Carol Abrams Email & Phone Number

Washington D.C. Metro Area

I plan and implement communications strategies that support two flagship program areas at a $3 billion philanthropy dedicated to the well-being of children, families, and communities. The environment is fluid and fast-paced, requiring the ability to shift among multi-year campaigns, daily deadlines and unexpected crises. I work closely with experts to translate concepts into clear and effective messages that build the will for new ideas and move audiences to tangible action. Further, I create content, manage projects, and apply the appropriate communications skills and tools to share the organization’s work, burnish its reputation, and advance social change and racial equity. [I started consulting for the Foundation in 2015 and joined the staff full time in September 2016.]

Washington D.C. Metro Area

The University of Tennessee awarded me a graduate fellowship in library and information sciences, Through experiential learning, I am honing my skills in managing projects and vast amounts of data. My objective is to pair this technical knowledge with my existing proficiency in public outreach in order to lead people to information and effectively present organizational knowledge.I am based in the Washington DC area during my studies.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

I developed a communications strategy for DC’s juvenile justice agency, one of the most progressive and innovative systems in the country. This included establishing relationships across government, media, the public, and groups interested in youth rehabilitation. We ensured that our messages were clear, compelling, and persuasive and used the gamut of communications – web content, social media, road shows, media, testimony, case studies, and issue papers - to build, and, in some cases, rebuild, our reputation locally and nationally.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

I led bicycle tours of Washington DC's monuments for paying clients from across the country and around the world. This was a fun and seasonal part-time job.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

I developed and implemented marketing and communication strategies commensurate with the National Building Museum’s breadth and national potential. My staff and I were responsible for branding initiatives, key audience research, marketing the museum’s exhibitions and education programs, public relations, publications, advertising, and web site communication.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Worked with Georgetown's School of Continuing Studies to introduce a master's degree program in urban planning. I helped develop the experiential learning component, called City Lab, for Georgetown's students to do community-based planning in the field.

Greater New York City Area

Baruch College is the most ethnically diverse college in the U.S. I led a ten-person communications and marketing office.• Developed a communications program for all constituencies, which included branding, messaging, media relations, public relations, website, advertising, direct marketing, and internal communications• Counseled the president and leadership on best practices for a comprehensive media program• Developed speaking platforms for the College president as the basis for securing speaking, byline, op-ed, and other visibility opportunities for the president• Retained and managed an external advertising agency, public relations firm, and web design firm; negotiated contracts, set deliverables, and evaluated performance

Greater New York City Area

The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development is the largest municipal developer of affordable housing in the nation. I led a ten-person award-winning communications office at this large public agency.• Directed press office, sometimes in crisis mode; Expedited average response time by one day and increased positive coverage and placements by 400%• Wrote and edited press releases, statements, op-eds, speeches, newsletters, press kits; Ran press conferences and press events; Wrote a communications grant proposal that won an Innovations in American Government award from the Ford Foundation• Persuaded others to adopt the organization’s viewpoints using presentations to editorial boards, reporters, staff, elected officials, public interest groups, and community groups• Presented information to refute misinformation• Conducted both on- and off-the-record media interviews as the agency’s spokesperson• Developed and prepared public service announcements

Greater New York City Area

• Developed the communications plan for a newly established department with 2,200 associates in seven locations • Wrote a speech delivered by three senior executives to 25,000 employees that described and built the case for a major reorganization • Conducted internal management consulting • Became the CEO’s Chief of Staff on AIDS issues after he was appointed to President Reagan’s Commission on HIV • Planned events such as two sets of public hearings for the Presidential Commission on HIV; Planned for 400 spectators and 40 members of the press; Developed briefing books and media kits

Ba, American Studies, Ba Cum Laude, Distinction In American Studies

Activities and Societies: student government

Master Of Library & Information Science (Mlis), Library And Information Science, 4.0 Gpa

Activities and Societies: Dean's Graduate Student Advisory Council; American Library Association; DC chapter of the Special Libraries.

Professional Education, Professional Development

New York University Management Institute • Effective Public Relations Strategies • Strategic Marketing Management • Creating Promotion.

Master'S Degree, Information Science/Studies, 4.0