Melanie Samara Donahue
Holden
Summary
Resourceful and relationship-driven Sales and Operations professional with nearly two decades in sales and sales-adjacent roles. Known for creating clarity, calm, and structure in fast-paced environments by anticipating needs, coordinating details, and keeping teams aligned. A trusted partner who supports sales activities, strengthens customer relationships, and ensures information, workflows, and projects move forward smoothly. Brings a blend of emotional intelligence, operational excellence, and proactive problem-solving that leaders and clients rely on to keep work organized, accurate, and moving seamlessly from start to finish.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Fractional Sales & Business Operations Manager
Self-Employed
Holden
03.2017 - Current
- Led cross-functional collaboration between sales, operations, finance, and marketing to streamline workflows, improve communication, and keep customer and internal sales projects moving without delays.
- Designed and maintained operational and sales activity metrics that improved visibility across the team and supported more informed planning, forecasting, and follow-through.
- Managed daily business and sales operations, delivering responsive customer support, anticipating account needs, and coordinating details that supported revenue growth and strong partner relationships.
- Coordinated daily operations for sales and leadership teams, including meeting scheduling, agenda preparation, task follow-up, and resource organization to keep priorities on track.
- Prepared and organized meeting materials, notes, and follow-up actions for internal and customer-facing sales discussions, ensuring clarity, alignment, and consistent progress.
- Reviewed sales and operational data from multiple sources to identify trends, surface needs, and support the creation of concise updates and reports for team visibility.
- Partnered with operations, finance, logistics, and leadership to facilitate customer onboarding steps, gather documentation, and ensure accurate account setup and follow-through.
- Oversaw the preparation and shipment of samples, materials, and promotional items, coordinating logistics to ensure partners received the right products at the right time.
- Acted as a responsive point of contact for customer and broker requests, addressing issues quickly and coordinating with internal teams to deliver accurate information and timely solutions.
- Coordinated multi-step sales and operational projects, ensuring deadlines were met, documentation stayed current, and cross-functional partners had the information they needed to proceed.
- Maintained organized digital systems and shared drives, creating intuitive folder structures, managing permissions, and ensuring sales materials and updates were easy to locate.
- Served as the operational bridge between sales, operations, finance, and marketing, ensuring accurate communication, aligned timelines, and smooth execution of ongoing and last-minute needs.
Strategic Account Manager
Axiom Foods, Inc
Carlsbad
01.2011 - 11.2019
- Managed ~40 global client accounts representing 50% of company revenue, serving as the primary contact for communication, relationship development, and ongoing account support.
- Strengthened long-term client partnerships by anticipating needs, resolving issues proactively, and supporting clients as a trusted advisor.
- Coordinated cross-functional efforts with Sales, Operations, Finance, Procurement, and leadership to resolve supply challenges and ensure timely, accurate delivery.
- Translated client requests into clear, actionable steps for internal teams, supporting smooth execution across onboarding, documentation, scheduling, and account workflows.
- Developed and presented business reviews and performance updates, synthesizing data and insights into clear recommendations that supported client growth and retention.
- Enhanced CRM tracking, reporting workflows, and forecasting accuracy by optimizing processes and maintaining clean, reliable data for sales and leadership teams.
- Collaborated with operations and production teams to align forecasts, schedules, and logistics, supporting seamless product launches and uninterrupted supply chains.
- Represented the company at trade shows and industry events, engaging with customers, supporting sales team needs, and strengthening brand presence.
- Managed onboarding for new accounts by coordinating documentation, item setup details, and cross-department collaboration to ensure a seamless start.
Personal Lines Account Executive
Byrnes Agency, Inc
Norwich
11.2005 - 11.2010
- Managed high-volume client accounts, providing expert guidance on personal insurance policies, renewals, and coverage options to ensure optimal protection.
- Acted as a trusted advisor, proactively assessing client needs, recommending tailored insurance solutions, and securing long-term policy retention.
- Streamlined policy management, handling renewals, endorsements, cancellations, and policy changes with accuracy and efficiency to minimize client disruption
- Maintained compliance and accuracy, ensuring all policy documentation, applications, and endorsements adhered to state regulations and company guidelines.
- Developed and maintained strong carrier relationships, negotiating coverage options and premium adjustments to benefit both clients and agency profitability.
- Implemented process improvements, optimizing client onboarding and documentation workflows, reducing administrative time, and increasing overall operational efficiency.
- Streamlined communication between clients and insurance carriers, facilitating timely updates on policy changes and claims status.
Education
Some College (No Degree) -
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CTSkills
- Empathetic Listening and Clear Communication
- Relationship Building and Customer Support
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Sales Operations and Administrative Coordination
- Meeting Preparation, Agenda Setting, and Action Tracking
- Data Organization, Reporting, and File Management
- CRM Management and Documentation Accuracy
- Process Improvement and Workflow Optimization
- Sample, Materials, and Logistics Coordination
- Event and Tradeshow Preparation Support
- Onboarding and Account Setup Coordination
- Problem-Solving and Resourceful Decision-Making
- Professional Discretion and Confidentiality
- Strong Attention to Detail and Follow-Through
Timeline
Fractional Sales & Business Operations Manager
Self-Employed
03.2017 - Current
Strategic Account Manager
Axiom Foods, Inc
01.2011 - 11.2019
Personal Lines Account Executive
Byrnes Agency, Inc
11.2005 - 11.2010
Some College (No Degree) -
University of Connecticut