Marketing lead for award-winning strategic communications and public affairs firm that serves the front line of major public policy and political campaigns in Chicago. Results-driven tactics and utilizing networks to build strategy, guide public opinion, manage through crisis, and bring passion and experience to business goals. With years of creative leadership experience, supporting one of Chicago’s largest, multi-billion-dollar infrastructure project and the reimagining of travel for the 21st century. DEI-focused team deliverables to help elevate minority- and women-owned business enterprises.

Working with unique and varied clients, bringing valuable strategic planning, G-T-M experience and integrated communication for farm-to-table, public figure, community development, sports, F&B. Turnkey: content, design, packaging, website wireframe to store sets. Municipal, consumer & environmental focus.

Visit Lake County, the official destination marketing organization (DMO) and champion of tourism for Lake County, Illinois, serves more than 200 partners. Charged with leading marketing initiatives and advancing the "destination" brand, Working with leaders, state and local representatives, businesses and boards, promoting the powerful economic impact of travel/tourism. My role provided a great feeling of pride and purpose, helping to create a sense of place, to live, work, travel and spend time in. It was wonderful, professionally and personally, to play a role in supporting livelihoods and to foster a high quality of life throughout communities.●  Led DMO’s public image/brand in all areas: public & media relations, social media, content curation/messaging, collateral. ●  Created PR plans, crisis communications, news releases, media pitches, positive press coverage & opportunities. Drove awards & recognition.●  Developed strategies, grew social communities & engagement. Included: editorial, blogs, web & PR.●  Implemented best practices, created content frameworks across social platforms & verticals.●  Created social media "playbook" for reactive social engagement.●  Managed marketing calendar, deepening engagement, promoting traveler sentiment, encouraging visitor spend.●  Tracked efficacy of initiatives & ROI. Incorporated insights into future plans for content & POV.●  Worked with agencies including Illinois Office of Tourism for funding supports for tourism marketing, and alignment with community vision. Funding & grant requests. ●  Advised board on development strategy; recommended initiatives, funding priorities & plans. Prepared workplan & budgets.●  Presented to stakeholders including districts, boards, members & committees, with best practices, geos/demographics/look-a-likes, & other influences.

Responsible for leading VoA's marketing and public relations initiatives including co-editor of "Connections" magazine, serving three northern Lake County communities, special events, branding, establishment of the first downtown economic development task force, the "AllTogether" Antioch brand for restaurant and shop vitalization during the pandemic, social media and digital marketing.

Responsible for project management and execution of the organization's social media campaigns. Manage all social media platforms on a day-to-day basis and collaborate with leadership, board members, partner organizations, community groups, and colleagues, to develop and maintain a comprehensive social media strategy. At NEDSRA, "Putting People First" is our mission—social media is one of the many tools we use to connect, and bring the best to, individuals with special needs and their families. But, the best thing we have is our passion and heart... ●  Develop and implement a social media plan to achieve fund development/outreach, community relations and marketing goals. ●  Promote and establish best-practices, recognize and evaluate trends within verticals in social media, engage participants, the community, and prospective donors, in the mission of NEDSRA. ●  Create engaging content, visual information and assets, throughout the brand and message, on social media sites to achieve and support priorities, ROI and KPIs. ●  Monitor and contribute to external community social media sites to maintain and enhance the positive image of NEDSRA, grow and scale donations, build loyalty and enhance storytelling. ●  Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, groups and organizations, to convey and support best practices in social media marketing and determine communication priorities. ●  Support communication initiatives with local, regional and state organizations, partners, industry and community groups, extending reach and cultivating relationships. ●  Exercise a team-collaborative mindset, train and supervise team members and contractors.●  Collaborate to create fundraising initiatives via email and digital and cohesiveness with offline campaigns.●  Serve on leadership team for annual fundraising campaign and giving days.

Communications expert with a thorough understanding of marketing elements including digital, social media and technology. Solid skills with Adobe Creative Suite and Google Analytics. Skilled writer (AP-style), award-winning graphic designer.●  Developed integrated communications & branding for strategic-driven agency, with 1,500 programs & 13,000 guests annually. ●  Increased enrollment 61% for summer camps, preseason revenue of $80K.●  Helped establish financial growth & key points in recreation segments. (+30%)●  Created alliances & developed methods to connect diverse demographics. ●  Fostered relationships with state legislators, representing at “Parks Day at the Capitol”. ●  Executed special events including Heritage Park Grand Opening, a $33 million reclamation.●  Increased alternative revenue sources, generating $16K.●  Program participant growth +35%, Net Promoter Score 70%.

Maximized park district’s revenues through marketing strategies promoting products, services, ideas and commitment to community. Secured grants that allowed for increased program offerings. Responsible for leading teams for advertising, program rollout, events. Led two website launches, from bid creation, RFPs, client/developer management, content, software integration, SEO, wireframe, hosting and testing. Excellent communicator, able to persuade, team build and collaborate.●  Created strategies resulting in increased awareness through branding initiatives & increased program enrollment (+35%), Health and Fitness (+30%). ●  Analyzed program offerings, recommended program mix, provided benefit analysis & market introduction. ●   Community liaison, planning, coordinating rollout of co-hosted events.●  Fundraising/sponsorship and resource development, securing underwriting and building strong partnerships with leading Fortune companies including Medline, community-based organizations & educational partners, to deliver programs, train/manage volunteers. ●  Planned publicity strategies, produced presentations, managed campaigns, monitored performance. ●  Created “grassroots”-type media/engagement campaigns, garnering the park district “Best Park” ranking.●  Content management for website, social media, trade publications, grant writing, videos, board collateral. ●  Editor & designer of park district’s award-winning seasonal program guide.

Assisted with out/inbound marketing activities in various areas including content development, media planning, events and outreach. Conducted research with surveys and referenda planning, to determine visitor needs, interests, habits and trends. Brainstormed and developed ideas for creative campaigns, including the district’s Horizons quarterly newsletter. ●  Liaison with internal/external stakeholders, board, & vendors to lead special events/campaigns. ●  Planned & executed initiatives to reach target audience through multi-touchpoints including social media marketing, email, direct mail, billboard/outdoor, referenda, surveys, public input committees.●  Analyzed data by reviewing campaign results, conversion rates & web traffic, to help shape future strategies. ● Successfully created & executed grand openings/VIP events to introduce & build awareness of the then 28,000+ acres of open space & activities. Lead volunteer coordinator.● Created award-winning submissions that resulted in being recognized as best in parks, facilities and design that included notable parks: Independence Grove (most visited) & Rollins Savanna (largest restoration).●  Planned & executed the agency’s largest free event. (5,000+ attendees) ●  Solidified over $1M in free media along with negotiating more than $50K in sponsorships. ●  Lectured at speakers’ bureaus, community, civic & stakeholder groups.