Alison Van Harskamp Email & Phone Number

Lancaster, Pa

Develop and drive internal and external strategic communications for the Commercial Community Bank for Truist Financial, the 7th largest financial institution in the U.S. (Approx. 55,000 employees). Provide proactive media relations and crisis communications for key regions in the company's footprint, including Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Dallas. Manage executive communications for six regional presidents (speechwriting, message points, media training/prep). Partner with regional marketing team on executing large-scale employee town halls and community events/announcements highlighting impact investments and foundation grants.

Lancaster, Pennsylvania Area

Internal Communications | Change Communications | Corporate Communications Provided strategic communications consulting and supplemental/interim corporate communications leadership for clients throughout the U.S., with expertise in financial services, manufacturing, and healthcare. Skilled in delivering internal communication strategies and modern solutions that aid understanding, drive productivity, and foster employee engagement (for office, field sales, remote, and line employees). Highly experienced in leading communications for transformational change initiatives, including driving strategy and messaging for mergers & acquisitions, reorganizations, divestitures, office closures, product/brand launches. Significant client projects include BB&T/SunTrust (Truist) merger communications (Charlotte, NC), Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health internal engagement campaigns and DEI communications strategy (Lancaster, PA), Commerce Bank core system conversion communications (St. Louis, MO).

Lancaster, Pennsylvania Area

Led global communications and teammate engagement programs that strengthened culture and brand for publicly traded, industry-leading flooring manufacturer (U.S., China, Australia). Built strong relationships by providing strategic communication consultation and planning across global teams including executive, HR, IT, finance, sales/marketing, supply chain, legal, etc. Managed corporate PR and community engagement. Developed overarching messaging, scripts, video production and presentations for major announcements, internal campaigns and town halls. Supervised manager-level positions and outside agencies.Major accomplishments:• Modernized internal communications channels, including: design and launch of modern SharePoint Modern intranet; deployment of cloud-based, multi-location digital screens; Microsoft Teams-based solutions for front-line teams; video-sharing tools.• Developed change communication plans for major corporate announcements (executive transition, organizational changes, M&A, divestitures) and business transformation initiatives (go-to-market strategies, system conversions, compensation/incentive changes, etc.)• Managed crisis communications, developed corporate protocols and served on response leadership team during COVID-19 pandemic.• Served as co-lead on development, launch and implementation of global re-branding/new mission and values.• Served as project/communications lead for global headquarters move.• Partnered on development of diversity, equity and inclusion strategy. Served as Co-Advisor of DEI Council.• Established and manage company’s community impact programs and corporate-advised charitable fund.• Led communications for company’s spin off and launch as an independent company in April 2016.

Lititz, Pa

Hired in 2001 as Vice President, Director of Corporate Communications and promoted twice throughout tenure, with progressively increasing responsibilities for both internal and external communications. Managed strategic communications for an $18 billion financial services company (250 branches, four states, 3,500 employees). Led a team of 11 marketing/communications professionals and outside consultants/agencies focused on results-driven initiatives supporting revenue generation, increased brand awareness, enhanced customer experience and employee engagement. Managed $8 million budget. Led strategy for: Multi-Channel Marketing Communications • Internal Communications • Community Relations • Public Relations • HR Communications • Social Media • Advertising • Media Relations • Internal Social Tools (SharePoint/Yammer) • Brand Management • Content Marketing • Customer Communications • Investor Communications • Executive CommunicationsAccomplishments included:• Regularly sought out and trusted by CEO and C-level executives to provide strategic communications counsel. Senior leadership team member since 2001.• Highly skilled in change communications, leading efforts through 8 mergers/acquisitions and several reorganization initiatives (consolidations, divestitures, restructurings).• Led $4 million corporate rebranding strategy.• Created governance and promotional framework for $3.5 million corporate charitable program.• Launched company’s social media presence (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Blog). Spearheaded nationally award-winning social campaigns that fueled growth and brand awareness. Earned regional and national media coverage for social media success.• Served on the Customer Experience Council (co-chair) and the Employee Engagement Council.• Led company’s United Way campaign for seven years and increased donations by 400%.

Lititz, Pa

Promoted based on exceptional performance and proven ability to identify talent, build teams and create a collaborative environment. Led a team of 36 marketing and communications professionals. Successfully merged three departments into one and integrated 16 new team members following a merger and significant restructuring. Provided strategic leadership for the following: corporate communications, marketing communications, regional sales and marketing support, sales and market analytics, direct mail, digital marketing.

Lititz, Pa

Directed all employee, investor, community and customer communications strategies for a $15 billion financial holding company (approximately 3,000 employees). Oversaw company’s internal communications, media relations and branding strategies. Managed production of corporate annual report; coordinated annual shareholders’ meeting; handled all aspects of company’s public relations and community relations; served as editor of employee newsletters and intranet; led social media launch and strategy; created presentations and wrote communications for CEO and corporate officers; managed agency relationships; led team of four full-time staff members and interns. Served as a member of the corporate senior management team.

Lititz, Pa

Handled project management and directed regional and national public relations efforts for several agency accounts. Accounts included: Armstrong World Industries, New Holland North America, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, D&E Communications, AIG Life Insurance, Sight & Sound Theatres, and GK-Elite Sportswear. Facilitated client communications; supervised creative staff of writers, designers, and film producers; developed marketing strategies with strict adherence to clients’ business objectives, budgets and deadlines.

Lancaster, Pa

Responsible for all media relations, advertising, and member communications for Pennsylvania’s second largest Chamber of Commerce. Wrote and coordinated all event promotion; secured feature articles on Chamber programs and activities; served as editor of the monthly membership newsletter; managed Website content; designed and created all presentation materials for Chamber management; co-chaired Chamber Marketing Council and chaired Chamber Communications Committee; supervised two full-time staff.

Lancaster, Pa

Wrote press releases and feature articles for consumer and business-to-business clients. Developed and executed publicity events in Philadelphia, Baltimore, New York City, and central Pennsylvania media markets. Pitched and secured trade industry, local, regional, and national feature coverage for clients including: Herr’s Snack Foods, Hatfield Meats, High Industries, RPM Technologies, and Clean Burn, Inc.

Lancaster, Pa

Managed all media relations and crisis communications while serving as official spokesperson; wrote and produced internal and external communication pieces; developed all promotional and marketing strategies; performed public speaking engagements; responsible for organization and execution of special events; directed a public affairs committee to expand and improve community relations efforts. Selected by the national organization for a three-week assignment as a national Public Affairs Specialist on a Level 5 disaster operation in southern Louisiana in May 1995.

Harrisburg, Pa

Project Manager for various special events including the 1994 PNC Bank MS 150 Bike Tour, the organization’s highest income-producing event. Handled all event media coverage and promotion; wrote proposals for corporate sponsorship; coordinated development, design and distribution of all print materials; performed community awareness programs; prepared all event budgets and marketing plans; directed volunteer committees.

Graduate Certificate, Organization Development And Change

Bachelor Of Arts, Major: Communications, Minor: Business Administration

Honors Graduate, Recipient Of The James H. Donnelly Award Of Excellence

Certified Financial Marketing Professional (Cfmp)

Education record