Jody Saunders Email & Phone Number

Virginia Beach, Va, Us

Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States

Under the direction of the Chief of Police, I lead the Public Affairs Division of the Virginia Beach Police Department. A member of the Chief’s Executive Leadership Team, I provide strategic communication advice to my peers, guiding decision-making and fostering effective organizational messaging.- Develop and oversee the execution of comprehensive communication strategies that align with the Department’s goals and objectives.- Oversee media relations, manage the Department’s public image, and ensuring consistent messaging across all platforms to maintain and enhance the Department’s brand identity.- Lead the communication efforts during crises, ensuring that the Department responds swiftly and effectively to minimize damage.- Lead communications team, providing direction, mentorship, and support to ensure effective execution of communication strategies.

Charlottesville, Virginia, United States

As the Director of Public Relations, I direct all internal and external communications programs under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer. On a day-to-day basis I focus on crafting public statements, writing talking points, establishing media relationships, arranging interviews, handling emergency communications, creating press kits, and more.- Weigh-in on organizational decisions that may impact Jaunt’s reputation, identify issues or risks, and develop and implement mitigation strategies, or escalate where appropriate- Provide strategic communications leadership, advice, and support to executive leadership, Board of Directors, and other staff as needed around key initiatives, projects, and issues- Manage, execute, and refine Jaunt’s brand strategy- Guide internal and external communications ensuring all messaging effectively articulates the unique benefit and value provided by Jaunt- Develop public relations plans and lead a collaborative team of advertisers and marketers to implement, ensuring department output meets the needs of the organization- Partner closely with teams across the organization to create, implement and support the use of effective narratives to meet organizational needs and ensure Jaunt always speaks with a coherent, unified, influential voice- Own prioritization of organization-wide communications needs through strong relationship-building and a clear prioritization framework- Serve as the point-person for the development, implementation and execution of high-level creative initiatives and activities for Jaunt, serving as a clearing house for highly visible graphic communications such as posters, brochures, annual reports, advertisements, presentations, bus wraps, etc. - Oversee media relations

Charlottesville, Virginia, United States

Responsible for overseeing all aspects of public communications, developing and steering communications strategies under the direction of the Executive Director, in order to energize partners, staff, volunteers, and donors around the organization’s mission, vision, and core values. My communication strategies helped BGF greatly increase awareness, closing 2019 with 30% new donors and reengaging with 5% of lapsed donors, thereby increasing our year over year donations by 50%.- Plan and execute the production of appeals, newsletters, annual reports, case statements, website content, event collateral, and social media outreach in order to promote the organization’s mission- Coordinate public relations for BGF including development of media contacts, distribution of media advisories and press releases, and associated logistics- Responsible for the complete redesign and overhaul of organization website- Participate in the development of MOUs that are holistic, consistent with BGF core values, and complimentary to partner organization goals

Charlottesville, Virginia Area

Offer design and communications support for clients in both the public and private sectors. Address clients’ needs, from message development to materials creation and communication planning, designing solutions that bring their ideas to life. Clients include Building Goodness Foundation, County of Albemarle, Brand Scape, Piedmont Native Plants, BirchBark Consulting, and more.

County Executive'S Office

Lead Albemarle County’s internal and external communications programs, under the direction of the Assistant County Executive for Community Relations - Provide strategic communications leadership, advice and support to executive leadership, directors, managers and other stakeholders, simplifying and improving messaging to increase community’s understanding and awareness of complex issues- Develop crisis communication strategies for a wide variety of situations including visiting dignitaries, the August 12 “Unite the Right” Rally, an Amtrak accident, and multiple weather-related events ranging from blizzards and floods to wind storms and brush fires- Responsible for the design and development of high-level marketing materials such as newsletters, presentations, brochures, reports, proposals and advertisements to promote the County’s brand and positive public image- Manage digital messaging program including writing and distributing news releases, e-newsletters, and social media content- Principal liaison with local media, encouraging accurate and timely distribution of important County news, in an effort to uphold organizational transparency

Charlottesville, Virginia Area

Managed, coordinated, and organized activities involved in the preparation of marketing proposals and collateral under the direction of Vice President and Principal in Charge of Engineering- Collaborated closely with technical staff to develop strategies for proposals and sales presentations- Developed marketing materials such as press releases, project experience sheets, brochures, mailers, advertisements and other collateral - Managed and maintained company website- Conceptualized, initiated, developed and produced monthly internal newsletter to help connect wide-spread work force

Harrisonburg, Va

Design posters and other promotional materials to promote colloquia, exhibitions and other special events administered by the Institute for Visual Studies.

Designed, executed and promoted events for the firm’s Innovator’s Studio from both an event planning (budgeting, event sites, coordinating location support, menus, transportation, etc.) and a visual communication (invitations, information packets, E-alerts, etc.) standpoint. Also designed, executed and promoted educational client webinars in addition to internal communications webinars and designed, produced and contributed writing for monthly E-newsletters for both internal and external communications.

Supported the selling of cabinets in an effort to meet and/or exceed sales targets by providing inside sales phone support to high profile Home Center Accounts. Managed special order and in-stock sales for 141 Lowe’s Home Improvement stores nationwide. Responsible for maintaining and growing $38 million annual sales budget. Partnered with outside sales reps in the resolution process on consumer and store issues.

Liaison between Home Center Corporate offices and American Woodmark sales force; facilitated store planning and problem resolution. Provided sales support to regional account managers that supported Home Center Merchandising Offices.

Supervisor support for Home Center Customer Service phone reps. Handled and resolved customer issues escalated to a supervisor level. Promoted to Team Leader after only 7 months in Customer Service Department.

Master Of Science - Ms, Public Relations, Advertising, And Applied Communication, A

Bachelors Of Fine Arts, Graphic Design, 3.73

Graduated Magna Cum Laude

Associates Of Arts And Sciences, Liberal Arts With A Specialization In Fine Arts

Graduated Magna Cum Laude while working full time.