Susan Toland Email and Phone Number

Responsible for development and implementation of internal communications strategy and program for UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals in San Francisco and Oakland, CA. Lead communications advice and counsel to Benioff Children’s Hospitals Executive Leadership and Board of Directors. Collaborative responsibilities as principal liaison between Benioff Children’s Hospitals President/Executive Team and the many UCSF units responsible for communications.

Crisis Communications/Corporate Communications: Create and implement strategic initiatives, branding and identity campaigns, customer experience programs and crisis communications platforms. Cultivate substantial collaboration and communication with key C-level, executive leadership across organizations to maximize effectiveness and successful business outcomes. Adept at articulating differentiated and sustainable key value propositions for clients. Build cross-departmental consensus across teams, and with internal and external stakeholders. Leadership role and liaison with external agencies and 3rd party resources on behalf of clients. Work closely with creative teams to ensure deliverables and business goal outcomes.Corporate Responsibility: Focus on art based and educational projects, leveraging student/youth engagement. Elevate social impact through community driven initiatives, foster relationships and increase base of stakeholders for all parties. Creative Production: Executive producer and lead liaison for video production, advertising, graphic design and web rebranding initiatives. Documentary work: Ruth Asawa, Roots of an Artist. Excellent writing skills. Strong strategic and communication capabilities, project and event management. Key Clients and Collaborative Partners (partial): Academy of Art University, Adobe, Pinterest, Dell, 2K Games, Microsoft Xbox, Electronic Arts, HID, GE, SV Angel, sfciti, Charles Schwab, KIPP, SF Boys & Girls Club, Odwalla, SF Fire Department, Bonhams, SF MOMA, SF Fine Arts Museums, SF MoAD, SF Fleet Week Association, America’s Cup, Lifetime Channel, de Loach Winery, Fairmont Hotel, Hamilton Families, Larkin St Youth, Bethany Foundation, SF Junior Giants, SF Design Week, Design Ignites Change, Urban Forest Project, Inneract Project, Hatch Today, CAL Innovates, Smithsonian Institution

Relaunch of highly successful early reading literacy company, with expanded product lines and programming, and revised business strategy. Collaborate closely with co-founders and creative teams. Responsibilities include brand strategy, messaging and communications, day-to-day operations, product development and implementation.

C-level strategic consulting to president, executive office and senior management, directly contributing to unparalleled period of revenue growth and expansion of organization. Significant leadership roles in admissions, marketing and communications. Developed corporate social responsibility programs and community partnerships. Expanded reach of scholarship program and public art initiative, including multiple fine art murals created in partnership with students and nonprofits and businesses. Led internal and external teams addressing crisis communications and media relations, for organization-wide issues. Crafted media responses, initiated press conferences, wrote press releases, managed media relationships, directed PR agencies and in-house communications teams. Extended brand visibility and built voice of key executives as thought leaders, shaped narratives and elevated profiles. Created bi-annual economic report to articulate university’s greater contribution to city.

Successfully repositioned Gap division as part of core strategic/creative team focused on groundbreaking rebranding. Established Gap as a household brand and arbiter of style by executing creative concepts in an exceptionally elegant voice. Primary leadership role in “Individuals of Style” campaign, including producing creative work, involving selecting photographers, directors and talent, and directing shoots on location. Photographers of campaign included Annie Leibovitz, Steven Meisel, Patrick Demarchelier, Herb Ritts, Albert Watson. Celebrities featured in campaign included Spike Lee, Sofia Coppola, Diana Ross, Willie Nelson, Queen Latifah, John Malkovich, Oliver Stone, Lenny Kravitz, Whoopi Goldberg, Joan Didion, Anthony Diedis, BB King, Jeremy Irons, Sharon Stone, Leo Castelli, Demi Moore.Responsible for creative campaigns for print, out-of-home and in-store advertising. Directed in-store packaging, labeling, and internal communications across 900 store Gap division worldwide. Led cross-departmental teams of merchants, inventory and field operations in implementation of campaigns. Created and produced catalogues, photography galleries, signage, merchandise labeling and packaging, and sales support materials. Contributed to 288% increase in sales and 1,159% increase in stock value.Awards won for ground breaking advertising campaigns include: Clio Awards, Gold Addy Awards, CFDA Award (Council of Fashion Desginers of America), Infinity Award (International Center for Photography), Gold Medal Award (International Advertising Festival of New York)