Michelle Ashton Email and Phone Number

Develop an annual, data-driven communications plan and oversee all communications, including all digital and print assets, to build an increasingly large and diverse audience who become financial supporters. • Oversee the Foundation’s website and social media sites, keeping content fresh, compelling, and visually appealing. Our website attracted nearly 200,000 new users in the last fiscal year. While supervising the Digital Marketing Manager, our audience increased 17% across all social media platforms and contributed significantly to donations received.• Develop and implement strategies to spark online giving and create an expanding pool of donors to the Foundation. In the last fiscal year, contributed to raising more than $150,000 in donations and purchases.• Develop and manage a comprehensive eblast strategy. Last fiscal year maintained an unsubscribe rate of 0.2% with an average 50% open rate to more than 45,000 subscribers that grows daily. • Conduct media relations, including cultivating key members of the media and generating earned media. In the last fiscal year, secured dozens of placements in top tier outlets that have resulted in significant donations. Received recognition from media relations professional development group. Trained in advanced crisis communication and reputation risk management. • Run analytical reports to monitor campaign progress. Set-up automation for several time-consuming processes, like entering donations into our CRM. Integrate AI into workflows when appropriate. • Manage the design and implementation of the Foundation’s events, including the gala. The most recent gala netted nearly $1 million, breaking previous records and resulting in the hire of an Events Coordinator under my supervision.

Developed and implemented a comprehensive, strategic communications plan for all of Midtown Houston, ensuring compelling, consistently branded communications in print and digital platforms, including all marketing and advertising efforts.• Maintained all websites, including management of web design contractors, content management, event calendar, and contacts database.• Acted as staff lead for all social media accounts and ensured alignment in message and brand.• Acted as staff lead for press releases and media requests.• Assisted with the development, conceptualization, and implementation of community events.• Assisted with projects, including design, approvals, fabrication, installation, and tracking data.• Acted as staff lead with responsibility for implementing and coordinating the logistics (agendas, packets, notes, minutes, budgets, etc.) for Urban Planning, Marketing and Economic Development, and Service and Maintenance Board Committees.• Project managed community engagement efforts, namely the design, implementation, and analysis of a community-wide survey completed by over 1,450 respondents.

Implemented and managed 100 programs annually from conception, logistics, and production.• Negotiated contracts, arranged audio/video, set–up, planned receptions, and coordinated travel for program presenters.• Managed an annual budget of approximately $100,000.• Collaborated with 20 community organizations annually to develop joint programming and build target audiences.• Collected and analyzed data for over 5,000 program attendees per year.• Authored all marketing language, including copy for print materials, advertising, website, social media, and press releases.• Partnered with graphic designers to create all print media.• Project managed website redesign and launch.• Created weekly podcasts and monthly e-newsletters reaching over 11,000 subscribers.• Lead the Program Committee developing annual season program arc.

Wrote federal and private grants, including Department of Education’s Race to the Top grants for approximately $1 million.• Wrote marketing materials and reports for Board members and donors.• Managed the website and donor communications.• Collected student-level demographic and academic performance data from three participating Pennsylvania high schools.• Analyzed and delivered data reports and presentations to board, school, and donors.

Researched and updated databases for accessioned objects.• Physically inventoried artifacts.• Prepared reports for the Deputy Director.• Contacted lenders directly or through legal counsel.• Responded to requests for information from the public.

Coordinated CDC-funded National HIV Behavioral Surveillance according to national, state, and local protocols.• Supervised three Project Interviewers during data collection.• Conducted premier formative assessment/ethnography on recovery in New Orleans’ flooded neighborhoods post-Hurricane Katrina.• Administered HIV testing and counseling for hundreds of participants.• Assisted in writing grants to augment and sustain organization funding.

Taught English to 6th and 8th graders and Conversational English to 9th, 10th, and 11th graders

• Planned and implemented programs for international visitors traveling to the United States for State Department-sponsored projects. • Developed Middle East reference section in Resources Department.• Researched and wrote weekly newsletters.