Professional CV
Chief Communications Executive | Trust-Building Strategist | Community Engagement & Crisis Communications Leader
Selected Leadership Impact
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Led nationally recognized stakeholder engagement process resulting in the first strategic communication plan in school district history.
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Strengthened stakeholder trust through implementation of districtwide listening sessions, annual communication surveys, and feedback systems.
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Expanded positive media visibility through proactive storytelling and strategic media partnerships.
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Supported communications for major district initiatives, including strategic planning, career pathway expansion, mental health initiatives, and facilities projects.
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Directed communication efforts supporting districts ranging from one school to systems serving more than 24,000 students in 24 schools.
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​Guided communication during high-profile and crisis situations requiring rapid response, stakeholder coordination, and executive-level counsel.
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​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
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Black 76%
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White: 13%
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Hispanic 10%
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Multiracial: 4%
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Asian: 0.5%
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English Learners: 2%
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Serve as cabinet-level advisor to the Superintendent and Board of Education on strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, crisis response, and public messaging.
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Lead development and implementation of districtwide communication and trust-building strategies aligned to student achievement priorities and the district strategic plan.
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Design and oversee stakeholder engagement systems including community forums, listening sessions, advisory structures, and feedback loops that strengthen transparency and public confidence.
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Direct internal communication strategies that improve employee alignment, clarity, and responsiveness across the organization.
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Oversee media relations, digital communications, branding, website strategy, and social media messaging to ensure consistency and alignment with district priorities.
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Develop and maintain districtwide crisis communication protocols and lead communications during high-impact situations and emergency response efforts.
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Build partnerships with municipal agencies, higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and community groups to support student opportunities and district initiatives.
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Utilize communication analytics, stakeholder feedback, and engagement data to continuously improve communication effectiveness and community engagement outcomes.
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Support Board governance communication through development of presentations, reports, talking points, and community-facing messaging.
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Supervise staff of three full-time professionals and student interns.
Specialized Instructor - Strategic Communications
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Media
2023 – Present
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Teach upper-level courses in crisis communications, media relations, multimedia strategy and news gathering across platforms
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Teach future communication professionals how to design engagement and communication strategies that support organizational goals and community impact
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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
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White: 78%
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Hispanic 12%
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Black 4%
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Asian: 4%
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Multiracial: 2%
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English Learners: 5%
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Directed districtwide communication and engagement strategies across multiple communities, ensuring alignment with district priorities
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Built and sustained relationships with families, community organizations, and local leaders to support district initiatives and student-focused outcomes
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Developed communication and engagement systems designed to reach diverse and multilingual communities through accessible, culturally responsive outreach strategies.
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Designed and facilitated large-scale engagement opportunities, including a stakeholder summit series focused on community voice and partnership
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Collaborated with district leadership and schools to strengthen communication and engagement
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Led crisis communication planning and response, ensuring timely and coordinated communication with stakeholders
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Implemented systems to evaluate communication effectiveness and improve engagement practices
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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+Â serving 128.000 residents
1,700 teaching staff and 2,500 total staff
24,000 students in grades PK–12
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White: 44%
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Hispanic 33%
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Black 11%
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Asian: 8%
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Multiracial: 4%
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English Learners: 14%
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Developed and led engagement strategies for a diverse, rapidly growing district serving 24,000 students
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Established partnerships with community organizations, civic groups, and government leaders to align community resources with district needs
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Developed communication and engagement systems designed to reach diverse and multilingual communities through accessible, culturally responsive outreach strategies.
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Supported education foundation efforts, including collaboration on outreach and community support
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Led large-scale community engagement campaigns, including successful referenda totaling $412 million
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Strengthened connections between schools and community stakeholders to support district growth and student opportunities
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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)
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APR Presenter (2024 – Present)
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National Conference Leadership Roles
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NSPRA Illinois Chapter (INSPRA)
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APR Chair (2023 – Present)
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Executive Board Member (2009 - 2011, 2023 - 2024, 2026 - 2027)
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President (2011 – 2014)
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Mentor (2009 – Present)
Recognized leader in advancing the profession through mentorship, training, and strategic communication development.
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School Foundation Leadership
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Homewood Flossmoor Foundation | Board Member: 2025 - present
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High School District 230 Foundation | Board Member and Secretary: 2006 - 2022
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Plainfield Schools Foundation | President: 2006 - 2011, District Liaison: 2000-2006
Awards and Recognition
National
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NSPRA Golden Achievement Award (2025) - Strategic Website Redesign
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NSPRA Barry Gaskins Mentor Legacy Award (2024)
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NSPRA Golden Achievement Award (2023) – Strategic Communications Leadership
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Multiple awards for communication excellence, engagement, newsletters, videos, and websites
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State
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Illinois Distinguished Communicator (2014)
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Multiple awards for communication excellence, engagement, newsletters, videos, and websites
Presentations
National School Public Relations Association
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R-PIE Strategic Communication Planning | 2023
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Engaging Stakeholders through Summit Series | 2013
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NSPRA Illinois Chapter
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APR Chair | 2023 - present
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Strategic Communications Workshop - the RPIE Process | 2024 & 2025
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The (Sometimes) Winding Road to APR | 2023
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Data-Based and Transparent Communication in Pandemic | 2021
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Midwest Foundations Conference | 2011
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Community Engagement through Summit Series | 2011
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Community Engagement in Your School Foundation | 2010