Communications Leadership • Brand Strategy • Stakeholder Engagement • Partnership Development
Send a job offer directly to this candidate
Strategic builder and communications leader with a proven track record of launching programs, developing partnerships, growing organizations, and creating alignment across stakeholders. Known for bringing clarity to complexity, identifying what matters most, and turning challenges into opportunities for growth.
Career spans corporate communications, agency leadership, nonprofit management, retail operations, and community-building, with a consistent focus on solving problems, building programs from the ground up, and driving measurable impact. Combines strategic thinking, operational discipline, and authentic communication to align stakeholders, strengthen relationships, and create momentum across diverse organizations and business environments.
Business Operations Manager & Buyer 2025 – Present
Judy at the Rink | New Orleans, LA
● Lead operations, merchandising, and team performance for a 40-year-old New Orleans retail institution, overseeing a 14-person team and managing inventory, vendor relationships, purchasing strategy, and customer experience.
● Grew gross margin via buying/vendor decisions, outperforming peers during 2025-26 tariff-driven cost inflation.
● Grew revenue 5.1% YoY, outpacing NRF's 4.4% 2026 industry growth projection.
● Cut COGS 5.7% YoY by shifting sourcing toward local vendors and artists, reducing tariff-driven cost exposure.
● Grew bridal registry orders 36% YoY in first full year, sustaining 54%+ gross margin — the store's highest-margin segment.
Communications Consultant 2023 – Present
Freelance | New Orleans, LA
● Partner with organizations across multiple industries to solve communications, marketing, and brand challenges, extending internal team capacity and helping clients strengthen visibility and engagement.
● Built a comprehensive digital presence for a civil engineering firm, including website development, brand refresh, and establishment of online business and social platforms.
● Developed and launched an email marketing program for a travel agency that continues to support business development and customer engagement beyond project completion.
● Collaborated on brand positioning initiatives for regional and national organizations, contributing strategic messaging and integrated communications expertise.
● Designed digital tools, websites, and business development resources that improved client operations and streamlined customer acquisition efforts.
Corporate Communications Manager 2023 – 2024
AxoSim | New Orleans, LA
● Directed internal and external communications strategy for a growing life sciences company, partnering with executives, functional leaders, and subject matter experts to align messaging across stakeholder audiences.
● Spearheaded a company-wide messaging overhaul, gathering stakeholder input across departments to create a unified brand voice and strengthen communications effectiveness.
● Led communications surrounding executive leadership transitions, developing messaging and media strategies that secured local, national, and industry coverage while maintaining organizational consistency.
Founder & Artist 2023 – Present
Laurel Chalk | New Orleans, LA
● Founded a chalk mural and experiential brand activation business serving corporate, nonprofit, hospitality, and community clients.
● Designed and executed brand activations for national brands including Captain Morgan and Miller High Life.
● Participated as a featured artist in the inaugural New Orleans Mural Fest and served as a media spokesperson for the event.
● Created custom activations for major community events, nonprofit fundraisers, corporate gatherings, and private events.
Communications Specialist 2022 – 2023
Procore (Acquired Levelset) | New Orleans, LA
● Supported communications initiatives within a publicly traded global technology company following the acquisition of Levelset, helping align messaging, resources, and stakeholder communications during organizational integration.
● Developed the strategy and roadmap for a modernized digital newsroom, creating scalable infrastructure that strengthened thought leadership, media relations, and content discoverability.
● Partnered with stakeholders across sustainability, social impact, and workforce initiatives to amplify key programs and strengthen brand reputation.
● Launched Procore's inaugural Lean In Circle, building a cross-functional employee community focused on mentorship, engagement, and career development.
PR & Social Media Strategist 2021 – 2022
Levelset (Acquired by Procore) | New Orleans, LA
● Built the company's public relations function from the ground up, establishing media relationships, processes, and thought leadership opportunities that increased brand visibility within the construction technology sector.
● Served as a key communications partner during Procore's acquisition of Levelset, coordinating local and enterprise-level media efforts during a high-profile period of organizational change.
● Collaborated with leadership, marketing, and content teams to develop a cohesive social media strategy that increased audience growth by 30%, engagement by 48%, and engagement rate by 81%.
● Leveraged established media relationships to secure acquisition coverage and strengthen regional visibility for both organizations.
Communications Director 2018 – 2021
New Orleans JCC | New Orleans, LA
● Created and established the organization's first dedicated communications function, partnering with program leaders, membership, development, operations, and executive leadership to align messaging and engagement strategies across the organization.
● Served as a strategic partner to cross-functional teams, translating organizational priorities into communications plans that connected members, donors, staff, community partners, and prospective audiences.
● Led organizational communications and community engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic, collaborating across departments to develop virtual programming and new opportunities for member connection during a period of significant disruption.
● Produced the organization's first virtual fundraising event, coordinating efforts across development, programming, leadership, and volunteers to achieve record fundraising results.
● Secured Department of Homeland Security grant funding and developed the JCC's first corporate partnership with LCMC Health, expanding organizational resources and community impact.
Membership & Social Media Director 2017 – 2018
New Orleans JCC | New Orleans, LA
● Drove the highest membership growth in organizational history, increasing membership 18% year over year through strategic outreach, staff engagement, and cross-department collaboration.
● Managed more than $2.3 million in annual membership revenue and partnered with leadership to develop the organization's first corporate membership program.
● Hired and developed the organization's first Membership Associate while creating tools and training that enabled employees across departments to support membership growth efforts.
● Identified the need for a dedicated communications function, built organizational support for the role, and successfully transitioned into the newly created Communications Director position.
Account Supervisor 2016 – 2017
Deveney | New Orleans, LA
● Served on the agency leadership team, contributing to organizational strategy, culture initiatives, goal-setting, team development, and new business growth while managing four direct reports.
● Led integrated marketing and communications programs for healthcare, hospitality, higher education, and professional services clients, partnering with cross-functional teams to deliver measurable business outcomes.
● Directed launch communications for a new LCMC Health hospital and advised on strategic fundraising and visibility initiatives for major regional organizations.
● Expanded agency capabilities through new business development efforts that secured advertising engagements and diversified revenue opportunities.
Account Executive 2015 – 2016
Zehnder Communications | New Orleans, LA
● Managed a diverse portfolio of clients across food and beverage, technology, healthcare, retail, and professional services, serving as the primary liaison between clients and multidisciplinary agency teams.
● Developed internal communications strategies and employee engagement initiatives that strengthened alignment around organizational priorities and business objectives.
● Led internal communications efforts connecting employees across three offices and fostering a stronger, more informed organizational culture.
● Identified and implemented opportunities to strengthen employee engagement and foster connections across the agency through internal communications and culture-building initiatives.
● Managed a pro bono partnership with Jefferson SPCA, creating meaningful volunteer opportunities that strengthened the agency's community presence.
Integrated Marketing Manager 2014 – 2015
Time Inc. / Coastal Living | Birmingham, AL
● Partnered with the national advertising sales team to develop integrated marketing programs for tourism, home furnishings, and lifestyle brands, reaching an audience of more than 4.4 million consumers.
● Designed and launched the Coastal Living Designer Network, creating a new platform that connected designers and builders with the brand while generating additional business opportunities.
● Collaborated across editorial, sales, and marketing teams to strengthen advertiser relationships and increase brand engagement.
Account Executive 2011 – 2014
Big Communications | Birmingham, AL
● Managed more than $2.2 million in client billings across healthcare, retail, hospitality, education, and workforce development accounts, overseeing integrated marketing and communications programs.
● Led campaigns that delivered measurable business and community impact, including workforce development initiatives, healthcare growth, sales promotions, and nationally recognized marketing programs.
● Secured local, regional, and national media coverage for high-profile community and disaster recovery initiatives, helping organizations strengthen visibility and stakeholder trust.
● Coordinated cross-functional teams and client stakeholders to execute complex initiatives that advanced organizational goals and strengthened brand reputation.
Public Relations Director 2008 – 2011
Style Advertising | Birmingham, AL
● Developed and executed public relations strategies supporting nationwide campus launches, brand growth initiatives, and community engagement efforts for education and professional services clients.
● Elevated brand visibility and credibility by securing earned media opportunities, speaking engagements, broadcast appearances, and thought leadership platforms for clients and subject matter experts.
● Managed communications programs for law firms and professional services organizations, strengthening market presence through media relations, recognition programs, and strategic storytelling.
● Led communications and promotional efforts for the inaugural Birmingham Restaurant Week, aligning businesses, media partners, and community stakeholders around a successful citywide initiative.
University of Mississippi, BA
