Jean Schindler Email and Phone Number

Served as acting Director of Strategic Communications during the period of recruitment for this role while also serving as IFES Chief of Staff.

IFES works around the world to advance good governance and democratic rights by providing technical assistance to election officials; empowering the underrepresented to participate in the political process; and applying field-based research to improve the electoral cycle.In this role, I support the president’s work on strategic initiatives and partnerships external to the organization, and leadership and management oversight within the organization. I also work in close partnership with leaders and staff across the organization to execute strategic initiatives and operational priorities.

Extensive editorial, planning, and skills-building experience; ability to quickly draft and edit a wide range of products, including online content, articles, reports, speeches, press releases, proposals, and more. Lead seminars and strategy sessions on storytelling, community building, outreach, and content strategy. Specialization in crosscultural communications and globally facing projects.

This was a one-year contract to set up organizational structures and implement a strategic messaging plan.• Worked with staff and leadership spread over four cities, with regular public events held in three cities. Implemented program management and event planning “best practices.”• Developed and launched “MALA Young Leaders,” a multi-city leadership development program; oversaw the tripling of MALA’s events year-on-year; supported the budgeting process; executed fiscal sponsorship agreements with partners; organized and updated MALA’s CMS and donor records; and led talent search and hiring interviews for new staff and contractors.• Designed and led a two-day retreat for MALA’s Young Leaders; managed online content through WordPress as well as day-to-day messaging; managed the social media workflow; worked with videographers to script and storyboard videos; coached the MALA team for public presentations; and led seminars on storytelling.

Launched and led NED’s Penn Kemble Forum, a selective professional development program for young foreign policy professionals in Washington. Wrote the strategic plan, established the branding, developed external partnerships, managed two staff members and budgeting, produced the speakers program, moderated panel discussions, and built a community that supports the Endowment’s mission.

• Served as creative director and chief editor for the organization’s 150-page Annual Report. • Produced online content and print collateral for Congress and other stakeholders in collaboration with units across the organization, worked with videographers to script and storyboard videos, and developed integrated communications campaigns to share the stories of NED’s grantees.• Oversaw institutional transparency requirements, managed inbound press inquiries, and curated the organization’s extensive image library. Oversaw branding and rebranding for NED initiatives and special projects.

Coordinated production of the organization’s 150-page Annual Report. Brought production in-house, saving the organization $20,000 a year.

Supported The QED Group's contract for monitoring & evaluation of USAID projects in central and northern Iraq. Edited a range of reports, including field situation reports and “Lessons Learned.” Directed research by Iraqi field officers and wrote USAID “Success Stories.” The QED contract concluded in March 2017.

Launched the U.S. section of MET Community’s global mentoring program for women entrepreneurs, which also has sections in Spain, Colombia, Peru, Brazil, and Argentina. MET Community US offers mentoring, trainings, and networking activities for entrepreneurs committed to innovation and sustainability.

Edited country briefs, political profiles, and market studies for a leading commercial provider of markets intelligence and political risk analysis.

Edited texts of earnings results announcements from major international corporations.

I responded to policy issues raised by British Members of Parliament and to concerns about Tesco stores in their constituencies. I collaborated with departments across the corporation to resolve complaints and ensure compliance with local regulations. I wrote reports for submission to the European Commission, and wrote a key memo from the Executive Director to the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change for consultations on EU energy policy. I also designed and managed a two-week mentorship program for UK civil servants to learn from the private sector.

I managed the University’s winter leadership camp for 30 young people (Korean students ages 8-26) and a multinational team of six, plus local staff. I edited and approved camp curriculum; wrote program guidelines; liaised with the US military to set up base tours for the students; served as Control Officer for off-campus field trips; edited the camp’s newsletter; and taught 10-15 classes per week.

I responded to policy issues raised by British Members of Parliament as well as to concerns/complaints about Tesco stores in their constituencies. I collaborated with departments across the corporation to resolve complaints. I also researched and wrote reports for submission to the European Commission and an internal report on EU-China textile trade disruptions.

I completed an intensive course of graduate-level seminars, discussions and field visits (including to US and Korean military bases) focused on northeast Asian security policy. I also taught classes in Western culture and English for South Korean college and high school students.

I taught classes of 20–30 students who were preparing for the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE).

I created and taught a four-week university-level curriculum on Western society and culture, and gave daily lectures and multimedia presentations to 100+ university students at one of China's top-ranked universities.

I conducted research for a leading U.S. public interest law firm on eminent domain. I also managed website updates and databases; tracked news and data sources on state-level legislation and political developments; and worked intensively in the preparation and execution of the Castle Coalition's Fifth Annual National Conference. This was a paid fellowship.

I researched, copyedited, and fact-checked for "Spying Blind" (Dr. Amy Zegart, Princeton University Press, 2007), a book on US intelligence community failure leading up to 9-11.

I interned for the Bureau of International Organization Affairs, Social & Humanitarian Affairs Office (IO/SHA). I prepared briefings for office director and Deputy Under-Secretary; drafted and edited speeches, memos, cables and articles; drafted and cleared negotiation guidance for U.S. delegations to international conferences. I also planned and managed a week-long fact-finding mission (including background papers, travel arrangements, speakers, site visits and private meetings) to the American southwest on environmental and disaster response management.