Experience

Avolta

• Poland
• Renewables & Environment
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director, Corporate Communications, North America

  • Nov 2023 - Present

  Bethesda, Maryland, United States I assumed this role following the business combination of Dufry and Autogrill. In North America, Avolta is compromised of HMSHost, Hudson, and Dufry.



HMSHost

• Food and Beverage Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Director, Corporate Communications

  • Oct 2022 - Nov 2023

  Bethesda, Maryland, United States Global restaurateur HMSHost is a world leader in creating dining for travel venues. In 2023, HMSHost became part of Avolta AG (SIX: AVOL) following the combination of Dufry and Autogrill.



Freelance Writer

• United States
• Newspaper Publishing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Freelance Writer

  • May 2014 - Sep 2023

  Published writer in Northern Virginia magazine, The Washington Post Magazine, Running Times, RunnersWorld.com, HuffPost, Wine Enthusiast, Forbes.com, Chewy.com, RunWashington, Penn State College of Medicine, and Gannett / USA Today GET Creative Branded Content Studio.



Fish Consulting

• United States
• Public Relations and Communications Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Vice President

  • Nov 2020 - Oct 2022

  Washington DC-Baltimore Area Served as senior national media relations counsel agencywide, advising firm’s day-to-day account leads on strategies to increase visibility through impactful media coverage. Served as senior crisis communications counsel, working collaboratively with account teams, senior executives, legal, operations, and franchisees to address and respond to a variety of issues. Led agency’s speakers bureau to secure keynote and panelist speaking engagements for clients at industry trade shows. Worked closely… Show more Served as senior national media relations counsel agencywide, advising firm’s day-to-day account leads on strategies to increase visibility through impactful media coverage. Served as senior crisis communications counsel, working collaboratively with account teams, senior executives, legal, operations, and franchisees to address and respond to a variety of issues. Led agency’s speakers bureau to secure keynote and panelist speaking engagements for clients at industry trade shows. Worked closely with CEO to drive new business development; responsible for tracking leads, vetting potential new clients, leading discussions around PR goals, developing proposed PR strategies and budgets, and participating in agency pitches. Led agency marketing efforts that included awards, which resulted in Fish being named one of America’s Best PR Agencies by Forbes, among other accolades.

• Senior Director, Media & Industry Relations

  • Nov 2017 - Nov 2020

  Washington DC-Baltimore Area Provided agencywide crisis communications counsel, including during the onset of COVID-19, working with account teams and clients to assess situations, develop internal and external communications, and manage media inquiries and responses; served as official spokesperson, when necessary. Monitored for public policy issues affecting small businesses and franchising; educated agency on issues and advised on media relations strategies. Promoted to Vice President in November 2020 due in large part… Show more Provided agencywide crisis communications counsel, including during the onset of COVID-19, working with account teams and clients to assess situations, develop internal and external communications, and manage media inquiries and responses; served as official spokesperson, when necessary. Monitored for public policy issues affecting small businesses and franchising; educated agency on issues and advised on media relations strategies. Promoted to Vice President in November 2020 due in large part to my leadership supporting the agency and its clients during COVID-19.

• Account Director

  • May 2014 - Nov 2017

  Washington DC-Baltimore Area Planned and oversaw execution of national and local PR strategies to generate brand awareness and drive franchise sales for several restaurant, wellness, beauty, and B2B brands. Established expertise in national business media relations, executive visibility and thought leadership, and crisis communications. Developed crisis communications protocols and collaborated with internal stakeholders to respond to issues, which included developing media statements, talking points, and franchisee… Show more Planned and oversaw execution of national and local PR strategies to generate brand awareness and drive franchise sales for several restaurant, wellness, beauty, and B2B brands. Established expertise in national business media relations, executive visibility and thought leadership, and crisis communications. Developed crisis communications protocols and collaborated with internal stakeholders to respond to issues, which included developing media statements, talking points, and franchisee communications, and prepping C-suite executives for media interviews. Solidified passion for working in the restaurant/F&B sector.

• Senior Account Manager

  • Apr 2013 - May 2014

  Washington DC-Baltimore Area Served as day-to-day contact and PR strategist on several key accounts across multiple industries, including restaurant and arts and entertainment sectors. Secured media interviews for C-level executives and franchisees; developed briefing documents with key brand messaging and talking points to prepare them for interviews.

• Account Manager

  • Sep 2012 - Apr 2013

  Miami/Fort Lauderdale Area Recruited to join leading boutique PR agency specializing in franchising. Quickly demonstrated ability to juggle multiple projects with several clients and deliver impactful local and trade media coverage to build brand awareness. Spearheaded multi-city campaign to film testimonials from top multi-unit franchisees with a national deli brand; included budget development, securing local videographers, scriptwriting, and on-site support. Relocated to Washington, D.C. area in December 2012.



O'Connell & Goldberg

• Public Relations and Communications Services

• Account Executive

  • Jun 2011 - Sep 2012

  Miami/Fort Lauderdale Area Transitioned to a PR agency to support my career goals. Led consumer media relations for multiple clients, including Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza and the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens. Managed social media channels and wrote press releases, bylined articles, blogs, and other external content.



Femwell Group Health

• United States
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Communications Manager

  • Nov 2010 - Jun 2011

  Miami/Fort Lauderdale Area Led internal and external communications strategies for Femwell, sister brand TopLine MD, and the company's women's health diagnostic center, Care Diagnostics for Women. Managed social media channels.



Burger King Corporation

• 1 - 100 Employee

• Coordinator, External Communications

  • Jul 2009 - Nov 2010

  Miami/Fort Lauderdale Area Transitioned to in-house external communications/PR team to leverage my journalism background. Led media relations for nearly two dozen U.S. company restaurant openings. Supported press material development for the HAVE IT YOUR WAY® Foundation. Developed and launched a PR and marketing toolkit to assist franchisees and field marketing teams with local store marketing. Conceptualized new press room on BK.com. Monitored company media line to field requests from national reporters and respond on… Show more Transitioned to in-house external communications/PR team to leverage my journalism background. Led media relations for nearly two dozen U.S. company restaurant openings. Supported press material development for the HAVE IT YOUR WAY® Foundation. Developed and launched a PR and marketing toolkit to assist franchisees and field marketing teams with local store marketing. Conceptualized new press room on BK.com. Monitored company media line to field requests from national reporters and respond on behalf of company spokesperson.

• Intern, Corporate Communications

  • May 2008 - Jul 2009

  Miami/Fort Lauderdale Area Selected as part of the Summer 2008 intern class at BKC's worldwide Restaurant Support Center, serving on the global communications team. Supported all internal communications activities, including writing and distributing communications to corporate employees, field teams, and franchisees; writing weekly stories for company intranet; assisting with executive speechwriting; and developing graphic design assets.