During a contentious, highly-visible legislative debate over comprehensive reforms to Connecticut’s public education system, performed a full range of marketing and communications functions, positioning the newly-formed Connecticut Council for Education Reform (CCER) as a major player in the discussion. Managed strategic media relations, a public awareness advertising campaign, community outreach and event coordination in support of CCER’s mission and 2012 legislative priorities. • Developed and implemented a comprehensive media plan for the 2012 legislative session with a focus on earned, paid and owned media components• Secured prominent media placements in local, regional and national print, broadcast and digital media outlets• Planned and executed organization’s VIP Documentary Screening Event featuring a speaking program that included Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy and newly-confirmed Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor• Co-produced radio and television advertisements for CCER’s first broadcast media public awareness campaign.• Facilitated media buy for CCER’s print and broadcast public awareness advertising campaign• Launched organization’s social media presence, growing CCER’s visibility on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube while providing content for the organization’s blog• Moderated panel discussions during CCER’s statewide series of community meetings designed to educate and engage diverse audiences about the state’s educational achievement gap and potential solutions to close that gap

Performed a full range of marketing and communications functions, from developing comprehensive strategies to detailed execution and follow-up. Positioned cardiovascular disease as a major health issue in the region and built visibility and awareness of the American Heart Association’s lifesaving work and mission. By cultivating a diverse group of media contacts, created numerous media opportunities in support of the organization’s fundraising events and campaigns. Managed two Communications staff members on a remote basis and managed annual budgets for Connecticut and Westchester, NY regions, reducing expenses each year.• Generated more than 1.3 billion media impressions through successful marketing, media relations and strategic media events which aided the growth of the Connecticut fundraising campaign to nearly $2 million annually• Negotiated 110+ broadcast, print, online and outdoor media sponsorships in support of nearly 60 major fundraising events, resulting in increased brand awareness, event attendance and donations• Secured prominent media placements in many of Connecticut’s major print, broadcast and digital media outlets, including multi-page advertorials in Hartford Magazine (2007-2010) and the Connecticut Post (2001-2004)• Served as a spokesperson on local radio and television in the Hartford/New Haven, CT, Fairfield County, CT, Westchester County, NY and Springfield, MA media markets• Crafted talking points for public officials, celebrities, local broadcast personalities, professional athletes and other public figures for media opportunities and major fundraising events to ensure that their content was consistent with key messaging• Created and implemented media advocacy plans resulting in the successful passage of legislation banning smoking from CT’s workplaces (2003) and mandating automated defibrillators in CT’s schools (2009)

• In a newly created position, developed and implemented strategic communications plans in conjunction with program and fundraising staff, resulting in a 1400% increase in Fairfield County media impressions • Built brand recognition of the AHA’s core cause-marketing initiatives like Go Red For Women and Start through corporate sponsorship activation, media sponsorships, unique buzz events and partnerships• Cultivated and maintained effective working relationships with a broad range of internal and external constituencies including AHA and corporate senior leadership, Board members, staff, volunteers, donors and survivor ambassadors to facilitate the promotion of the Association’s mission• Identified and media trained internal and external spokespeople for media opportunities, in-person speaking engagements, events and video appeals• Created concepts for print advertising; collaborating with designers on layout for print ads and billboards; wrote PSA copy for television and radio• Honored in 2001 with an Award for Excellence in Communications by AHA’s Heritage Affiliate

In a fast-paced, demanding newsroom environment, performed many jobs while rising from the part-time consumer coordinator position to a full-time spot on the station’s assignment desk. Managed daily newsgathering logistics and monitored assignments of reporters and photographers. Provided editorial direction by leading daily news meetings, generating story ideas for producers and reporters, highlighting news events, responding to breaking news stories and alerting producers to compelling stories and videos on the news wires and satellite feeds. Planned future news coverage, enterprising some stories for reporters and collaborating with managers to develop coverage strategies for major news events.• Employee of the Month in January 2000 for work during coverage of a major winter storm• Field produced live local coverage of 2000 Presidential Election and the Second Inauguration of CT Governor John Rowland in 1999• Arranged live and recorded interviews with various newsmakers; conducted interviews• Led the station’s initial response to the plane crash of John F. Kennedy Jr., dispatching crews to relevant locations, developing local angles of this high-profile, national story and managing the logistics of long-duration coverage• Researched, assessed, organized and distributed accurate and updated information to news crews, producers, website staff and managers• Developed, cultivated and maintained productive relationships with subjects and sources of news stories

• Monitored news feeds, selected compelling video from prior newscasts and satellite feeds and wrote copy for multiple newscasts• Produced local news, traffic & weather cut-ins during Good Morning America• Assisted the morning news producer in multiple capacities during live newscasts • Field produced weekly “Cheap Eats” franchise, spotlighting some of CT’s treasured, but inexpensive restaurants• Field produced weekly “Help Me Anna” franchise, highlighting the resolution of viewer consumer problems • Field produced extended live coverage of the agreement between New England Patriots owner Bob Kraft and the State of Connecticut to move the NFL team to Hartford. (Note: Deal collapsed at a later date.)