Brenda Wilkerson Email & Phone Number

Raleigh, Nc

Oversee implementation of CAWD's strategic communications plan that fulfills the organization’s mission and goals and supports the brand. Collaborate with internal and external colleagues to ensure they have the resources, tools and visibility needed to maximize their communications efforts. Support executive-level communications through research and writing of speeches, presentations, speeches, talking points, etc. Create content for social media and multiple websites. Create and publish print and e-newsletters. Liaise with marketing and design firms in the development of collateral items, logos, and websites. Identify opportunities for sharing program successes via broadcast media. Write press releases, schedule interviews and coordinate with journalists and production staff. Follow local and national business news, hiring and recruiting trends. Determine appropriate channels for target audiences. Ensure design consistency among presentations and marketing materials.

Raleigh, Nc

Planned and coordinated projects for Triangle WorkSource (TWS), a regional strategy to enhance the capacity of area workforce boards to jointly respond to workforce needs of new, existing and expanding businesses. TWS is comprised of 5 workforce boards (Capital Area, Durham, Kerr-Tar, Triangle South, Regional Partnership) serving 13 counties in the Research Triangle Region.Created project plans detailing tasks necessary for successful project outcomes that were on time and within budget. Researched options and secured external resources. Collaborated with businesses, staff, vendors and stakeholders. Planned meetings for region's workforce board Directors to share project updates, feedback and establish mutually agreed upon project expectations.Administrator for applicant tracking system and website.Wrote quarterly reports for submission to local and government agencies.

Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area

Selected appropriate method for marketing services to the business community. Represented the organization at business or stakeholder meetings and events. Led and coordinated stakeholder meetings. Developed project plans, agendas, identified next steps, drafted minutes and distributed to attendees. Managed the progress of grant-funded projects to ensure implementation in accordance with terms and requirements. Tracked budget expenditures and kept relevant parties current on project status.Coordinated special events by securing speakers, writing speeches, managing registration system, event marketing, development of materials, facility procurement, catering, and logistics for all participants. Created or assisted in the design of collateral materials with marketing and production vendors, including informational brochures, signs, and videos. Wrote content for press releases, collateral materials, websites, and social media.Collaborated with youth and adult services to develop outreach plans for business participation.

Managed the financial and operational performance for 12 small loan branch locations and oversaw an annual budget of approx. 3.5M dollars. Produced revenue and/or profit margins that met or exceeded expectations by 3% to 17%. Set the standard for customer service delivery to promote revenue growth and customer retention.My daily routine involved being the primary point of contact for employees and corporate departments for prompt resolution of day-to-day problems. Sourced, recruited, hired and oversaw training and development of employees; reviewed resumes; interviewed applicants; verified references and initiated background checks with vendor. Facilitated accurate completion of new hire paperwork. Conducted annual performance reviews. Assessed employee performance to identify issues or rewarding individual or team accomplishments reducing negative turnover to less than 2% per year. Attended training sessions regarding labor and employment law such as EEOC, sexual harassment, leave administration and performance management. Conducted staff meetings to evaluate group process, improve effectiveness, facilitate team-building, and point focus towards priority issues to achieve “buy-in”. Audited branches to verify lending guidelines were followed according to company, state, and federal policies. Ensured proper cash handling, payment posting, and cash management, including posting of bank deposits. Investigated discrepancies and made corrections. Tracked and collected operational data to compose reports and correspondence for Regional Director and corporate departments.Regularly made presentations to executives regarding the performance of the division and was often called upon to cover the region in the absence of Regional Director.

Bachelor'S, Communications

Master'S Degree, Communications/Public Relations

Activities and Societies: Sigma Alpha Pi