Highlight UMN's $1 billion research enterprise and its impact on Minnesota, the value of UMN inventions and innovations, and the unique connection between research and education and the potenial for interdisciplinary collaboration at a leading American research university. Provide issue management for senior University leaders related to UMN research. In cooperation with UMN Goverment Relations, manage federal appropriations requests and other interactions with elected officials. Facilitate communication from VP for research with research community, and with administrative and academic units that report to the office.

• Launched communications strategy to better connect entrepreneurs with University faculty and resources to advance sustainability Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships projects in Greater Minnesota (i.e., local foods, natural resources, clean energy, and community resilience).• Manage communications to build public understanding and support; raised $32K for climate change town hall meetings featuring Extension Climatologist Mark Seeley in collaboration with the Will Steger Foundation; grew database 10x; created local monthly newsletters for five regional affiliates; built social media presence. • Oversee program evaluation, employee engagement and financial administration for staff of 15 across the state. Supervise web designer, research assistant and student writer.

• As lobbyist, shaped and advocated for federal agenda for a major public research university; connected campus innovation and success stories to state’s congressional delegation.• Vice chair of American Association of Universities Council on Federal Relations, comprised of lobbyists from the top 60 US research universities. Chaired tax and immigration task forces.• Served as go-to person for university leaders on higher education and related federal policies, including student aid, research funding, economic competitiveness, technology commercialization, immigration, health care reform and taxes.• Wrote semi-monthly federal relations report for university leadership, position papers and fact sheets for federal officials, and PR and advocacy materials. • Initiated focus group work with University’s legislative support network. • Developed communications plans and strategies to advance Extension’s legislative agenda. Served on Extension’s cross-functional legislative advocacy team. Wrote feature stories for Extension's Source magazine and UMN Global Programs Strategy Alliance's website.

• Managed successful communications strategies for University Presidents Mark Yudof and Robert Bruininks using strong knowledge of higher education and Minnesota’s political landscape, and a sense of humor.• Advised leadership on major change initiatives, including college consolidations, a restructured Extension service, and over $1B in campus improvements.• Collaborated and wrote an average of 220 speeches, columns, op-eds and presentations annually.• Briefed presidents for media appearances and planned for crisis communications.• Helped presidents “make the case” for the University’s legislative request and raise the University’s profile as the state’s major research institution. • Assisted with rollout of improvements to student experience and creation of significant new low– and middle-income scholarships, enhancements credited with helping to improve graduation rates.• Supervised other speechwriters and correspondents, and provided project management for presentation tasks.

The James P. Shannon Leadership Institute is a structured, challenging and supportive opportunity for personal and professional renewal for experienced leaders of philanthropic, civic and community service organizations.

• Trained candidates and campaign volunteers for Camp Wellstone, a non-partisan, intensive three-day training designed to create successful campaign organizations and to expand long-term political participation. Specific sessions trained include overall campaign planning, message development, paid media and direct mail, earned media, field organization, Get-Out-The-Vote, fundraising, and canvassing. Twin Cities (2010, 2011, 2012), Berkeley (2011), Chicago (2011), and Madison (2012). (Part-Time).

• As freelance author, wrote feature stories for the Rake magazine on topics including international adventure travel, climate change and local bicycling culture (Part-Time).

• Managed media relations for 20 Democratic members of the Minnesota House of Representatives. Developed and implemented media plans through news releases, columns, graphics, brochures, annual legislative reports, and paid media. Covered Higher Education committee action.

• Directed campaign advance operations for Wellstone for Senate (1996) and served as advance volunteer for Mondale for Senate (2002). (Short-Term)

• Coordinated meetings to garner neighborhood input, drafted comprehensive neighborhood planning document, managed office and budget, and edited quarterly newsletter (Part-Time).

• Advocated for constituents with government agencies, advanced travel, and wrote speeches, briefings, and correspondence for US Senator (Part-Time).