Aurora Gonzalez Email & Phone Number

New York City

After a career evenly split between agency life and in-house corporate, in 2019 I broke out on my own to start Northern Lights Communications. Over my career I have touched every aspect of communications though my primary focus in recent years has been in corporate communications, corporate reputation, stakeholder/influencer outreach and crisis/issues. At Northern Lights I'm providing clients communications support from strategy to execution. In the area of issues, my experience runs the gamut including litigation, regulatory, public policy, activism and product recall, to name a few.Current clients include CPG, food start ups and B2B.

Purchase, Ny

First executive-level leader of crisis/issues communications for PepsiCo. Developed approach and processes to annually manage or support 25+ crisis/issues that impact global brands, multiple functions and/or multiple countries. Coordinate and collaborate issues response with 100+ global communications colleagues• Serve as company spokesperson, working with media on a daily basis (top-tier, industry, international). • Serve as communications lead on CEO/Chairman’s crisis management team.• Develop and maintain global corporate crisis/issues communications strategy, protocols and messaging.• Lead global management of key issues across global matrix organization; collaborate with in-country teams to execute communications strategies and plans.• Develop issues position, background papers and global corporate responses on a myriad corporate risks including corporate taxation, business succession, litigation, layoffs and restructuring.• Provide ongoing counsel to internal stakeholders including Government Affairs, Law, Investor Relations, Public Policy and R&D.• Represented PepsiCo on two trade association communications task forces.

Dallas, Tx

Created and implemented first corporate reputation and key stakeholder program for Frito-Lay, PepsiCo’s most profitable division. Developed and led brand PR programs for leading brands including Lay’s, Fritos, Tostitos, Sunchips.• Positively changed perception of company amongst key constituents including health and nutrition professionals, health policy makers and health organizations.• Generated top tier, national media coverage such as USA Today and New York Times for leading brands.• Launched the first portfolio marketing program and the first two new FL brands in a decade.• Served as a company spokesperson and as functional lead on company issues including layoffs, plant closure, product recall, natural disaster, litigation and operational/manufacturing crisis. • Developed and implemented communications and influencer strategy for environmental efforts. • Served as interim head of Quaker Oats communications reporting to company president.• Expanded responsibility to provide senior counsel to teams at PepsiCo Foods Canada, PepsiCo Mexico, South America and Caribbean.

Purchase, Ny

First PepsiCo comms professional hired to develop and manage communications for corporate H&W initiatives• Supervised “Smart Spot” program, which included rolling out first corporate voluntary labeling program; created and launched consumer facing “Smart Spot” program.• Managed “Blue Ribbon Advisory Board” of nationally and internationally known health experts.

New York, Ny

Developed and managed programs to reach nutrition/health influencers (health professionals and organizations, dietitians, NGOs, media, expert resources, academics and researchers) to educate, build awareness or build consumer demand. Clients included Roche Vitamins, Frito-Lay, Pfizer (multicultural program).