Matthew Lara Email & Phone Number

Topeka, Kansas, United States

• Chart a successful course for departmental events and interviews by providing expert support to the Cabinet Secretary and Agency leaders, including talking points, media preparation, and on-site facilitation. • Cultivate productive relations between the Agency and Governor’s Office by communicating effectively and building strong relationships. • Foster positive relationships among stakeholders and the Governor's Office staff to enable optimal results for the department, Governor’s Office, and public. • Oversee and mobilize high-quality performance from staff and processes related to the Office of the Secretary. • Bolster agency results by identifying and implementing internal administrative improvements. • Develop specific measurable legislative, communication, constituent services and scheduling strategies.• Ensure alignment of performance objectives and targets with strategic and organizational core goals.

Topeka, Kansas, United States

• Propelled departmental communication efforts by generating compelling public affairs content, including media releases, talking points and media pitches.• Empowered the Cabinet Secretary and Agency leaders to successfully navigate events and interviews.• Championed the values of the agency and provided accurate information to the public as the chief spokesperson.• Liaised adeptly with key State and Federal Legislative stakeholders as the primary contact.• Built and nurtured excellent relationships with external stakeholders and the Governor's Office staff.• Supervised and motivated excellence from a team of 17 public affairs professionals responsible for internal/external communications for the agency and legislative and stakeholder engagement.• Integrated new policies, programs and services, and crisis communications into the creation, implementation, and management of communications plans.

Topeka, Kansas, United States

• Formulated, allocated, and continuously monitored a $17 million communications budget for COVID-19 comms. • Drove sustainable team growth, identifying talent, hiring, and onboarding to expand the team from three to ten staff within the first year.• Produced engaging content for media releases, talking points, OpEds and media pitches that delivered information aligned with the agency’s mission and objectives. • Served as the chief spokesperson for the agency and staffed the Cabinet Secretary and Agency leaders during events and interviews.• Applied empathetic leadership abilities to steer the external and internal communications team toward success.• Developed and maintained relationships with stakeholders and the Governor's Office staff.• Played a key role in the development of a strategic communications plan to support the agency’s mission, goals, and objectives in conjunction with senior leadership.• Reinforced agency awareness through strategic social media channels, targeted events, and monitoring/management of email campaigns and external messaging.

Topeka, Ks

• Devised and deployed external communications plans to market and promote the reputation, mission, and services of Stormont Vail while serving as the organizational spokesperson. • Leveraged data-driven marketing research and compelling content generation to produce media releases, talking points, articles, award nominations, and media pitches.• Continuously advanced PR outcomes by monitoring and documenting media mentions, earned media/recognitions, and social media analytics, with prominent mentions from WIBW, KSNT, Topeka Capital-Journal, and CBS Evening News. • Created and distributed multimedia content for various social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and more. • Constructed and launched a strategy to realize significant gains in the organization’s digital presence. • Promptly responded to online reviews on sites such as Yelp, HealthGrades, and Google to obtain customer feedback and resolve issues as needed.• Guided the organization, including communications and other cross-functional team members, through crisis communications, advice, and media strategy.

Topeka, Kansas Area

• Produced multimedia content for multiple websites utilizing the WordPress platform.• Conveyed data-informed insights related to content, layout, and website user experience through Google Analytics.• Spearheaded all phases of the development of the Greater Topeka Partnership website using the Simpleview platform.• Pinpointed improvement opportunities by observing and documenting business processes and procedures.• Synthesized potential for organizational efficiency by examining metrics derived from company data.

Topeka, Kansas Area

• Produced multimedia content for multiple websites utilizing the WordPress platform.• Conveyed data-informed insights related to content, layout, and website user experience through Google Analytics.• Spearheaded all phases of the development of the Greater Topeka Partnership website using the Simpleview platform.• Pinpointed improvement opportunities by observing and documenting business processes and procedures.• Synthesized potential for organizational efficiency by examining metrics derived from company data.

Topeka, Kansas, United States

• Research data for prospect inquiries• Managed the GO Topeka, Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce, Heartland Visioning and Forge social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn• Create content and maintain the websites for the organizations mentioned above. Managed an overhaul on 2 websites to move them to the Wordpress platform.

Topeka, Kansas Area

• Orchestrated the full lifecycle creation of three websites on the WordPress platform, including a new content strategy. • Leveraged expertise in Google Analytics to determine and include audience-relevant content on the websites.• Boosted engagement 196% across 20 social media accounts for five organizations through content refinement and development. • Performed essential leadership functions as interim co-manager for the marketing and communications team.• Detected and capitalized on marketing opportunities across online media channels while managing daily operations.

Topeka, Kansas Area

• Co-managed a call center of 40 client service representatives• Completed monthly quality assurance checks on CSRs• Handled escalated callers and issues• Assisted in developing new training manual for the call center

Topeka, Kansas Area

• Subject Matter Expert for the team, assisting the supervisor with answering questions from the team and developing team members• Processed Medicaid applications to determine eligibility • Developed portions of the new Medicaid system that was rolled out in 2015

Greater Chicago Area - Remote

• Developed partnership with shoe companies in the Chicago area to be able to receive discounts on shoes to purchase in bulk and donate to people in need• Co-managed the social media profiles for the organization on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter• Created the marketing material to send to churches in the area to get them onboard to assist with a shoe drive

Topeka, Kansas Area

Work under the direction of the Communications Director to further the community outreach for the Chapter to include: Social Media, Website and Public Relations

Master Of Science - Ms, Integrated Marketing & Communications

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Business Administration - Marketing

Associate Of Arts (A.A.), General Studies

High School Diploma

Activities and Societies: Debate/Forensics Team, NJROTC Program