Serve as a key architect in building the research communications strategy at a renowned private, global research university with over $570MM in annual research expenditures. Work collaboratively with the university to develop an integrated communications framework with CMU's colleges, centers and institutes. Work across the institution to identify and refine contributions from colleges and bring them together to tell a powerful, integrated story about CMU's research enterprise.

Provide insight to agency leadership to drive direction of the firm; lead human resource and operations function in a matrix organizational structure; lead agency workgroups in operations, professional development and social connection; develop structure and agendas for weekly team huddles, monthly staff meetings and annual agency retreats; develop media relations measurement tools and project management tools that are adopted by colleagues and clients; help others grow by providing mentorship, guidance, 1:1 support and constructive feedback to staff of 20+ high performing individuals; continue to provide strategic communications counsel and provide national media relations support to a wide variety of college and university clients; counsel and collaborate on multi-channel content strategies for communicating high-profile research projects for clients; grow public scholarship program at both private and public institutions, delivering 25+ workshops annually to faculty at five R1 and R2 universities.

Develop public relations scholar program, creating a year-long curriculum to empower scholars and researchers to effectively communicate with the public through media relations, social media, policymakers and more; craft strategic communications plans for clients and projects; provide guidance and support on a wide variety of crisis issues; guide account directors/managers/executives to develop and implement effective communication strategies for an average of 10+ clients; create agency's internship program, recruiting, hiring, training and managing part-time associates; evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of clients and/or projects and develop and use effective measurement tools to monitor progress; closely observe industry trends in order to anticipate challenges, mitigate threats and capitalize on opportunities; drive business development and contract renewals, with an average client tenure of 7+ years.

Conduct workshops and training sessions to help scholars and institutional leaders inform the public, advance dialogue and create meaningful change; manage and support account teams and drive implementation of communications tactics and tools; flex strategic planning and management skills, leading both people and projects; manage day-to-day project activities and client relationships for an average of 7+ clients; oversee the execution of client deliverables and ensure quality control; represent clients in meetings with national media

Plan, develop and implement national media relations strategies for multiple colleges and universities; identify and edit query letters and place articles with colleges’ “reputation-defining” stories in national media, including The New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Chronicle of Higher Education, The Associated Press and others; identify and pitch trend stories for national publications; advise clients in crisis communications; represent clients in meetings with national media; set up appointments for faculty and administrators with media leaders; develop strong relationships with media contacts, earning a reputation for quality story ideas and reliable resource for expert sources.

Write compelling content for the popular Men's Channel and Love Channel channel for the Netscape portal, which generated more than 20 million page view per week. Articles were cited or discussed on many nationally syndicated radio and television programs, including John Tesh Radio Program, TV’s Inside Edition, local radio and television stations, The Associated Press and Fark.com. Provide daily lifestyle and entertainment content for a mobile advertising and mCRM provider, reaching nearly 20 million active consumers. Create engaging content for Facebook communities.

Reported and wrote news stories for local weekly newspaper.