I direct the public affairs office of the government agency that protects the health of more than five million Cook County, Illinois residents by providing stormwater management and wastewater treatment. Among my responsibilities: I manage a team of 14 staff, including public affairs specialists, graphic artists, and administrative staff; facilitate community relations and coordinate partnership and outreach activities; review and approve all outreach materials to ensure consistency with the MWRD’s Strategic Plan; write and/or edit agency news and photo releases; organize press conferences, pitch story ideas, facilitate interviews and disseminate information to the media and public. I manage all social media efforts; edit the daily media and environment in the news report that is sent to all staff; and publish the employee newsletter quarterly.I'm also responsible for all agency branding and promotions and serve as a member of the crisis management team.

•Supervised seven staff members, including four public information officers and complaint coordinators, to convey the message of the state’s environmental regulatory agency.•Developed and executed communication strategies and messaging.•Wrote press releases, photo releases, media alerts, talking points, speeches, op-eds, letters to editors.•Proactively pitched stories to the media. •Scheduled and facilitated media interviews.

•Served as spokesperson for executive office and agency divisions.•Developed and executed communication strategies and messaging for executive office and various outreach programs.•Managed media relations activities by drafting press releases, statements, op-eds, and letters; pitched story ideas locally, statewide and nationally; generated significant national media attention regarding voter identification law.•Organized press conferences and other special events.•Scheduled and advanced Secretary for events statewide.

•Developed and implemented media strategies to promote the State Treasurer and all office programs.•Marketed “Ready Access” disability fund to individuals, health care staff and community organizations; efforts resulted in multiple magazine and newspaper placement and appearances on Chicago television/radio stations. •Conducted community outreach to educate non-profit organizations on available revenue resources.•Educated senior citizens and their families regarding reverse mortgages; wrote and designed brochures. •Planned and organized “Smart Women Smart Money” conference, “Access to Capitol” forums and citizenship workshops; secured sponsorships and speakers.•Led hundreds of presentations to libraries, organizations, governmental entities and schools to promote the “Bright Start” 529 college savings program.

•Assisted constituents and business leaders in resolving personal and/or organizational problems.•Organized advisory committees, including a Health Care Task Force, to facilitate the participation of health care providers in the legislative process.•Researched and reviewed legislative issues; prepared policy analysis of projected effect of proposed legislation. Article regarding state’s circuit breaker/pharmaceutical assistance program was featured in “State Government News” journal and used as a model for implementation in other states.•Served as media contact; developed and coordinated all promotional and outreach activities.

Licensed Social Worker serving as the hospital’s discharge planner and marketing representative.