Experience

Illinois Department of Human Services

• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Director Of Communications

  • Jul 2020 - Present

  Lead spokeswoman for the State's largest agency. Responsibilities include media strategy, grassroots communication on various programs for vulnerable populations and hard-to-reach audiences, policy analysis, and providing strategic counsel, as well as supervising the marketing efforts and communications department. Lead spokeswoman for the State's largest agency. Responsibilities include media strategy, grassroots communication on various programs for vulnerable populations and hard-to-reach audiences, policy analysis, and providing strategic counsel, as well as supervising the marketing efforts and communications department.



Edelman

• United States
• Public Relations and Communications Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Vice President of Crisis and Risk Management

  • Dec 2019 - Jun 2020

  Served as Vice President and a senior advisor to C-Suite clients and partners with companies to protect their reputation by developing integrated risk management capabilities on various issues. Provided counsel and guided response to executive misconduct, data breaches, workplace violence, executive transitions, product recalls, and other high-impact, reputation-threatening events. Served as Vice President and a senior advisor to C-Suite clients and partners with companies to protect their reputation by developing integrated risk management capabilities on various issues. Provided counsel and guided response to executive misconduct, data breaches, workplace violence, executive transitions, product recalls, and other high-impact, reputation-threatening events.



Lori Lightfoot for Chicago

• United States
• Political Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Strategic Communications Consultant

  • Mar 2019 - May 2019

  Senior Communications Consultant for Mayor-Elect Lori Lightfoot's Better Together Chicago Transition team. Senior Communications Consultant for Mayor-Elect Lori Lightfoot's Better Together Chicago Transition team.



Tribune Publishing Company

• United States
• Newspaper Publishing
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Vice President of Communications and Public Relations

  • Jul 2017 - Jan 2019

  Served as Senior Advisor to the Chief Executive Officer and Board of Directors. Direct report to the CEO. Responsible for the overall corporate and media relations strategy for a national media organization and provided high-level strategic counsel, quality outcomes and superior service to the executive team and business leaders across the company's eight media markets. Developed and executed corporate communications and media relations initiatives to accurately highlight Tribune Publishing's identity and brand. Served as the company's lead media spokeswoman with proven leadership skills including superb people management skills. Managed and navigated confidential and sensitive issues with discretion. Led crisis communications on a number of various initiatives including major staff reductions, mergers and acquisitions, the company re-brand, change management, quarterly earnings and reputational matters facing executives. Show less



Cook County Health

• United States
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 700 & Above Employee

• Director of Public Relations

  • Aug 2012 - Oct 2014

  At the Cook County Health System, you could find pitching a story, writing a speech or briefing for the Chief Executive Officer, planning events both internally and externally, overseeing a documentary for CNN working in conjunction with the Cook County Trauma and Burn Unit, and managing a team communications team. I am known for doing what it takes to get the job done right. Advancing Medicaid expansion and activating County Care was a top initiative, where 140k cook county residents were enrolled into a healthcare plan. Additionally, I oversaw the development of a new website and created a comprehensive social media presence for the organization. Show less

• Director of Media Relations & Public Affairs

  • Aug 2011 - Aug 2012

  Coached teams of trauma surgeons and general internists for media on effective communication for internal and external events. Led media relations for Trauma Surgeons for high-profile media opportunities both on local and national levels.Planned and organized corporate media and other special events.Worked with management to identify trends and developments that influence PR decisions and strategies. Developed press materials and built strong relationships with prominent reporters.Managed a documentary developed for both CNN and National Geographic. Show less

• Deputy Director of Public Affairs

  • Jul 2010 - Aug 2011

  Developed corporate communications strategies and programs, including project timelines.Managed a team of six staff members.Estimated project costs and managed departmental budget.Achieved company objectives by leveraging internal resources and collaborating with colleagues.Wrote and edited articles, web content, CEO's monthly messages, for internal and external audiences.Represented the organization to patients, the public, government officials and other external sources.



Illinois Department of Transportation

• United States
• Truck Transportation
• 700 & Above Employee

• State of Illinois

  • Aug 2005 - Jul 2010

  Developed and executed media relations strategies and campaigns for the largest transportation projects in the State of Illinois, and served as a spokesperson for the department. Managed the communication department's $1m budget, established media interviews, and prepped leadership for media relations. Prepared media materials and documents for the C-Suite on media relations matters. Developed strong relationships with reporters across the State and assisted with managing the reputation of the agency. Show less