PROFILE

CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS LEADER

Aligning employees with company strategy and values

Innovator, collaborator, and strategist whose approach to company communications is centered on bridging the gap between business and culture and finding ways for employees remain inspired and engaged throughout their work experience. A solutions finder with a mixture of deep listening, creative thinking, and an optimistic mentality who thrives in organizations that value diversity, ethics, and a culture that promotes fairness and kindness.

Strategic Communication │ Employee Engagement │ Public Affairs

Diversity & Inclusion │ Organizational Behavior & Change │ Leadership

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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

CALIFORNIA CLOSETS, Remote (March 2021 - May 2023)

A multimillion-dollar manufacturer of custom closets and storage for homes. 

Senior Director of Internal Communications and Editor in Chief

Leads comprehensive internal communications and engagement strategy, including production of timely content in support of business objectives and company values including Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI).

  • Crafts executive communications reflected of company direction and organizational changes.

  • Produces employee interview videos that promote sense of belonging and connection.

  • Created monthly newsletter in support company’s strategic change initiatives.

  • Partners closely with Human Resources Team on issues related to people and culture announcements.

  • Serves on the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Council’s Leader Team as well as the DEIB Council.

INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT 2020 to 2021

Employee Communications Consultant for EILEEN FISHER, INC.

Guided and assisted the company to shape its corporate vision, strategy, and recommendations regarding diversity & inclusion, organizational changes, and employee communications & engagement.

  • Facilitated the creation of the EF Inclusion Statement and the Zero Tolerance Policy, both of which

  • underscored the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

  • Developed and communicated recommendations to the senior leadership team on the company’s

  • commitment to racial justice, including focus groups with employees, diversity education workshops with an

    external facilitator, and renewed emphasis on attracting and retaining diverse talent.

  • Contributed to the development of the 2020 Diversity & Inclusion Roadmap consisting of six pillars: data and

  • impact, brand and product, information, education, building an inclusive culture, and diversity incidents and

    policy.

    - Developed and presented the Roadmap to the senior leadership team, including disclosing data on trends

    in demographics (race, age, tenure) in relation to hiring, promotions, and terminations.

  • Provided continued counsel on strategic messaging related to leadership and organizational changes.

  • Designed and launched the Diversity & Inclusion team’s section on the company intranet site. Developed an

    online tutorial for employees to understand new features on the site.

EILEEN FISHER, INC. (2006 - 2019)

Facilitating Leader of People & Culture (2012 - ) and Director of Internal Communications

  • Leads three areas comprising People & Culture (Human Resources; Internal Communications; and, Leadership, Learning & Development), working with each leader to ensure strategic planning and implementation of programs.

  • Co-facilitates and/or consults for several cross-company teams, including: Change Leadership, Compensation, a Productivity Project, and initiatives that support the Millennial community.

  • Works most closely with Human Resources on critical people and culture-related issues: FLSA; a new compensation system; benefits offerings; and voluntary and involuntary transition programs.

Director, Internal Communications (2006- )

  • Counsels senior leadership team on strategic messaging, company announcements, town-hall meetings. For example:

    • Developed a 2017 employee engagement plan in support of our first-ever company strategy, which included:

      • first-ever, live-streamed employee town hall, featuring a moderated panel discussion

      • branded booklet outlining key highlights of 8 objectives, delivered online

      • seven daily live-streamed panel discussions featuring employees and moderated by internal volunteers

      • live-streamed mid-year business update featuring both outgoing and incoming Chief Financial Officers

  • Leads a 5-person Internal Communications Team responsible for communications and engagement channels that connect for leadership with the rest of the organization, including:

    • the design and launch of the company’s first Intranet site, and managing the site’s re-platforming

    • weekly e-newsletters for both the general and retail populations

    • producing town-hall meetings, three times a year, with live streaming to remote locations

    • monthly conference calls to the workforce, led by the Culture Officer

    • videos featuring leaders and spokespeople on key company initiatives

I.B.M. Corporation (2000-2006)

Director, Communications, Industrial Sector, Global Sales & Distribution, (July 2005 – March 2006)

  • Counseled General Manager on key messages and tactics for positioning Industrial Sector both internally and externally.

  • Led team of cross-discipline communications professionals on aligning sector objectives to yield significant, successful results for IBM.

  • Developed integrated communications plans for strategic announcements and priority initiatives.

Manager, Internal & Executive Communications, IBM Research (June 2003 – June 2005)

  • Advised Senior Vice President and five Vice Presidents on strategy, image and communications issues, developing speeches, executive memos and other communications where needed.

  • Led the team that creates and drives internal and executive communications, including Web site development and special project management.

  • Coordinated internal communications activities of liaisons at eight worldwide labs.

  • Managed byline and op-ed writing for external image enhancement.

Senior Program Manager, Corporate Communications (June 2002-June 2003)

  • Managed development and implementation of cross-company online presentation resource for employees.

  • Led facilitation of online forum for managers on the subject of “The New Customer Landscape.”

  • Organized first-ever global strategy meeting for internal and executive communications professionals.

Team Leader, Public Sector, Global Sales & Distribution (July 2001-June 2002)

  • Led cross-communications team consisting of 7 professionals (internal and Intranet communications, media and analyst relations, speechwriting, and events) to support executives working with government, education and healthcare customers.

  • Wrote executive communications, for both internal and external audiences.

Senior Public Relations Specialist, Global Sales & Distribution (January 2000-June 2001)

  • Provided strategic communications counsel for five internal business units, including development of roll-out plans and quarterly outreach activities.

  • Organized senior leadership forums for top sales professionals.

  • Received Informal Award for work performed on key sales leadership meeting.

  • Executed special corporate projects to drive organizational change.

  • Received Informal Team Award for participation on key global effort.

Powell Tate

Account Supervisor (1998-2000)

  • Provided strategic counsel to clients, including developing communications plans, producing public information materials, and performing media relations.

  • Managed accounts involving creative services, research, and writing, leading cross-discipline teams to meet clients’ needs.

  • Handled budgets and billings for clients.

The White House

Communications Associate (1997-1998)

  • Handled media relations for one-year presidential initiative.

  • Wrote press releases, made pitch calls, and arranged interviews.

  • Managed development of Public Service Announcement aimed at youth, including print, television, and radio campaigns.

    • Partnered with The Ad Council and the Griffin Bacal, Inc.

  • Wrote and edited public information material, including fact sheets and byline articles.

  • Wrote talking points and Q&As.

United States Agency for International Development

Public Affairs Specialist (1994-1997)

  • Developed domestic and international outreach strategies.

  • Tracked foreign aid legislation.

  • Managed public events for senior-level agency officials. Handled advance, scheduling, and logistics.

    • Received the following awards:

o Distinguished Unit Citation, Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs

o Group Award, “Lessons Without Borders” Program

Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies

Communications Specialist (1992-1994)

  • Wrote and edited articles for monthly magazine (Associate Editor, FOCUS).

  • Designed promotional vehicles for Joint Center publications.

  • Developed marketing strategy for publications--book reviews, pitch letters, and conference exhibitions.

  • Received a 1994 Employee Recognition Award.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Coordinator, Cooperative Education Program (1989-1991)

  • Developed internships for art students.

  • Marketed program to Chicago art community, prospective students, parents, and faculty.

EDUCATION

  • Northwestern University, Medill School of Journalism, Masters of Science in Journalism, 1989

  • Vassar College, Bachelor of Arts (English), 1988