top of page

Resume/CV

Welcome to my professional profile. This page provides a comprehensive overview of my career, highlighting a decade of dynamic leadership, strategic vision, and impactful contributions across operational and community-focused environments. Explore my diverse experience, key achievements, and the unique blend of project management and creative skills I bring to every challenge.

Contact Information

Email: Sarahlynngerace@gmail.com

Phone: 941.391.4892

Location: Coulterville, CA

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sgerace/

Professional Summary

Dynamic Leadership. Strategic Vision. Creative Execution. Lasting Impact.

A decade of project leadership, expertly blending strategic management with a passion for design to transform complex challenges into beautifully executed, purpose-driven experiences.

​

Dynamic leader with over 10 years of management experience in hospitality and program development. I bring extensive experience in leadership, relationship-building, and strategic planning, with a proven track record in operational improvements and enhancing profitability. My approach is characterized by compassionate leadership, fostering team-oriented environments, and consistently delivering exceptional customer experiences. With a self-taught background in design and a commitment to environmental stewardship, I excel at driving community engagement and turning strategic visions into tangible, impactful results.

Key Achievements

Secured & Onboarded Partnerships

Secured 10 funeral home partnerships for Yosemite Gateway Forest within 4 months, maintaining a 90% customer retention rate and generating over $560K in annual revenue.

Operational Efficiency & Customer Experience

Revamped onboarding at Lake Arrowhead Forest, driving a 40% increase in customer product knowledge and reducing support tickets by 30%.

Strategic Growth & Management

Coordinated events at Rush Creek Lodge & Spa across multiple departments, managing logistics under budget while consistently increasing department revenue by at least 20% annually.

Safety & Compliance Leadership

Developed a matrix to assess 15 safety risks for Yosemite Gateway Forest and led the creation and implementation of a company-wide safety program.

System Implementation

Spearheaded a new reservation and resource management system at Evergreen Lodge, optimizing booking efficiency and improving customer satisfaction, resulting in a 30%+ increase in reservations.

Misty Valley at Sunrise

Experience

General Manager

Yosemite Gateway Forest | Better Place Forests (Coulterville, CA)

May 2022 – October 2025

​

  • Led the launch, development, and staffing of a 172-acre Memorial Forest, overseeing all aspects of property management and ensuring an exceptional experience.

  • Secured and onboarded 10 funeral home partnerships within 4 months, maintaining a 90% customer retention rate and generating over $560K in annual revenue.

  • Created a matrix to assess 15 safety risks, evaluating their impact on safety, security, and legal compliance, and led the development, implementation, and training for a company-wide safety program.

  • Managed over 346 existing customer accounts while successfully onboarding 10-20 new clients each month.

Interim General Manager

Lake Arrowhead Forest | Better Place Forests (Twin Peaks, CA / Hybrid)

Sep 2024 – May 2025

​

  • Managing the leadership transition, supporting the current forest team and development process, and assisting in sourcing community partnerships.

  • Revamped and implemented a streamlined onboarding process, driving a 40% increase in customer product knowledge and adoption while reducing support tickets by 30%.

  • Managed ongoing relationships and coordinated tasks for 10+ external contractors across construction, forestry, regulatory, insurance, and environmental sectors.

Customer Service Manager

Liftopia.com (Remote)

Nov 2019 – May 2020

​

  • Led customer support operations remotely during the COVID-19 shutdown, serving as lead for 200+ daily inbound tickets from over 20 ski resorts.

  • Conducted full-cycle, high-volume recruiting for customer service positions, processing 35-60 applicants each month.

Groups and Events Manager

Rush Creek Lodge & Spa at Yosemite | First Light Resorts (Groveland, CA)

Jan 2016 – Nov 2019

​

  • Positioned the department as a key revenue driver, coordinating multi-departmental events and managing all logistics while staying under budget.

  • Collaborated with National Forest, National Park, and local authorities to secure necessary approvals for events, ensuring compliance and building strong relationships.

  • Supervised 50+ employees across five departments, managing scheduling, training, and talent development, retaining more than 70% of employees year over year.

Recreation Assistant Manager

Evergreen Lodge at Yosemite | First Light Resorts (Groveland, CA)

Jan 2014 – Jan 2016

​

  • Managed and expanded a recreational program at an 88-cabin rustic resort, overseeing daily tours into Yosemite National Park for 100+ guests weekly.

  • Implemented a new reservation and resource management system, optimizing booking efficiency and improving customer satisfaction, resulting in a 30%+ increase in reservations.

  • Oversaw recruiting efforts, hiring, and onboarding an average of 25 seasonal employees.

My Toolkit

This section presents my comprehensive toolkit, featuring the soft skills, core competencies, and technical proficiencies I leverage to drive success. Fueling this arsenal is an avid learning desire and a "positive disruptor" mindset. I am wired to challenge the status quo with intellectual curiosity, effective communication, and a readiness to take calculated risks. This adaptable approach consistently fosters innovation, ensuring better solutions and impactful growth that keeps organizations ahead in dynamic environments.​

​​

Soft Skills & Core Competencies:

​

  • Project Management

  • Strategic Leadership & Planning

  • Operational Excellence

  • Team Leadership & Development (50+ staff)

  • Relationship Building & Partnership Cultivation

  • Community Engagement

  • Customer Service Excellence

  • Budget Management & Financial Oversight

  • Problem-Solving & Adaptability (especially under pressure)

  • Communication & Storytelling

  • Resource Coordination

  • Event Management & Logistics

  • Onboarding Processes

  • Open-minded, with a positive Disruptor Personality

  • Avid Learner

Technical Skills:

​

  • CRM: Salesforce, Zoho CRM, Hubspot

  • Financial/Accounting: QuickBooks, SAP, Oracle

  • HRIS: BambooHR, Workday, SAP SuccessFactors

  • Social Media Management: HubSpot Marketing Hub, Zoho Social

  • Marketing & Content Creation: Mailchimp, Sendinblue, Canva, Adobe Spark

  • Collaboration & Productivity: Microsoft Office 365, Google Workspace, Trello, Slack, Asana

  • POS Systems: Square, Clover, Toast, Micros

  • Property Management: Opera, StayNTouch, Roommaster, RoomKeyPMS

  • Inventory Management: Fishbowl, Square for Retail

  • Maintenance & Facilities Management: FMX, UpKeep

  • Scheduling & Workforce Management: When I Work, HotSchedules

  • Design: Canva, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Indesign, Adobe Photoshop, Procreate, Figma

  • Coding: Beginner CSS, Beginner C+, Intermediate HTML

My Creative Experiments

 

Beyond my core operational and leadership roles, I continuously explore the intersection of strategic thinking and visual design. This gallery is a testament to my avid learning desire and my capacity to translate complex ideas into compelling visual solutions. Here, you'll discover projects where I've applied design principles to solve real-world challenges—from enhancing brand legitimacy through email communications to crafting meaningful memorial experiences. These experiments showcase my hands-on creativity and my ability to contribute innovative, visually engaging solutions.

© 2025 by Sarah Lynn Gerace. All rights reserved.

bottom of page