Samples of Professional Bios

Microsoft Executive Bio

Shahzad Afzal, Microsoft Executive

Shahz Afzal stands at the forefront of the fastest moving technology industry trend: cloud services. He’s spent the past five years evangelizing an industry-wide shift to the cloud and has helped position Microsoft as a leader in the public cloud space.

A calculated risk-taker with deep tech industry knowledge, Shahz has championed cloud services to his enterprise and consumer customers; his channel incentive models have motivated 50,000 partners globally to embrace the cloud.Shahz is recognized for designing, landing, and leading the strategic Channel strategies and partner Incentives programs for Microsoft’s commercial Cloud Services, including Office 365, Windows Intune, CRM Online, Azure and hybrid cloud—programsthat are fueling the industry-wide transition in both the public and private cloud.

Throughout his 13-year tenure with Microsoft, Shahz has built a reputation for developing business strategies, incubating new business models, and building out channel programs.He also developed and manageda profitable business model for high-end enterprise servicesprojected to be Microsoft’s next giant growth opportunities; his pricing models have helped incubate new products into mature revenue-generating engines.

Embracing the core values of integrity, innovation, and growth, Shahz consistently ranks among the top 5% of Microsoft employees. He is a 4-time Microsoft Gold Star Award winner,recipient of Microsoft’s Professional Excellence Award for strategic partner relationship development, and nominee for Microsoft’s coveted High Potential Program for fast track career development.

Shahz holds a Finance MBA and bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is a former Finance professional with Morgan Stanley and Williams Communications Solutions and has 15+ combined years of experience in the finance and technology arenas. Shahz is a valued speaker on Cloud partner programs, presentingregularly at Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) and other industry events.

Managing Partner, IT Recruiting Company Bio

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International Business Development Executive Bio

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Senior Investment Analyst / Public Policy Masters Bio

Senior Investment Analyst / Public Policy Masters

Suzanne Young, on the surface, is an extremely accomplished financial analyst at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, with 20 years’ experience in the financial markets, who consistently ensures the long-term viability of multi-million dollar portfolios. She considers herself a “portfolio surgeon” who takes an unhealthy portfolio and makes an endurance athlete out of it. As such, she has produced healthy, enduring results for high echelon clients including major energy companies, hospitals and non-profits; senior corporate executives; and general counsels for multinational corporations. But more than an analyst, Ms. Young is a person who influences and persuades top ranking people; whose opinion is highly sought after; and whose judgment is respected and trusted.

Ms. Young received her B.S. in Political Science from Northwestern in 1996. It was there that she developed her passion for geopolitics in South Asia, with a focus on topics such as self-government, political economy and sustainable development. After graduation, she rose through the ranks as a financial analyst for 14 years. She then spent one year at the Illinois Governor’s Office of Management and Budget, where, in addition to handling the office’s quantitative analysis needs and managing multi-billion-dollar bond deals, she wrote legislative language and contributed to policy development in the areas of bond issuance and debt service structure.

During her most recent five-year tenure in the financial industry, Ms. Young has fed her insatiable interest in international natural resource and emerging markets investing through her research at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. Her interest in the third world, however, is rooted in humanitarian concerns, as reflected by two missions to Honduras, Central America. It is there, with the red clay and tin roof dwellings, that her heart lies.

Ms. Young is planning to apply to Public Policy graduate school for Fall 2011 and wishes to engage with thought leaders and high ranking decision makers in international public policy. She invites top players to challenge her, converse with her, and slog through the mud with her. Ms. Young’s ultimate goal is to become a national policy adviser, using her drive and untiring commitment to bring greater autonomy and dignity to the people of the developing world. With a Masters in Public Policy, she will be on the ground and in the trenches working toward that cause.

Executive Recruiter, Building Industry and IT Industry Bio

Ted Schoonmaker: Executive Recruiter, Building Industry and IT Industry

[This bio was written specifically as a LinkedIn Summary section.]

An industry expert with more than 20 years of successful experience in full life cycle Recruiting and Business Development, Ted Schoonmaker has a proven ability to foster relationships with C-Suite and senior executives for I.T. Operations, Accounting, Finance and Home Building opportunities.

Ted knows that people hire people, not resumes. Companies are not just looking for a set of qualifications that match a job description. To ensure a complete match, Ted extensively interviews both companies and candidates to find out who they are and what they are looking for — as companies and as people.

Ted is most fulfilled when helping people to grow professionally. His vision and ability to nurture relationships lead to long-term solutions and success.

Ted began his career in recruiting in college, when he purchased his first placement agency. He grew the company to 150 personnel, with 3 offices in 3 states. He has subsequently consulted to Fortune 100 companies including GE, CNN/Turner, S1, Wells Fargo, Capital One, and Equitable in the areas of employee retention, recruitment, competitive compensation survey, and Executive career path.

In 2000, Ted founded BIA, an Executive search firm specializing in placement of Executives (including Presidents, CIOs, CFOs, CEOs, Division Presidents, VPs of Operations, Purchasing, and Sales Marketing) in the Home Building and Commercial Construction industries. He has successfully completed hundreds of successful searches, helping professionals grow and advance in their careers.

Why work with Ted Schoonmaker?

  • Your company is seeking recruiting and sales strategies that strengthen overall operations and result in accelerated revenues and savings.
  • You are a passive job seeker, content in your current position and wanting to take the next step in your career.

Ted offers both clients and candidates exceptional professional service, absolute confidentiality, and the most ethical values in executive search.

Dr. Lena Axelsson Marriage & Family Therapist Bio

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​Weight Loss Coach & Author Bios

​Tamira Johnelle: ​​Coach, Weight Loss Industry

[Weight loss coach Tamira Johnelle needed two versions of her bio: One for a conference for women entrepreneurs, and one for her website. Notice the different emphasis of the two bios based on the target audience.]

For conference program:

Tamira Johnelle is turning her own weight loss story into one of the fastest-growing businesses of its kind. The magnitude of her accomplishment going from size 18 to size 6 in 7 months, while eating dessert every day, is matched by the impressive growth of her following: from 1,639 followers to 11,550 followers in 4 weeks! She has created a 16-week virtual course as well as a one-on-one coaching program for people struggling with their own weight, giving them the blueprint to her success and helping them on their journey to weight loss freedom.

Tamira’s recipe collection of delicious, healthy main dishes and desserts, From a Size 18 to a Size 6 in 7 Months While Eating Dessert Daily, The MAIN DISH EDITION is selling like hotcakes. And people have responded amazingly well to her live recipe videos on Facebook Live and Periscope. Several of Tamira’s clients have lost 7-9 pounds after working with her for just 2 weeks. When you meet this no-nonsense, exuberant entrepreneur, you’ll understand why she is an inspiration to anyone wanting to enjoy both their food and their lives.

For website:

Tamira Johnelle, who went from a size 18 to a size 6 in 7 months, is an inspiration to anyone who has been struggling with their weight for years and who feels like a failure because of it.

Tamira grew up on the American junk food diet. As a girl, she would hide candy under the pillow, and wake up in the middle of the night to eat it. In the morning she woke up hungry for more. This cycle of unhealthy eating was consuming her life. As much as she tried to talk herself out of her patterns, she could not stop these overwhelmingly powerful cravings. This might sound familiar to you.

As she grew older, Tamira wrestled with her weight, going on unrealistic diets she couldn’t keep. Eat salads all day? Are you kidding? Tamira was not about to give up desserts forever—but she did want to be healthy and look great in a size 6 dress. She knew there must be a better way to get amazing and sustainable weight loss results.

One important step was learning how to cook. Tamira is self-taught and in 7 years has come up with a whole cookbook full of recipes that completely satisfy and that will stop your junk food cravings. Here are just a few of the delicious items you’ll find in “From a Size 18 to a Size 6 in 7 Months While Eating Dessert Daily, The MAIN DISH EDITION”:

Tasty, Satisfying Entrees: Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken, Salmon Cakes, Black Bean Avocado Quesadillas

Desserts that Won’t Have You Thinking about Junk Food All Day: Turmeric-Lemon Kidney Bean Cake, Maple-Cayenne Cookies, Maple-Pineapple-Lime Sorbet

But recipes will only get you 20% there. Tamira has developed an entire lifestyle that has helped her and others get and keep the weight off through positive affirmations, healthy meals, exercise and a host of other methods. She has created a 16-week virtual course as well as a one-on-one coaching program for people struggling with their own weight, giving them the blueprint to her success and helping them on their journey to weight loss freedom.

[Success stories follow]