Monica Smith-Callahan Email & Phone Number

Henrico, Virginia, United States

Richmond, Virginia

• Provide leadership in the research, development and analysis of policy, regulations and legislation for the Commonwealth’s Education system, responsible for a staff of 16• Responsible for the management and leadership of five functional areas of the Department; Policy, Equity, Communications, Board of Education, and Media Relations. Designed the reorganization of the Office of Equity and the Office of Communications improving workflow, efficiencies, and morale of the teams• Direct the communication of information concerning K-12 education to the media, local school personnel, and the general public, including outreach • Facilitate the Department’s Long-Range Strategic Plan work, convening employees from every functional area and level to outline the goals, objectives, strategies and tactics to achieve the mission• Assemble cross-functional teams to address policy and communication issues to provide guidance and technical assistance to school divisions, stakeholder groups, legislators, the Governor’s office, and the Board of Education• Provide consultation and oversight to the Department’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives and supports the policy development for the Board of Education

Richmond, Virginia Area

• Led the Chamber’s FutureRVA initiatives, focused on strengthening the talent pipeline in the Richmond region through workforce development and advocacy• Conducted research of industry and occupational demand for the Richmond region to identify skills gap analysis• Established community partnerships and built relationships with business and industry serving as liaison to local school divisions to work towards establishing college and career academies in area schools• Outreach and engagement to trade associations, increasing participation from employers in demand industries for the yearly Mission Tomorrow career exploration fair targeted to eighth grade students• Planned and execute bi-annual summits hosting representatives from business, education, government and civic organizations, addressing education and workforce development issues

919 E. Main Street, 17Th Floor

• Manage the organization’s communication initiatives, curating content for social media, website, internal and external stakeholders.• Responsible for public awareness outreach to include the region-wide kindergarten registration campaign that includes 15 school districts, 152 elementary schools. The 2016 campaign received more than 240 unpaid media hits through multimedia channels resulting in 96% of parents stating that they were better prepared for registration and 66% stating that they learned something new. • Assist the Executive Director and Development Committee in prospecting and securing funding for the organization; managing a $400,000 budget. • Convened over 100 early childhood partners to 22 meetings over the course of nine month to produce the Regional Plan for School Readiness 2017-2020. Defining goals, strategies and desired outcomes. • Responsible for cultivating relationships with state and local government officials to drive advocacy for early childhood issues.

Richmond, Virginia Area

• Created the course syllabus for Public Relations Case Study and Writing for Public Relations.• Facilitated class discussions, administered assignments and grading assessments.

Richmond, Virginia Area

• Responsible for educating, engaging and exciting the Richmond region in preparation for hosting the 2015 UCI Road World Championships, a world-class, international cycling event that hadn’t taking place in the United States since 1986. • Established an extensive outreach communications plan that included presentations to hundreds of business, civic, corporate and neighborhood groups throughout Central Virginia, door to door canvassing, information hotline, email correspondence and social media. • Developed Societe 2015, a local business engagement program designed to help local businesses prepare for the World Championships, managing over 1,000 member businesses, conducting five different learning programs as a part of the Societe 2015 Learning Series. • Recruited and deployed over 3,000 volunteers representing over 28 different countries to serve in over 50 unique volunteer roles and covering over 5,000 shifts. Designed a volunteer matrix, identifying the thousands of volunteer shifts needed before, during and after the World Championships. • Created the concept and managed the development of the Richmond 2015, “Ride Like a Champion” youth education program which consisted of a 22-page bike safety activity booklet and a SOL compliant online curriculum with thematic lessons for students in grades K-5. • Successfully planned and executed community outreach efforts, recruitment and deployment of over 400 volunteers for the 2014 Collegiate National Championships - the ‘test’ event for the 2015 Road World Championships.• Created, hired and supervised the staff assistant and community liaison position.

Richmond, Virginia Area

• Designed and implemented bi-annual fundraising direct mail campaigns, quarterly newsletters and annual report tactics, overseeing creative strategy, content, production and distribution. • Added 158 new donors during the 36-hour Amazing Raise campaign, scripting and directing the promotional video for the online campaign and coordinating call-a-thon resulting in more than $15,000 in donations and prize money.• Developed online tactics, viral video campaigns and blast emails, which resulted in increased media, social media, grant funding and visibility for the organization. • Coordinated and executed over 50 sanctioned AAU Basketball Tournaments. Was responsible for marketing, recruiting, organizing game brackets, officials, communications, awards and ticket sales. • Assisted in strategic reorganization of the organization including staff re-alignment and budget cuts; generating 35% in savings.

Richmond, Virginia Area

• Coordinated seven Comcast Cares Day community service events and managed more than 200 volunteers for each event, coming in under budget year after year, securing donations and additional resources to successfully complete each project.• Developed strategic plan, goals and allocation of $150K annual budget for community relations.• Created signature event--Feria de la Oportunidad—an information and resource fair targeted to the Hispanic market; event earned the highest honor in the cable TV industry, a Beacon Award for excellence in community affairs.• Produced Comcast Newsmakers segments that broadcast 48 times daily throughout metro Richmond, Public Service Announcements, Red Carpet media events that featured entertainers from film and televisions, state and local government officials.• Identified and cultivated hundreds of new partnerships, community sponsorships, philanthropic and volunteer opportunities to increase Comcast’s visibility as a good corporate citizen.• Produced internal communications to reach a diverse, widespread workforce through multiple communications platforms including video messaging, newsletters, blast emails and specialized phone messages.• Created strategy for internal, cross-functional communication teams to break down workplace silos.• Planned and executed monthly and annual meetings and recognition events for more than 800 employees in multiple corporate offices throughout Central and South Eastern Virginia.• Crafted content; produced and distributed annual Comcast Metro Richmond reports, newsletters, and other collateral materials.

Richmond, Virginia Area

• Secured community speaking engagements, networking opportunities and media placements to promote attorneys and practice groups.• Produced marketing materials and specialty publications to promote attorneys, practice groups and the firm. • Maintained the firm’s dynamic website; identified and crafted relevant content.• Established strategic processes to increase the firm’s corporate social responsibility through charitable contributions to local non-profit organizations; granted financial donations to 10 organizations.• Developed firm’s corporate community involvement program; negotiated multi-year special event partnerships.• Planned and coordinated firm special events.

Richmond, Virginia Area

• Increased revenue from the membership directory and newsletter while and decreasing mailing costs by 75%.• Updated website with key interactive features to increase efficiency and convenience for members. • Planned, promoted and executed strategy and logistics for meetings, seminars and association events.

Masters

Bachelor Of Arts