Paula Thornton Greear (She/Her/Hers)
President & CEO, Planned Parenthood of Michigan at Planned Parenthood of Michigan- Claim this Profile
Click to upgrade to our gold package
for the full feature experience.
Topline Score
Bio
LinkedIn User
I met Paula Thornton Greear when I hired her to lead the External Affairs Department at The Chicago Urban League. We worked together to construct a communications strategy to reposition the League as a strong community organization as it entered its100th year of service to the Chicagoland community. Paula was able to develop a team that was able to utilize of a wide variety of media types and to increase the visibility and enhance the role of the Chicago Urban League. She has worked throughout her career as a person at the forefront of change and innovation for the common good. Paula is well-organized and a strategic thinker. She has the ability to quickly assess the big picture and is able to distill messaging to create the maximum impact towards organizational goals. She understands how specific programs, initiatives, tactics and approaches fit together, or not, to achieve strategic goals. We have worked together on major speeches, panel and Board presentations, major events and internal communications. She was instrumental in developing a number of collaborative relationships that allowed the League to broaden its impact and reach. She is committed to making the world a better place. Paula believes in things so passionately and as such she is able to persuade others to support the worthy causes that she believes in. While working together I had the opportunity to take advantage of her wisdom, and I consider her a trusted adviser. I believe she is an asset to any organization looking for superior quality leadership.
Chris Mordi
Paula is a manager with a unique set of communication talents. She is strategic, creative and able to regularly draw the best from each member of her team. I had the pleasure of working with her while she was my supervisor at Lands’ End. Her attitude and thinking still influence me to this day. She has the ability to see the entire communications picture and put into place programs that have the ability to leverage societal currents to the benefit of the company. She also is adept at circling the wagons when an organization is in need of protection. Paula’s research-based approach to communications, her confidence and composure make her a go-to resource throughout all levels of an organization. She is a counselor who is able to quickly assess a situation and gain the trust of those seeking her advice. Once she puts a program into place, she sees it through with dogged determination and the ability to flex as conditions change. Her team also is deeply involved, being challenged to do their best, taking on new and additional responsibilities, all the while knowing that Paula is there to support, encourage and teach them as they work to reach program goals.
LinkedIn User
I met Paula Thornton Greear when I hired her to lead the External Affairs Department at The Chicago Urban League. We worked together to construct a communications strategy to reposition the League as a strong community organization as it entered its100th year of service to the Chicagoland community. Paula was able to develop a team that was able to utilize of a wide variety of media types and to increase the visibility and enhance the role of the Chicago Urban League. She has worked throughout her career as a person at the forefront of change and innovation for the common good. Paula is well-organized and a strategic thinker. She has the ability to quickly assess the big picture and is able to distill messaging to create the maximum impact towards organizational goals. She understands how specific programs, initiatives, tactics and approaches fit together, or not, to achieve strategic goals. We have worked together on major speeches, panel and Board presentations, major events and internal communications. She was instrumental in developing a number of collaborative relationships that allowed the League to broaden its impact and reach. She is committed to making the world a better place. Paula believes in things so passionately and as such she is able to persuade others to support the worthy causes that she believes in. While working together I had the opportunity to take advantage of her wisdom, and I consider her a trusted adviser. I believe she is an asset to any organization looking for superior quality leadership.
Chris Mordi
Paula is a manager with a unique set of communication talents. She is strategic, creative and able to regularly draw the best from each member of her team. I had the pleasure of working with her while she was my supervisor at Lands’ End. Her attitude and thinking still influence me to this day. She has the ability to see the entire communications picture and put into place programs that have the ability to leverage societal currents to the benefit of the company. She also is adept at circling the wagons when an organization is in need of protection. Paula’s research-based approach to communications, her confidence and composure make her a go-to resource throughout all levels of an organization. She is a counselor who is able to quickly assess a situation and gain the trust of those seeking her advice. Once she puts a program into place, she sees it through with dogged determination and the ability to flex as conditions change. Her team also is deeply involved, being challenged to do their best, taking on new and additional responsibilities, all the while knowing that Paula is there to support, encourage and teach them as they work to reach program goals.
LinkedIn User
I met Paula Thornton Greear when I hired her to lead the External Affairs Department at The Chicago Urban League. We worked together to construct a communications strategy to reposition the League as a strong community organization as it entered its100th year of service to the Chicagoland community. Paula was able to develop a team that was able to utilize of a wide variety of media types and to increase the visibility and enhance the role of the Chicago Urban League. She has worked throughout her career as a person at the forefront of change and innovation for the common good. Paula is well-organized and a strategic thinker. She has the ability to quickly assess the big picture and is able to distill messaging to create the maximum impact towards organizational goals. She understands how specific programs, initiatives, tactics and approaches fit together, or not, to achieve strategic goals. We have worked together on major speeches, panel and Board presentations, major events and internal communications. She was instrumental in developing a number of collaborative relationships that allowed the League to broaden its impact and reach. She is committed to making the world a better place. Paula believes in things so passionately and as such she is able to persuade others to support the worthy causes that she believes in. While working together I had the opportunity to take advantage of her wisdom, and I consider her a trusted adviser. I believe she is an asset to any organization looking for superior quality leadership.
Chris Mordi
Paula is a manager with a unique set of communication talents. She is strategic, creative and able to regularly draw the best from each member of her team. I had the pleasure of working with her while she was my supervisor at Lands’ End. Her attitude and thinking still influence me to this day. She has the ability to see the entire communications picture and put into place programs that have the ability to leverage societal currents to the benefit of the company. She also is adept at circling the wagons when an organization is in need of protection. Paula’s research-based approach to communications, her confidence and composure make her a go-to resource throughout all levels of an organization. She is a counselor who is able to quickly assess a situation and gain the trust of those seeking her advice. Once she puts a program into place, she sees it through with dogged determination and the ability to flex as conditions change. Her team also is deeply involved, being challenged to do their best, taking on new and additional responsibilities, all the while knowing that Paula is there to support, encourage and teach them as they work to reach program goals.
LinkedIn User
I met Paula Thornton Greear when I hired her to lead the External Affairs Department at The Chicago Urban League. We worked together to construct a communications strategy to reposition the League as a strong community organization as it entered its100th year of service to the Chicagoland community. Paula was able to develop a team that was able to utilize of a wide variety of media types and to increase the visibility and enhance the role of the Chicago Urban League. She has worked throughout her career as a person at the forefront of change and innovation for the common good. Paula is well-organized and a strategic thinker. She has the ability to quickly assess the big picture and is able to distill messaging to create the maximum impact towards organizational goals. She understands how specific programs, initiatives, tactics and approaches fit together, or not, to achieve strategic goals. We have worked together on major speeches, panel and Board presentations, major events and internal communications. She was instrumental in developing a number of collaborative relationships that allowed the League to broaden its impact and reach. She is committed to making the world a better place. Paula believes in things so passionately and as such she is able to persuade others to support the worthy causes that she believes in. While working together I had the opportunity to take advantage of her wisdom, and I consider her a trusted adviser. I believe she is an asset to any organization looking for superior quality leadership.
Chris Mordi
Paula is a manager with a unique set of communication talents. She is strategic, creative and able to regularly draw the best from each member of her team. I had the pleasure of working with her while she was my supervisor at Lands’ End. Her attitude and thinking still influence me to this day. She has the ability to see the entire communications picture and put into place programs that have the ability to leverage societal currents to the benefit of the company. She also is adept at circling the wagons when an organization is in need of protection. Paula’s research-based approach to communications, her confidence and composure make her a go-to resource throughout all levels of an organization. She is a counselor who is able to quickly assess a situation and gain the trust of those seeking her advice. Once she puts a program into place, she sees it through with dogged determination and the ability to flex as conditions change. Her team also is deeply involved, being challenged to do their best, taking on new and additional responsibilities, all the while knowing that Paula is there to support, encourage and teach them as they work to reach program goals.
Experience
-
Planned Parenthood of Michigan
-
Hospitals and Health Care
-
1 - 100 Employee
-
President & CEO, Planned Parenthood of Michigan
-
Jun 2022 - Present
-
-
-
-
Founder
-
Jul 2012 - Present
A virtual network of strategists providing executive-level public relations and communications solutions to a diverse base of regional and national clients, ranging from leading non-profit to broadcast communications and small-business start-ups. Executive Speechwriting for people in corporations, nonprofit, and government. Clients include Chicago Public Schools and Victaulic A virtual network of strategists providing executive-level public relations and communications solutions to a diverse base of regional and national clients, ranging from leading non-profit to broadcast communications and small-business start-ups. Executive Speechwriting for people in corporations, nonprofit, and government. Clients include Chicago Public Schools and Victaulic
-
-
-
Chief
-
Indonesia
-
Consumer Services
-
1 - 100 Employee
-
Chief Member
-
Nov 2021 - Jan 2023
Chief is a private network built to drive more women into positions of power and keep them there. Chief is the only organization specifically designed for senior women leaders to strengthen their leadership journey, cross-pollinate ideas across industries, and effect change from the top down. Chief is a private network built to drive more women into positions of power and keep them there. Chief is the only organization specifically designed for senior women leaders to strengthen their leadership journey, cross-pollinate ideas across industries, and effect change from the top down.
-
-
-
Planned Parenthood of Illinois
-
United States
-
Hospitals and Health Care
-
100 - 200 Employee
-
Chief External Affairs and Reputation Management Officer
-
Jan 2021 - Jun 2022
-
-
Senior Vice President External Affairs & Reputation Management
-
Nov 2019 - Jan 2021
-
-
Vice President External Affairs
-
Sep 2017 - Nov 2019
Overseeing Public Policy, Community Engagement and Education, Communications/Marketing/Digital teams, Executive positioning strategy; member Senior Leadership Team
-
-
-
Chicago Urban League
-
United States
-
Non-profit Organizations
-
100 - 200 Employee
-
Senior Vice President, External Affairs
-
Nov 2015 - Sep 2017
-
-
-
-
Sr. Counselor
-
Feb 2014 - Nov 2015
-
-
-
The Smiley Group, Inc.
-
United States
-
Advertising Services
-
1 - 100 Employee
-
Head of Communications
-
Jul 2013 - Aug 2014
Responsible for managing all publicity, marketing and media relations for TSG , a communications corporation established in support of human rights and related empowerment issues. TSG serves as the holding company for various enterprises encompassing broadcast and print media, lectures, symposiums and the Internet. Responsible for managing all publicity, marketing and media relations for TSG , a communications corporation established in support of human rights and related empowerment issues. TSG serves as the holding company for various enterprises encompassing broadcast and print media, lectures, symposiums and the Internet.
-
-
-
Feeding America
-
United States
-
Non-profit Organizations
-
400 - 500 Employee
-
Vice President, Communications
-
Jul 2010 - Jun 2012
-
-
Director, Media Relations
-
Oct 2009 - Jul 2010
-
-
-
Motorola
-
1 - 100 Employee
-
Director, Issues Management and Corporate Social Responsibility
-
Oct 2007 - Aug 2009
-
-
-
Target
-
Mexico
-
Appliances, Electrical, and Electronics Manufacturing
-
1 - 100 Employee
-
Sr. Manager, Media Relations
-
Sep 2003 - Aug 2007
-
-
-
Lands' End
-
United States
-
Retail Apparel and Fashion
-
1 - 100 Employee
-
Interim Director, Corporate Communications
-
2002 - 2003
-
-
-
-
Account Supervisor
-
2001 - 2002
-
-
-
GolinHarris International
-
United States
-
Telecommunications
-
Sr. Account Executive
-
2000 - 2001
-
-
-
Chicago Children's Museum
-
United States
-
Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
-
1 - 100 Employee
-
Public Relations Manager
-
2000 - 2001
-
-
-
Discovery Communications
-
Netherlands
-
Communications
-
1996 - 1999
-
-
Education
-
Michigan State University
-
Michigan State University
Community
