Strategy-first marketing communications professional who believes a relationship is the most important deliverable.
Award-winning strategic communicator specializing in customer-focused, action-oriented messaging.
Thoughtful storyteller with nearly 30 years of professional writing experience.
Battle-tested crisis communicator skilled in tactical response and spokesperson preparation.
Communicator with diverse philanthropic and nonprofit management background
Career Summary
National Grid (2021 to Present)
Strategic Communications Manager: August 2021 to Present
Manage media relations in Central and Northern New York for the largest investor-owned energy delivery company in the state. Serve as company spokesperson in three media markets, and supporting colleagues in other Upstate New York areas.
Develop news releases, position statements, talking points, fact sheets and other collateral for external usage. Provide editorial assistance to colleagues to ensure compliance with verbal brand standards and company positions.
Support company incident command structures during storms and other emergencies. Serve as public information officer during incident response.
Manage website and provide communications support to cross-disciplinary teams working on the Upstate Upgrade transmission project in support of the project's public information officer.
Advise and consult across corporate divisions to support communications plans and company goals. Selected to provide communications perspectives to develop new solutions for electric operations, social impact, branding, community engagement and emergency planning.
Plan and support community events, including Project C, Grid for Good, and external announcements, in according with communications plans.
Ghostwrite executive speeches and statements.
Alzheimer’s Association (2003 to 2021)
Chief Communications Officer: March 2011 to August 2021
Previous: Director of Communications and Information Technology, July 2008 to March 2011; Public Affairs Director, January 2005 to July 2008; Coordinator of Public Relations/Advocacy, March 2003 to January 2005
Member of the Alzheimer's Association nationwide marketing workgroup, public policy advisory council, social media task force, and email marketing workgroup.
Developed news releases, position statements, talking points, fact sheets, and constituent communications for internal and external usage. Provided message training to staff at all levels.
Acted as chapter spokesperson. Provide crisis communications direction and counsel.
Served on chapter’s senior management team, contributing strategic leadership and oversight of communications, government affairs and information technology to support chapter operations.
Member of Chapter's grant management team, providing oversight to $2 million in New York State Department of Health awards. Developed and assisted with the implementation evaluation strategies and guidelines.
Co-wrote grant applications for private foundation and New York State Department of Health awards.
Convened external marketing strategy for programmatic outreach and service delivery.
Co-managed Walk to End Alzheimer's events, galas, and relationship events in support of fundraising goals. Supported sister chapters during Covid-19 pandemic in pivot to virtural Walk program.
Wrote, edited and designed chapter print publications, including brochures and programs and services promotional materials.
Coordinated digital marketing communications program, including email, website, and social media. Benchmarked and analyzed digital channels for performance.
Managed and coordinated multichannel advertising program to increase mass market concern and awareness through television, print, digital, radio and out-of-home campaigns.
Regional Marketing Liaison (February 2018 to August 2021)
Coached communications staff in New York State to achieve strategic plan goals related to marketing communications.
Led and consulted on branding, media relations, digital marketing and content marketing matters. Advised programs and services, development and public policy staff across New York State to adapt best practices to achieve key performance indicators.
Provided interim support to chapters without communications staff, leading media relations efforts in New York City, Rochester and Albany markets.
Interfaced regularly with chapter and regional executives and functional area leads, offering counsel and feedback on strategic plan progress and daily operations.
Represented New York State on the Alzheimer's Association national marketing council.
State Government Affairs Lead (May 2013 to November 2016)
Directed statewide agency-to-advocate communications, including online advocacy engagement of more than 80,000 Alzheimer’s advocates. Assisted in managing Coalition social media accounts.
Wrote and edited position papers, letters of support, legislative platforms, and other peripheral materials. Conduit between New York State Alzheimer’s Association chapters and national Alzheimer’s Association public policy division.
Interacted with leaders of New York State and federal governments in advocacy of legislative, funding and regulatory positions.
Principal organizer of annual statewide advocacy rally, gathering more than 150 advocates.
Bryant & Stratton College, Syracuse North Campus (2003 to 2010)
Adjunct Instructor: January 2003 to December 2010
Graphic design courseload included problem solving and marketing, digital image editing, career preparation, typographic design, page layout, and vector-based graphic design
Liberal arts courseload included research and writing, and career preparation
Cablexpress Technologies (2001 to 2002)
Copywriter: May 2001 to January 2002
Led the creation and development of internal communication pieces, including promotional and training materials for sales staff, and speeches, presentations and written communication from senior leadership to employees.
Developed and produced printed and electronic communications to support corporate marketing plan. Edited and proofread all external corporate communication.
Composed executive correspondence and speeches.
Contributed to redesign and rewrite of corporate and product websites, and e-newsletters.
Syracuse University Office of Athletic Communications (1999 to 2001)
Assistant: August 1999 to May 2001
Acted as primary media liaison for the men's and women's swimming and diving, and women's volleyball, softball, and tennis teams.
Assisted the primary media liaison for nationally-ranked football, men's and women's basketball, and men’s lacrosse teams.
Wrote and designed media and recruitment guides
Education
Syracuse University, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication
Master of the Arts, 2001
Concentration: Newspaper Journalism
St. Bonaventure University
Bachelor of the Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication, 1999
Major: Journalism/Mass Communications Minor: History
Volunteer and Community Service
Public Relations Society of America, Central New York Chapter, member (2021 to Present) and board secretary (2025 to Present
Show Us CNY, assistant to the principal organizer (2014 to 2018)
Social Media Breakfast Syracuse, advisory committee (2013 to 2018)
Future Fund of CNY (Central New York Community Foundation), steering committee (2005 to 2008)
Erie Canal Museum, Board of Trustees (2005 to 2006)
Onondaga Citizens League, Board of Directors (2005 to 2006)
Thursday Morning Roundtable, Syracuse University, member (2005 to 2007)
Awards
Best Column — second place, presented by the Syracuse Press Club (2024)
Best Critique — honorable mention, presented by the Syracuse Press Club (2024)
Outstanding Achievement in Advancing Public Policy — State Actions, presented by the Alzheimer’s Association (2016, 2017, 2018)
Outstanding Achievement in Advancing Public Policy — Congressional Actions, presented by the Alzheimer’s Association (2016, 2017, 2018)
Outstanding Achievement in Increasing Concern and Awareness, presented by the Alzheimer’s Association (2012, 2017, 2018)
Constant Contact E-Marketing All-Star (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)
M&T Bank/CNY Business Journal 40 Under 40 Award (2006)
Tech Proficiencies
Microsoft Office and Sharepoint
Adobe Creative Cloud, including graphic design, web design and audio production platforms
Cyberlink Power Director
ArcGIS and Google Earth
Cision’s Communications Cloud and Brandwatch platforms
Tractivity
CMS platforms including WordPress and RedDot
Google Apps for Business, Google Analytics, and Google AdWords
Hootsuite Pro and Tweetdeck
Blackbaud fundraising products, including The Raiser’s Edge and Luminate