Work Experience
2024-Present
Chicago Women in Trades
Director of Communications and Marketing
Direct all communications for the organization, developing brand standards and digital strategies, and producing content for website, email and outreach materials.
Led a comprehensive brand transformation to modernize the organizational identity and expand visibility beyond workforce training to include policy and technical assistance. Completed full website redesign within the first eight months.
Cultivate relationships with media outlets and reporters covering labor and workforce development. Directed the communications strategy for CWIT’s federal civil rights lawsuit, placing stories with media outlets, managing ongoing media inquiries, and preparing leadership responses.
Built communications infrastructure from the ground up—editorial calendar for proactive content planning and messaging frameworks to guide CWIT’s storytelling.
2019-2023
Walder Foundation
Director of Communications
Developed internal and external communications for a private family foundation with funding interests in life science research, the environment, performing arts, immigration, and Jewish causes.
Established the brand and messaging standards for all communications.
Developed and implemented communications strategies to support the organization's mission, programs, and special projects.
Produced content for websites, email campaigns, and advertising.
Supervised visual design and media production.
Managed agency partners and contractors, including video producers and web designers.
View Walder Foundation work samples
2015-2019
Kinship Foundation
Communications Manager
Kinship Foundation is the private operating foundation for the Searle family.
Developed strategic communications for Foundation programs and internal initiatives.
Wrote and designed content for websites, e-mail, video and print publications.
Created messaging and brand guidelines for grantee organizations and funding partners to ensure consistent messaging.
Developed presentations and annual reports for the Foundation’s family committees and advisory boards.
Developed the Foundation's first communications playbook for family and staff.
View Kinship Foundation work samples
2010-2013
Hive Chicago Learning Network
Director
Hive Chicago is a learning initiative developed by the MacArthur Foundation. Operating on the metaphor of a city as a learning platform, a learning network demonstrates how a city might utilize digital media to bridge informal and formal learning experiences and recognize the achievements accomplished in all learning environments. Hive Chicago is now Chicago Learning Exchange.
Cultivated relationships with more than 40 member organizations to collaborate on projects in support of the Network’s mission to enhance learning experiences through digital media.
Translated findings from researchers into member resources, such as practice guides and toolkits.
Managed the Network’s operating budget of $1.1 million over two years, and an annual grants program of $1.3 million to fund member-developed programs.
Oversaw the creation of the Network’s brand and identity. Developed online resources for internal and external communication.
View Hive Chicago work samples
2006-2010
Oprah's Angel Network/Oprah Winfrey Foundation
Communications Officer
Directed the internal and external communications for Oprah’s Angel Network and the Oprah Winfrey Foundation.
Wrote content for the Angel Network website, ads, radio spots, and donor messaging.
Defined communication standards and practices for the Angel Network and Foundation grantees, program and grants management teams and leadership.
Liaised with Harpo media relations to ensure that Oprah Winfrey’s philanthropic interests were accurately communicated across all media.
Led an initiative to rebrand the Angel Network and created the supporting communications plan, managing input from stakeholders including the Foundation’s board.
Managed the creation of a new website with an online member community. The online community was selected as an Official Honoree for the Social Networking category in the 2010 Annual Webby Awards.
O Ambassadors Program Manager
Managed the delivery of an education and leadership program directed to young people. O Ambassadors was a social action program developed in collaboration with Free The Children (now WE Charity). This was a high-profile program and the first of its kind for the Angel Network, requiring creative direction and management of agencies to develop the brand/identity, a website with community features for student clubs and educators, and classroom materials for elementary and high school students. 20,000 young people participated in the program from 2008-2010.
Personal projects
Brand development for Chicago’s 49th Ward Alderwoman, Maria Hadden. Designed Maria’s logo and visual brand elements. Worked as a brand consultant during Maria’s first election campaign and designed campaign mailers.