Social Impact/Community Relations | Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) | Corporate Communications I am passionate about leveraging my corporate communications, project management, and social impact expertise in both agency and corporate settings to build a solid public relations and philanthropy outreach function for a business. As a strategic and thoughtful business leader, I seamlessly navigate complex community programs, crisis issues, and non-crisis events by working across functions, lines of business, and departments. I develop leaders and peers to serve as impactful community representatives through training program development, general counsel, and specific guidance for responding to evolving social issues. My ability to learn multiple industry functions have honed my multidisciplinary knowledge in community relations and corporate communications, enabling me to develop and execute social strategies that yield measurable results. Some key achievements in my career include:• Spearheaded launch of company's first-ever independent hunger campaign run across three major regions in Texas and Louisiana. The campaign raised $2.4M in cash and in-kind donations (~1.2M lbs. of food)—most donation dollars raised in division history. • Expansion of agency key client brands to maximize their visibility as responsible corporate citizens, thus increasing stakeholder relationships and deepening employee volunteerism.• Co-leadership for the national broadcast media relations blitz for agency's major product launch, engendering mass media coverage by CNN, CNBC, Fox News, TODAY, Bloomberg, and Good Morning America.I have received recognition as a dynamic leader who drives innovations and impactful execution of business plans to strengthen corporate stewardship within the community and elevate positive visibility. Furthermore, I champion individual strengths and cultivate each team member to develop their areas of opportunity. Dallas Business Journal’s “Top Women in Business” Progressive Grocer Rising Star AwardMWW Matter More Award
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Head Of E-Commerce Corporate Affairs And CommunicationsKroger Apr 2022 - PresentCincinnati, Ohio, Us
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Corporate Affairs ManagerKroger Jan 2016 - Apr 2022Cincinnati, Ohio, UsCoordinate media, PR, government, and community relations strategy for Kroger’s Dallas Division encompassing a business footprint of more than 15k employees and 109 stores. Lead execution of the corporate communications strategy and drive innovations in the business plan to strengthen corporate stewardship within the community. Design program strategy for positive brand affinity, company recognition building, and customer/associate loyalty development. Build and nurture strategic partnerships to actively engage with community or internal stakeholders to further partner goals, collaboration, and impact. Train and coach direct reports. Key Achievements:• Spearheaded multiple division initiatives that increased associate volunteer participation and customer donations campaign resulting in enterprise-wide adoption of campaigns. • Selected as integral part of the division’s pioneer Covid-19 taskforce to advance key social impact priorities related to pandemic.o Led crisis communications and emergency support deployment to regional nonprofits and city, county, and state entities, school foundations, and hospitals. • Elected as primary leadership advisor to guide decision-making for proactive/reactive media, political issues, diversity and inclusion efforts, executive communications, and community engagement.• Established and retained bi-partisan relationships with key local, state, and federal elected officials. • Honored with Dallas Business Journal’s “Top Women in Business” award; received Progressive Grocer Rising Star Award.
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Account DirectorMwwpr Nov 2015 - Jan 2016New York, Ny, Us -
Account SupervisorMwwpr May 2013 - Nov 2015New York, Ny, UsA managing project lead with nearly 10 years of experience in cause marketing, corporate social responsibility (CSR), corporate communications and media relations for Fortune 500 companies.Serving as the managing liaison between clients and its non-profit and community partnering organizations, my role primarily develops and executes community and employee-driven programs that adheres to the businesses's bottom line objectives and authentically make a positive impact in the communities the client serves. All efforts are also designed to further public trust and build brand reputation through CSR and philanthropy.Managing a CSR team, we work cohesively with interdepartmental leads such as public affairs and and government affairs executive management to appropriately identify, build, and manage relationships with key stakeholders; leads strategy development and communications, CSR program budgets and legal contracts among our clients, partners and their vendors.I build definitive, overarching strategy blueprints that adheres to the client's brand standards while simultaneously forging partnerships that benefit the client, partner and the community. I have extensive experience in customer relationship management, community relations, project management, media relations, crisis communications, internal communications and building, leading, and mentoring a team to succeed beyond their potential.
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Senior ManagerGolin Harris Jan 2012 - May 2013Chicago, Il, Us Managed major, proactive community-driven, media relations events/campaigns, providing strategic counsel and team management, exceeding and/or meeting benchmarked goals. Managed daily monitoring, communications and reporting to client on industry developments, results and progress against objectives/plans/tactics; applying leanings as real-time diagnostics of account activity to address challenges or leverage opportunities. Integrates the resources and talents of internal and external resources, optimizing strategic planning, and ultimately exceeding client expectation. Developed and prepared talking points, key messages, speeches, story boards, TV scripts and response documentation for client management, executives and celebrity spokesperson. Managed junior and manager-level staff, providing mentorship, strengthening skills, and building stronger business professionals by identifying and promoting core strengths while developing areas of improvement. Served as liaison between the client and partnering agencies, organizations entertainment and production staff, providing detailed event planning and successful execution. Managed and synchronizes traditional media efforts with social media outreach to align with marketing -
Principal/Account SupervisorPublic Strategies Inc. Now H + K Strategies Jan 2008 - Jan 2012Austin, Texas, UsManage a variety of projects including: coordinated and executed multi-city media campaigns; supervised strategic media outreach efforts for major sponsorships, announcements and statewide programs-all strategically developed and aligned with each company’s key messages, core values and business objectives. -
Account ExecutivePublic Strategies Inc. Now H + K Strategies Oct 2006 - Jan 2008Austin, Texas, UsParticipated in quick-turn-around crisis communications strategy, assisting in the development of pubic response statements, and other business-aligned messaging.Coordinated and actively pitched morning show producers and drafted several on-air scripts for anchor and company representatives.Coordinated with internal clients to develop internal and external communications materials to engage its public and internal staff.
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Advertising ConsultantVerizon Jun 2005 - Oct 2006Basking Ridge, Nj, UsAssess clients business needs in order to advise appropriate advertising campaigns.Maintain existing accounts.Assist clients with financial investment decisions and company exposure. -
InternWeber Shandwick Aug 2004 - Dec 2004New York, Ny, UsTrack media coverage and developed comprehensive reports qualifying value of PR programs.Proactively identify editorial opportunities and development.Work on various accounts: Papa John’s, Sprint, Btween $1 and $5, American Airlines, ExxonMobil and Unisys.Create imperative media material for non-profit organization Something mAAgic.Pitch valuable client information to media outlets.Prepare media tour briefings.Research award and speaking opportunities. -
InternBaylor University May 2003 - May 2004Waco, Texas, UsResponsible for writing news releases on Baylor University events which were submitted to local and non-local media outlets.Writing feature stories for the Baylor website, which included multiple interviews and extensive research. Monitored daily news for Baylor media coverage.Managed compilation of Baylor media coverage and analysis to disseminate to Baylor Board of Regents members.Conducted numerous interviews with department directors, organization leaders, and students. -
InternKwtx-Channel 10 Jan 2003 - May 2003Assisted with written television scripts for noon news.Responsible for inclement weather notification to community schools.Assigned intern leadership position for local business segment of the news. Searched for local businesses in the area and arranged numerous interviews. The staff conducted television; conducted interviews, and allowed anchors to have film footage and information for stories.
April M. Education Details
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Baylor UniversityJournalism -
Tyler Junior College
Frequently Asked Questions about April M.
What company does April M. work for?
April M. works for Kroger
What is April M.'s role at the current company?
April M.'s current role is Head of E-Commerce Corporate Affairs and Communications.
What schools did April M. attend?
April M. attended Baylor University, Tyler Junior College.
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