RESUME

Senior Director of Marketing & Communications 

Hope Ignites

February 2024 to present

 

As the Senior Director of Marketing & Communications, I lead a dynamic team and oversee network-wide marketing strategies that align with our organization's mission and growth goals. I manage a range of key initiatives, from developing and executing annual marketing plans to supporting the strategic vision of tripling the number of scholars and collegians served in the next decade.

I collaborate with executive leadership and external partners to drive our rebrand, ensuring consistent messaging across platforms. In addition to overseeing media relations and providing executive communication support, I design promotional materials and advise leadership on key messaging, visual presentations, and crisis communications.

I also play a critical role in supporting our affiliate teams by providing training on brand standards, website management, and best practices. I ensure that all marketing assets and media materials are organized and accessible while tracking performance metrics through regular reports on media placements, SEO, social media, and budget usage.

 

 

Director of Public Affairs & Engagement, 

City of Webster Groves

May 2021 to February 2024

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As a member of the City of Webster Groves’ Executive Team, I led the City’s first centralized communications function—building strategy, infrastructure, and team capacity from the ground up. I developed and implemented the City’s first-ever Strategic Communications Plan and Brand Guidelines, setting a clear and consistent voice across platforms.

I oversaw major digital transformations, including the complete redesign of the City’s website and the launch of dedicated sites for business development and Parks & Recreation. I provided communications leadership during critical ballot initiatives, helping secure increased revenue through public engagement and strategic messaging.

My role included crafting speeches, presentations, and official statements for City leadership, managing media relations with regional outlets, and leading crisis communications in high-stakes situations. I also built and managed a creative team—hiring and mentoring full-time staff and freelancers—and produced a range of publications including weekly and monthly newsletters, quarterly reports, and annual reports. Across all efforts, I managed eight social media accounts to engage the community and enhance transparency.

 

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Director of Community Engagement,
Webster University

August 2017 - April 2021

 

As Director of Community Engagement at Webster University, I served as a bridge between the University and the surrounding community, promoting collaboration, transparency, and shared success. I worked closely with the City of Webster Groves and regional partners to cultivate strong, mutually beneficial relationships, managing both the Community Action Council and Town & Gown Committee to foster ongoing dialogue and goodwill.

I led the development and execution of a strategic institutional brand campaign—supported by a $70,000 advertising budget—to elevate awareness of the University’s positive impact locally and within the broader higher education landscape. My work also included promoting Webster’s economic impact across regional communities, ensuring that stakeholders clearly understood the University’s value.

In addition to brand positioning, I played a key role in advancing diversity and inclusion by coordinating a three-day regional conference that drew more than 1,000 attendees annually. I also managed external sponsorships with high-profile partners like the St. Louis Business Journal, the Muny, and local chambers, ensuring clear deliverables and measurable outcomes. My leadership extended to managing the University’s Social Media Specialist and overseeing the institution’s primary social media presence.

 

Associate Director of Public Relations, 

Webster University

​January 2013 - August 2017

I joined Webster University as Media Relations Officer, where I quickly became a trusted communications partner, developing and pitching newsworthy stories that elevated the visibility of faculty, students, and institutional achievements. I fielded daily media inquiries, coordinated timely social media content, and helped manage the University’s online media room, all while tracking and analyzing coverage to inform future strategy.

In recognition of my contributions, I was promoted to a leadership role overseeing strategic communications and media relations. In this capacity, I led efforts to promote the University’s programs, accomplishments, and subject matter experts through targeted internal and external channels—including local, national, and international news outlets, trade publications, and University-owned media.

I crafted persuasive, audience-specific messaging that aligned with Webster’s distinct global brand, producing a wide range of content from executive communications to blog posts and feature stories. I also managed relationships with media and online influencers, serving as a primary point of contact for high-profile university events and initiatives. Collaborating with communicators across departments, I helped unify and amplify our messaging, and implemented data-driven strategies to measure and report public relations outcomes.

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Media Relations Specialist, 

DuPont Nutrition & Health

​January 2011 - December 2012

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At Solae, LLC—later integrated into DuPont—I played a key role in shaping the company’s global communications strategy within the food and nutrition sector. I led public relations efforts for two global marketing campaigns and contributed to the development of a comprehensive media plan designed to elevate brand awareness across international markets.

 

Media Relations Manager, 

American Dietetic Association

December 2005 - June 2010

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As Media Relations Manager for the American Dietetic Association—now the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics—I led national media efforts to elevate the organization’s voice as the leading authority on food and nutrition. I helped develop and execute a strategic media plan that positioned registered dietitians as trusted experts and expanded the Association’s visibility in national print and broadcast outlets.

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