Sonja N. Barisic, Apr Email & Phone Number

This is a part-time consultant position working directly with the volunteer boards of PRSA’s chapters and districts.

Norfolk, Virginia, United States

Throughout my three decades as an award-winning journalist and nonprofit communications professional, I’ve been passionate about telling stories. I love crafting stories about real people doing amazing things or helping others to achieve their best. I can take a complicated topic and present it in a meaningful way that will help people understand your organization and what you offer. I also can help you discover outlets for your stories and ways to distribute them. Clear, succinct storytelling is at the forefront of everything I do at Sunflower Communications. Articles, newsletters, annual reports, social media posts, media pitches, strategic communication plans — they’re all about sharing stories.

Regularly review restaurants for the newspaper's entertainment section and website.

Norfolk, Va

Promoted to more fully reflect wide-ranging responsibilities, including implementation of marketing strategy to grow public awareness, number of residents and donations. Helped create strategic plan for the organization. Developed and successfully implemented plan to improve employee communications. Wrote and managed production of print newsletters and award-winning annual reports. Oversaw redesign of brochures, letterhead and other collateral materials. Wrote news releases, blog posts, fact sheets, e-newsletters, talking points and executive memos. Created fliers. Handled all social media. Updated and maintained website. Pitched stories to media. Arranged and gave media interviews. Oversaw production and placement of advertising. Took photos and created videos to document and celebrate events and daily life at St. Mary's. Researched trends and issues. Gave tours. Sought opportunities for staff to speak to civic, service and professional groups. Worked with in-house job recruiter to promote career opportunities at the Home.

Norfolk, Virginia Area

Directed St. Mary's annual 5K, growing income by 260 percent. Wrote and managed production of fundraising appeals, raising record donations, (e.g. growing income for year-end appeal by 250 percent). Vastly increased media coverage, including front-page articles in The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press, major feature in Virginia Business magazine and Associated Press article that ran in dozens of news outlets nationwide. Created social media presence for St. Mary's Home with a blog, YouTube channel, Twitter account and Facebook page with more than 1,500 followers. Initiated email marketing through Constant Contact. Oversaw redesign of St. Mary's website. Developed crisis communications strategy. Supported successful $3 million capital campaign to build facility for adults. Helped staff get accepted to present at international conferences.

Norfolk, Va

In one-person bureau, responsible for all news, business, political and feature reporting across southeastern Virginia under extreme deadline pressure for print, online and broadcast distribution. Balanced breaking news demands with in-depth coverage. Stories appeared in major publications including The Washington Post, The New York Times and USA Today and scored thousands of hits on online news outlets. The AP provides coverage to 15,000 news outlets in more than 120 countries and reaches more than 1 billion people a day.

Cincinnati, Oh

Reported, wrote and edited news, business and sports stories as part of team in southwest Ohio.

Bismarck, Nd

Covered the North Dakota state legislature and edited and filed copy to the state newspaper and broadcast wires.

Cleveland, Oh

Reported, wrote and edited news, business and sports stories as part of team in northeast Ohio.