I lead ideation, development and execution of proactive storytelling across our brands, business, culture and strides towards our Better Days Promise to build Kellanova's reputation with external stakeholders, audiences and influencers. As a member of the Global Corporate Affairs team, I oversee Kellanova's earned & paid media strategy, manage relationships with Tier 1 journalists, and support business unit and crisis communications teammates with proactive communications needs.

Developed and implemented Corporate Reputation-focused plans and strategies for one of the largest consumer products & retail companies in cannabis. Core responsibilities included: earned media strategy, proactive/reactive media relations, crisis communications, media exposure for brand portfolio and retail expansion, integrated campaigns & activations, influencer relations, executive thought leadership, community & social impact communications, investor relations & government relations support, corporate brand management, corporate awards, and corporate website/social media management.

Collaborated with leaders in Corporate Public Relations, Government Relations and Public Affairs at cannabis companies, advocacy groups and industry associations to drive awareness of USCC federal policy priorities, including cannabis rescheduling reform, banking reform, social justice & equity for impacted communities, and the creation of a sound regulatory environment.

Taught a continued professional education course to 20 working professionals on the topic of Public Relations Essentials in a Digital World.

Led the agency's Midwest expansion as Director and served as part of the management team of the Havas Chicago Village (Creative/Media/Digital/PR/CRM/Strategy). Successfully guided and implemented best-in-class Corporate Reputation & Brand PR strategies and integrated marketing campaigns for Procter & Gamble, Qualcomm, ADP, Deoleo, Reynolds, Sun-Maid, Mike's Hard Lemonade, Save A Lot, and more, across industries such as CPG (Food, Cannabis, Tobacco, Beverage), Retail (Grocery, Franchising, Consumer Electronics) and Technology (B2C). Established the agency's Cannabis practice and built and managed a high-performing, collaborative team of 12 full-time employees. Recognized by agency leadership with multiple Best Public Relations Strategist and Media Relations awards.

• Selected by leadership as the first agency employee to participate in Havas’ global leadership accelerator program.• Received from leadership a Best Client Service award for excellence in client relations and public relations program management.

• Honored by leadership with a Media Relations Excellence award for exceptional storytelling and relationships with influential journalists.

Specialized in proactive media storytelling and media relations, with strong relationships cultivated with influential journalists and editorial influencers, and an exceptional ability to secure consistent earned media for clients: SanDiego.com, South County Economic Development Council, The Corky McMillin Companies, The Spirits of Mexico Festival, and the U.S. Open Sand Castle Competition. Recipient of the PRSA, SD/IC, Bernays Awards for Reputation & Brand Management, Press Conference Execution & Results, and Community Outreach Program.• Handled the media outreach for a binational press conference on long SD/MX border wait times, which attracted 23 media outlets including the Associated Press, and secured coverage in 26 regional and international print and online destinations, as well as seven broadcast stations.• Produced a bimonthly newsletter that led to greater regional collaboration between South County businesses, elected officials and community leaders, and increased organization membership by 10 percent.• Oversaw the media and strategic partnership outreach for the nation’s largest tequila festival, The Spirits of Mexico Festival, in San Diego, which resulted in the largest turnout in its eight-year history and expansion to New York City and Chicago.• Secured top-tier client features in USA Today, The New York Times, CNN.com and People.

• Executed an award-winning rebranding campaign for SanDiego.com which increased website traffic from 20 to 80 percent, converted primarily out-of-state visitors to 51 percent locals – a primary goal, and established brand loyalty. PR campaign won an esteemed Silver Bernays Award for Reputation and Brand Management from the Public Relations Society of America. • Directed street team promotional activities at large community events, such as the San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, which engaged consumers, increased brand awareness and established more than 100 cross-promotional partnerships.

• Executed a social media campaign surrounding the launch of a Filipino talk show that grew Facebook followers to over 3,000 within the first month and was awarded a Gold MarCom Award for Social Media Outreach.• Assisted in the planning, media and community outreach, and execution of a spring consumer event at San Diego’s Liberty Station for a tourism client. Over 3,000 people attended the event, the largest turnout in its three-year history.

• Responsible for generating sales, managing inventory and developing relationships with established and potential customers. • Planned, organized and implemented special events for high-end designers and top customers. • Co-developed promotional ideas for the creative and effective advertisement of new products and maintained outstanding customer service by effectively communicating with customers about upcoming events and new merchandise arrivals.

• Supervised and coordinated activities of dining room personnel to provide fast and courteous service to patrons. • Responsible for record keeping, contacting guests, coordinating company luncheons and supervising dinner parties, wedding receptions and large-scale San Diego Convention Center events.