WHO AM I?
I am a seasoned executive-level strategic and visual public relations, communications, and marketing professional with 30+ years of experience. From media relations counsel and crisis management to visual marketing and social media, I have helped leaders realize their dream public relations and brand position by enhancing and leveraging their reputation to boost and expand their image and brand (two different things). My diverse skillset offers the rare ability to combine both executive-level marketing and public relations counsel and leadership with the verifiable bonus of being able to develop innovative ideas and jump in with the creative skills to execute them.
COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP SKILLS
As an accredited public relations professional, I have worked effectively with internal teams and senior leadership, as well as external public agencies, private sector partners, businesses, and city, county, and state governments, to provide public relations counsel and thought leadership guidance. Particularly strong in developing and implementing actionable communications plans, I have led the design, development, and execution of collaborative communications, public relations, marketing, and earned media strategies. Success has resulted in building creative yet practical solutions for navigating high-profile objectives and challenging issues to advance key projects, programs, and messages across multiple audiences. While my career has spanned several sectors, the bulk of my experience has been in education—both K–12 and higher education—where I have successfully led initiatives that delivered measurable results in recruitment, retention, and reputation. I have also managed teams of up to 28 individuals with diverse skill sets and at varying levels, and I pride myself on inspiring and developing talent—helping individuals grow both personally and professionally.
MULTI-LEVEL MEDIA RELATIONS & CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS
An experienced crisis and media relations advisor, I have successfully provided executive-level public relations counsel, navigated media during crises, served as organizational spokesperson, pitched news stories, managed news conferences, conducted media training, led communications and media teams, and prepared high-level leaders for national media interviews. Recently developed a News Media Policy & Training Guide for Queens University of Charlotte.
CREATIVE, DIVERSE AND HANDS-ON STORYTELLING & CONTENT MANAGEMENT
As an accomplished writer, editor, and creative storyteller, I have produced publications and multimedia content for countless high-profile and deadline-sensitive marketing, PR, and media campaigns and events within corporate, nonprofit, education and military environments. From inception and writing, through layout, design and printing, this has included communications plans, speeches, presentations, news releases, ads, brochures, web content (to include design), magazines, newsletters, annual reports, briefing points, photography, and videos; as well as managing communications, marketing, media and graphics teams/vendors.
TRAINING & FACILITATING
A skilled trainer, facilitator and public speaking coach, I have led countless workshops for executive clients, staff, faculty, and high-level leaders including: "the art of effective communication," "crisis/reputation management," "communications trends," "media relations 101," "writing for a brand," and "thought leadership communications."
AWARD-WINNING PUBLIC RELATIONS
Just a few of the several PR and content awards I've won in my career:
- Save Our Towns – Helped launch Virginia Tech's internet video series, Save Our Towns designed to guide and inspire Southwest Virginia mayors and town leaders fighting to build strong communities despite the demise of coal and manufacturing jobs. During my time as co-producer, the series won a Ragan's PR Daily Corporate Responsibility Award: "Best Community Affairs;" and two Bulldog Awards: "Best Use of Digital or Social Communications" and "Best Use of Video for Cause/Advocacy/ Corporate Social Responsibility" – (the Bulldog Awards is the only U.S. PR competition judged exclusively by journalists). My role as host and co-producer included meeting with mayors and town managers; writing, editing, and designing PR, marketing and social media strategies; shooting and editing videos; and serving as webmaster of the program for its first two seasons.
- Count Me In Campaign – Mobilized more than 3,000 citizens in Lancaster, PA, for a school funding awareness initiative and rally advocating for improved education funding. The campaign generated widespread media coverage, contributed to increased state funding, and received award recognition from the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA). My role included campaign conception, strategic management, promotional efforts, content development, writing, and media relations, and collaboration with city, county, and state leaders.
- "Price on Their Heads"– Created as part of the Count Me In campaign, this fair funding video was commissioned and co-written to spotlight funding disparities. The piece earned a Crystal Communicator Award from the Philadelphia Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.