Jayna Cooke

Jayna Cooke
Nationality American
Education Bachelor of Science degree in business
Alma mater Miami University of Ohio
Occupation CEO of EVENTup
Website www.jaynacooke.com

Jayna Cooke is an American businesswoman and CEO of Chicago-based technology platform for event spaces EVENTup.[1] Cooke previously served as a regional manager and sales executive at Echo Global Logistics and vice president of business for Groupon.[2][3]

Early life and education

In 2000, Cooke earned the title of Miss Teen Michigan All American.[4][5] Cooke later graduated from the Miami University of Ohio with a Bachelor of Science degree in business.[5]

History

Cooke was a buyer for Neiman Marcus when she met Brad Keywell, who hired her at his company, Echo Global Logistics.[2][6] She served as a top sales executive including sales trainer and regional manager.[3]

Cooke worked for Groupon as one of its first employees[7] and was the company's top salesperson.[8] There, she became the vice president of business development.[2][9] Cooke launched national and local sales strategies at Groupon that closed deals with national retailers including Gap and Nordstrom. She generated 25% of the company's revenue in 2009.[3][5] Cooke left Groupon in August 2012[6][8] and founded Closet Angels, a designer clothes reseller which donates profits to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.[2][4][9]

EVENTup was founded in 2012. Cooke, who helped build the Chicago sales team, became the company's chief revenue officer. In 2014, she was named chief executive officer[10] and led the 2014 rebrand of the company. Under her leadership, the company grew to 29 employees with over 15,000 event venues.[2][6][7]

Cooke also invests in Chicago-based startups, including Protein Bar and Bucketfeet.[3]

References

  1. ↑ "Jayna Cooke on how Groupon cofounder led her from fashion to tech CEO". Chicago Business Journal. November 17, 2014. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Jane Porter (June 16, 2015). "From Obscurity To An Unlikely Comeback: How One Leader Turned A Failing Business Around". Fast Company. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Laura Dunn (February 14, 2015). "Women in Business Q&A: Jayna Cooke, CEO & Partner, EVENTup". The Huffington Post. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
  4. 1 2 Elle Eichinger (September 19, 2013). "Chic Cause: Jayna Cooke's Closet Angels". Michigan Avenue. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
  5. 1 2 3 Jessica J. Kim. "Jayna Cooke of Closet Angels". The Everygirl. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 Owen Thomas (August 21, 2012). "One Of Groupon's Top Salespeople Has Left The Company". Business Insider. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
  7. 1 2 Lewis Lazare (February 19, 2015). "Why EvenUp corporate event planner is following in Groupon's footsteps". Chicago Business Journal. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
  8. 1 2 Eric Jackson (August 22, 2012). "Another Groupon Salesperson Heads for the Exit". Forbes. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
  9. 1 2 Jackie Bender (May 13, 2013). "Style File: Inside Jayna Cooke's closet". Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
  10. ↑ Shia Kapos (June 23, 2014). "Lightbank protege Jayna Cooke named CEO of EventUp". Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
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