Maria Castaneda Email & Phone Number

Greater Chicago Area

• Strategically built the Department from the ground up. Hired, trained, supervised and motivated a staff of four direct reports to achieve team objectives. • Developed annual goals and metrics of success for initiatives.• Produced reports and led weekly briefing meetings with chief officials. • Launched and managed the department’s web page and an annual budget of $500K. • Led response efforts for over 3,000 FOIA requests from media outlets and organizations, largely involving sensitive high-profile issues.• Eliminated a 10-month old backlog of 100+ requests within the first few months of start.

Special Assignment - Department of New Business Development, 2014-2017 • Functioned as a Marketing Manager developed marketing initiatives that elevated brand and consumer participation in Park Points™ customer loyalty program (the first of its kind for any municipality in the country at the time).• Contributed to loyalty program new member growth of more than 120% over a 20-month period.• Oversaw a direct email campaign that resulted in a 42% open rate and over 500 new members.• Crafted brand-aligned social media posts, direct email campaigns, e-newsletters, website content and event-specific collateral materials. • Strengthened partnerships and supported stewardship of corporate sponsors at Park District events. Public Documents Manager, 2011-2017 • Primary contact for all inquiries and requests for public documents. • Collaborated with all levels of personnel to coordinate information across departments. • Identified and employed best practices to ensure the District was in compliance with state regulations. • Drafted official response for over 2,500 FOIA requests from local and national media outlets and organizations. Reported and advised executive staff on high-profile issues. • Established the District’s first-ever online document request system, reducing response time by 64%.• Spearheaded redesign and re-launch of the FOIA web page, greatly improving user engagement.

• Logged, researched and wrote official response for FOIA requests from media outlets, organizations and the general public. • Collaborated with all levels of personnel to coordinate information.• Produced status reports and briefed executive staff regarding sensitive issues and possible litigation.• Launched dedicated email system for FOIA requests, greatly simplifying the request process.

• Planned and executed integrated marketing communications initiatives that enhanced brand reputation and raised awareness of CDOT’s priorities, programs and multi-year projects. • Handled media relations for proactive, responsive and multiple crisis incidents, available 24/7 to oversee media response and to serve as a department spokesperson. Advised and collaborated with executive staff to mitigate crisis and reputation management issues.• Pitched interview and story ideas to media outlets, successfully increased positive media hits by 150% over a two-year span.• Organized press conferences and photo opportunities, handled event logistics, related materials and on-site media relations, briefed executive staff prior to press interviews and various speaking engagements. • Developed original content and oversaw the production of brand-aligned marketing materials for diverse internal and external audiences distributed across traditional and digital platforms, including newsletters, press releases, social media posts, website content, presentations, brochures, annual reports and speeches. • Created first-ever safety campaign and PSA for Digger-Chicago Utility Alert Network (now 811 Chicago). Wrote original content, directed video production and secured TV and radio broadcast. • Coordinated department participation at special events, business fairs and CDOT’s annual booth at the Chicago Auto Show. Oversaw logistics, including vendor negotiations, staffing and related literature.• Co-led team that won 15 communications awards for public outreach, including the PRSA Chicago Skyline Award, IABC Spectra and Silver Quill Award, PCC Platinum, Gold and Silver Trumpet Award.• Co-produced the Field Manual of Sign Installation. Directed a cross-functional team with diverse responsibilities to write and produce an instructional handbook currently used to install signs throughout the City of Chicago. Helped train more than 60 employees in the use of this manual.

Master Of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Marketing

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, Mass Communication/Media Studies

Associate Of Arts And Sciences - Aas, Photojournalism