Experience

Donovan Group

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

• Partner

  • Sep 2019 - Present

  Liam leads Donovan Group’s efforts to serve public education clients across the U.S. He is the recipient of one Award of Excellence, two Awards of Merit, and two Honorable Mentions in 2022 from the National School Public Relations Association and Awards of Honor from the Pennsylvania School Public Relations Association in 2021 and 2022. Donovan Group services include communication audits and planning, content creation, graphic design, logo design, branding, marketing, surveys, video production, translation, and strategic communication. Liam provides comprehensive communications support to several school districts in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and California. He has led communication audits and rebranding initiatives. He also has directed & facilitated a Delaware high school student task force to develop a communications campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of vaping. Liam led the launch of EngageEquitably.org, providing free communication protocols and templates for school districts to message the many issues related to COVID-19. Liam also supports the Donovan Group's partnerships with the Delaware & Pennsylvania School Boards Associations that provide 24/7 crisis communications support to member school districts. Current/former clients include: Pennsylvania School Boards Association & Delaware School Boards Association (Crisis Communications) National: Learning First Alliance Pennsylvania: Allentown SD, Conrad Weiser Area SD, New Hope-Solebury SD, Norwin SD, Rose Tree Media SD, Upper Moreland SD, Bethlehem Health Bureau California: El Segundo USD, Soledad USD Delaware: Caesar Rodney SD, POLYTECH SD Massachusetts: Ashland Public Schools, Malden Public Schools, Waltham Public Schools, Mass. Partnership for Diversity in Teaching Michigan: Marquette-Alger Regional Educational Service Agency New York: Brilla Public Charter Schools, Brooklyn Laboratory Charter Schools Wisconsin: Ripon Area SD, Whitewater Unified SD Show less



Educational Policy and Strategy LLC

• Principal Advisor and Consultant

  • Jun 2018 - Present

  Clients have included: the Arizona K12 Center, the Center for Great Teachers and Leaders (at the American Institutes for Research), the Center for Optimal Learning Environments, and the Regional Center for Educational Planning (UNESCO/United Arab Emirates). Clients have included: the Arizona K12 Center, the Center for Great Teachers and Leaders (at the American Institutes for Research), the Center for Optimal Learning Environments, and the Regional Center for Educational Planning (UNESCO/United Arab Emirates).



New Teacher Center

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Policy Director

  • Jun 2006 - May 2018

  New Teacher Center (NTC) focused on improving student learning by accelerating the effectiveness of teachers and school leaders. As policy director, I collaborated across the organization to advance a strategic policy plan incorporating policy consultation, communications, and advocacy. My responsibilities included: advancing NTC visibility in the policy community; developing talking points, frameworks and tools to help policymakers; speaking to the news media; communicating research and impact data that informs policy in support of educator effectiveness; consulting with federal and state policymakers and educational leaders to write legislation and regulations and implement policies; authoring policy briefs and white papers; engaging in policy analysis; delivering policy and academic conference presentations; writing blog items and social media posts; and writing grant proposals. During my time at NTC, I served as interim communications director on two separate occasions. I supervised up to three direct reports. Over my 12 years, I reported directly to the CEO, to the Chief of External Affairs, to the Senior Vice President for Program Strategy, and to the Vice President for Marketing and Communications. Show less



Office of the Governor of Wisconsin

• Education Policy Advisor

  • Oct 2004 - Jun 2006

  Provided advice & counsel on education policy to Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle, First Lady Jessica Doyle, senior managers and various office divisions. Served as liaison to the Department of Public Instruction and University of Wisconsin System. Developed policy proposals for consideration in state budget and as legislation. Wrote talking points for Governor’s education-related public appearances and legislative testimony on Governor’s education policy proposals. Interact with education policy leaders—including the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, the University of Wisconsin System President, and education committee chairs in the Legislature. Spoke publicly at various education policy and constituency group meetings. Participated in a variety of external policy committees and work groups. Interacted with Governor’s Washington, DC office on federal education policy. Wrote/collaborated on successful grant funding proposals. Attended state, regional & national policy meetings on behalf of the Governor. Show less



National Governors Association, Center for Best Practices

• Senior Policy Analyst

  • Apr 2001 - Sep 2004

  Employed in Education Division at NGA Center for Best Practices. Managed & worked on grant-funded projects focused on teacher quality, educational leadership, and school health/student achievement. Authored publications on teacher induction and teacher evaluation; wrote teacher quality portion of a web-based clearinghouse on closing the achievement gap. Served as a consultant to state work teams implementing policies and drafting grant proposals on teacher quality & school leadership. Served as a consultant to Governors’ education policy advisors; participated in site visits, facilitated meetings and trainings; and provided written & on-site technical assistance. Planned state policy institutes and roundtable meetings on a host of education policy topics. Contributed to and edited a periodic policy newsletter to Governors’ staff. Show less



Vermont State Auditor of Accounts

• Executive Assistant

  • Sep 1997 - Feb 2001

  Served as political and communications director for elected State Auditor. Managed office website. Authored press releases and executive summaries for audit reports and reviews. Managed and authored individual internal control and compliance reviews. Served as political and communications director for elected State Auditor. Managed office website. Authored press releases and executive summaries for audit reports and reviews. Managed and authored individual internal control and compliance reviews.



Vermont Democratic Party

• United States
• Political Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Executive Director

  • Nov 1995 - Sep 1997

  Managed financial and administrative operations of the Vermont Democratic State Committee. Organized multiple direct-mail fundraising campaigns and fund-raising events. Organized 1996 Vermont Democratic State Convention. Managed financial and administrative operations of the Vermont Democratic State Committee. Organized multiple direct-mail fundraising campaigns and fund-raising events. Organized 1996 Vermont Democratic State Convention.