Oversees Nationwide’s internal and external communications functions, including leader communications, associate communications, public relations and reputation management.

Head of function, reporting directly to CMO. Led in-house team of 25 and two agency relationships. Responsible for PR; crisis communications; companywide internal communications; major employee, agent, and customer events; corporate social responsibility; and community partnerships.

• Managed team responsible for communications for corporate strategy and strategic initiatives during time of significant transformation for company.• Quickly developed relationships with company leadership, earning their trust and confidence. • Built cross functional teams and relationships to ensure continuity between Investor Relations, Public Relations, Community Relations, Global Communications (translation), and Executive Communications. • Coached and developed direct reports. • Demonstrated ability to operate in ambiguous situations and respond to shifting needs/resources.• Successfully balanced need to keep sensitive information confidential while fostering engagement. • Provided crisis communications counsel as member of Crisis Action Team (CAT). • Conceived, pitched, and executed interactive communications campaigns that delivered desired results. • Led transition from traditional newsletters to internal social media, driving greater engagement.• Pioneered use of infographics to quickly engender understanding and buy-in.

• Earned two promotions and multiple achievement awards in five years• Directed work of 15 Group and Division communicators across the U.S.• Raised profile of company’s strategy and leadership team through earned media coverage• Strengthened company’s relationship with key Congressional and state officials through media events• Served as the principal spokesman in company’s corporate headquarters market of Minneapolis/St. Paul (see broadcast clips in "projects" section below)• Provided calm crisis communications leadership in near-fatal manufacturing accidents and in the face of threatened reputational harm• Led financial communications including earnings releases, annual meetings, and annual reports• Demonstrated ability to quickly grasp complex matters and clearly communicate their significance• Managed process for all ATK press releases: drafting, editing, securing approval, distributing• Coached and prepared executives for media appearances and live events• Conceived, pitched, scripted, and directed new quarterly CEO video series to allow CEO to speak directly to 19,000 employees in 24 states and internationally• Created measurement tools to hone internal communications products and events• Conceived, pitched, drafted, and developed innovative new marketing materials• Conceived and oversaw creation of portable electronic and online press kits for trade shows• Conceived and produced company’s first podcasts for internal and external audiences• Launched and managed company’s corporate social media presence• Helped lead creation of company’s first Corporate Social Responsibility report• Secured company’s first feature on Discovery Channel, oversaw filming (See Discovery Channel Example in "Websites" section below)• Purchased advertising with national and international media• Proven ability to select and manage outside vendors, driving cost savings and improving results