Nikki Willoughby Email & Phone Number

Engagements include a broad range of marketing and strategy services, including full-suite marketing for solopreneurs (business development, operations/management, branding, messaging, personas, and social media), including developing new verticals, researching potential clients, and overhauling websites with new language, look, and impact. I also work with nonprofits and private organizations that draw on my strong writing and creative problem-solving skills. I coach professionals on developing their thought leadership, creating stand-out LinkedIn profiles, and writing powerful cover letters and resumes. Best co-worker award goes to: me!

As Head of Communications, I developed and implemented public relations strategies and social campaigns, managed media outreach and relationships, and managed social strategy and presence for both Park & Battery and clients across a broad range of industries. My passion for harnessing perspectives to create clarity, empower action, and deliver outcomes for brands and businesses globally helped me implement new strategies for short- and long-term success.What I learned: Belonging and believing are intricately linked.

As manager of the only two Candid blogs for funders, I created editorial calendars and special series, developed content, recruited writers from across many sectors in roles from grants coordinator to CEO to professor, produced and edited their content, and promoted the blogs throughout the sector.Blog topics spanned a broad spectrum of grantmaking topics, all in service of the aim to improve grantmaking practices and policies.Managed programs requiring cross-departmental, industry-wide coalitions, webinar presentations, iterative content development, and production/printing of the final product. Participated in special projects in collaboration with learning and training teams, including writing/editing storyboards and printed collateral.My favorite thing about this job: I got to meet and co-create with some of the most knowledgeable individuals in philanthropy.

Senior leadership role overseeing knowledge programs (research, reports, creating learning tools, developing and delivering learning) in the area of next and best grantmaking practices. Employed strategic and analytical thinking to project the way the industry was changing and the concepts and training that members would need to have to lead the field forward.Co-led development of the Principles of PEAK Grantmaking and managed consultant relationships in building transformative program content. In service of this org-wide Big Bet, I identified and cultivated partnerships across the sector to advance the objectives of multiple organizations and coalitions. Wrote a lot, thought hard about gaps and barriers, met a ton of people in the industry who had exceptional ideas and loved to chat about them, and built life-long relationships thanks to the work that required me to be forward-facing and representing the organization. Supervised 2-3 staff members at the mid-range level.What I miss most about this job: Hands down, it's the people. My colleagues turned friends, senior leaders, who shared so much with me, and our members, who taught as much as they learned, helped org leadership identify opportunities, and allowed me to ask endless questions while still managing to like me.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Senior leadership role overseeing both communications and knowledge programs (research, reports, creating learning tools, delivering learning). Consulted with and co-created programs with other members of senior leadership team and worked alongside them to bring ideas to fruition.Led rebranding of 25-year-old nonprofit with 4,000 members, from concept through completion. Managed advisory board, external branding consultants, and thought leadership, with the goal of connecting the updated brand with the updated ways in which we served our memberships and showed up in the field. Kudos to me: I'm the one that actually came up with the name 'PEAK Grantmaking'.Created and served as executive editor of philanthropy journal covering topics that matter to the philanthropy sector, including developing issue themes, recruiting expert writers, editing content, and overseeing the promotion of the journal. Delivered earned media in industry outlets such as the Chronicle of Philanthropy.Established and promoted communications standards, brand, and visual identity components, including for regional leaders in 14 national regions. Oversaw relationship management and recruitment for annual conference, special partnerships, and other relationships, meeting or exceeding target revenue goal of $250,000+ annually.Best thing I learned in this job: Wishes and goals are not the same thing!

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Established communications department as third employee of national nonprofit. Created and promoted communications activities and streams. Refined and articulated the organization's brand and visual identity. Executed practices and procedures for integrated communications across all levels of the organization.Best thing I learned about myself in this job: My creativity is an asset.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Developed and implemented first-ever social media strategy for 400,000-member organization with 40 state chapters. In first year, delivered 600 percent increase in Facebook followers and 400 percent increase in Twitter followers. Additionally, I evangelized the use of social media by staff to share their important work and continue the drumbeat on issues that members and voters were eager to embrace.Partnered with colleagues to develop strategies and activities for advocacy actions that drew hundreds of participants and built on the organization's reputation as an outlet for participatory democracy. Executed additional actions online via social media, petitions, and discussion forums. Developed and implemented strategies to promote research products and get them into the hands of decision makers, influencers, members, and the public. Designed and edited publications and research reports.Greatest work travel destination this job provided: Palm Springs!

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Senior leadership team member advocating for comprehensive public affairs and public policy strategies. Developed and implemented signature marketing campaigns and volunteer programs, shaping communications and legislative/advocacy outreach, executing development and funding opportunities, and directing and training staff and members on overall brand strategy. Developed program plans, recruited high-profile speakers, delivered workshops, and participated in logistical implementation for 60 annual events ranging from 20-2,000 attendees. Developed and maintained donor/media/partner outreach and relationships on behalf of the international office and 4,000 member clubs. Supervised 3-4 staff from junior to senior levels.People I admire whom this job enabled me to meet: Emily Post and Marianne Pearl.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

As part of senior staff for a research/think tank focused on women entrepreneurs, I collaborated with other directors to set strategy and develop program plans involving all staff. I advocated for projects enabling the communications department to expand the scope of our outreach to broaden the visibility of the organization. I then worked with my staff to implement comprehensive action plans. Wrote and edited materials for media outreach, products, learning opportunities, research reports, and webinars. Identified funding opportunities and delivered grant requests and other proposals. In this role, I also coached junior staff to see their work as part of the bigger picture and strategy of the nonprofit. What this job impressed upon me: Women succeed because they get things done.

Washington D.C. Metro Area;

Sole marketing professional on the East Coast, serving two offices (New York and Washington DC). Responsible for marketing and business development for five national practice groups. Generated and developed outreach opportunities to promote partners and practices and developed business proposal materials and worked with key attorneys to respond to RFPs and develop client pitches.What this job taught me: I'm better off working in nonprofits.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Served as public relations spokesperson for Washington DC office of international AmLaw 100 firm, developing pitches, managing crisis communications, and working with firm leaders to create proactive pitches and sophisticated response strategies. Provided media prep and training for lawyers and lobbyists.Achievements include ideation, development, and management of signature branded advertising partnership with Roll Call newspaper. Managed, produced, and designed all responses to RFPs and other new business pitches. Managed day-to-day operations in Marketing Department, supervising up to 5 staff members.Best opportunity this job afforded me: Meeting and having a meaningful impact on actual legislators.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Served as primary PR professional for largest CPA firm headquartered in the Mid-Atlantic region; focused on community engagement, writing web content, developing and executing strategies for media outreach, and owning editorial and writing leadership for all firm communications.What I learned from this job: Lawyers and accountants are very different beasts.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Wrote business development and marketing content for web, proposals, and media releases. Edited/designed publications, including monthly IP practice newsletter with circulation of 2,500+. Managed learning programs for new and junior lawyers, and directed plan and implementation of firmwide events.What I miss most about this job: A boss who was also a cheerleader, instructor, and friend.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Served as PowerPointer in Chief; wrote newsletters and correspondence; did layout for publications; conducted market research for business development proposals; planned and organized practice group meetings and events; administrated attorney evaluation process, and got to choose the bagel flavors for weekly leadership meetings.Best thing this job taught me: Team work makes the dream work! Whenever I was in the trenches, working late or later to get something perfect and done, the lawyers I was working with were right there beside me, making copies or collating packets, empowering me to lead production and trusting my judgment.

Spartanburg, South Carolina

I wrote everything, from fundraising letters to annual reports, quarterly magazines, weekly newsletters, and press releases. I wrote the speech that the college president gave at my own graduation.What I learned at this job: Write with more clarity, color, and brevity. Also, you can tell who is walking down the hall just by the pace of their steps.

Ba, English, Politics, Women'S Studies

Activities and Societies: Peer tutor at on-campus writing center, editor of college paper, student government representative, spirit week.

Master Of Science - Ms, Organizational And Corporate Communications

Completing coursework in branding, communications ethics, communications planning, and leadership.