning to foster engaging learning environments and create stunning floral arrangements, securing long-term client and vendor relationships.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Professor Retail Floral Program
Seneca Polytechnic
09.2013 - Current
- Enhanced student understanding by designing interactive and engaging lectures.
- Demonstrated strong interpersonal and communication skills, resulting in clear subject matter discussion with students.
- Created dynamic learning environment that valued instructor and student interaction.
- Ensured curriculum alignment with academic standards through regular course review and updates.
- Increased course relevance by incorporating real-world examples and case studies into lesson plans.
- Graded tests and assignments and uploaded to school database.
- Provided students with constructive, encouraging and corrective feedback.
Freelance Floral Designer
Various
01.1992 - Current
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by creating visually appealing and unique floral designs tailored to individual preferences.
- Maintained a clean and organized work environment, adhering to safety standards and minimizing potential hazards for staff and customers.
- Transported and set up floral arrangements for large-scale functions, comprising weddings, funerals, and banquets.
- Adapted quickly to changing trends in the floral industry, acquiring new skills as needed to effectively serve diverse client needs.
- Work quickly and efficiently to complete tasks in a timely matter
Creative Director Manager
Peter and Paul's Gifts/ Pure Event Design
09.2017 - 10.2024
- Elevated company reputation through consistent delivery of high-quality creative events.
- Monitored industry trends to keep creative materials fresh and engaging.
- Created Power point presentations for clients.
- Built strong relationships with clients, leading to long-term partnerships and repeat business opportunities.
- Built Strong relationships with vendors, leading to a large supply of inventory.
- Developed high-impact creative floral deigns for company show booths, open house and showroom, from concept to completion.
- Ordered all inventory fresh and dried sundries to complete job hired employees to execute the work dealt with any issues, trouble shooting
- Manage and oversee the function of the Pure Event Design division
- Responded to 50+ emails on a daily bases
Production and Purchasing Manager
Creations by Gitta
06.1994 - 08.2017
- Sourced vendors, built relationships, and negotiated prices.
- Purchased new products and oversaw inventory stocking and availability.
- Managed supplier relationships to ensure timely delivery of products and services.
- Achieved cost savings by negotiating contracts and pricing with suppliers.
- Established long-term agreements with strategic suppliers, securing favorable pricing and delivery terms.
- Hired employees based on the demand of the work that needed to be completed.
- Prepared weekly floral and supply orders
- Produced designs to be replicated
- arranged delivery/ set up and removal teams
Education
Canadian Academy of Floral Arts
Toronto, ON2012
American Institute of Floral Design
California, USA2010
Certified Floral Designer
California USA2010
Skills
- Critical Thinking
- Team Leadership
- Student Mentoring
- Course Planning
- Public Speaking
- Time Management
Accomplishments
- Achieved optimum by completing tasks with accuracy and efficiency.
- Collaborated with teams to development of event design.
- Used Microsoft Excel to develop inventory tracking spreadsheets.
- Participated in Floral conventions as participant and judge.
- President of CAFA organization
- Board member of Flowers Canada
- Designs featured in floral magazines
- award winning displays and show booths
- organized and presented workshops in person and by zoom (during covid)
Languages
English
Professional Working
Timeline
Creative Director Manager
Peter and Paul's Gifts/ Pure Event Design
09.2017 - 10.2024
Professor Retail Floral Program
Seneca Polytechnic
09.2013 - Current
Production and Purchasing Manager
Creations by Gitta
06.1994 - 08.2017
Freelance Floral Designer
Various
01.1992 - Current
Canadian Academy of Floral Arts
American Institute of Floral Design
Certified Floral Designer
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