Debby Wells Email & Phone Number

Durham, Nc, Us

Durham, Nc

Maintain fidelity of organization image and branding, and responsible for public relations duties including communications planning, managing social media interfaces, updates organizational website, preparing and distributing press releases. Lead staff for statewide development initiatives including grant writing, organization of fundraising campaigns and events, managing donor relations and planned giving initiatives.Provides technical assistance on marketing and development to FIF Chapters throughout North Carolina to ensure messaging and brand image meets organizational style guidance. Project Director on Family Support: Coming of Age Initiative (2012 – 1204), created market survey tools, whitepapers and vignettes highlighted the needs of aging caregivers to persons with developmental disabilities in North Carolina. Led diverse stakeholder taskforce. Communicated recommendations and findings to key policy makers in presentations throughout the state.

Chapel Hill, Nc

Turnkey marketing and public relations services with a focus on small business/start up branding, communications strategy and customize industry-specific marketing tools.Managed several clients with unique and varied focus including a domestic-violence awareness nonprofit, a welding company and a roofing business, and a father involved in guardianship battle with a major hospital over his son's care. Every client is unique as is every marketing strategy. I enjoy the process of discovery and in articulating a message, brand, campaign personally and professionally.

Orlando, Florida Area

Managed all public relations and imaging of organization and its three primary subcontractors.Fostered close working relationships with Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board and built relationships with multiple print, radio and television news entities.Planned press conferences and targeted media events, wrote op-eds, and trained over 200 childcare providers on basic PR/Marketing skills. Crisis management experience. Monitored corporate image throughout community.Wrote/edited all organizational publications and external correspondence including letters to legislators and funders, press releases, brochures, speeches, annual reports, newsletter, articles for Source Magazine, design of newspaper ads, flyers, mailers, promotional items, and fact sheets.Annually raised $400,000 in federally required “matching” funds through grant writing, business partnerships, speaking to civic groups/council meetings and meeting with local government officials/state legislators to garner support.Successfully marketed over $21M in programs, including the launch of Florida’s statewide Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten program (2005) resulting in record enrollments for Seminole County.Redesigned corporate image including logo, slogan, website and all marketing materials and implemented branding protocol.Participated in multiple community partnership councils and co-managed advocacy and awareness campaigns throughout Central Florida.

Mauritius

Implemented and curated the 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony 2003 for U.S. and Mauritian governments, covered by international media.Prepared speeches and written correspondence for Ambassador and mission; worked as diplomatic liaison between three host governments (Mauritius, Seychelles, and Union of Comoros) and the U.S. government. Worked as interim Public Affairs Officer (7/03 – 6/04).Planned events and fundraisers for NGOs while in Port Louis, Mauritius, such as gala dinners; themed parties; trips for residents of the local orphanage; organized “Toys for Tots” campaigns, clothing and food drives; worked with local heritage foundation to clean up the island.Researched, organized, compiled and distributed information to Embassy community and Washington D.C. on post-specific issues (schools, housing, medical capabilities, employment, household help, security, cost of living and other general concerns).Facilitated official visits and events for U.S. staff, visiting diplomats and Heads of State (both U.S. and foreign dignitaries) (e.g., local customs and American celebrations, such as 4th of July festivities).Earned prestigious Franklin Award for assuming additional responsibilities while continuing to carry out duties as Community Liaison Office Coordinator.Implemented and curated the 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony 2003 for U.S. and Mauritian governments, covered by international media.

Diplomacy, Etiquette, French

Diplomacy, French, Etiquette

Bachelor'S Degree, Strategic And Organizational Communication

Activities and Societies: Presidents List 6 Terms, Deans List 3 Terms, Association of Women in CommunicationsBachelor of Science.

Associate Of Arts (Aa), Journalism/Mass Communications

Journalism