Leading a team supporting communications for USC’s HR, Equity, and Compliance (HREC) division. Our HREC Strategic Communications team develops and innovates on communications and channels to drive a high-performance and people-oriented culture and build enthusiasm for and adoption of USC’s Unifying Values. I am committed to my team’s culture to ensure they feel a sense of purpose, a safe environment to share their diverse perspectives, and inspiration to deliver results that support USC’s mission and Unifying Values.Some highlights include:***Built and lead a talented strategic communications team specializing in communications strategy, content management, copywriting, design, branding, web development, and user experience (UX) that delivers more than 100 projects every year. From websites, to design, to messaging, our team is continuously recognized as high-performing and elevating experiences.***Provide in-house communications counsel and services to all HR departments similar to that of an agency, utilizing a thoughtful, benchmarking-based, and UX-oriented approach – and ensuring that programming reflects a diverse and welcoming tone through inclusive language and imagery.***Created and continue to evaluate a comprehensive DEIB calendar for employee communications, aligning on an equitable approach to promoting and empowering faculty and staff to support meaningful moments.***Launched a reimagined employee newsletter, providing an optimized experience across devices, reducing risks, and incorporating analytics. ***Led the creation, redevelopment, and/or communications campaigns for 15 websites to improve UX, accessibility, and design, including the Employee Gateway, HR, HREC, WorkWell, and Report & Response websites.

As the sole in-house communications expert, spearheaded internal/external communications strategy for a 12,000-person, $4B company. Managed a 7-member in-house team for companywide information sharing and engagement, corporate events, customer relations, and a Charitable Foundation, plus a PR agency of record. Authored and produced executive messaging and talking points, and provided counsel for all marketing channels.***Chosen as one of three people to lead Smart & Final’s COVID-19 taskforce and disaster response protocol, generating a 96% employee satisfaction on communications.***Increased internal communications email open rate 57% and click-throughs 127% in six months, and saved the company $40K annually.***Amplified PR results by 1,600% (316M impressions in 2018, 1.3B impressions in 2019; 5.5B impressions in first-half 2020), even as the company went private.***Grew Facebook audience 60% and Instagram followers 50% in one year.***Served as brand director for one year, initiating a cross-functional marketing team and the company’s first-ever marketing calendar.***As head of Smart & Final Charitable Foundation, influenced diversity by recruiting and voting in two new female board members.***Oversee major corporate annual events that attract up to 500 attendees, plus a golf tournament that raises $600k from vendor partners for the Smart & Final Charitable Foundation.

Planned, recommended, and implemented insights-driven PR and social media programs on behalf of leading, name-recognized CPG brands, including the Home Care business at Procter & Gamble (P&G). Coached and mentored two direct reports. Strategically executed media tours and events while overseeing celebrity and media relations. Managed program budgets from $100K to $1.35M.Notable campaigns include:***The Next Mr. Clean - Created a nationwide casting call to find The Next Mr. Clean, driving awareness with a comedic audition video of a popular celebrity. Surpassed 1B impressions via news coverage and organic pick-up from talk shows such as The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.***Swiffer Fanatics - Recruited influencers as social ambassadors to create high-profile testimonials about Swiffer and ignite a groundswell of conversation. Brought on 22 “Swiffer Fanatics” with a combined reach of 6.5M fans and activated them via eight annual moments in time. Saved P&G $40K to $100K, the cost of an influencer agency. Negotiated and managed celebrity talent.***Dawn Wildlife - Managed strategic partnership with International Bird Rescue, which uses Dawn to clean birds injured by oil spills, to promote the message that Dawn is tough on grease and gentle on hands.

As the brand’s storyteller, increased brand relevance through an always-on PR strategy with a 5-person team and two agencies. Hosted invitation-only test kitchen visits with media, celebrities, and influencers. Implemented several company firsts, including a cross-channel communications calendar, an in-house registered dietitian as a spokesperson, and an industry-leading, cross-functional newsroom to identify marketing opportunities and brand risks daily.Key campaigns and achievements include:***Taco Bell Breakfast - Formed an alliance/media-trained customers named Ronald McDonald to capitalize on their inclusion in a Taco Bell Breakfast commercial. Campaign earned 9B media impressions.***Doritos Locos Tacos - Used an early access trial campaign for employees and influencers while building an external story around the reinvention of the taco for the company’s 50th anniversary. Product broke $1B in sales in just over a year for Taco Bell. Catapulted Taco Bell into pop culture conversation with coverage on Saturday Night Live, Nightline and the cover of Fast Company.***Cantina Bell - Teamed up with celebrity chef and Cantina Bell creator Lorena Garcia to launch a five-city media tour of hosted formal dinners to showcase the food’s quality. Coordinated rallies to educate and empower employees by introducing Chef Garcia. Campaign skyrocketed Taco Bell’s quality perception 80% per YouGov BrandIndex.***Sponsorship Management/Franchisee Relations/Sports and Music DevelopmentProduced activations at professional sports and music events, like Steal a Base, Steal a Taco (World Series) and Feed the Beat (MTV). Advocated for placement of Feed the Beat band music in 18 television commercials, branding Taco Bell as a place for music discovery. Featured in Rolling Stone and Billboard for creation of the Hype Hotel at SXSW and company’s genuine support of the music industry.

(Volunteer Position) Accountable for organization banking, investment, expenses and revenues.

Envisioned and brought to life a 1920s-themed awards gala, complete with pre- and after-parties, and an Oscar-like ceremony for 220+ local PR professionals. Coordinated graphic design/copywriting and distributed e-promotional materials, oversaw the budget and in-kind sponsorships, and monitored outgoing expenses to conclude the event under budget.

Onsite day-of event coordination for local school proms and graduation parties, from directing security crew, catering services and dj, to ensuring a smooth production and enjoyable experience for attendees.

Supported PR execution and media relations for a wide range of clients. Accomplishments include negotiating free placement of Price Pfister faucets on the sets of network TV shows by developing and executing an outreach program to producers and set directors.

Managed a client portfolio to secure PR coverage, including four of the five major LA TV networks for the launch of Macy’s Southern California solar initiative and a hosted media event that showed the panels’ installation and demonstrated their benefits.

Supported tour and event coordination, and event staff scheduling and payroll, for corporate clients.

Managed and implemented production agendas for concerts, after-parties and NBA half-time shows, assisting with artist, client and company needs.