Led all advocacy, media relations, and communications for the CBC—a highly respected government watchdog and think tank established in New York City in 1932. Drive all CBC strategy and outreach efforts in support of CBC’s mission: Improving the quality of life for all New Yorkers through high-impact work focused on the finances and policies of New York City and New York State government.

Led all aspects of the Communications Office, including media relations, crisis communications, family communications, internal communications, and marketing. The New York City Public Schools is the nation’s largest school system; it has approximately 1600 schools serving more than 900,000 students. ● Served as a trusted aide and advisor to NYC Chancellor David Banks and the senior leadership of the New York City Public Schools.● As a mayoral-control school system, regularly collaborated with the communications team and press office staff in the Office of Mayor Eric Adams. ● Created the school system’s first-ever weekly Chancellor message, PS+You—a weekly email that is sent to more than 600,000 New York City families.● Oversaw all of the branding and marketing for systemwide offices, programs, and initiatives.

Also served in this role from 2009 - 2014.Plan, direct, and execute the overall communications strategy for this district serving 90k+ students from around the globe who speak 27 different languages. Effectively develop and lead day-to-day operations for a team of 30 Communications staff with an annual budget of $3.8M. Serve as a part of the Superintendent’s Cabinet and oversee all executive communications.Head all media relations, website and social-media management, internal communication, marketing, and multicultural outreach. Develop aggressive and proactive media strategies to highlight the important work of DPS students, teachers, and leadership. Worked closely with senior leadership, government agencies, and hundreds of schools to effectively manage crises.SELECT CONTRIBUTIONS● Acted as a trusted aide and advisor to Susana Cordova and Tom Boasberg. ● Assisted the district in navigating the COVID-19 pandemic where all schools have been open for in-person learning.● Led communications support for multiple successful tax ballot initiatives, including the largest voter-approved tax hike in history.● Launched the Superintendent’s “myDPS” weekly community email, growing the distribution list to 50k+ parents, community members, and elected officials. This project garnered a win in the Westword’s 2012 “Best of…” edition.● Implemented a Multicultural Outreach office to strengthen the district’s connection to non-English-speaking families.

Consulted widely with large urban school districts and charter-school networks to deliver intensive support regarding communications planning, crisis communications, media relations, and internal communications. Managed all media relations and communications for this $12M national non-profit devoted to supporting education reform. Forged relationships with national and regional education reporters to ensure accurate reporting on education reform issues.

Handled all media relations, internal communications, web content, marketing, and FOIA administrations for the third-largest school district in the country, servicing 410k+ students. Played a pivotal role in shaping the school system’s policies, programs, and priorities. Held direct responsibility for strategic planning and effective leadership of the CPS Office of Communications. Led all aspects of PR strategies with a focus on shaping and pitching positive stories and managing controversies and crises. Enacted aggressive media relations strategies focused on CPS’s core priorities and the exemplary work of students and educators. Worked collaboratively with city agencies on media strategies and coordination of responses to press inquiries.SELECT CONTRIBUTIONS● Served as a key advisor to CEO Arne Duncan and the system’s senior management. Duncan went on to serve as the US Secretary of Education under Barack Obama.● Acted as the main liaison to the press office of Mayor Richard M. Daley, who had oversight of the school system.● Put the district in the spotlight as a national leader in urban school reform.

Served as a key advisor and main spokesperson for the head of the CPS, Arne Duncan, and the entire school system, including 650 schools and 40k+ employees. Duncan went on to become the US Secretary of Education under Barack Obama. Also ran the CPS press office, handled all crisis communication, and served as around-the-clock media contact.

Coordinated crisis communications and media relations, working on a daily basis with the news desks and reporters at all Chicago TV and radio stations and newspapers. Managed the production of the school system’s annual back-to-school calendar directory, which was distributed to 400k+ CPS students at the start of each school year.

Managed the school system’s monthly newspaper, which was published in both English and Spanish, with a combined circulation of 500k. Supervised a staff of four writers, as well as writing, editing, and assigning stories for the newspaper. Designed the newspaper and oversaw distribution to the school system’s 650 schools.

Visited schools in every neighborhood in the city to cover stories. Designed and coordinated layout. Developed strong contacts with the Chicago business community while writing stories about CPS partnerships with local companies and helping to organize and publicize the Principal for a Day initiative.

Ran four community newspapers in the Western Suburbs: three weeklies and a twice-weekly, with a combined circulation 100k+. Led the company through the successful creation of the chain’s fourth newspaper, the Warrenville Post, in 1995.Designed all four papers and handled the layout of the Glen Ellyn News, the chain’s flagship paper, Served as the Glen Ellyn New's lead reporter, covering Village Hall, local schools, and the police beats.Wrote a weekly column and received the Suburban Press Association’s Award of Excellence for “Best Column” in 1993.

Ran this weekly community newspaper, with a circulation of 45k. Wrote, edited, and assigned stories, and also handled the layout of the paper.