CAREER SUMMARY

Marketing/Public Relations professional with 15+ years experience in brand management, marketing for results, comprehensive and innovative external and internal communications, publication and project management; creative thinker with expertise in developing effective marketing strategies, public relations campaigns and memorable messaging; leader of high-performance, results-oriented teams

KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Branding-established and strengthened corporate identity; developed brand standards, visual and written; educated internal users; enhanced market awareness
Marketing-developed strategic marketing plans to achieve organizational goals; leveraged publications, direct mail and advertising to enhance awareness of brand and grow volume; addressed media and public concerns through editorials and special reports
Internal and External Communications-increased employee satisfaction with leadership communication through effective and innovative use of print and digital media; developed communication strategies for specific audiences

Teambuilding and Management-initiated processes to improve collaboration of cross-functional teams

EXPERIENCE
Director, Marketing Communications2000 - 2009
Loyola University Health System, Maywood, IL

Strategically developed and implemented marketing plans and brand identity, oversaw internal communications, directed and produced external publications for a variety of audiences for academic medical center (561-bed hospital, trauma center, cancer center, 22 ambulatory sites and 264-bed community hospital) medical school, nursing school and development office

Increased brand awareness to be top of mind in primary and secondary markets as demonstrated through consumer research; established brand standards (visual and written), educated users and promoted consistent messaging; enhanced awareness to select audiences including political influencers, donors and physicians through producing award-winning annual reports, cross-selling tools and community reports
Generated growth in referral volumes by aligning marketing initiatives with system-wide objectives; enhanced visibility of services and leveraged advertising and publications
Developed and implemented master internal communications plan enhancing employee engagement as evidenced by results of employee surveys - revamped newsletter and added electronic media including weekly CEO message and on- and off-campus high-definition screens, intranet postings and emergency messaging
Accelerated goal of building a culture of philanthropy through strategic planning and placement of articles and materials for the Office of Development, Stritch School of Medicine and Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing including the alumni/donor magazine and philanthropy newsletter, and by providing concepts and strategic direction for the capital campaign and annual giving program
Produced effective, high-quality collateral and publications within budget and within set deadlines
Built effective team of writers, graphic designers, medical illustrator and support staff; redirected focus to address needs of organization and utilize new technologies
Expedited an integrated and collaborative marketing team through initiation of shared processes




Corporate Communications Manager1999 - 2000
Harza Engineering, Chicago, IL

Directed internal and external communications, media relations and special events for international engineering firm specializing in hydroelectric power, water management, road and bridge design
Eliminated dilution of brand by establishing corporate policies and developing standards
Improved employee and client communications through newsletters, intranet and client portal development
Enhanced visibility in national markets through proactive media relations and trade show participation
Directed development of shareholder informational materials and special events
Directed production of materials used to garner new business award-winning annual report, sales collateral, presentations, advertorials and advertising ; developed modular proposal process
Established website in collaboration with Information Technologies and oversaw content
Supervised staff and directed freelancers, printers and agencies

Publicity Manager1993 1999
Castrol Industrial North America, Downers Grove, IL (now part of BP located in Warrenville, IL)

Directed media and community relations; produced new product information and provided training for distributors of this metalworking and specialty lubricants manufacturer
Developed a variety of employee and distributor communications, educational seminars and relationship-building mechanisms for national distributor network
Obtained national media attention for first chemical management program and reprocessing program
Organized annual sales conference and incentive programs

Director of Communications1988 - 1993
City of Palos Hills, Community Resource Dept., Palos Hills, IL

Developed communication vehicles including city newsletter and public forums, and organized community programs and special events for Chicago suburb (population 16,000) including annual youth turnabout day and festival that attracted more than 50,000 visitors

Reporter and Advertising Representative
Reporter Newspapers, Palos Heights, IL

Wrote weekly column, reported on city council meetings, developed advertising for local businesses

EDUCATION

MBA Marketing
Keller Graduate School of Management, Chicago, IL

BS Business Management
National Louis University, Chicago, IL

APR Accredited in Public Relations

PDFs of samples and complete portfolio available. Visit References and lists of awards available.