Denise Ward
Director of Communications at Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Credentials
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Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL)
International Open AcademyJun, 2021- Oct, 2024
Experience
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Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts
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United States
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Higher Education
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1 - 100 Employee
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Director of Communications
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Dec 2020 - Present
Design, implement and manage all communications-related activities for the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts. Collaborate with Institute Communications to ensure alignment with central communication strategies that strengthen and protect the brand and reputation of Georgia Tech.
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Georgia Institute of Technology
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United States
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Higher Education
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700 & Above Employee
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Media Relations Representative, Institute Communications
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Jun 2019 - Dec 2020
Develop and implement media relations, issues management and crisis communication strategies to advance the Georgia Tech brand and support the Institute's strategic initiatives. Proactively, plan, develop and distribute news using various channels to extend the Georgia Tech brand, including news releases and statements, media pitches, news articles and video content.Research and develop talking points to anticipate news and prepare to respond.Proven ability to thrive during a crisis and in fast-paced environments, with a keen ability to monitor the situation and strategically develop a plan of action. Monitor and evaluate media coverage to measure reach and sentiment. Conduct media training for university experts and senior leaders.Manage and facilitate numerous media requests for experts, resulting in placements in the Chronicle of Higher Education, the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Georgia Public Radio, the Atlanta Business Chronicle, Georgia CEO, WSBTV and WABE, among others.Successfully garnered and facilitated media coverage for the dedication of The Trailblazers sculptures. Resulted in media coverage in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, WABE, WSBTV ‘People to People’, CBS 46, 11Alive and Fox 5 Atlanta.Proactively positioned Georgia Tech experts as media resources for Hurricane Dorian coverage. Resulted in repeat media coverage in the Atlanta Journal Constitution and WSBTV, as well as coverage on Headline News, and 11Alive.
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Media Relations and Issues Management lead (interim)
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Sep 2019 - Feb 2020
Develop and implement media relations, issues management and crisis communication strategies to advance Georgia Tech and support the Institute's strategic initiatives. Responsible for advancing the university's local, regional, national and global visibility. Serve as the Institute's official primary spokesperson and as the public information officer for the Georgia Tech Police Department. Manages the media relations staff. Consult with the VP and AVP to proactively tell the Institute's narrative while mitigating risks.
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Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia
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United States
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Non-profit Organizations
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1 - 100 Employee
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Sr. Director, Marketing and Communications
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Jul 2018 - Jun 2019
Develop and manage comprehensive brand marketing and communications program for both internal and external use, including:o Digital and social mediao Print collateral, including Annual Report, Program and Resource Guide, event invitations and other marketing materialso Advertisingo Crisis communicationsProvide direction and management of regional marketing and communications team for eight-center council across the state of Georgia. Design and coordinate the presentation of the Girl Scout brand consistent with best practices and national marketing strategy. Set guidance and strategy to meet council objectives.Management of the council’s digital footprint, including website and social media marketing.Develop correspondence, talking points and scripts in support of CEO, CDO, board of directors and staff to ensure consistent messaging. Serve as media contact and official spokesperson.
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Albany State University
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Higher Education
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700 & Above Employee
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Special Assistant to the President for Marketing and Strategic Communications
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Aug 2017 - Jul 2018
Leadership of the university's marketing and strategic communications functions, including branding, messaging, media and public relations.Development and implementation of a marketing and strategic communications plans for major initiatives and campaigns. Executive speech writing and coordination of presidential communications, including developing specialized correspondence, presidential proclamations, and other writing assignments designed to promote the goals and priorities of the institution.Led the planning, design, production and implementation of marketing and public relations activities on behalf of the President.Led development of university brand identity campaign, including development of visual identity guidelines, brand promise, and brand marketing campaign. Responsible for crisis management, internal communications and digital/social media. Served as the university's official spokesperson and conducted numerous media interviews on behalf of the university.Served as a champion of the university's vision/mission and guiding principles to ensure that the marketing and communications functions support a range of strategic initiatives, including student recruitment, fundraising, alumni relations, faculty research, student scholarship and community engagement. Supervision of marketing and communications staff.
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The Hershey Company
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United States
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Manufacturing
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700 & Above Employee
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Communications Manager
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Apr 2016 - Apr 2017
Execute internal and external communications strategies for different client groups across corporate network, including communication planning, content development and execution, messaging, media relations including mainstream and social media, change management and program and project management. Active member of African-American and woman's employee resource groups to foster diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
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MillerCoors
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United States
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Food and Beverage Services
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700 & Above Employee
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Communications Specialist
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Apr 2012 - Apr 2016
Develop and manage internal communications strategy for two 600+ employee manufacturing breweries in Albany, Georgia and Eden, North Carolina. Use of various communications vehicles to distribute key company news and initiatives, including weekly electronic newsletter, quarterly printed newsletter, and multimedia messaging, including video and display monitors. Developed and implemented communications plans for various projects and initiatives. Served as site change agent. Served as corporate partner to coordinate all employee resource group initiatives; led Black employee resource group.
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Booz Allen Hamilton
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United States
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IT Services and IT Consulting
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700 & Above Employee
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Strategic Communications Consultant (Contract)
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Sep 2010 - Apr 2012
(Limited-term contract position) Provided strategic direction for Marine Corps Logistics Command’s Command Communications Office. Developed and implemented various communications tools, including white papers, stakeholder analysis reports, strategic communications plan, presentations, speeches, as well as content for websites and graphic materials.
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University of San Diego
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United States
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Higher Education
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700 & Above Employee
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Director of Media Relations
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Sep 2007 - Dec 2009
Media relations liaison/spokesperson for the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, School of Leadership and Education Sciences and College of Arts and Sciences, as well as other university centers, including Center for Community Service Learning. Developed and implemented strategic communications strategies for the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, the College of Arts and Sciences.Developed and managed media training program to prepare subject matter experts for interaction with print and broadcast journalists. Managed and coordinated speaker’s bureau, including presentation and speech writing, scheduling and facilitation.Partnered with University Relations to develop marketing materials, including promotional brochures, display advertising, radio and video packages, broadcast media buys and campus photos.
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Education
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Valdosta State University
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2005 - 2006
University of Phoenix
Master of Education (M.Ed.)
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