Donna Cutting: Founder and CEO (Chief Experience Officer)
For almost two decades, Donna has been inspiring audiences and leading teams to roll out the red carpet for their customers. She’s the author of two books, including 501 Ways to Roll Out the Red Carpet for Your Customers: Easy-to-Implement Ideas to Inspire Loyalty, Get New Customers, and Leave a Lasting Impression (Career Press, 2015), and The Celebrity Experience: Insider Secrets to Delivering Red Carpet Customer Service (Wiley, 2008). As the Founder and CEO of Red Carpet Learning Systems, Inc., Donna has built a team of experts who help clients increase employee engagement, improve internal communication, get better customer service scores, and earn sales through the customer experience. She’s an active member of the National Speakers Association, and a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP); a designation held by less than 10% of professional speakers worldwide. When not on stage, Donna can be found in her home of Asheville, NC with her husband Jim and their rescue dogs, Moxie and Tonks. She loves hiking, running, enjoying local cuisine, and supporting the local theatre in Western North Carolina. Click Here to read more about Donna.
David Mendes: Maestro of Imagination and Organization
We were so excited when David Mendes agreed to officially join the Red Carpet Team! David has been working with us on and off on a project basis for several years, conceptualizing, scripting, casting and directing customer and red carpet videos. He helped Donna create the movie montage she sometimes does at the end of her keynotes, and you may have even seen him on stage with Donna in select situations! As our Maestro of Imagination and Organization, David is both our idea guy and the one who keeps us efficient! He works on product development, team systems, video production, and more. David developed our first “cast manual” and also blogs for us on various topics. He’s our Left Brain AND our Right Brain!
David is a member of the Screen Actor’s Guild and the Actor’s Equity Association and has been seen on stage with such greats as Patty Lupone and Audra McDonald, among others. He was in the national tour of the music Barnum in the title role, has extensive acting credits, and has worked as a casting director for tv shows, movies and commercials big & small. In addition, David has written training curriculum and led teams of people in event management, food service, and fitness clubs. We often ask in the red carpet office “Is there anything David can’t do?” If there is, we haven’t found out it yet!
David’s Responsibilities:
- Creates “backstage” systems for the Red-Carpet Team
- Has written and directed Red-Carpet Training videos
- Has contributed to the Red-Carpet training curriculum
- Our resident “authority” on food and beverage service
- Contributes to product development
- Creates videos and graphics for the Red Carpet YouTube channel and Social Media
- Helps plan and organize Red-Carpet special events
Do you need assistance from our Maestro of Imagination and Organization? Contact David at: david@redcarpetlearning.com
Moxie and Tonks: Chief Morale Officers
Rescued from a puppy mill in Western North Carolina, Moxie and Tonks hang around the red carpet office keeping our morale up with their hilarious antics. Moxie is part Shih Tzu and part who-knows-what. She’s very energetic, a high jumper, and loves to be the center of attention. If there’s food around, Moxie is right there waiting for something to drop. Tonks is a Shih Tzu and slid into Donna’s lap after she and Jim had selected Moxie. You might say she insinuated herself into our heart and home. She loves cuddling and she “talks” to you when you rub her belly. While Moxie is underfoot watching our every move, Tonks hangs back comfortably on the couch until she sees something worth getting up for. They both love their new home, hikes in the woods, treats, and red carpets of course!
Our Partners
Broadcast Media Group: Video Production Visionaries!
From the moment we began working with the team at Broadcast Media Group, we knew we found the customer-service oriented, experts we needed to develop our video projects. We work with them exclusively to develop our client training videos as well as our off-the-shelf products. Founded in 1996, they are the largest video production company in North Mississippi. They travel all over the country with Red Carpet Learning Systems, taking our projects from concept to completion including writing the script, casting, shooting and editing the video. Their work has been recognized by the American Advertising Federation; the Southeast Emmy Awards; the Telly Awards, the Aurora Awards; and the Mississippi Association of Broadcasters. They’re our go-to company because we know we can guarantee an amazing product and experience for our customers. Plus, Robbie, Margaret, Will, Jake, and the entire team are just…well…fun!
Status Forward: Website Wizards
Status Forward was founded with the goal of bringing well-designed, flexible, brand identities, websites, and marketing products to businesses, organizations, and entrepreneurs. They are a 3 person design and development team with a specific set of skills that allow them to help clients leverage powerful web technologies and human-centric design to maximize reach with clarity and cohesion. With offices in Asheville and Durham, NC and clients nationwide, Laurel, Nick, and Jim take joy in exploring diverse project subject matter from Outdoor Adventures to the Red Carpet Experience.
