I am an aggressive, creative, strategic communications expert. With a hands-on attitude, and a well-rounded understanding of writing, design, branding, image and marketing, driven by the desire to increase sales and public awareness, I can help your organization.

• Also available for creative freelance projects

Project Leader - Communication Manager, 2006-2006
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (contractor through TekSystems)

• Strategic lead to promote ITG services to 17,000 employee network
• Developed a schedule, plans, and processes for content highlighting ITG on company intranet
• Created efficient, economical processes for the production of ITG communication vehicles
• Increased quality and helped reduced production cost (66%) for a series of internally published monthly newsletters
  

Information Systems Communications Manager, 2005-2005
Hewitt Associates

• Developed 2006 internal communication plan
• Oversaw communication from IS to the firm, including major IS projects/change initiatives and ongoing operational information
• Produced global teleconference for 1,400 associates
• Provided templates, tools, resources, and consulting to help IS associates
• Provided communication counsel, support, and training to IS associates interacting with external audiences
• Managed the IS communication infrastructure/vehicles, including large IS meetings, monthly IS updates, strategic practice leader communications, and ongoing tactical communications
• Created and streamlined communication processes
• Wove key messages into ongoing communication channels and ensure synergy between firm and practice communications
• Acted as liaison from IS organization to the intranet
  

Senior Communications Manager, 2004-2005
Aetna

• Managed communications for the international division (Aetna Global Benefits) of major insurance corporation
• Created communications strategy and calendar, including public relations, internet and e-communications
• Developed and published series of segment-specific e-newsletters
• Responsible for internal communications, educating and tooling domestic and international sales force with materials focused on cross-selling products
• Managed projects within marketing department, working throughout the company to build relationships to promote company brand
• Responsible for internally created content on division's intranet and internet areas

Freelance Writer/Communications Consultant, 1996-present
Trendl Communications
clients include

Director of Client Communications, 2002-2003
Message Strategy, Inc.
(primary client: Bromma Conquip, a Swedish major crane spreader manufacturer)

• Managed and developed media relationships
• Managed relationship with external ad agency and various vendors overseas to produce marketing materials
• Developed strategic media list and fostered new contacts
• Developed integrated messaging and sales concepts
• Created and managed development of collateral and ancillary documents, developed press releases, developed and managed sales and trade show presentations, and promotions
  

Marketing Specialist, 2000-2002
Chicago Manufacturing Center

• Pursued, hired and managed and supervised all internal communications personnel, freelance writers, designers and photographers, print brokers, contractors and consultants
• Managed one assistant to help develop internet presence, and internal staff per project
• Managed all internal and external marketing communications and public relations
• Managed and developed relationship with external public relations agency
• Developed communications, publishing and public relations plan using a $250,000 budget
• Trained executives for interviews
• Wrote press releases
• Tracked press coverage
• Liaison to Chicago media and national trades (Chicago Tribune, Crains Chicago Business, Chicago Sun-Times and others)
• Managing editor of 150-page corporate internet site (hits grew 500%), developed content for usability and marketing, pursued linking and search engine relationships, tracked results through WebTrends, and managed ISP relationship
• Developed manufacturing think tank website. Managed branding of new products as part of a national team
• Developed communications policies, and reorganized internal document structure
• Directed graphics
• Met with Illinois congressional members to discuss manufacturing concerns
• Developed and managed monthly newsletter for both print and electronic distribution
  

Direct Response Coordinator, 1997-1999
International Fellowship of Christians and Jews

• Managed and supervised three staff catalog personnel
• Oversaw 2.5 million piece/year direct response production and mailing
• Produced 12 newsletters/month, coordinating with consultants and management
• Designed, wrote, edited and ghosted. Directed $80,000 50 product merchandising project, including marketing and product development (sales grew 47%/year)
• Liaison to CBS, New York Times, Jerusalem Post, religious and various Israeli publications, developing PR strategy work
• Developed and managed e-commerce campaign (sales grew 10%/month)

Director of Public Relations, 1995-1996
Chapel of the Air

• Managed and directed web presence
• Managed two freelance designers
• Created plans for crisis communication management for educational publisher
• PR counsel to executive director and top staff
• Directed, designed and wrote print marketing, direct mail, news releases and appeal letters
• Ghostwrote for executive director
• Creative and editorial director of 12-page catalog, raising record $2.5 million
• Managed media involvement in US, India, England and Canada
• Developed and syndicated newspaper column
• Public relations policy implemented by all offices in USA and Canada.
  Stories picked up by USA Radio News, NBC News, Chicago SunTimes, Chicago Sun-Times, Cincinnati Post, and many dailies

Wheaton College Graduate School, Wheaton, IL
36 hours toward MA in Communications (all but thesis)

• Studied marketing communications/public relations management of the international nonprofit
• Developed expertise in communicating an organizations needs to the religious and secular media, analysis and strategizing of public relations, and image and communication management.

Illinois State University, Normal, IL 1991
BS, English

• Studied American literature/creative writing, significant studies in social-psychology and conflict management.

• Strong managerial and project management skills, and process-oriented
• Highly creative, strong leadership and broadly educated
• Sensitive to international cultural, media and denominational issues
• Strong connections to religious media
• Knowledgeable about national demographic trends and fads
• Knowledgeable about printing, design and e-commerce

Computer Skills

• Highly skilled in current Macintosh and Windows OS platforms
• Expert knowledge of e-marketing and communication
• Expert strategic search engine knowledge
• HTML