About Kakie Fitzsimmons

Kakie Fitzsimmons is a Senior Project Manager, Consultant and Speaker, with expertise in project management, leadership development, business, communications and marketing consulting, training and social media. She spent nearly 20 years working in the financial services industry. From 2005-December of 2012, Kakie was Vice President and Founding Partner of a childrens publishing and product company, Farmer’s Hat Productions. Together with her friend and business partner, she co-created Bur Bur and Friends, a cast of diverse characters who teach kids about sports and outdoors. Kakie has been a public speaker to large groups of people about a variety of topics that have included leadership, business planning, personal branding, publishing and more.

Kakie is an executive MBA candidate (May 2013) at The University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business. She received her BA in business management and communications and a  PMI recognized certification in project management, also from St. Thomas.

She is an author and blogger who has been the recipient of the following:

• Semi-Finalist – Minnesota Cup
• · Teachers Choice Awards
• · Disney iParenting Media Award
• · Mom’s Choice Awards
• · Nickelodeon Parent Picks, Best Local Blog Minneapolis/St. Paul
• · Website Semi-Finalist- AdFedMN “The Show”

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Clean Tech Open – A national small business incubator and competition for clean and green technology companies in the United States

• 2010-2011 Marketing and Social Media Co-Chair

American Express

• 2002-2006 Co-Chair, Women’s Interest Network Committee
• 2001-2002 Spanish Interest Network Volunteer Chair and Steering Committee
• 2001-2002 Community Partners Council Member – Philanthropic Committee

Member – Project Management Institute, Execunet Minnesota, Social Media Breakfast Minneapolis, St. Paul Participant

 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

• 2007-2010 Boy Scouts of America
• 2000-2012 Board Advisor – La Oportunidad
• 1997-2000 Treasurer and Board Member – La Oportunidad
• Other volunteer work: Junior Achievement, Children’s Tumor Foundation,  Habitat for Humanity, Dorothy Day Center, Feed My Starving Children, Catechist, St. John Neumann Catholic Church

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Award winning author, blogger, writer. Recipient of multiple awards and recognition including:

• Teachers Choice Award
• Disney iParenting Media Awards
• Mom’s Choice Awards
• Nickelodeon Parent Picks, Best Local Blog Minneapolis
• Semi-Finalist in 2007 Minnesota Cup
• Website Semi-Finalist Advertising Federation of MN competition called “The Show”

PUBLIC SPEAKING AND MEDIA APPEARANCES

• Mall of America
• Science Museum of Minnesota
• Minnesota Children’s Museum
• Hubbs Children’s Literature Conference
• University of St. Thomas
• Book readings & signings: Hennepin County Library, Children’s Museum of Minnesota, St. David’s Center, Minnesota Saints Game,
• The Bookcase of Wayzata, The Red Balloon Bookshop, Toddler Tuesdays
• Recruited by the United States Senate to testify at a U.S. Senate Senate Field Hearing Affordable Housing Summit as an advocate

STRENGTHSFINDER PROFILE RESULTS

1. Learner
2. Activator
3. Focus
4. Command
5. Input