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Professional CV

Chief Communications Executive | Trust-Building Strategist | Community Engagement & Crisis Communications Leader

Selected Leadership Impact

  • Led nationally recognized stakeholder engagement process resulting in the first strategic communication plan in school district history.

  • Strengthened stakeholder trust through implementation of districtwide listening sessions, annual communication surveys, and feedback systems.

  • Expanded positive media visibility through proactive storytelling and strategic media partnerships.

  • Supported communications for major district initiatives, including strategic planning, career pathway expansion, mental health initiatives, and facilities projects.

  • Directed communication efforts supporting districts ranging from one school to systems serving more than 24,000 students in 24 schools.

  • ​Guided communication during high-profile and crisis situations requiring rapid response, stakeholder coordination, and executive-level counsel.

  • ​Led large-scale community engagement campaigns, including successful referenda totaling $412 million and subsequent implementation communication.

Work Experience

Director of Communications & Community Engagement

Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School District 233

2022 – Present

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Taxpaying Households: 14,000+ serving 40,000 residents

205 teachers and 300+ total staff

2,800 students in grades 9–12

  • Black 76%

  • White: 13%

  • Hispanic 10%

  • Multiracial: 4%

  • Asian: 0.5%

  • English Learners: 2%

  • Serve as cabinet-level advisor to the Superintendent and Board of Education on strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, crisis response, and public messaging.

  • Lead development and implementation of districtwide communication and trust-building strategies aligned to student achievement priorities and the district strategic plan.

  • Design and oversee stakeholder engagement systems including community forums, listening sessions, advisory structures, and feedback loops that strengthen transparency and public confidence.

  • Direct internal communication strategies that improve employee alignment, clarity, and responsiveness across the organization.

  • Oversee media relations, digital communications, branding, website strategy, and social media messaging to ensure consistency and alignment with district priorities.

  • Develop and maintain districtwide crisis communication protocols and lead communications during high-impact situations and emergency response efforts.

  • Build partnerships with municipal agencies, higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and community groups to support student opportunities and district initiatives.

  • Utilize communication analytics, stakeholder feedback, and engagement data to continuously improve communication effectiveness and community engagement outcomes.

  • Support Board governance communication through development of presentations, reports, talking points, and community-facing messaging.

  • Supervise staff of three full-time professionals and student interns.

Specialized Instructor - Strategic Communications

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Media

2023 – Present

  • Teach upper-level courses in crisis communications, media relations, multimedia strategy and news gathering across platforms

  • Teach future communication professionals how to design engagement and communication strategies that support organizational goals and community impact

  • Emphasize stakeholder engagement, ethical communication, and real-world application

Director of Communications

High School District 230

2006 - 2022

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Taxpaying Households: 55,000+ serving 156,000 residents

499 teaching staff and 1,100 total staff

7,600 students in grades 9–12

  • White: 78%

  • Hispanic 12%

  • Black 4%

  • Asian: 4%

  • Multiracial: 2%

  • English Learners: 5%

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  • Directed districtwide communication and engagement strategies across multiple communities, ensuring alignment with district priorities

  • Built and sustained relationships with families, community organizations, and local leaders to support district initiatives and student-focused outcomes

  • Developed communication and engagement systems designed to reach diverse and multilingual communities through accessible, culturally responsive outreach strategies.

  • Designed and facilitated large-scale engagement opportunities, including a stakeholder summit series focused on community voice and partnership

  • Collaborated with district leadership and schools to strengthen communication and engagement

  • Led crisis communication planning and response, ensuring timely and coordinated communication with stakeholders

  • Implemented systems to evaluate communication effectiveness and improve engagement practices

  • Supervise staff of full-time professionals and interns.

Director of Community Relations

Plainfield School District 202

2006 - 2022

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Taxpaying Households: 41,000+  serving 128.000 residents

1,700 teaching staff and 2,500 total staff

24,000 students in grades PK–12

  • White: 44%

  • Hispanic 33%

  • Black 11%

  • Asian: 8%

  • Multiracial: 4%

  • English Learners: 14%

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  • Developed and led engagement strategies for a diverse, rapidly growing district serving 24,000 students

  • Established partnerships with community organizations, civic groups, and government leaders to align community resources with district needs

  • Developed communication and engagement systems designed to reach diverse and multilingual communities through accessible, culturally responsive outreach strategies.

  • Supported education foundation efforts, including collaboration on outreach and community support

  • Led large-scale community engagement campaigns, including successful referenda totaling $412 million

  • Strengthened connections between schools and community stakeholders to support district growth and student opportunities

  • Supervise staff of full-time professionals

Earlier Career Experience

Built foundational expertise in communications, outreach, and audience engagement.

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Publications Assistant | High School District 211

Communications Manager | Child’s Play Touring Theater

Marketing Assistant | SRA Technology Training

Education

Master of Arts
Journalism/Strategic Communication

University of Missouri - Columbia

Bachelor of Science
Journalism

University of Illinois - Urbana/Champaign

Public Relations Society of America

Accreditation in Public Relations

Leadership & Professional Development

National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA)

  • APR Presenter (2024 – Present)

  • National Conference Leadership Roles

 

NSPRA Illinois Chapter (INSPRA)

  • APR Chair (2023 – Present)

  • Executive Board Member (2009 - 2011, 2023 - 2024, 2026 - 2027)

  • President (2011 – 2014)

  • Mentor (2009 – Present)

Recognized leader in advancing the profession through mentorship, training, and strategic communication development.

 

School Foundation Leadership

  • Homewood Flossmoor Foundation | Board Member: 2025 - present

  • High School District 230 Foundation | Board Member and Secretary: 2006 - 2022

  • Plainfield Schools Foundation | President: 2006 - 2011, District Liaison: 2000-2006

Awards and Recognition

National

  • NSPRA Golden Achievement Award (2025) - Strategic Website Redesign

  • NSPRA Barry Gaskins Mentor Legacy Award (2024)

  • NSPRA Golden Achievement Award (2023) – Strategic Communications Leadership

  • Multiple awards for communication excellence, engagement, newsletters, videos, and websites

 

State

  • Illinois Distinguished Communicator (2014)

  • Multiple awards for communication excellence, engagement, newsletters, videos, and websites

Presentations

National School Public Relations Association

  • R-PIE Strategic Communication Planning | 2023

  • Engaging Stakeholders through Summit Series | 2013

 

NSPRA Illinois Chapter

  • APR Chair | 2023 - present

  • Strategic Communications Workshop - the RPIE Process | 2024 & 2025

  • The (Sometimes) Winding Road to APR | 2023

  • Data-Based and Transparent Communication in Pandemic | 2021

  • Midwest Foundations Conference | 2011

  • Community Engagement through Summit Series | 2011

  • Community Engagement in Your School Foundation | 2010

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