Experience

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  The Grossman Group

  • Greater Chicago Area

  • Senior Thoughtpartner

    • Nov 2018 - Present
    • Greater Chicago Area

    Senior counselor at award-winning communications consultancy focusing on organizational consulting, strategic leadership development and internal communications.At The Grossman Group, we help companies and organizations communicate more strategically to solve business challenges and build business and leaders, minimize risks, navigate through periods of change and improve employee engagement.

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  Kingman Communications

  • Greater Chicago Area

  • Principal

    • Sep 2016 - Present
    • Greater Chicago Area

    Started my own company to focus on the work I love the most - employee and leader communications. At Kingman Communications, we work with companies and organizations across industry sectors to align their employees in support of corporate goals to drive business results. We help leaders communicate their vision, inspire their people and drive change.My experience includes working with C-suite executives, heads of corporate and internal communications, and leaders of marketing, HR and strategy to turn sometimes complicated concepts into communications people can relate to and act upon. We base our work in research, develop a winning strategic plan, and provide expert tactical support to bring the plan to life.Areas of expertise include:*Storytelling*Communications training*M&A communications*Executive visibility*Mission, vision and values communication*Communications organization design*Strategy communications*Employee engagement*Change management communications*Message development

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  Golin and Insidedge

  • Chicago

  • Executive Director and Group Leader

    • Jun 2005 - Nov 2018
    • Chicago

    I spent 13 years leading corporate and employee communications practices at the global public relations firm Golin. Our team worked with companies to build and protect their corporate reputations and develop strategies to foster employee commitment and motivate performance.

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  Kemper Insurance

  • Vice President, Corporate Communications

    • Jul 1998 - Jun 2005

    Set internal and external communications strategy for $5.9 billion commercial insurance company with 9,000 employees. Supervised staff of 21 professionals and managed budgets of up to $3.5 million.* Enhanced corporate reputation through media relations; employee, agent and broker communications; community outreach; corporate philanthropy and customer relationship management.* Helped launch new ventures and integrate specialty niche insurance companies acquired by Kemper.* Collaborated with Marketing to develop and introduce new brand strategy and advertising campaign.* Served as member of senior management team handling Kemper's response to Sept. 11 terrorist attack. Developed and managed crisis communications with all audiences.* Directed communications with internal and external audiences related to the company's shedding of 16 lines of business and 8,700 employees and it status operating under corrective orders from regulators.

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  Hill and Knowlton

  • Senior Managing Director, Managing Director, Account Supervisor

    • 1993 - 1998

    Led employee communications practice, developing strategic employee communications plans to help companies enhance employee performance, productivity and morale. Served in public affairs practice, developing and implementing government and media relations strategies for clients. Organized grass-roots campaigns and counseled clients on issues management.

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  Office of the Illinois Senate President

  • Chief of Staff, Director of Chicago Office, Staff Assistant, Legislative Staff Intern

    • Sep 1981 - Mar 1993

    Started as an intern and progressed to become chief of staff, supervising employees in offices in Springfield and Chicago. Initiated Senate Majority positions on issues before the General Assembly. Negotiated with interest groups and branches of state and local government. Advised Senate President and leadership on policy and strategic planning.