Donna Drew Sawyer Email & Phone Number

Baltimore, Md, Us

Baltimore, Md, Us

My novel, "Provenance" (Creative Cache 2015) won the Maryland Writers' Association 2017 Award for Historical Fiction and was also a Finalist for the 2016 Phillis Wheatley Book Award given by the New York Public Library's Schomburg Center and the Harlem Book Fair and, was featured at "The Virginia Festival of the Book" and the "Gaithersburg Book Festival." The 30+ chapters of the "Go On Girl Book Club" chose "Provenance," as their May 2017 reading selection and it was Book-n-Brunch Book Club's reading selection for June 2017. As a writer, blogger, and editor I've authored more than 30 features articles for regional and national magazines, newspapers and digital media and, I was the developmental editor for "College in Four Years: Making Every Semester Count" (July 2014).

Baltimore, Maryland, Us

As the Chief of External Affairs, I manage and supervise the communications; marketing; public, government, and corporate relations; volunteer services and, fundraising activities for The Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts (BOPA). Serving as the City of Baltimore's office for special events and festivals, arts council and film commission, BOPA oversees management of four City facilities: Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower, The Cloisters, School 33 Art Center and Top of the World in the World Trade Center and produces 30+ events and programs annually including Light City, The Farmers' Market, Artscape and The Baltimore Book Festival.

Baltimore, Maryland, Us

The Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts (BOPA) is a nonprofit cultural organization that inspires and engages audiences and cultivates the city’s creative economy through the arts, events, and film industry. BOPA also promotes Baltimore as a terrific city to live, work and visit.With a full-time staff of 47 and an annual budget of $12-million, BOPA’s commitment is three-fold:To address the needs of the arts community through arts and cultural activities, advocacy and support;To produce festivals, special events, and promotions for Baltimore City; To develop and administer funds, grant programs, and community workshops.BOPA manages the Creative Baltimore Fund Grants, Baltimore Mural Program, Public Art, our Gallery Exhibitions Program, Free Fall Baltimore, Percent-for-Public Art Program, MECU Neighborhood Grant Program, Bright StARTS Art Program for children, Youth Arts Council and other grant opportunities for artists.The Baltimore Film Office serves as the official liaison between production companies and city agencies, providing access to city services and expedited permits. The film office also serves as a liaison between production companies and businesses, crew, and communities and markets Baltimore as a first-class location for film production.BOPA oversees historic attractions and sites including the Top of the World Observation Level, School 33 Art Center, The Cloisters, and the Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower.By providing funding and support to artists, arts programs, and organizations across the city and by producing large-scale events, BOPA’s goal is to make Baltimore a more vibrant and creative city.BOPA’s key annual activities and initiatives include:Light City, a festival of light, music, and innovation;Artscape, America’s largest free arts festival;Baltimore Book Festival;The Sondheim Artscape Prize;Baltimore Farmers’ Market & Bazaar; andSchool 33 Art Center’s Open Studio Tour.

Bethesda, Maryland, Us

Collaborated with senior management, department heads and sales team to develop marketing and communications plan to implement new branding strategy and messaging that encompassed internal and external marketing and communications including advertising, public relations, social media and employee engagement. Managed all public and media relations efforts including developing and implementing strategic plans to align with business lines and objectives. Developed and implemented strategy to position key personnel as industry thought leaders and knowledgeable media resources, resulting in an increase in coverage by 50 percent. Managed a department of five including graphic designers, publicists and web/intranet manager to provide design, production and on-time delivery of online and print collateral, proposals, trade show and event promotional material supporting 100+ sales team in 18 offices nationwide.Supervised in-house design services for all company advertising and promotion, the intranet and web content ensuring consistent branding and messaging across all company communication and marketing. Worked with investor relations to produce the Annual Report. Key member of the team managing the company’s migration to a single platform for internal communications, policies and procedures, document management and retention.

Bethesda, Maryland, Us

Introduced management of internal communications delivered on the SharePoint platform and developed communications channels for the company’s global workforce including headquarters personnel, international offices, and strategic partners. Managed the development, delivery, and coordination of branding and strategic messaging to define and support corporate business objectives, engage associates, retain and recruit talent. Developed public relations material in support of the company’s corporate citizenship and values and environmental sustainability practices. Supported the Events department producing global employee and corporate events. Developed, drafted and produced senior executive blog.

Managed online publicity launch for WashingtonPost.com and Newsweek.com blogs - PostGlobal moderated by Fareed Zakaria and David Ignatious and On Faith moderated by Jon Meacham and Sally Quinn.

Washington, Dc, Us

Managed development of the Museum’s strategic and tactical communications plan identifying opportunities and extending outreach to new audiences through community outreach, print and broadcast advertising, digital media, onsite promotions and events. Served as principal media contact and speechwriter for the Executive Director and Board Chair. Managed $1-million cross-departmental marketing budget. Implemented quantitative and qualitative market research to identify potential audiences and develop messaging. Supervising a department of five, I managed marketing and communications for all exhibitions and events targeting the media, audiences, government officials and other stakeholders. Provided marketing and communications support for the museum's development department to attract patrons, donors and corporate funding. Served as principal marketing liaison with other Smithsonian museums and affiliates.

Managed internal and external communications for the 2nd largest united arts agency in U.S. including all broadcast, print, Internet marketing and special events raising $16.5 million from individual donors annually. Managed the agency’s media relations and event staff and successfully managed collaborative events with corporate and community partners. Provided consultative marketing and promotional support for the ASC’s 28 art, science, history and heritage affiliates. Led the local, state, and national advocacy effort resulting in the passing of several funding initiatives including an ordinance to appropriate funds for public art. Collaborated with business, educational, social and civic entities to promote the region’s Cultural Facilities Master Plan addressing county-wide facility use and funding for arts and education. Wrote Op-Ed pieces for Agency Director and Board Chair.

Charlotte, Nc, Us

Supervised this unique collaborative arts marketing pilot program funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to improve overall quality and effectiveness of marketing for arts and cultural organizations including the resident dance, theatre and opera companies.• Increased average ticket sales by 40% and broadened awareness of cultural offerings in the region.• Managed a staff of 12 creative and account management professionals and an agency budget of $800,000.

Norfolk, Va, Us

Taught mass communications and journalism at the undergraduate level. Faculty adviser for the University's Advertising Club.

Bachelor Of Fine Arts (B.F.A.), Communications

Master Of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Marketing And Management