Natalie Hayes

MEDIA RELATIONS | STRATEGIC STORYTELLING | CONTENT STRATEGY B2B TECH | FINTECH | CLEAN ENERGY MEDIA MONITORING & ANALYSIS | DATA-DRIVEN PR CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS | TEAM COLLABORATION FORMER JOURNALIST | FREELANCE WRITER

Public Relations Consultant - Self-Employed

(2025-04)

• Provide strategic media counsel across a range of verticals, including consumer, B2B tech, franchise, law, & finance.
• Lead PR strategy & execution, delivering sustained business growth through strategic media placements & brand positioning.
• Secure earned media coverage by leveraging existing relationships with reporters & executing results-driven strategic media outreach.
• Design & execute integrated PR programs tailored to client objectives–encompassing content strategy, social media campaigns, SEO, media training, expert storytelling, content development, & reputation management.
• Develop compelling media angles & strategic storytelling initiatives aligned with overarching business objectives.

Senior Communications Strategist - Northwestern Mutual - Hybrid/Milwaukee, WI

(2024-01 - 2025-04)

• Manage cross-functional Field PR teams & PR agency partners in building high-value media relationships within the personal finance & wealth management landscape.
• Collaborate with teammates to improve pitch strategy & maximize coverage opportunities.
• Deliver actionable media insights & trend analysis to enhance PR campaigns & improve client positioning.
• Foster a high-performing team culture, improving productivity & engagement through timely feedback.
• Develop compelling client stories by shaping narratives that align with & capitalize on relevant news cycles.
• Oversee PR campaigns that drive substantial business growth & support recruitment goals for Northwestern Mutual wealth advisors.
• Identify & secure new business by spearheading proposals & client engagement initiatives.
• Lead mentorship initiatives for interns & junior staff, driving professional development & strengthening team capability.

Senior PR & Content Strategist - Alliant Credit Union - Chicago, IL

(2022-05 - 2023-10)

• Partner with C-suite executives to elevate thought leadership, securing high-profile speaking engagements, podcasts, media interviews, & awards coverage in Tier 1 outlets including Forbes & Wired.
• Monitor & analyze PR performance metrics, delivering executive reports to inform strategic decision-making.
• Manage collaboration with external PR agencies to align media outreach with organizational goals, ensuring measurable results & accountability.
• Highlight B2B partner success through strategic planning, team coordination, & writing case studies.
• Oversee blog editorial calendar; plan & generate content aligned with sales & marketing initiatives.
• Leverage deep media relations expertise to identify news trends, anticipate opportunities, & advance PR objectives across personal banking & B2B sectors.

Vice President, Strategic Media Relations - Paragon Public Relations - Hoboken, New Jersey

(2021-11 - 2022-05)

mid-sized tech PR agency

• Act as primary client liaison in a PR agency setting, providing strategic counsel & guiding large-scale PR initiatives to exceed expectations.
• Strengthen long-term client relationships through proactive partnership & fostering trust & alignment on business objectives.
• Lead account teams, ensuring collaboration, efficiency, & delivery of high-quality client outcomes.
• Oversee development & management of comprehensive Statements of Work, aligning project scope, timelines, deliverables, & budgets.

Content Marketing Manager/Senior Technical Writer - Amount - Chicago, IL

(2020-01 - 2021-11)

high-growth fintech startup

• Partner with sales, product, marketing, & executive teams to craft pitch materials, go-to-market content, & B2B marketing initiatives to position Amount's white-label digital banking products in the market.
• Develop & launch the company's first intranet using Confluence, creating a centralized knowledge hub that increased employee engagement & information sharing.
• Manage & optimize IT support workflows for Atlassian products via Zendesk, improving response efficiency & user satisfaction.

Account Supervisor & Writer - Sanderson Public Relations - Chicago, IL

(2009-09 - 2012-05)

• Secured high-value earned media placements for franchise clients.

Account Executive - SS Public Relations - Glenview, IL

(2008-08 - 2009-09)

• Supported the execution of PR initiatives, programs, campaigns and events.

Digital News Producer - CBS Channel 2 News - Chicago, IL

(2018-05 - 2019-06)

• Produce & edit high-quality feature news videos for broadcast, social media, & web platforms while ensuring accuracy & timeliness in a fast-paced newsroom.
• Exercise strong editorial judgment & ethical decision-making to maintain credibility & trust with audiences.
• Manage digital content workflow to meet tight deadlines while maintaining consistency & news quality across platforms.

Reporter - The Chicago Tribune

(2014-10 - 2017-02)

• Cover local news beats, including breaking news, crime, courts, education, business, & government—consistently producing accurate, timely, & engaging stories.
• Built a trusted network of sources & maintained strong community relationships to enhance reporting depth & credibility.

Reporter - Chicago Sun-Times

(2010-03 - 2014-10)

• Report on fashion & lifestyle beats while also covering breaking news as needed, delivering compelling stories across print & digital platforms.
• Demonstrated expertise in storytelling, research, & deadline-driven content production.

Non-Profit Marketing & Communications Lead - Surgical Care Associates & One World Surgery - Honduras

(2017-01 - 2017-12)

Contract

• Capture patient stories through photography & interviews at a rural surgery center & orphanage, creating high-impact content for door campaigns.

Bachelor's degree - Journalism & Mass Communication - Arizona State University, The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass Communication