Working with Darra on our Core Values was the solution our organization didn't know we needed. With a lean team and a growing nonprofit, we wear a lot of hats and juggle a lot of decisions that could change the trajectory of our organization. Going through the process of developing our Core Values allowed us to take a step back and ground ourselves. This process laid a foundation for sustainable growth. She provides just the right amount of guidance and support while ensuring that our voices drive the conversation. The whole process was seamless, and the rollout was especially exciting as it engaged our team in a very collaborative way. We highly recommend working with Darra and trusting her with the creation and refinement of your company's Core Values!
JESSE FRESCHL & ALEXI MORTENSON / FOUNDER & ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR AT SHOP REPURPOSE
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Darra brings a rare combination of tenacity, humor and intelligence to get at the heart of what drives companies and makes them unique. Trademark was on a rapid 9 day turnaround for defining our Core Values, and Darra dove in with the four of us to arrive at consensus quickly - without compromise. We felt heard and understood, and what we developed together felt very genuine. Darra’s methods were straightforward - she knew when we had a spark that would lead to something important, and she knew when we needed a re-set. Trademark highly recommends her Core Values services.
WENDY COOK / HEAD OF PRODUCTION TRADEMARK EVENT PRODUCTIONS
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Moving through the design process with Darra led us to core values that truly embody the essence of our organization. We looked forward to and enjoyed the sessions of brainstorming and discussing. Darra is willing to put in extra hours and time to guide you to get to exactly where you want to be. We were eager to revamp our company values and put them to action in a more meaningful way across our teams, which Darra helped us do. The rollouts helped our team understand, connect, and become enthusiastic about implementing the core values into our everyday tasks. Darra is open to feedback and willing to adjust her style and approach to match your company culture.
BRITT BAKER & LAURIE-ANNE KING / CO-FOUNDERS DOW JANES
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Working with Darra has been truly remarkable. As a startup with grand ambitions, we often find ourselves taking on more than we can handle. Darra's ScaleMAP sessions have proven to be incredibly productive, as she possesses a mastery in guiding us to break down complex challenges into manageable tasks. After each session, we consistently walk away feeling inspired and energized, armed with clear and achievable actionable goals. Darra's guidance has been instrumental in navigating the path to our success.
BARBARA ABBATEMAGGIO & LAURA STEIN / CO-FOUNDERS TULIPE FIÈVRE
Darra's Business Communications class was one of the most meaningful courses I took at F.I.T. Her interactive approach, using presentations and in-class exercises, engaged the class and led to really insightful discussions. Since F.I.T., Darra and I have remained friends and I often seek her feedback as my resume evolves. She provides timely and relevant advice, but moreover, I can always rely on her to understand industry context and my overall professional goals. She is highly dependable, organized, and someone I would always want to have on my team.
REBECCA ASPER / CHIEF OF STAFF AT HOOT READING
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Professor Landman crafted her lessons in a manner that was both interesting and challenging for the dynamics in her class. She guided us on methods to communicate effectively in a professional setting and worked hand-in-hand with the class to develop compelling resumes and cover letters. She was always geared towards our success as students, and so she made herself available whenever needed outside of class and even outside of her traditional office hours. Upon graduating FIT, Professor Landman supported me in preparing my resume, and cover letters as I began my job search over the summer. I was successful in my search for work, and I could not have done this with her support. Three years later she continues to mentor me at grow in my career, and I am happy to call her a Professor, a Mentor and now a dear friend.
CHRISTOPHER WALLACE / DIRECTOR, GLOBAL E BUSINESS AT THOM BROWNE
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Professor Landman is exceptionally charismatic, knowledgeable and an expert in her field. She creates a level of comfort and excitement in the classroom which urges students to think creatively and become their authentic selves. Her assignments in Business Communication directly correlate to real world scenarios and skills learned in class are taken beyond the classroom. I'm grateful to have had such an unforgettable and wonderful Professor at FIT!
ATHENA STATHOPOULOS / BUYER, WOMEN’S DESIGNER SHOES & HANDBAGS AT SAKS FIFTH AVENUE
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I have had the pleasure of knowing Darra for several years. She is very thorough & detailed in her process, while maintaining the intention & voice of the work. Darra is an effective communicator, who has helped me create a clear message with a clear direction. Most recently I have struggled with my resume. Self promotion is not a natural skill for me, so my resume presents a challenge. I often play down my experience, get lost in format issues, and inevitably feel like I need to start over. Ms. Landman improved the format, the message & the overall effectiveness of the document. She is a valuable sounding board, editor, and a talented writer.
HOLLAND INGERSOLL NIELSON / STYLIST AND ZERO WASTE ADVOCATE
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Darra is an amazing builder, designer, and moderator of building one's core values. She has many years of experience, and I've worked with her on dozens of projects, creating spectacular results every single time for the clients that she's worked with. I give her the highest recommendation possible if you're considering having her work with you and your team to bring your core values to life and design core values that are truly authentic to your organization.
DARIUS MIRASHAHZADEH / SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR & AUTHOR OF THE CORE VALUE EQUATION
Beginning the college search is a daunting task for any parent. The decision that is before you and your child is one that surely will shape their future. As a parent you want to take advantage of every variable you can. This exact situation is what led me to Darra. One of those variables is the “college essay” portion of the application. As benign as the questions are you can’t help but feel your child will be judged by the 500 words which are submitted. Ms. Landman offered an oasis in this trial. By working with my son she guided him through these waters, helping him to maximize his talent and ultimately leading to an essay that showcased his ability. I was thankful I enlisted her help which ultimately led to an acceptance at my son’s top choice for his future education. I do not feel we would have reached this goal without her help.
CHRIS PEPE / DIRECTOR OF RATES ELECTRONIC LIQUIDITY AT BMO
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In my time working with Darra, I found her to be hard working and a fun person to collaborate with. She picked up new concepts quickly, is a very effective writer, both technical and soft-skill, and was able to self-manage. She also knows how to make people feel appreciated and brings value to the work of those around her (not as philosophical as it may sound).
PETER MACGILLIS / SVP AND COO AT UNIVERSAL COMPONENT LENDER SERVICES
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Darra has been instrumental in the creation of my professional writing pieces that have accompanied my many career pivots and educational pursuits. Upon graduation from FIT, Darra helped me land my first job in music festival production with a killer resumé and cover letter that communicated my skills and professional goals clearly and concisely (her - and soon to be your new - mantra). Darra’s wealth of knowledge and experience with many professional disciplines is just one of her invaluable offerings - one that I reaped tremendous benefits from as I successfully made the jump from fashion, to festival production, to healthcare. She is the “google translate” of business writing and is able to masterfully transcribe thoughts and concepts while maintaining the writer’s unique voice. Darra makes the arduous professional writing process FUN (I mean it). She’s been such a steadfast supporter of my goals and dreams and I am so grateful to have had her support along my professional journey.
BRENNA GUARINO / PA-C, MSPAS AT UNIVERSITY OF BRIDGEPORT
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Still to this day, I use the resume template and skills that Darra taught me. In fact, I have been contacted numerous times by employers, recruiters, and HR Directors who tell me that my resume is one of the best descriptively and visually they have ever seen. Darra Landman is an outstanding educator, mentor, and an extremely caring individual. I still use the techniques she taught me and they have helped get my resume noticed by many employers on LinkedIn.
VICTORIA SANDERS / MFM ULTRASOUND TECHNOLOGIST AT NYU LANGONE
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Over the course of a few years, I feel extremely lucky that I get to call Darra my mentor. She has helped me every step of the way in finding my path to success in my career. Her eagerness to guide and her excitement to seek success in her students has given me the opportunity to fulfill lifetime dreams. Specifically Darra has put in many hours and weeks helping me complete my resume, making sure it's professional. She has also worked with me very closely on my interview skills to prepare me for what's to come in my career. With all of her guidance I guarantee anyone fortunate enough to work with her will be steered towards success.
CODI BIFONE / OMNI BUYER AT VANS A DIVISION OF VF OUTDOOR