Master Resume

Professional Experience

Director, Public Relations (2023 – Present)
Walt Disney World Resort

Senior Manager, Communications (2019 – 2023)
Walt Disney World Resort

  • Enhanced and protected the reputation of the nation’s largest single-site employer with a fast-paced and integrated communications team. Developed communications strategies for internal and external audiences; earned positive media coverage promoting core reputation drivers; managed crisis strategies on 24/7 emergency response team; influenced stakeholders through strong relationships and strategic input.
  • Drove communications strategy and crisis response during the phased COVID-19 reopening, setting industry standards with messaging and positioning.
  • Led the economic and community impact storytelling for a $1 billion park expansion, earning reputation-driving media coverage from every local broadcast outlet and top influencers. Launched and grew a new external channel for site Ambassadors, aligning strategies with global partners and creating new ways to amplify key messages to more than 50,000 earned followers ranging from employees to consumers.

Chief Performance Officer (2018 – 2019)
Florida Department of Revenue

  • Designed and managed process improvement plans with cross-functional teams to identify emerging
    issues and achieve ambitious goals. Secured an 8% increase in critical technology resources and identified a comprehensive plan saving more than $70k in redundant services over the next 5 years. Improved communication techniques by launching collaborative platforms for performance monitoring and established a new emergency management system for more than 5,000 employees.

Deputy Communications Director (2016 – 2018)
Florida Department of Revenue

  • Led the media relations efforts of more than 5,000 employees; redirected the agency’s media strategies; developed and implemented a Department-wide media policy; created internal tracking system to facilitate quantitative measuring of media inquiries; served as agency spokesperson.
  • Strategically created and oversaw the Department’s tone for clear and consistent messaging; reviewed all internal and external communications distributed on behalf of the agency.
  • Coordinated the internal communications teams specialized in human resources, information technology, child support and taxpayer education.

Director of Communications (2015 – 2016)
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation

  • Reorganized the Office of Communications by revising positions and adding new hires, strategically filling positions with employees from a variety of backgrounds including communications, technology and public policy.
  • Strategized with senior leadership in the Office of the Secretary and division directors to develop creative solutions for prominent agency-wide matters by providing counsel.
  • Served as spokesperson and supervised daily media inquiries resulting in positive coverage of high-profile issues and positive relationships with national and state reporters.
  • Allocated and planned the office’s quarterly budget by appropriating funds for media subscriptions, office supplies, employee travel and various service providers.

Deputy Director of Communications (2014 – 2015)
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation

  • Cultivated positive relationships with beat reporters from statewide and national media outlets resulting in positive coverage of high-profile issues.
  • Served as spokesperson, provided media training to key individuals and served as point of contact for external affair protocols.
  • Simplified the advancement of organizational goals by creating infographics and visuals to support the implementation of new procedures, rules or laws.
  • Aided in the allocation and planning of the office’s quarterly budget for the fiscal year by appropriating funds.
  • Maximized outreach though use of traditional and new media such as speeches, press releases and newsletters as well as internal blogs, special events and social media by targeting audiences including the Florida Legislature, Floridians and state employees.

Public Information Officer (2013 – 2014)
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation

  • Produced creative digital and print media for statewide marketing campaign to spread awareness about unlicensed activity, including the design of brochures, billboards, newspaper ads, PSAs and digital media.
  • Increased social engagement by planning and implementing a strategic social media plan approximately seven months in advance with weekly campaigns to spread awareness through use of links, graphics and user-friendly content.
  • Developed internal communications plan for Florida State Employees Charitable Campaign (FSECC) and successfully increased the total number of donations made by 139 percent, raising more than $20,000 during a two-month campaign window.
    • Fiscal Year 2013/2014 – 51 donations, $12,251 raised
    • Fiscal Year 2014/2015 – 122 donations, $20,593 raised
  • Doubled the number of applications received for annual scholarship by drafting and implementing a communications plan to increase outreach aimed at stakeholders and eligible students.
    • Fiscal Year 2012/2013 – 21 applications received
    • Fiscal Year 2013/2014 – 43 applications received
  • Performed consumer research to maximize return on outreach by effectively targeting audiences through use of graphics and content.

Communications & Technology (2013)
Disability Rights Florida

  • Reorganized the online donation process to better transition donors to third-party content by designing and building a new landing page with linked donation buttons
  • Generated and edited editorial content for press releases, web pages, presentations and various print media
  • Assisted in the back-end management of the organization’s website
  • Brainstormed and conducted research for new ways to deliver content
  • Understood and adhered to all web accessibility standards protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act

Public Relations & Social Media (2013)
180 Communications

  • Managed and created content for social media accounts for Dynavision, CoreControl, Topical Gear and Ty Bennett. Maintained knowledge of all clients and products to develop appropriate outreach content
  • Created and edited pitches and press releases for various clients and events
  • Researched and compiled media lists to contact with relevant pitches and content. Contacted media to pitch content on behalf of clients
  • Conducted research to produce stories with breaking news regarding clients and related industry information

Education

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

  • Florida State University
    • Operations Management (MAN5501)
    • Strategy and Business Policy (MAN5721)
    • Information Technology Management (ISM5021)
    • Economic Analysis for Management (ECP5706)
    • Financial Reporting and Managerial Control (ACG5026)
    • Problems in Financial Management (FIN5425)
    • Customer Relationship Management (MAR5861)
    • Personnel/Human Relations Management (MAN5305)
    • Legal and Ethical Environment of Business (BUL5810)
    • Business Conditions Analysis (MAN5716)
    • Marketing Strategy in the Global Environment (MAR5125)
    • Organizational Behavior (MAN5245)
    • Marketing Research and Analytics (MAR5625)

Bachelor of Science in Information, Communication & Technology (ICT)      

  • Florida State University
    • Advertising Research (ADV4500)
    • Contemporary Human Communication (SPC3210)
    • Database Concepts (LIS2780)
    • Design Fundamentals I (IND1203)
    • Design Fundamentals II (IND1204)
    • Digital Graphic Design (DIG3118)
    • Ethical Issues and Life Choices (PHI2630)
    • Fundamentals of Public Speaking (SPC2608)
    • Information Science (LIS3267)
    • IT Project Management (LIS4910)
    • Interdisciplinary Web Development (CGS2835)
    • Intro to Mass Media (MMC2000)
    • Intro to Public Relations (PUR3000)
    • Mass Media Law (ADV3352)
    • Media Techniques (RTV3001)
    • New Communication Technology (COM3332)
    • Principles of Advertising (ADV3008)
    • Societal Implications in the Information Age (LIS4410)
    • Survey of Interior Design (IND2002)
    • Technical Drawing (IND1406)
    • Technologies for IT Professionals (LIS3353)

Activities

  • Project Management Institute (PMI) (2018-Present)
    • Tallahassee Chapter, Member
  • Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) (2015-Present)
    • Orlando Chapter, Member
  • Phi Sigma Theta (2012-Present)
    • National Honor Society, Member
  • Sigma Alpha Lambda (2012-Present)
    • National Leadership and Honors Organization, Member
  • Seminole Student Booster (2011-2013)
  • Caring and Helping in Community Service [CHICS] (2010-2012)
    • Various community service activities
    • Relay For Life organizational committee: Spring 2011

Awards

  • Association of Information Technology Professionals (Fall 2013)
    • AITP Honors Recipient
  • FSU’s Advertising Research Client Contest (Fall 2013)
    • First Place: “Make Every Day a Special Occasion” (research, creative solution and formal presentation)
  • FSU’s College of Communication and Information “Next Big Thing” Contest (Fall 2012)
    • First Place: “Virtual Closet” (invention, illustration board and formal presentation)
  • Dean’s List at Florida State University (2011-2013)
    • Spring 2012
      Summer 2012
      Fall 2012
      Summer 2013
      Fall 2013
  • Florida Medallion Scholars Award (2010-2012)
    • Bright Future’s Scholarship recipient

Core Skills

  • Crisis Communication
  • Project Management
  • External Relations
  • Strategic Planning
  • Data Visualization
  • Media Relations
  • Graphic Design
  • Print, Digital and Video Media
  • Social Media Management
  • Spokesperson
  • Event Planning
  • Website Development
  • Messaging/Branding
  • Time Management
  • Public Relations
  • Operations Management

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