About Me - Marketing & Public Relations Executive

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As a chatty young woman growing up in Brownsville, Texas, I could see ideas and potential around me everyday. My curiosity and ability to analyze situations quickly, along with my constant need to plan, create and communicate, led me to a fun, award-winning career in marketing and public relations. 

For more than 24 years, I’ve worked in Austin, Texas, as a strategic communications leader working with organizations, businesses and nonprofit organizations to solve their communications challenges and tell their best stories regionally and nationally. 

I’ve held my Accreditation in Public Relations since 2003 and in 2020, became PESO Communications Model certified through the Syracuse University. My PESO Model Certification guides my integrated approach to communications, making sure that campaigns build thought leadership, and are measurable while also being repeatable. 

I also hold two Google Analytics certifications and absolutely like to put my smarts to work and figure out what communications campaigns serve organizations best -- and which ones do not. 

In 2021, I’m looking for my next professional marketing opportunity. 

My key strengths include: 

• strategic, integrated communications planning that aligns with an organization’s business plans and goals; 
• partnering with development or sales to increase revenue; 
• developing and executing measurable earned media campaigns that include SEO strategies; 
• positioning and message development for specialized audiences; 
• using Google Analytics insights to shape and measure campaigns; 
• creating, managing and celebrating community relations programs; 
• social media campaign strategy and management; 
• concepting and executing newsworthy events; 
• overseeing branding, marketing and digital marketing programs; 
• strengthening internal communications; and, 
• effectively managing budgets, teams, and partners. 

In one part of my career, I worked on staff leading marketing, public relations, advertising and event marketing campaigns at the Austin Symphony Orchestra and The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. I’ve also previously led a team at a leading Texas PR Firm and owned my own PR consultancy. 

In 2008, I co-founded Momentum Public Relations. For more than 12 years, our marketing and public relations firm worked with more than 50 clients to define goals and create savvy, measurable  marketing communication campaigns that helped them better themselves, their businesses or their missions. Our team helped clients gain media attention, take control of their communications and achieve measurable results. 

Among my favorite, meaningful things I’ve had a hand in:

• Executing well-attended, on-message media events and press conferences on the steps of Austin City Hall, at Central Texas Fire Stations, and in client offices. I even managed a Miami press event that received national media attention from my desk in Austin, Texas, working virtually before we all had to do so. 
• Counseling The Mother’s Milk Bank of North Texas on media strategy and ultimately managing and staffing a national TV interview on The Doctors. 
• Helping Girls Empowerment Network research and communicate girls’ shifting attitudes toward media, role models and challenges of growing up as the organization honed its self-efficacy message and expanded from Austin to Houston and Dallas. 
• Cold-calling and landing Lorie Marrero the position of first-ever spokesperson for Goodwill Industries International’s Donate Movement, a role that since expanded to include other spokesperson responsibilities and partnerships with the nonprofit. 
• Creating Give Me a 2nd and Hysterectomy Awareness Month with HysterSisters and Kathy Kelley. 
• Doubling the communications department when I joined the Austin Symphony, a place where I had the opportunity to introduce conductor Peter Bay to Austin, create the organization’s first-ever website, and establish the popular Symphony BATS program for young professionals.
• Managing national media relations for The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and overseeing special projects with HGTV Books, national science writers and the Military District in Washington DC 
• Helping clients refine their message and landing THE IDEAL media opportunity for them to share their knowledge and passion with the world. 
• And so, so much more! 

I earned my Bachelor of Journalism in Public Relations from The University of Texas at Austin in 1996, along with a minor in business (aka Business Foundations Program). 

I’ve been honored to serve my community and am humbled by the recognition received. This year marks the 11th year I’ve served on the Board of Directors of the Austin Chapter of Women in Communications, now Women Communicators of Austin. My past positions include President in 2007-2008. In 2020-2021, I’m back on the WCA board of directors as VP of Programs. In May 2021, I became the 7th person since 1992 to be awarded the Leadership Award for my continued leadership, service, and chapter innovations, including co-founding Get Smart more than a decade ago.

Over the years, I’ve also held volunteer positions with Samaritan’s Purse – Operation Christmas Child, Ronald McDonald House, Capital Area Food Bank, American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women, Girl Scouts of Central Texas – Troop #1744, Easter Seals of Central Texas, Association for Women in Communications – National Chapter, Boy Scout Troop #505, Baldwin Elementary School and James Bowie High School.

Thanks for getting to the end of the page and reading all about me.