Gretchen Williamson Email & Phone Number

Rochester, Minnesota, United States

Manages a team of four communications professionals. Responsible for developing and executing the county’s internal and external communications strategy (media relations and public information, digital communications, brand management, graphic design, video production, and employee communications).Team awards won under my leadership:• 2023 National Association of Government Communicators’ (NAGC) Blue Pencil & Gold Screen Awards-1st place: Video - Promotional/informational (Olmsted County “A place to call home” video)-2nd place: Educational/promotional campaign (Olmsted County & City of Rochester – Are you ready to vote?)• 2023 Minnesota Association of Government Communicators’ (MAGC) Northern Lights Awards-Silver Award: Writing (Olmsted County foster care news release)-Silver Award: Website design or redesign (2022 Olmsted County intranet redesign)• 2022 NAGC Blue Pencil & Gold Screen Awards-Award of Distinction: News release • 2021 NAGC Blue Pencil & Gold Screen Awards-2nd place: News release-Award of Excellence: Olmsted County 2020 Brand Refresh• 2021 MAGC Northern Lights Awards-Silver Award: Olmsted County Elections Communications Plan-Bronze Award: News release

Rochester, Minnesota Area

Oversees media relations process for Olmsted County. -Served as primary media contact; acts as a liaison between the county and local media.-Provides counsel to county leaders to determine appropriate responses to media inquiries. -Develops key message strategy and talking points to ensure leaders communicate effectively. -Organizes and manages press conferences and media events. -Drafts/distributes press releases about initiatives impacting our community.Strengthens the Olmsted County brand. -Created overarching key messages to help employees convey our brand story. -Integral member of team that launched new Olmsted County logo and brand materials in 2020. -Developed an Olmsted County Writing Guide to create a more consistent style of writing in the county. -Ensures proper use of the Olmsted County logo, colors, and messaging across the county.Enhances engagement through effective employee communications.-Led intranet redesign/overhaul project; launched new employee intranet in August 2022.-Developed strategic process to streamline employee communications by minimizing weekly volume of emails. -Instituted a Weekly News Digest communication which recaps all articles posted to the intranet that week. -Created standardized internal communications planning documents for the county.

Rochester, Minnesota

Developed communications strategies to promote awareness of the AANEM, the AANEM Foundation, and the American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine.-Wrote and edited communications for a number of electronic and print publications, as well as the AANEM section of the Muscle & Nerve journal and general membership mailings.-Integral member of the editorial team that determined content and design of website banners, email signature banners, online advertisements, infographics, etc.-Created press releases to generate media and public interest in various timely topics regarding the association.-Distributed relevant content to AANEM’s social media sites.Created human interest stories about patients living with neuromuscular diseases. -Crafted stories to help members, non-members, and the general public build connections with patients.-Stories demonstrated AANEM’s purpose – to ensure quality care for all patients with neuromuscular diseases.-Stories helped drive donations to the AANEM Foundation to provide funding to help find treatments and cures for patients.Membership responsibilities.-Developed communications to attract and retain members by promoting various member benefits, products, and services,-Handled questions and concerns from members.-Updated member information in our client relationship management (CRM) system. Website maintenance.-Uploaded content to our website content management system.-Edited content and ensured information was relevant and up-to-date.Accomplishments.-Recipient of AANEM 2018 Above and Beyond Award.

Directed all written business communications for RBC WM’s business channels (PCG, Correspondent Services, Advisor Services). -Managed four employees and one contractor to ensure communications were aligned throughout the firm.-Provided leadership in executing strategic communications initiatives across business lines.-Created communications plans on acquisitions/integrations, regulatory and policy changes, technology rollouts, and new products/product enhancements.-Increased leadership responsibilities throughout tenure. 2007: Hired to lead PCG internal communications (no direct reports).2010: Assumed responsibility of Correspondent Services and Advisor Services internal communications in addition to PCG (1 direct report).2015: Assumed responsibility of client communications in addition to internal communications for business lines (4 direct reports).Provided communications counsel and support to executives, leaders, and financial advisors. -Authored speeches, emails, presentations, talking points, and FAQs.-Solicited regular feedback from stakeholders to enable communications enhancements.Mergers/Acquisitions: Communications lead on J.B. Hanauer (JBH) integration team (2009).-Developed comprehensive strategy to ensure flow of information occurred smoothly at all levels (five new branches, including 100+ financial advisors).-Organized weekly calls with JBH management to provide advance notice of upcoming communications. -Used a dedicated website to communicate to the JBH employee audience; served as writer, editor, and webmaster.-Provided JBH employees with advance notice of client communications. Provided communications leadership and support on AccessRBC.-AccessRBC: In 2008, this was the largest tech initiative ever undertaken by the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) ($250 million technology conversion and merger of two U.S. broker-dealers). -Crisis communications: Responsible for communicating time-sensitive information following conversion.

Job duties similar to those listed in the RBC WM section. I also completed the following functions: Project lead in developing new mission, vision, and values (MVV).-Assembled and led 17-member project team and ensured 400+ associates had a voice in creating new MVV.-Responsible for “selling” new MVV to the Management team.-Led committee tasked with launching new MVV to associates. Created a fun, engaging work environment for associates.-Associate Engagement Survey: Quality communications helped increase participation from 94 to 97% in Operations group in 2004.-Managed recognition program for 400+ associates as well as associate engagement committees.Miscellaneous duties.-Conducted surveys and focus groups to measure effectiveness of messages.-Involvement in various product launch committees.

Communication liaison between headquarters and nationwide call centers/on-sites.-Assisted in supervising field communications team (four employees).-Editor of daily and weekly newsletters to the field. Accomplishments.-Promoted to editor of The Traveler newsletter; supervised team of seven writers.-Promoted to assistant editor of 360 newsletter after serving as a writer.

Promoted public awareness and drove recruitment efforts in a variety of ways:-Developing and distributing promotional materials.-Writing press releases, agency newsletters, and grants.-Media relations.-Speaking engagements.-Organizing events.-Ambassador for the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce.

Served as reporter, videographer, writer, editor, fill-in producer, fill-in anchorIn this role, I interviewed Presidential candidates campaigning for the 2000 Iowa caucusAccomplishment: Received 2nd place honors from the Iowa Broadcast News Association for the "Best Feature Story" in the state of Iowa for 1999

B.S., Mass Communications, Speech Communications

Graduated Magna Cum Laude

Mini Master Of Business Communication