Jonah Gershon
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Education
Experience
Leadership
Cornell University
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May 2024
Ithaca, New York
Major:
Hospitality/Business Administration
Minor:
Computer Science
Academic Awards:
Magna Cum Laude, Dean's List, Ye Hosts Honor Society
Business Administration
Organizational Behavirol and Leadership Skills
Financial Accounting
Managerial Accounting
Finance
Business Writing
Persuasive Communication
Business Computing
Hospitality Quantitative Analysis
Marketing Management for Service Operations
Business and Hospitality Law
Human Resources Management
Strategic Management
Hospitality
Introduction to Hotel Operations
Introduction to Foodservice Managment
Foodservice Management, Theory, and Practice
Restaurant Management
Introduction to Wines and Vines
Hospitality Development and Planning
Hospitality Facilities Management
Principles of Hospitality Real Estate
Entrepreneurship
Communications for Entrepreneurs
Law for Entrepreneurs
Entreprenurial Management
Computer Science
Introduction to Computing Using Python
Object-Oriented Programming and Data Structures
Discrete Structues
Data Structures and Functional Programming
Foundations of Artificial Intelligence
Data-Driven Web Applications
Project Manager
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Arch 21 LLC
West Hartford, Connecticut
July 2023 - Present (part-time)
Leading the remodel of a duplex, overseeing 5+ contractors and ensuring the timely completion of 30+ tasks
Created a customized task management system to track a six-phase construction plan over a three-month timeline
Field Marketing and Operations Manager
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Rilla
November 2023 - Present
New York, New York
Gained 200+ prospective client demos by delivering keynote AI presentations (30-60 min) to audiences of 50-300+
Oversee conference booths (30+ conferences), while managing and training new Brand Ambassadors
Designing, selecting, and budgeting branded swag items for Rilla’s own conference while upholding brand standards
Organized three personalized trips within budget, creating memorable experiences to strengthen client connections
Founder and CEO
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Spekld LLC
West Hartford, Connecticut
September 2022 - July 2024
Spekld is the first ever stick of brown butter, offering amazing brown butter flavor in an instant without the hassle
Raised $86,500 through five pitch/business competitions and entrepreneurship awards
Orchestrated six pilot production runs, making over 300lbs in total and integrating project management tools
Conducted 250+ customer discovery interviews by posting on community pages and scheduling 15-minute calls
Soft launched spekld, selling 300 sticks of butter amongst three pop-ups through effective go-to-market strategies
Presented a 10-min pitch at Cornell’s Business Plan Competition (30 teams), placed 1st, awarded $50,000 (2024)
Presented a 10-min pitch at Cornell’s Hospitality Pitch Deck Competition (25+ teams), placed 1st, awarded $3,000 (2023)
Presented a 3-min pitch at Cornell eShip Kickoff and won the Cornell eLab Pitch Competition, awarded $1,000 (2023)
Participated in the Northeastern Dairy Innovation Competition as one of ten finalists (50+ applicants), awarded $20,000 (2023)
Presented a 10-min pitch at Cornell’s Hospitality Pitch Deck Competition (30+ teams), placed 2nd, awarded $1,500 (2022)
Presented a 3-min pitch at Cornell’s Blackstone Big Idea Pitch Competition (10+ teams), placed 2nd, awarded $1,000 (2022)
Software Engineering Intern
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WillowTree Apps
Durham, North Carolina
May 2022 - August 2022
Enhanced user information verification by 100% by developing an effective data validation function in Kotlin/XML
Fixed 10+ bugs onthe CBC Gem app and TV platform by discussing with the client their pain points every week
Created an MVP gas pump ordering web application by working with five interns and writing HTML and CSS code
Teaching Assistant for Introduction to Computing with Python
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Cornell University
Ithaca, New York
August 2021 - May 2022
Assisted 20+ students in lab sections twice per week to answer assignment and Python coding questions
Hosted office hours to offer one-one-one help with students struggling with challenging Python concepts
Head Bakery Assistant
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Small State Provisions
West Hartford, Connecticut
June 2021 - August 2021
Increased pastry production and offerings by 1-2 items per week by developing original bulk recipes (100+ servings)
Grew average order value by 18% by effectively engaging upselling techniques with over 100+ customers per day
Enhanced available menu cost data by 100% by creating a dynamic Excel model for product costing and margins
Founder and CEO
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Pop-Up Sourdough Business
West Hartford, Connecticut
December 2020 - January 2021
Organized a four week subscription for 23 people, baking and delivering 100+ sourdough loaves and baked goods
Increased financial insights by 100% by developing a dynamic Excel model to track revenue, costs, and margins
Culinary Summer Camp Director
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Elmwood Community Center
West Hartford, Connecticut
June 2018 - August 2019 (seasonal)
Developed lesson plans and recipes to teach students (ages 6-12) various culinary skills and techniques
Led a team of 2-3 camp counsellors to help organize culinary activities for 12-15 students for six, one week sessions
Coordinating Assistant
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Plan-it Vicki Event Planning
Avon, Connecticut
October 2018 - January 2020
Helped to coordinate and orchestrate events including Bar/Bat Mitzvahs and weddings (100+ attendees)
Set-up decor, developed vendor relationships, and adhered to strict timeline over 8-10 hour event shifts
Adapted to unforeseen challenges, adjusting schedules and resolving issues to ensure client satisfaction
Executive Vice President
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Epsilon Nut Tau - Professional Entrepreneurship Organization
Ithaca, New York
September 2021 - Present
Present at 200+ student marketing events to recruit 50+person applicant pool and organize applicant interviews
Collaborate with executive board (eight members) and run weekly general body (35+ members) meetings
Project Manager / Android Developer
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Cornell AppDev
Ithaca, New York
September 2021 - May 2023
Oversaw nine-person team of designers, developers, and marketers in creating and maintaining Eatery
Eatery, the team’s flagship app with over 10,000+ monthly users informing Cornell students about campus eateries
Develop new Android features in Java and XML, working 5+ hours weekly and collaborating with other subteams
Orchestrate, 30 minute, standup meetings twice per week and monthly one-on-ones with all nine team members
Culinary Team Director
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Crème de Cornell
Ithaca, New York
October 2020 - May 2022
Lead weekly culinary team (15 member) meetings, assisting with idea generation and original recipe generation
Headed recruitment for the culinary team in interviews and selecting applicants from a pool of 50+ applications
Pastry Function Manager
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Hotel Ezra Cornell
Ithaca, New York
October 2020 - April 2021
Actively participated in weekly meetings and assisted the pastry team in developing menu items for meal boxes
Designed four unique and original shortbread recipes and led a team of 10 volunteers to prepare over 300 cookies