Experience

IRS Criminal Investigation

• United States
• Law Enforcement
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Public Affairs Officer

  • Sep 2020 - Present

  Trains and prepares executive leadership for media interviews and availabilities to reflect latest policy and regulatory changes as well as inform the public of latest enforcement actions and sentencings to deter financial crimes. Increased media engagements 45% in the first 6 months of appointment.Drafts internal policies to guide Special Agents in best practices to engage with media and appropriate expectations for coverage of investigations and trials.Plans, directs, and executes national communication activities to convey complex information concerning agency programs, responsibilities, and activities, in coordination with HQ, as appropriate.Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders including members of the news media, specialized groups interested in agency programs, field offices, and agency employees at all levels.Advises management of public reaction/attitudes to policies and emerging issues and identifies and develops strategies to assist agency in meeting the needs of internal and external stakeholders.



Freelance

• Independent Public Relations & Communications Consultant

  • Aug 2017 - Present

  Develop an overarching public relations strategy that will amplify awareness and brand story amongst consumer, trade, tech and business mediaDevelop an extensive and innovative engagement plan and activate key relationships with media, digital influencers and other relevant partnersWork with stakeholders across the organization to develop communications strategies related to new product and service improvementsDevelop and manage a PR calendar in partnership and alignment with our marketing calendarDevelop and deliver clear, engaging, persuasive and on-brand messagingIdentify external channels and partners to collaborate with to tell your storyPartner with Marketing team to maximize content, partnerships and promotionsManage external agency partnersRespond to in-bound PR and media relations requestsDevelop and maintain press collateralPartner with client leadership on messaging needs, including external speaking eventsProvide direction and writing support to internal communications as neededAssist in media training of employees as neededMeasure, analyze and report on client PR activityMonitor and provide recommendations related to key trends in the industry and with consumers



USCIS

• United States
• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Public Affairs Officer

  • May 2018 - Sep 2020

  Handled all media relations for USCIS for Illinois, Wisconsin, NW Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Eastern Missouri, North Dakota, and Iowa.• Fully served two large districts with media operations, increasing district office exposure and media presence within all served media markets.• Traveled nationally to support media relations mission, increasing placements and building relationships with journalists for future placements and exclusives.• Has established open channels with Chicago regional media, which has led to an increase in accuracy for immigration-related pieces out of Chicago and the Midwest.• Increased pitching and media advisory generation by 30% to garner more media attention for field offices in territory.• Takes photos, drafts short articles and photo cut lines for internal publication on behalf of field offices in territory.• Conducted media training for leadership, as needed, to prepare for interviews and media comments when PAO is not present.• Drafted issue and region specific talking points for District leadership for use in public engagements and media interviews.• Advised District leadership on best public communications practices for emergent situations and implemented suggestions as was determined appropriate by leadership team.• Served as back-up agency social media manager to support agency during times of decreased staffing.• Increased social media posts from the field to grow audience of Chicago USCIS Twitter feed.• Offered strategic council to leadership on the way forward regarding social media best practices and how to best promote telling the USCIS story.• Produced daily "end of day" media report, as needed, during decreased staffing periods.• Traveled extensively during special celebrations and events to support media operations and social media contributions to increase media coverage and social media exposure by 68% over last year.



Resolute

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

• Vice President

  • Jun 2017 - Aug 2017

  Served as primary media contact assisting and guiding all publicity, consumer awareness, and image campaigns; developed media press kits and releases. Provided on-air and in-person media interviews and oversaw execution of special events. Address complex, sensitive issues in collaboration with account lead and senior management. Evaluated social media messaging and support materials to align with strategic goals. Crafted creative and effective pitching angles, ideas, and implementation for a wide breadth of clients for increasing coverage over 50% with placements in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, AP, major local broadcast affiliates (ABC, NBC, CBS, WGN, and PBS).Planned and integrated social media tools into client campaigns for boosted earned media and engagement, increasing public engagement by 75%.Collaborated with field team to produce “Man On The Street” testimonial videos, available online, reflecting client’s position and recent relevant news developments, increasing citizen engagement and call to action responses by 30% in the first month.Lead client liaison for campaigns addressing healthcare technology, public policy, labor negotiations, and large organizational real estate transactions.



Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians, Department of the Interior

• Director of Communications

  • Apr 2015 - Jun 2017

  Built and implemented the first Strategic Communications Plan for agency addressing media engagement, outreach, social media strategy and tactics, standard messaging for agency, as well as staffing and growth plan for the Office of External Affairs. New additions to the FY 2017 Strategic Communications Plan included the establishment of an agency-wide social media policy as well as a visual property branding guide.As a result of the implementation of the Strategic Communications Plan, media engagement rose by 200% in positive pieces, and a 500% increase in requests for media opportunities with the Special Trustee.Established social media presence for agency to increase beneficiary involvement as well as promote the Special Trustee's financial education and literacy initiative. Generates interactive content to engage target audience, increasing engagement by 150% in the first year.Served as the Director of External Affairs, as needed, and led a team of 5 employees to implement outreach, self-governance, legislative, and internal communications initiatives.Trained C-Suite leadership for successful media engagements to increase beneficiary involvement, public awareness, and respond to pertinent media queries. Developed agency crisis communications plan to implement for HQ in Washington, DC and multiple field sites across the nation. Plan has been implemented in crisis exercises with the Department of the Interior to positive reviews from Cabinet-level senior leadership as well as the effective and timely communication of emergency messages.Implemented integration of Granicus services into External Affairs operations to increase beneficiary engagement and awareness of agency's mission to the general public with effective project management tactics and tools.Drafted press releases, talking points, speeches, employee messages, media statements, and Q&A.



Kaizen Health

• United States
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Strategic Communications Lead

  • Oct 2015 - Dec 2016

  Led strategic development of communications programs, elevating the organization's corporate profile.Developed a consistent internal and external corporate brand messaging strategy that is reflected across all product and service programs, as well as internal marketing programs. Drafted all website and training manual copy to convey message synergy across all platforms.Developed communications key messages and talking points and managed the implementation across all communications programs (marketing, PR, IR, internal etc). Assisted with strategic communication requirements for executive, including presentation development, interview talking points and speech writing.Served as chief media strategist and company spokesperson; owned crisis communications planning and CSR programs. Responsible for identifying and building relationships with new and existing editors, reporters, producers, bloggers and tech analysts to increase media coverage.Drove all editorial story planning, writing and pitching to both domestic and international press, including all necessary reporter follow-up efforts (fact-finding, quote development/approval, executive interview coordination, etc.) Researched and exploited exposure opportunities with key media outlets. Enhanced company visibility through thought leadership; proactively seek and manage strategic executive visibility opportunities for the organization.Monitored industry issues and competitive landscape to adjust company positioning and messaging as required.Built strong working relationships with company executives, Marketing/Sales/Business Development Team, vendors, agencies and partners to promote an integrated communications approach across the organization. Created training programs for executive leaders and partners to increase their communication skills and capabilities.



U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

• United States
• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Public Affairs Specialist (Senior Media Relations Manager)

  • Apr 2013 - Apr 2015

  Addressed time-sensitive, high visibility media queries and implementation of short and long-term communication plans. Developed and managed media relations strategies to support agency reputation goals with seamless integration with current digital strategic goals. Organized media availabilities with senior leadership to increase earned media by 50% over the past year. Ensured communications were consistent with agency messaging. Drove processes for ensuring timely responses to media issues; assessed and coorded with cross-functional resources as required. • Served as Acting Media Relations Deputy Director, during a period of depleted staffing.• Developed and measured targeted media strategies at an enterprise level to obtain coverage reflecting the agency’s mission and results, as well as provide strategic direction.• Anticipated implications from various courses of action and made recommendations that are trusted and accepted by leadership.• Advised, trained, and escorted agency leaders testifying at the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees.



United States Mint

• United States
• Government Administration
• 400 - 500 Employee

• Public Affairs Specialist (Public Relations & Social Media Manager)

  • Apr 2008 - Apr 2013

  Created a comprehensive social media program from the ground up and increased staff to three specialists to handle the agency’s nationwide campaign needs. Facilitated diverse people working together; demonstrated consensus building and conflict resolution techniques; encouraged participation from each team member; gave and received constructive advice on project work.Served as social media expert for the agency as well as consulted and advised on the development of the Mint's new website. Managed and updated the United States Mint Intranet home page to address the internal communications needs for the entire organization.• Served as community manager for all social media channels utilized by the Mint. • Established social media best practices and guidelines and trained public affairs staff to use social media for official use. • Planned and executed all media relations for Director and Deputy Director of the United States Mint in support of coin launches including the Presidential Dollar Coin program as well as the America The Beautiful quarter program.



US Army

• United States
• Armed Forces
• 700 & Above Employee

• Public Affairs Specialist (Public Relations Manager)

  • Apr 2007 - Apr 2008

  Developed strategically targeted messages, which created an understanding of complex subject matter; met agency's requirements; demonstrated a high level of professional knowledge and skill; effectively used language in an innovative and creative way to reinforce key Army messages. Copy edited the Belvoir Eagle to conform to the AP Styleguide. Served as public affairs representative in Emergency Operations Center to provide public affairs guidance in all emergency operation exercises. Drafted press releases for tenant organizations. Maintained post hotline information during critical information events. Assisted in media training for tenant organization by offering critiques of media opportunities as well as helpful pointers in media situations for field grade officers.• Informed the internal and external public through a new and innovative command information dissemination program by writing and recording many of the Fort Belvoir Hotline podcasts.• Coordinated extended media escorts on post and successfully prepared subject matter experts to positively convey the Army story to include national coverage from local network affiliates, Prevention Magazine and the Washington Post. • Received widespread regional and national (Today Show) media coverage for Soldier homecomings as a result of targeted and strategic media pitches.

• Public Affairs Specialist (Advertising & Public Relations Manager)

  • Apr 2006 - Apr 2007

  Planned and budgeted for team projects; negotiated for and allocated resources to optimize cost-effectiveness and productivity; delegated project work; set agendas for team/project meetings; managed the total work of a team/project; integrated project development with the long-term strategies of the battalion. Conducted media training for subject matter experts to prepare them for interviews in the national and international media resulting in a positive image conveyed for the Army as a whole. Developed and executed internal communication strategies which created an understanding of the US Army priorities, gave context around issues and initiatives, built employee and Soldier engagement and helped people to understand their role and how it contributes to the success of thee recruiting mission.• Managed an advertising budget of over $200,000 and conducted buys in a range of mediums. • Coordinated numerous marketing events throughout the Chicagoland area that provided vital contact between the recruiters and the public to educate target age individuals about Army career opportunities.

• Public Affairs Specialist (Public Relations Associate)

  • Oct 2004 - Apr 2006

  Supported three main Army Public Affairs functions in a garrison public affairs office. Created and executed journalism and photojournalism assignments. Designed and laid out weekly newspaper using desktop publishing and graphic design. Conducted media escorts. Wrote news releases and media advisories. Organized and facilitated interviews between local media outlets and installation organizations. Assisted in production of feature news pieces for local media outlets.• Redesigned installation public affairs web site. • Assisted in organizing opening ceremonies for post-wide events including POW/MIA Day, Super Day.