Gensler :: April 2017 - Current

Director, Public Relations

Reporting to Head of Marketing 

 

In this senior-level role, Kimberly will lead Gensler’s Public Relations strategy and programs within the firm's North Central Region. She is responsible for media outreach, strategic press placements, firm publications, digital channels, social media, content creation, speaking engagements, blogs, and industry awards for the region's individual markets as well as messaging and reputation for the region as a whole.

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Kimberly plays a key role in sharing the Gensler story and in supporting our clients through the lens of what matters most to the communities and people where Gensler makes an impact. The team works collaboratively across the firm and with clients by winning trust, building reputations and designing key messages. 

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Gensler | Gensler News | Chicago :: Detroit :: La Crosse :: Minneapolis 

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Beam Suntory :: June 2015 - April 2017

Senior Manager, Corporate Communications

Reporting to SVP, Corporate Communications & Public Affairs

 

Strategy, Vision and Leadership

• Develop and implement an integrated, strategic communications plan to advance the organization's brand identity, broaden awareness of programs and priorities, and increase the visibility of its vision, mission and goals across key stakeholder audiences

• Create communication strategies to cultivate and enhance employee and audience engagement

• Identify challenges and emerging issues faced by the organization

• Work with the leadership team to recognize internal and external opportunities and solutions, and define appropriate strategies to support them

 

Operations

• Oversee development of all print and digital communications including beamsuntory.com, drinksmart.com, the internal portal (Stir), the weekly newsletter, marketing collateral, executive emails, digital signage, websites, intranets, quarterly Town Halls and leadership summits

• Oversee the implementation of a global and local media and trade relations strategy

• Drive a strong corporate brand, ensuring alignment across all regions and functions

• Partner with the regions and their external public relations agencies on programs to support the overall goals of the business

• Oversee an employee communications effort that boosts employee engagement and productivity

• Manage the company’s efforts in corporate philanthropy and community relations

 

Team Development/Management

• Recruit and manage a tiger team of communicators, contractors and agencies to support the development and execution of the global communication strategy

• Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement

• Mentor and develop staff using an inclusive, supportive and collaborative approach

• Establish and monitor staff performance and development goals, assign accountabilities, set objectives, establish priorities, conduct annual performance appraisals, and administer salary adjustments

 

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Kraft Foods Group :: March 2015 - June 2015

Senior Lead, Change Management and Communications

Reporting to Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

 

Develop and implement an integrated, strategic communications plan to advance the organization's brand identity, broaden awareness of programs and priorities, and increase the visibility of programs across key audiences

• Create communications and change management strategies

• Oversee development of all digital and print communications

• Serve as a spokesperson for external requests that help promote and/ or impact the organization

• Prioritize opportunities, and prepare talking points, speeches and presentations

• Manage the day-to-day activities of the communications and change management functions

• Cultivate and enhance meaningful, cross- functional, vendor, and agency relationships

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Kraft Foods Group :: March 2014 - March 2015

Change Management and Communications Lead

Reporting to Director of User Experience, IT

 

Create and execute internal and external communication strategies for the CTO and his direct staff- responsible for aligning the organization's goals with the priorities and goals of the company

• Create, edit, and distribute employee communications for the office of the CTO

• Launch a new brand for the organization

• Manage and distribute a monthly newsletter and dashboard

• Develop a new intranet and social presence for the organization

• Create a communication matrix and strategies for the CTO and his staff

• Consult senior staff on the 2015 portfolio for proper communication resourcing

 

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Motorola, A Google Company :: August 2012 - March 2014

Internal Communications Manager

Reporting to SVP and Chief Communications Officer

 

Communications lead for all US- based sites, providing consult for LATAM and EMEA regions in customizing the US strategy, while presenting Motorola's products and culture to be consistent with Google's mission and values

• Create, edit, and distribute internal communications for seven Chief executives

• Introduce new, disruptive technologies to enhance our communication portfolio

• Reinvented digital tools- saving the organization $200K in 2013

• Execute monthly and quarterly internal events and Town Halls

• Develop a new intranet strategy- boosting employee engagement by 60%

• Advise senior leadership on effective communication techniques

• Reinvented reporting structure and metrics to measure employee communication success

 

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Motorola Mobility, Inc. :: January 2011 - August 2012

Senior Communications Specialist

Reporting to Director, Internal Communications

 

• Ghostwrite internally and externally for the Chief Information Officer

• Increase employee satisfaction with IT communications by 90%

• Plan and execute 12 external events for the Information Technology( IT) organization

• Published in CIO Magazine, Kellogg Executive Summit and Google Enterprise showcase

• Serve as the reputation brand strategist driving change for the IT organization

• Translate highly technical language into easy- to- follow, action- orientated communications

• Serve on internal communications advisory board during Google acquisition

 

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University of Illinois :: June 2010 - December 2010

Marketing and Communications Specialist

Reporting to Director, Communications 

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• Organize and create internal and external web and print communication campaigns

• Restructure internal reporting and campaign strategies

• Monitor and report project reach and ROI to senior management

• Manage media contacts and requests

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University of Illinois :: August 2008 - July 2009

Office of Public Affairs, Web Video Content Coordinator

 

Ambient Corporation :: March 2008 - May 2009

Corporate Communications Director

 

Mettler Athletic :: March 2007 - May 2008

Marketing, Membership, Sales Team Leader

 

WICD- TV, Sinclair Broadcast Group :: March 2006 - March 2007

Assistant to the Station Manager, HR Coordinator

 

National Council of Teachers of English :: November 2005 - March 2006

Membership and Sales Marketer

 

Tunstall Chiropractic :: July 2004 - March 2005

Marketing and Office Manager