High-energy, motivated communications professional with expertise in social impact, stakeholder engagement and positively impacting the world. 

RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE

Wintrust Financial Corporation                                                                                                                              

Community Impact Manager                                                                                                         3/2018 – Present

·       Managed partner portfolio for philanthropic giving & engagement (research, evaluation & stewardship)

·       Led community impact communications, developing the engagement narrative internally and externally

·       Developed a centralized corporate volunteerism program

·       Created non-profit board leadership program, matching employees to boards and supporting their service

·       Planned and executed large corporate brand events celebrating diversity and inclusion

·       Spearheaded Wintrust’s first corporate responsibility report to launch in 2020

Burson-Marsteller                                                                                                                           

Senior Associate, Corporate and Financial Practice                                                                                                        5/2016 – 10/2017

  • Amplified corporate narrative for Fortune 500 company clients through content writing, media relations and development and execution of communications plans

  • Developed client internal communications to engage employees

  • Built and deployed corporate reputation recommendations for internal and external stakeholders

  • Delivered strategy to clients on the development of their corporate responsibility narratives align with overall business campaigns

  • Created and edited client executive communications (internal emails and internal and external presentations)

  • Managed Burson-Marsteller’s Corporate Responsibility thought leadership and marketing campaigns

  • Developed competitive analysis: executive visibility, awards and rankings and new business opportunities

  • Led office culture initiatives through Team Builders, Culture Club, Market Advisors and Burson PRide ERG

Stand for Children Illinois                                                                                                            

Development Manager                                                                                                                                                        7/2012 - 11/2013

  • Increased donor funnel with new grant funding opportunities

  • Engaged diverse set of donors, from high-net worth individuals and major foundations to small-dollar supporters to fundraise for 501c3 and 501c4 non-profits and bi-partisan PAC

  • Developed organizational systems for finance, data management and operations

  • Promoted after only eight months of supporting fundraising efforts as State Operations Coordinator

Community Organizer                                                                                                                                                       11/2010 - 6/2012

  • Campaigned and assisted in passing education reform legislation that affects 2 billion children

  • Cultivated and developed parents as education advocate leaders through ongoing training

  • Mobilized parents and community members for educational events within electoral campaigns

Girls in the Game                                                                                                                                                      

Camps and Clinics Manager                                                                                                                                               8/2010 - 11/2010

  • Increased individual and corporate volunteer group involvement

  • Impacted 6,000 youth over the course of three years

  • Directed Sports and Leadership Summer Camp for 150 girls and staff

Program Coordinator                                                                                                                                                          10/2007 - 8/2010

  • Led and managed 50 support staff members throughout the year

  • Coordinated Elementary After School program, serving 20 sites, and more than 350 youth weekly

  • Spearheaded bi-weekly professional development workshops for support staff

Education

Master of Business Administration                                                                                   12/2015

University of Illinois at Chicago Liautaud Graduate School of Business, Chicago, IL                                  

  • Concentrations in Management, Social Innovation and Leadership

Bachelor of Arts                                                                                                                   6/2007

Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo, MI                                                                                

  • Major in Human Development and Social Relations, Minor in Political Science, Concentration in Women’s Studies, Senior Thesis entitled, “The Impact of Athletics on Developing Women as Leaders”

Awards / leadership

  • Executive Board Member - USA Football Board of Directors    2015 – Present

  • Advisory Board Member – Women’s Football Alliance         2018 – Present  

  • Finalist Top Corporate Responsibility Agency – CSR Agency A-List, PR News    2017

  • President - Women's Network at UIC Liautaud School of Business    2015

  • Peggy A. Montes Unsung Heroine Award - Cook County Commission on Women’s Issues 2014

  • Gold Medalist - U.S. National Team, Women’s Football World Championship 2013

  • National Champion - Chicago Force, Women’s Football Alliance 2013

  • National Employee Recognition - Stand for Children 2013

  • Captain - Kalamazoo College Varsity Volleyball 2006