Michele Johnsen Email & Phone Number

Built a full-service communications agency specializing in non-profit, social impact, education and healthcare organizations. Profitable within the first six months. Develops and implements strategic public relations and social media engagement plans that increase brand awareness and influence action among target audiences. Develops press materials, e-newsletters, brochures, videos and web content. Provides media-relations support and coaching at special events and press interviews. Partial client and project list includes:• AdventurousBug.com• A Light in Dark Places• Center for Global Engagement• Child & Family Guidance Center• Dellums Center for Violence Prevention and Conflict Resolution• Easter Seals• Experian• Global-Assignment by World Trade Press• Ilan Ramon Day School• Latin America Working Group• MacGillivray Freeman Films• March For Our Lives LA• MUZEO• San Bernardino Community College District• Short+Sweet International Theatre Festival• St. Joseph’s Health Systems• UCLA Technology Development Group• Venstar

Develop customized training sessions on media literacy to build more informed media consumers who own the skills to analyze news and information online and off, think critically, and make educated decisions about media consumption, production and sharing. Speaking engagements include:United Nations Civil Society ConferenceUS State Department International Visitors Program - IVCLAUCLAUC IrvineUC Irvine International Relations ForumUnited Nations Civil Society ConferenceCalifornia State University, NorthridgeWarren Wilson CollegeLouisville High SchoolMuseum of Tolerance (for LAUSD School Librarians)California Youth Courts ConferenceThe Braille InstituteThe Getting Better Foundation

Greater Los Angeles Area

Provided communications expertise for a report on arsenic poisoning in rural Bangladesh -- the largest mass poisoning in history. Developed detailed recommendations on building a public education and awareness campaign to empower rural Bangladeshi populations to access their rights to safe water.

Greater Los Angeles Area

Producer and reporter for “Almost All-American,” a radio documentary about the growing trend of mixed immigration status families – those with some members are who are U.S. citizens and/or legal residents and others who remain undocumented. Aired on:• KQED “California Report”• Global Post “Far From Home” series• Public Radio Exchange “Between Homelands” series

Built the Marketing Communications Department from the ground up for one of Southern California’s largest non-profit providers of services for people with disabilities. Oversaw all communications and public relations activities. Recognized by National Easter Seals for creating the most sophisticated communications division among the organization's 35 affiliates. Created and implemented strategic media and marketing campaigns. Acted as primary media spokesperson. Wrote and implemented crisis communications plans and trained executive staff on crisis media relations techniques. Implemented and managed brand standards and corporate messaging. Created the organization's initial web presence. Wrote copy and coordinated production of a wide variety of collateral materials including brochures, annual reports,newsletters and videos. Managed internal communications. Led a team of communications staff, advertising executives, web site developers, graphic designers and other consultants.

Served as assistant editor of the employee newsletter; coordinated publicity and media relations for the company’s charitable and community outreach activities; wrote wellness columns for placement in publications statewide; planned special events; wrote press releases for business units.

Planned and executed strategic public relations activities for a major non-profit organization; established and maintained media contacts; wrote PSAs; coordinated special events; wrote articles, took photographs and created design for the agency’s external newsletter; wrote and placed a radio advertising campaign to successfully reach target audiences.

Master Of Public Diplomacy, Public Diplomacy, 4.0 Gpa

Activities and Societies: Association of Public Diplomacy Scholars (APDS) Co-Chair APDS 2015 Conference on Music Diplomacy Lead Human.

Ba, Communications, Art