My Path to PR/Comms Pro

When I embarked on my PR/Comms career path — as a director, no less — I had exactly zero experience in the field. Yes, you read that right: A director. Zero experience.

I’d been a TV news writer for about 18 months, and also volunteered for the station’s Special Projects Department. The education and parenting producer took me under her wing, encouraging my writing, creativity, and passion for children’s issues. When a former colleague of hers left the director of communications position at a statewide nonprofit, she recommended me for the role. Remarkably and unfathomably, I got the job.

Ever since, I’ve hit the ground running with each new professional adventure — diving into positions that required me to quickly assimilate, strategize, and communicate about new industries as if I’d worked in them forever. I have a penchant for creative thinking, superior attention to detail, and a proclivity for mission-driven organizations. I manage competing demands with aplomb and prioritize projects and tasks accordingly. I love using words like ““penchant,” “proclivity,” and “aplomb,” but also know when to use “knack,” “fondness,” and “confidence” instead. Similarly, I’m adept at reading the room and knowing whether it’s best to employ a monologue or a haiku, so to speak.

I am right- and left-brained — a blend of creator, master organizer, and strategist. If I worked in TV or film, I’d be a script supervisor because of my devotion to continuity. I’m a self-admitted grammar geek who will fight to the death for the Oxford/serial comma. (Thank you, Chicago Manual! Sorry, AP Stylebook.) I delight in collaborating with others, but also relish independent work.

Dare I suggest that I am the PR and communications professional you’ve been looking for? I do!

(And, yes, I know I left a preposition dangling at the end of that penultimate sentence. It’s OK to break the rules as long as you know the rules in the first place.)


RESUME

SUMMARY
Proactive, unflappable communications and PR leader with 10+ years' experience developing and implementing strategic initiatives. Exceptional writer, editor, and proofreader with proven success advancing branding and thought leadership, cultivating media relationships, directing and creating content, and engaging diverse target audiences. Adept at identifying and implementing best practices, prioritizing competing demands, and leveraging narrative to amplify impact and reputation. Earned 940+ media placements in 10 months; grew social media followers 42% in 14 months; increased employee participation in DEI initiatives 57% in 7 months. Deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; cross-functional collaboration; and creative, mission-driven tactics.

SKILLS

Voice & Messaging, Media Relations, Executive & Internal Communications, Crisis Management, Media Training, Supervision & Mentoring, Video Production, Government & Partner Relations, Newsroom Operations, Problem-Solving, Relationship-Building, Organization & Attention to Detail

INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE

Startup/Innovation, Nonprofit, Issue Advocacy, Education, Healthcare/Healthtech, Life Sciences, Biotech, Manufacturing, Education, Arts & Culture, Government

SELECT WORK EXPERIENCE & ACCOMPLISHMENTS

CIC (Cambridge Innovation Center) – Cambridge, MA | July 2021-October 2022
Director of PR & Communications      

Developed and led comprehensive, strategic PR and communications for global shared workspace and labs company. Revamped brand voice and messaging to ensure impact and consistency. Identified and pitched client stories. Fostered brand reputation. Partnered with senior leadership and cross-functional teams internationally. Managed internal team members and external PR agency. Served as chief proofreader and editor.

  • Secured 54 earned features including Boston Globe, Philadelphia Inquirer, METI Journal (Tokyo), Manager magazine (Warsaw), Boston Business Journal, Banker & Tradesman.

  • Devised global style and branding guides, crisis communications plan, fact sheets, talking points.

  • Generated 22 story pitches; Issued 10 press releases.

  • Coached and prepped global leadership for interviews and speaking engagements.

  • Served on DEIB Advisory Board Communications Subcommittee.

  • Globally, sales increased 24.5% from Jan. to Feb. 2022; prospective client tour volume increased by 43.5% from Dec. 2021 to Jan. 2022; March, April, and May 2022 averaged the highest number of new client inquiries in CIC history

CIC Health – Cambridge, MA
Director of PR & Communications | December 2020-July 2021
Independent Contractor – PR & Communications | September 2020-December 2020

Led PR and communications for national health tech startup that launched 35+ COVID-19 testing sites, 4 mass vaccination sites (e.g., Gillette Stadium, Fenway Park), and 135+ community vaccination sites — facilitating over 6.5M tests and 1.2M vaccines. Shaped brand messaging and guest stories. Cultivated and preserved brand reputation. Partnered with C-Suite and cross-functional teams. Managed internal team members and external PR agency. Coordinated radio advertising campaigns. Served as chief proofreader and editor. Collaborated with government agencies and private partners.

  • Secured 943 earned features including CBS Sunday Morning, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Bloomberg, NPR, Fox News, CNN, The TODAY Show, Fast Company, Boston Globe.

  • Managed 4 national media days and facilitated C-Suite, staff, and guest interviews.

  • Helped lead DEIB efforts that increased vaccination access for underserved and vulnerable populations, partnering with community leaders and managing the Community Communications Manager. 

  • Issued 18 press releases.

  • Originated content for vaccination and testing FAQ,website, social media, outreach materials, guest communications, company boilerplate, more.

Ellis Strategies – Boson, MA | August 2007 – December 2020
Public Relations Account Director

Managed key accounts for award-winning PR firm. Authored content for pivotal audiences including articles, press releases, social media, and digital campaigns. Fostered media relationships to gain exposure. Devised crisis communications plans. Supervised associates and interns. Collaborated with external partners.

  • Generated 457 earned features for national manufacturer that led to Presidential export award, national celebrity endorsement, lucrative product launches, increased sales.

  • Secured 206 earned features for nonprofit museum that boosted foot and website traffic, social media engagement, and revenue.

  • Managed PR and marketing for MA National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) annual Walk: most successful NAMI Walk in U.S. for 7 consecutive years; 4 consecutive years above $500K mark.

Boston Public Library (BPL) – Boston, MA | January 2020 – August 2020
Senior Public Relations Consultant

Managed PR for BPL Central Library and 25 branches. Wrote press releases, story pitches, and website and social media copy. Coordinated media relations. Assisted with crisis communications. Served as chief proofreader and editor. Collaborated across BPL system and with Boston Mayor’s Office and BPL funders.

  • Secured 122 earned features including Boston Globe, Washington Post, WGBH, WBUR.

  • Helped generate 23.3K new electronic library card registrations in first 5 months of COVID closure.

  • Helped boost new user registrations by 292% for Hoopla and 160% for OverDrive (digital lending platforms).

Veritas Genetics – Danvers, MA | October 2018 – December 2019
Public Relations & Content Manager

Managed PR and oversaw public-facing content for biotech startup. Authored company blog, newsletter, and social media. Wrote press releases and story pitches. Served as chief proofreader and editor. Helped develop and implement social media campaigns, print collateral, and customer satisfaction survey. Served as point person for crisis communications.

  • With $340 marketing spend, sold out promotional product offer in under 6 hours; 2019 Q3 and Q4 sales doubled.

  • Secured national features in WIRED, CNBC, OneZero.

  • Increased social media following: Facebook +6%, Twitter +17%, LinkedIn +25%, Instagram +42%

  • Increased website traffic by more than 55%; at EOY 2019, 63% of all sessions were new.

  • Newsletter design overhaul led to 24% subscription increase; peak open and click-through rates of 43% and 11%.

SpaceAge Media Consultants – Boston, MA | November 2009 – January 2018
Director of Public Relations Services

Managed PR services and media relations for strategic communications agency. Increased client coverage and awareness by developing strategic plans, writing press releases and expert content, establishing relationships with influencers, and delivering clients’ vision and innovation to media. Supervised account managers. Collaborated with external partners.

  • Secured 1,299 earned features for global tools manufacturer; 4 cover stories, 17 features, countless product spotlights.

  • Generated 73 earned features for global engineering company from 5 press releases including NBC News, TIME, USA Today, Fortune, Saturday Night Live.

SELECT AWARDS

  • NESHCo Gold Lamp for Media Relations

  • NESHCo Silver Lamp for Public Relations

  • CNBC Disruptor 50

  • Fast Company World Changing Ideas

  • Boston Globe Tech Power Players

  • Color Magazine All-Inclusive Leadership Organization

  • MassTLC Tech Top 50

 

EDUCATION

Boston University: MEd, Educational Media & Technology; BS, Broadcasting & Film

 

ACTIVITIES & INTERESTS

  • Backup Singer, The Ghost Truckers (original band); October 2022 – present

  • Pro Bono PR & HR Consultant, ONCE Somerville; July 2018 – November 2020

  • Advisory Board Member, Boston Rock Opera; October 2016 – December 2017

  • Lead singer, Sue’s Guitar (cover songs duo); 2015 - 2021

  • Lead singer & rhythm guitarist, My Own Worst Enemy (original band); 1998 - 2016