Elizabeth Castro (She/Her) Email and Phone Number

- Built new communications strategy, capabilities, team, new tools and content development to support the brand evolution, new lines of business and growth priorities.- Member of the Marketing leadership team and led Marketing communications efforts for Sales Team and customers. - Implemented a number of first-ever capabilities: content marketing to support demand-based marketing, a comprehensive social media strategy, media relations strategy and employee engagement tools including a… Show more - Built new communications strategy, capabilities, team, new tools and content development to support the brand evolution, new lines of business and growth priorities.- Member of the Marketing leadership team and led Marketing communications efforts for Sales Team and customers. - Implemented a number of first-ever capabilities: content marketing to support demand-based marketing, a comprehensive social media strategy, media relations strategy and employee engagement tools including a new intranet news section and TV slides for deskless workers in facilities.- Developed and led communications strategy for the company's 2023/24 transformation initiative focused on cost management and identifying growth opportunities.- Co-led launch of a new business offering to evolve the company beyond its core business by leveraging assets and expertise in eCommerce, fulfillment and logistics (3PL).- Support CEO and other members of the Executive Leadership team for external speaking engagements, town halls, change management and organizational initiatives with broad impact.- Led new employer brand initiative that launched in September 2023 on a new Essendant.com career page called Grow Where You Matter.- Lead crisis communications including a significant cybersecurity / ransomware outage that required unprecedented in-the-trenches management across channels and audiences.- Lead associate engagement and channel enhancement including a new intranet news capability and TV slides for deskless workers in facilities: change management, DEI/culture, organizational announcements.- Lead customer communications and engagement efforts including the revamp of monthly customer newsletter, change management efforts and product communications.- Implemented a number of first-ever communications capabilities and projects: a comprehensive social media strategy, media relations strategy and employee value proposition program to support recruitment efforts. Show less

Lead internal and external communications execution and content strategy.- Transformed internal communications processes and content, built new intranet and leveraged MS365 platform.- Own external communications including thought leadership content and planning and media relations including crisis communications.- Work closely with c-suite and functional leaders; provide counsel and support for thought leadership- Led the company’s rebranding effort including running the RFP… Show more Lead internal and external communications execution and content strategy.- Transformed internal communications processes and content, built new intranet and leveraged MS365 platform.- Own external communications including thought leadership content and planning and media relations including crisis communications.- Work closely with c-suite and functional leaders; provide counsel and support for thought leadership- Led the company’s rebranding effort including running the RFP process, selecting a branding agency, developing the new brand and mark and creating the launch plan/execution.- Established first social media strategy tied to top employer brand including messaging for branded materials and assets, a new career website and Glassdoor/Indeed profiles.- Built new intranet and internal communications processes and governance. Show less

Built and led a comprehensive communications strategy and department from the ground up with capabilities/processes for internal and employee engagement, investor relations, crisis/issues management, corporate social responsibility, media relations, digital/social, and mergers and acquisitions.Implemented capabilities and infrastructure for global, multi-lingual internal communications to 25k employees including deskless/hourly employees in manufacturing settings.Led communications for… Show more Built and led a comprehensive communications strategy and department from the ground up with capabilities/processes for internal and employee engagement, investor relations, crisis/issues management, corporate social responsibility, media relations, digital/social, and mergers and acquisitions.Implemented capabilities and infrastructure for global, multi-lingual internal communications to 25k employees including deskless/hourly employees in manufacturing settings.Led communications for change management initiatives: culture, financial results, cyber, business transformation.Developed first corporate crisis plan, contracted and managed consultant support, trained key corporate leaders. Led go-forward issues management process.Transformed internal communications with the launch/content strategy for a smartphone app.Developed new capabilities for M&A (6 acquisitions, 2 divestitures) communications in multi-language.Developed strategies to support transformative change management initiatives across functions. Led the mission, vision, values transition for The Master Lock Company (operating division) and corporate officeLed the company’s first investor event, including content and logistics. Show less

Areas of Responsibility/Team: Led various account teams between 2-6 communicators for a variety of internal and external communications programs, including global efforts for big brands.Clients: HanesBrands Inc., Fortune Brands, Sara Lee Corp., Monsanto, PepsiCo, Eastman Chemical, Furniture Brands Key Accomplishments: Built agency capabilities for internal communications, digital strategies, issues/crisis, bi-lingual and corporate social responsibility while building the pipeline of new… Show more Areas of Responsibility/Team: Led various account teams between 2-6 communicators for a variety of internal and external communications programs, including global efforts for big brands.Clients: HanesBrands Inc., Fortune Brands, Sara Lee Corp., Monsanto, PepsiCo, Eastman Chemical, Furniture Brands Key Accomplishments: Built agency capabilities for internal communications, digital strategies, issues/crisis, bi-lingual and corporate social responsibility while building the pipeline of new business. Secured national and local market TV, print, radio and online placements for brands and businesses. Show less

Areas of Responsibility/Team: Led a team of 12 for the largest corporate client at the time; work included public affairs, internal communications, external PR, policy and issue management across agriculture and global food issues.Clients: ADM, Green Building Initiative and M&Ms/Mars.

Areas of Responsibility: Internal and external communications, and community relations; acted as company spokesperson; interfaced with City of Chicago agencies, led issues/crisis management process.Team: Led a team that varied between 4-6 professionalsKey Accomplishments: Refined issues/crisis processes and improved relationships with City of Chicago officials for emergency response efforts.Led external communications and media relations during a tumultuous time, which included… Show more Areas of Responsibility: Internal and external communications, and community relations; acted as company spokesperson; interfaced with City of Chicago agencies, led issues/crisis management process.Team: Led a team that varied between 4-6 professionalsKey Accomplishments: Refined issues/crisis processes and improved relationships with City of Chicago officials for emergency response efforts.Led external communications and media relations during a tumultuous time, which included record high natural gas prices, investigations from regulators and poor financial results.Launched all new internal communications capabilities to address communications gaps between employees and leaders. Built new communications strategies to transition customer messaging to “Natural Gas Delivery” that is still Show less

Clients included AT&T, Chicago United and City of Chicago.