Hillary Ryan, Ma, Apr Email & Phone Number

Bring a strategic and visionary approach to advancing both development and communications efforts. Lead a team to drive fundraising initiatives, support contract-based communications and program needs, and enhance WithinReach’s presence through impactful storytelling, community engagement, and brand elevation. Be a key thought leader who collaborates closely with executive leadership, offering strategic insight while independently leading high-impact projects and… Show more Bring a strategic and visionary approach to advancing both development and communications efforts. Lead a team to drive fundraising initiatives, support contract-based communications and program needs, and enhance WithinReach’s presence through impactful storytelling, community engagement, and brand elevation. Be a key thought leader who collaborates closely with executive leadership, offering strategic insight while independently leading high-impact projects and initiatives.Demonstrate creative problem-solving skills, an innovative mindset, and the ability to forge strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Show less

Https://Www.Ryancommunications.Net

As a consultant and contractor, I focus on filling gaps and providing outside expertise for a wide range of organizations and businesses. Some of these include:►INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONSReview and evaluation of MetroParks Tacoma employee orientation websiteManagement of the website migration for University Place School District►CONTENT CREATIONWriting and design for Tacoma Public Schools, Showcase Magazine, One Step Ahead►COMMUNICATIONS PLANNING AND… Show more As a consultant and contractor, I focus on filling gaps and providing outside expertise for a wide range of organizations and businesses. Some of these include:►INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONSReview and evaluation of MetroParks Tacoma employee orientation websiteManagement of the website migration for University Place School District►CONTENT CREATIONWriting and design for Tacoma Public Schools, Showcase Magazine, One Step Ahead►COMMUNICATIONS PLANNING AND MANAGEMENTVashon Center for the ArtsWestern Museums Association►EVENTSManaging Downtown to Defiance event for City of Tacoma- 1,500 attendeesPromotion and coordination of guest speakers and performers for first-ever Creative Forces Conference for ArtsWA Managing Showcase Magazine’s Annual Awards Banquet multiple yearsSpecialties: Communications Audits and Plans, Project Management, Event Management, Media Relations, Content Marketing, Social Media Management, Research and Evaluation, Writing and Editing Show less

►MANAGEMENT AND TEACHINGIn this role, I co-manage the daily household operations including livestock management, strategic planning, crisis management, supply chain and distribution, and educational activities. I have direct experience teaching art and English with a focus on Shakespeare.

Provide broad-based marketing, strategic communications, and thought leadership support to statewide initiatives and advocacy efforts helping to make college education attainable for all.Oversee all communications and marketing functions for the Washington Passport Network a statewide collective impact initiative committed to supporting students from foster care and the adult professionals they rely on. We empower professionals supporting students from foster care and unaccompanied… Show more Provide broad-based marketing, strategic communications, and thought leadership support to statewide initiatives and advocacy efforts helping to make college education attainable for all.Oversee all communications and marketing functions for the Washington Passport Network a statewide collective impact initiative committed to supporting students from foster care and the adult professionals they rely on. We empower professionals supporting students from foster care and unaccompanied homeless youth with information, knowledge, and tools to improve practices and student outcomes. - Developed and implemented an annual communications calendar including content creation and promotional support for webinars and activities for professional development- Created and managed all communications 2023 Passport to Careers State Conference including logo design, website development, email and social media marketing- Completed assessment of current communications activities with recommendations for growth opportunities- Managed current website and completed assessment for possible improvementsProvide thought-leadership and strategic communications counsel for the Washington College Access Network which helps qualified students enroll in Washinton State College Bound Scholarship to close the attainment gap for low-income students and increase financial aid awareness and application completion. - Developed relationships with state-wide officers and staff from Washington Student Achievement Council to assess and provide recommendations for communications and marketing activities resulting in increased alighment for successful outcomes Show less

Educational Outreach And Professional Development Center

Review, advise and implement marketing and communications activities in support of the self-sustaining Professional Development Center and Conference Services, as well as various academic and student-facing units and schools within UW Tacoma.Summer Sampler Campaign won 2022 Excellence in Marketing Award- Bronze from UPCEASpecific deliverables included:►AuditComprehensive marketing and communications assessment with appropriate comparable benchmarks and… Show more Review, advise and implement marketing and communications activities in support of the self-sustaining Professional Development Center and Conference Services, as well as various academic and student-facing units and schools within UW Tacoma.Summer Sampler Campaign won 2022 Excellence in Marketing Award- Bronze from UPCEASpecific deliverables included:►AuditComprehensive marketing and communications assessment with appropriate comparable benchmarks and recommendations►Content CreationWriting, design, and editing for publications and channels including weekly newsletters, blog, social media, and the website►Paid Media StrategyDeveloped partnership with South Sound Magazine and managed campaigns for digital advertising ►Campaign DevelopmentCreated multiple campaigns for UWT Professional Development Center and UWT Conference Services to increase traffic, registrations and bookings Show less

Starting during the pandemic and a few short weeks before the annual auction, my main focus was to build a network of relationships to help advise the creation of a comprehensive communications strategy for this small, independent school located in South Puget Sound. Specific deliverables included:►External and Internal CommunicationsExtensive edit of digital and non-digital communications channels with appropriate comparable benchmarks and sample of staff input. A… Show more Starting during the pandemic and a few short weeks before the annual auction, my main focus was to build a network of relationships to help advise the creation of a comprehensive communications strategy for this small, independent school located in South Puget Sound. Specific deliverables included:►External and Internal CommunicationsExtensive edit of digital and non-digital communications channels with appropriate comparable benchmarks and sample of staff input. A comprehensive review of annual marketing and communications functions and programs including both virtual and in-person eventsDevelopment and application of social media content creation management system to increase interdepartmental collaboration and messaging strategyDocumented communications process and approval processes and made recommendations for variation and testing►Content CreationWriting, design, and editing for publications and channels including weekly newsletters, blog, magazine, fundraising efforts, social media, and the website Show less

Tacoma, Wa

When I was recruited to the senior leadership team to spearhead the marketing and communications work for Tacoma Art Museum, I jumped at the chance. The biggest challenges I faced were disconnection from the community, fractured internal communications, and misalignment of the museum’s brand. ►INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONSTo help bring departments together, I created an editorial calendar and invited participation from across the museum to discover pinch points and resolved… Show more When I was recruited to the senior leadership team to spearhead the marketing and communications work for Tacoma Art Museum, I jumped at the chance. The biggest challenges I faced were disconnection from the community, fractured internal communications, and misalignment of the museum’s brand. ►INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONSTo help bring departments together, I created an editorial calendar and invited participation from across the museum to discover pinch points and resolved miscommunication. ►BRANDING AND MEDIA RELATIONSThe museum’s branding had not been touched since the 1990s. Recognizing that the organization had undergone significant change in both culture and philosophy, I developed an RFP for rebranding and positioning the museum for a successful capital campaign. I re-energized public relations resulting in a dramatic increase in media coverage. Media relations for "Bart at TAM: Animating America's Favorite Family" resulted in over 51 million media impressions and at least $81,000 in earned media value. I secured in-kind media sponsorships of over $20,000. ►COVID-19 CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL MARKETINGIn addition to leading the crisis communications, my team shifted into high gear and focused on transforming digital communications. Working with other departments, we created TAM at Home. Through its content, we provided mission-based programming and maintained public engagement. To elevate this work, I developed and executed a strategic communications campaign called “Art is Always Open”. With a small budget, the campaign included media relations, stakeholder engagement, influencer marketing, community outreach, and collaborations. It resulted in a 25% increase in website traffic in three months.From 2019-2020 my department produced results25% increase in new users99% increase in audience size132% increase in messages from our audiencesI am extremely proud of my work to transform and make connections within TAM and the community. Show less

Olympia, Wa

Arriving at United Way of Thurston County, I was excited to bring my skills into the social service realm. It felt like the right time to give back and help make a significant change for the community. ►DIGITAL MARKETINGOne of the first projects I took on was an overhaul of digital communications. The success of the website, social media, and e-newsletters has not been previously a focus. Through an in-depth communications audit and exploration of the national United Way resources,… Show more Arriving at United Way of Thurston County, I was excited to bring my skills into the social service realm. It felt like the right time to give back and help make a significant change for the community. ►DIGITAL MARKETINGOne of the first projects I took on was an overhaul of digital communications. The success of the website, social media, and e-newsletters has not been previously a focus. Through an in-depth communications audit and exploration of the national United Way resources, I created a plan focused on increasing traffic to the website through revamping communications. I implemented a blog, increased the frequency of the newsletter, and leveraged social media which resulted in a 300% increase in web traffic. ►EVENT MANAGEMENTThe annual gala fundraiser was the biggest single income generator (with a record high of $190k) for the organization and therefore was important to execute at the highest level possible. I drew on my theater experience during the event and served as the stage manager to ensure all the pieces from the live cooking demonstration to the call to action went off successfully. A board member was impressed that I took command and quieted servers during the call to action testimonial. For me, it was all part of making the event come off without a hitch. While budget shortfalls caused me to be laid off, I remain dedicated to the motto of the organization and continue to look for ways to LIVE UNITED. Show less

Tacoma

►DIGITAL MARKETING AND COLLABORATIONModeled after a similar group in Seattle, I co-founded the Market the Arts Roundtable, an affiliate of Pierce County Arts Executives to bring together the marketing and communications staff of arts and cultural organizations. This group collaborated to support Tacoma Arts Month and conducted several seasonal marketing campaigns.

Tacoma, Wa

Returning to the Museum of Glass 10 years later, it was strange to be in the same exact cubicle and with many of the same staff, but the situation gave me a huge advantage. ►DIGITAL MARKETINGOne of the biggest projects I worked on was the marketing for Chihuly Drawings, the first major museum exhibition of Dale Chihuly’s works on paper. I implemented online ticketing and through digital marketing we target high-propensity visitors and demonstrate a direct connection of marketing to… Show more Returning to the Museum of Glass 10 years later, it was strange to be in the same exact cubicle and with many of the same staff, but the situation gave me a huge advantage. ►DIGITAL MARKETINGOne of the biggest projects I worked on was the marketing for Chihuly Drawings, the first major museum exhibition of Dale Chihuly’s works on paper. I implemented online ticketing and through digital marketing we target high-propensity visitors and demonstrate a direct connection of marketing to sales. ►EVENTS MANAGEMENT Working at a nonprofit means that you always jump in where you are needed. When the Events Manager left suddenly, I was asked to step up and be the project manager for two significant events. I drew on my strong internal relationships and community connections to make both events successful, wildly exceeding attendance and revenue goals. ►BRANDING Additionally, I recognized that the museum was losing potential visitors by not having an offering during the holidays. I created the first Fire and Ice Festival which connected hot shop artists, educational activities, and exhibitions into a cohesive program. Show less

Tacoma, Wa

►COMMUNITY BUILDING, BRANDING, AND MARKETINGAs a new parent, I saw a community need for natural parenting products especially cloth diapers and carriers. In addition, I offered classes on natural parenting at various locations including a birth center, yoga studio, and local technical college. I started the local chapter of the Holistic Moms Network and planned the 2008 Nurse Out in the Park incoordination with World Breastfeeding Day.

Seattle, Wa

►FUNDRAISING AND EVENTSGrowing up a theatre geek, I was beyond excited to work at one of Seattle’s premiere theaters. In this role, I managed the giving program for individuals giving under $5,000 annually through telephone and direct mail appeals. Stewardship for these donors included special events and pre-show activities. Through my outreach, Tiger Mountain Cookies became the exclusive in-kind sponsor for these events much to the delight of both the participants and staff.

►MEDIA RELATIONSBrought on a year prior to its opening, the start-up culture at the Museum of Glass was intense. The specific challenge I faced was community-wide confusion about the mission and name of the museum. Through extensive community outreach including many Rotary lunches and hard hat tours, in coordination with a robust public relations campaign, my work helped drive 161 million impressions and 80,000 attendees during the first three months of opening. Many of my… Show more ►MEDIA RELATIONSBrought on a year prior to its opening, the start-up culture at the Museum of Glass was intense. The specific challenge I faced was community-wide confusion about the mission and name of the museum. Through extensive community outreach including many Rotary lunches and hard hat tours, in coordination with a robust public relations campaign, my work helped drive 161 million impressions and 80,000 attendees during the first three months of opening. Many of my colleagues from the Museum of Glass remain some of my closest friends today. Our shared bond of launching this massive project brought us together and instilled a sense of civic pride that cannot be replaced. Show less

Greater Seattle Area

►BRANDING AND ADVERTISINGUnique to DDB was a department focused on nonprofit and government clients working in climate change and reproductive rights. My work focused on conducting national outreach through on-site visits to over ten major U.S. markets to place pro-bono broadcast advertising on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program. Additionally, I assisted on multiple projects including client research, proposals, and branding.

►WRITING AND RESEARCHFresh out of graduate school, my work at Woodland Park Zoo included a range of projects from researching writing copy for the nocturnal house and butterfly exhibition to managing a special historical exhibition in celebration of the zoo’s centennial. I can honestly say that working at the zoo was an extraordinary opportunity to learn and grow.