Sondra D. Roberts Email & Phone Number

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

HUD's Office of Public Affairs (OPA) strives to educate and keep the American people informed about HUD’s mission to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all.

Broadcast Communications Director – Appointed September 2022 to spearhead the strategic direction of NWK TV government access channel.Director of Communications – Previously served as the head of communications and trusted advisor to Mayor Baraka; worked closely with directors and teams throughout the 3,000-person organization; led the press information office; overseer of the Newark Office of Film and Television, as well as City’s television studio. Cultivated relationships with key stakeholders, media, and legislative officials; and strategized on issues ranging from clean drinking water and sustainability, to guaranteed income, to affordable housing, and helping end homelessness.

Usa

PR Daily's 2015 Nonprofit PR Awards - Honorable Mention for Best Branding/Re-Branding CampaignProvided strategic public relations, cause-related marketing/collaborations, and event management services for brands, organizations and people who have an underlying purpose to do good.Helped brands communicate, inspire and engage with influence.Integrated community relations and corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy with brand development.Created social impact initiatives that connect organizations with their target audiences while improving communities.Cultivated media relations, community/corporate partnerships and vendor relationships for the benefit of advancing clients' mission.Responsible for firm's business development and key accounts.

Greater New York City Area

Associate Director, SC Johnson College of Business (4/2018-1/2020)Internal Communications Lead/Project Manager, Cornell Tech (8/2017-4/2018)Events Manager/Dean's Office, Cornell Tech (4/2012-8/2017)Recording Secretary for Cornell Tech Board of Overseers/Task Force (4/2012-4/2018) Managed NYC operations for the SC Johnson College of Business on Cornell Tech campus including employee engagement, sustainability, communication to external/internal stakeholders, development of processes and guidelines, and management of intranet/space/events.Selected by Dean to serve on senior leadership’s Staff Advisory Group; focus on change management, organizational culture, collaboration, and communication. Served as Recording Secretary for the Cornell Tech Board of Overseers and Executive Staff Administrator for Cornell Board of Trustees/Cornell Tech Task Force, responsible for communications and logistics. Led internal communications for the 300-person campus move and managed messaging for cloud-based intranet tool.Managed all Cornell Tech diversity data for Toward New Destinations (Cornell’s university-wide diversity and inclusion initiative) and reported outcomes to University President and Provost; responsible for federal, state, and city lobby reporting.Directed 80+ Cornell Tech events annually from ideation to execution, engaging with internal and external communities, industry partners, senior leadership, and government officials.Devised and implemented an internal communications plan to help increase engagement through various channels, including curating and publishing digital newsletter, as well as leading social good projects.

Syracuse, New York Area

Led a grassroots campaign resulting in an initial victory in 2010, followed by re-elections in 2012 and 2014. Crafted messaging engaging constituents on issues important to the Assemblyman and his district; developed compelling website and social media communication; managed mission-driven media relations.

Greater New York City Area

Provided strategic public relations counsel and administrative support for political campaigns, high net worth individuals, and Fortune 500 companies. Projects included corporate communications executive support, grant review, statewide political fundraisers, town halls, press conferences, scholarship galas, bespoke events, roundtables, and executive meetings. Created internal/external electronic communication, newsletters, marketing materials, press releases, speeches, client biographies; managed media relations and social media outreach.

Global

Refined daily public relations coordination, managed extensive media requests, assisted in the execution of special events and global product launches, served as Chairman's speech writer, orchestrated community relations initiatives, and handled business affairs.

Northern New Jersey

Implemented strategic events and PR plan to aid in the improvement of fundraising, overseeing $2.2M budget. Organized and supervised multiple WalkAmerica walks with well over 20K attendees. Managed local/regional media relations. Represented Foundation and Executive Director at community and corporate events.

Greater New York City Area

Organized logistics necessary to execute domestic marketing/special events for budget over $1M, negotiated all vendor contracts, drafted proposals, and composed copy for marketing materials.

Greater New York City Area

Orchestrated product trade shows and corporate events. Drafted press releases for product launches and facilitated Chairman’s mailings. Served as Editor-In-Chief of corporate newsletter and developed key relationships with fashion media.

M.S., Public Relations And Corporate Communication

Activities and Societies: PR League, Graduate Student Council Representative"PR Program of the Year" - PRWeek ranked NYU's M.S. in Public.

Certificate, Diversity And Inclusion

B.A., Communication