Experience

Foundation For The Carolinas

• United States
• Philanthropic Fundraising Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Special Advisor for Civic Initiatives

  • Mar 2022 - Present



SOLID Agency

• Advertising Services

• Managing Director

  • Oct 2014 - Present

  Strategy development and communications agency focused on supporting strategic initiatives in the public, private and civic sectors. Client/partner portfolio includes corporations, leading NGOs, governmental entities, public agencies, major public institutions, foundations and civic enterprises at international, national, state and local/regional levels. Sectors of experience include energy, health, technology, social and corporate responsibility, innovation. Strategy development and communications agency focused on supporting strategic initiatives in the public, private and civic sectors. Client/partner portfolio includes corporations, leading NGOs, governmental entities, public agencies, major public institutions, foundations and civic enterprises at international, national, state and local/regional levels. Sectors of experience include energy, health, technology, social and corporate responsibility, innovation.



Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

• United States
• Primary and Secondary Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Chief Communications Officer

  • Oct 2017 - Sep 2019

  Led internal and external communications for nation’s 17th largest K-12 public school district with 150,000 students, 19,000 employees, 175 schools, $1.5B annual budget. Created and implemented strategic communications and engagement strategies to empower and inspire students, families, staff and community in support of district strategic plan focused on equity and culture. Led internal and external communications for nation’s 17th largest K-12 public school district with 150,000 students, 19,000 employees, 175 schools, $1.5B annual budget. Created and implemented strategic communications and engagement strategies to empower and inspire students, families, staff and community in support of district strategic plan focused on equity and culture.



ecoAmerica

• United States
• Environmental Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief Convergence Officer

  • Dec 2012 - Jun 2015

  Led launch of MomentUs network of national leaders and organizations in stewardship, faith,communities, higher education, health and business sectors within $30 million effort to build public support for climate change action. Managed team of eight professionals and utilized consumer research and strategic partnerships to create large-scale engagement programs customized by sector. Key achievements include enrollment of over 150 national leaders, creation of expansion strategy, writing of Path to Positive core mission, creation of program brands including Blessed Tomorrow and America Knows How, design and facilitation of On the Path to Positive, the inaugural cross-sector Leadership Summit. Show less



Russ Communications

• Charlotte, North Carolina Area

• CEO

  • Apr 2004 - Dec 2012

  Consulting practice providing cause marketing, corporate social responsibility marketing, civic engagement, issue and political communications. Consulting practice providing cause marketing, corporate social responsibility marketing, civic engagement, issue and political communications.



2012 Democratic National Convention

• Charlotte, NC

• Chief Marketing Officer & Senior Communications Advisor

  • Aug 2011 - Sep 2012

  Executive staff of 2012 Democratic National Convention Host Committee in Charlotte, NC leading marketing team and with lead responsibility for creating and implementing multi-faceted brand experience that will promote and build profile of Charlotte and the Carolinas. www.charlottein2012.com Executive staff of 2012 Democratic National Convention Host Committee in Charlotte, NC leading marketing team and with lead responsibility for creating and implementing multi-faceted brand experience that will promote and build profile of Charlotte and the Carolinas. www.charlottein2012.com



Crossroads Charlotte

• Non-profit Organizations

• Executive Director

  • 1999 - 2011

  Led $7 million civic engagement campaign to build access, inclusion and equity through activation of top-down and grassroots organizing strategies aligned on core message to “imagine our tomorrow, act today.” Key achievements include engagement of community’s largest organizations from the public and private sectors and tens of thousands of citizens, strategic re- structuring of initiative, development and deployment of spectrum of programs including participatory budget efforts Get Real and KnowIt2WorkIt and leveraging arts (spoken word, visual and performing arts, film) and cultural community capacities in outreach, including Emmy- nominated “Crossroads Charlotte: The Movie”, chosen as Sundance Arts & Civic Engagement Roundtable project. Show less