top of page

Results-oriented, senior communications professional with 20 years of cross-functional experience. Skilled at combining organizational and marketing philosophies with practical experience to create, develop and execute a vision with innovative strategies. Diverse background includes B2B and B2C marketing, internal and external communications, content marketing, digital marketing, management, writing, social media, public relations, event planning, design, charitable giving/fundraising, philanthropy and corporate social responsibility.

Summary

Professional Experience

Advocate Aurora Healthy

Public Affairs Manager-Foundation  

September 2019 – Present

​

Direct internal and external communications strategy for Advocate Aurora Health’s charitable foundations. Provide creative, strategic and comprehensive communications plans and deliverables to engage donors and further elevate Advocate Aurora Health and its philanthropic contributions.

  • Produce philanthropy-related content for videos, donor materials, press releases and Advocate Aurora’s Health social media and marketing channels including health enews which has a distribution of 340,000

  • Lead team that serves as a liaison between Advocate Aurora Health’s public affairs and marketing department and the foundations

  • Provide executive leadership counsel and messaging for internal and external audiences

  • Establish, coordinate and implement crisis communications plans, including COVID-19 messaging. Prepare response strategy in conjunction with site and system executives
     

Accenture

Growth and Strategy Marketing Manager (Contractor)  

August 2018 – September 2019


Manage and implement growth and strategy marketing and communication initiatives and thought-leadership campaigns to drive global strategy, innovation programs and the Leading in the New narrative.

Plan and execute integrated content marketing campaigns for external and internal audiences

  • Create assets and coordinate development of support materials, including key messages, web sites, presentations, social media posts, blogs and sales support resources

  • Collaborate with marketing and communications teams as well as key stakeholders including subject matter experts, researchers, brand teams and external resources to deliver integrated campaigns

  • Launch and promote an international business book authored by top level executive

 

Allstate Insurance Company

Corporate Social Responsibility Manager  

March 2017 – February 2018

 

Develop and execute strategies to increase social impact, enhance reputation and position the Allstate Foundation as a leader in corporate social responsibility. Advance awareness of the Foundation’s commitment to youth empowerment through thought leadership and communications initiatives.
 

 

  • Plan and execute internal and external communication and content strategies

  • Develop and manage relationships with national nonprofit organizations, grantees, ambassadors, spokespersons and marketing/communications agencies

  • Implement all aspects of the three-day Good Starts Young Rally

    • Collaborate with Peace First on choosing youth teams to compete; Organize the development workshops and event planning; Coordinate a “think-tank” culmination event where groups presented their ideas to community members, media and youth empowerment experts
       

Coldwell Banker Central Region

Midwest Regional Communications Director

May 2009 – June 2016

 

Strategize, develop and execute external and internal communications/marketing plans for five operating companies within the central region to enhance brand awareness, improve sales and inform employees, independent contractors and clients. Provide support for more than 8,000 sales associates who closed $21.5 billion in annual home sales. Hire, supervise and mentor a communications team and outsourced resources. Collaborate with national brand and provide counsel to sales associates, marketing team, presidents, leadership and key stakeholders.

 

Communications

  • Develop communications plans and oversee the execution of the creation, design and dissemination of outreach vehicles including enewsletters, digital campaigns, email marketing and CRM programs, advertising, presentations, scripts, web sites, company-wide emails, speeches and marketing materials

  • Provide thought leadership and counsel to executives, other departments, sales offices and stakeholders

  • Ensure consistent messages reflect the company’s mission and values while leveraging and balancing the national brand within local campaigns

  • Execute key projects including company-wide events, crisis communications, major announcements and budgets

 

Public Relations

  • Develop and implement a strategic and measurable PR plan; Position leadership in media

  • Manage media relations, written materials, events, spokesperson training and crisis communications

  • Annual achievements for region: 1,870 placements; 123 million impressions

 

Social Media

  • Oversee the comprehensive strategy, content creation, implementation and measurement for ten Facebook pages, seven Twitter accounts, five Pinterest pages and two blogs

  • Launch innovative and effective social media ad strategies and employee engagement program

  • Social media channels garnered monthly averages of 8K unique users, 10.4K total interactions and 947,000 Facebook impressions
     

Foundation

  • Serve as the leader of the company’s Charitable Foundation which supports 29 housing-related charities

  • Oversee the strategy, Foundation board, partners, budget, events, marketing, grants and reporting

  • Create and implement internal and external communication plans to increase awareness and engagement

  • Collaborate with charitable partners and their constituents; Ensure alignment with Coldwell Banker’s mission

  • Raised over $1.3 million since 2007 through fundraisers, an automatic donation program and events
     

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
Communications Director

July 2004 – May 2009

 

  • Manage external and internal communications for greater Chicagoland region

  • Develop and implement public relations and crisis communications strategies; liaison to PR firm

  • Create speeches, presentations, marketing materials, newsletters and web copy

  • Supervise marketing coordinator and direct mail program

  • Plan and execute all-company events including expos, large-scale meetings and golf outings

  • Launch Coldwell Banker Charitable Foundation; Develop charity’s mission and strategies

 

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

Communications Manager

March 2001 – July 2004

 

  • Coordinate internal communications and public relations for greater Chicagoland region

  • Fulfill wide range of communication duties; writing, editing, proofing and building presentations

  • Implement sales contests from initial rules through the organization of the trips awarded to winners

  • Organize charitable events including company-wide walks for ADA and fundraisers

 

 

Skylight Professional Development

Marketing Coordinator

September 1999 – March 2001

 

  • Manage, assess and plan direct mail campaigns

  • Coordinate all aspects of marketing projects including writing, editing and desktop publishing

  • Supervise freelancers and other outsourced resources

Special Spaces of Chicagoland

Volunteer Associate Director

April 2014 – Present

 

  • Design and implement 30 dream bedrooms for children battling cancer to provide a place of hope and inspiration, including managing volunteers, securing corporate sponsors and working directly with the child and their family

  • Plan all facets of three annual galas which raised more than $750,000

Volunteer Experience

Education

Master of Arts Degree in Communications

Northern Illinois University • 1996-1998

​

BS, Public Relations, Cum Laude

Illinois State University • 1990-1993

bottom of page