Hi, I'm Brenda.
My professional career has taken many twists and turns, leading me to five states and innumerable skill-building experiences along the way. Through it all, my two biggest takeaways are take chances and welcome challenges.
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I deliver value as a precise writer and communications strategist who embraces the impact of authentic storytelling, transparent and proactive messaging and making complex concepts understandable. I’ve conceptualized, socialized and launched new communication channels for existing teams through blogs, social media, video initiatives and podcasts to amplify communications to a diverse and global workforce.
I advocate for audiences’ informational needs while upholding the mission, objectives and values of my organization’s brand. My years of experience as a journalist also make me a nimble communicator with the ability to quickly and accurately process, triage, synthesize and deliver key information.
I'm an AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner and certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and Change Management Specialist and earned a specialization certificate in Managerial Economics and Business Analysis.
EXPERIENCE
2021-PRESENT
Communications Manager
Global Education and U.S. State & Local Government, Worldwide Public Sector
AMAZON WEB SERVICES
Manage and execute high-visibility, high-impact vice president-level communications across a variety of channels and platforms to a globally dispersed organization; develop keynote speeches, moderator questions and discussion guides, panelist talking points and presentations for conferences and speaking engagements for vice president and leadership team; set strategic direction for and lead content and communication projects, define plans, manage stakeholders, scope, schedules and expectations; operationalize content and communication workflows to build repeatable mechanisms to facilitate communication at scale
2020-2021
Senior Quality & Process Manager
AT&T/DIRECTV
Provide leadership communication and program management support for multiple vice president organizations; define process enhancements, operational gap-closures and governance opportunities to support active business initiatives; gain expertise on new collaborative tools to facilitate full introduction to organization; established organization's culture committee; named Video Sales & Service process improvement subject-matter expert and facilitator; received AT&T Connection Award
2016-2020
Senior Communications Manager
AT&T
Executed multi-channel communications strategy, including leadership messages, organizational updates, newsletters and videos announcing business results and programs; expanded organization's communication platforms with introduction of blogs, social media and instant messaging; produced first-of-its-kind webcast for internal and vendor audiences; participated in six-month special assignment to establish Contact Shed Program Management Office that resulted in creation of online intake form, dashboard and project tracker; launched organization's book club; named AT&T Design Thinking Champion
2013-2016
Communications Manager
DIRECTV/AT&T
Composed newsletters, safety materials, technical guides and job aids for technician workforce; produced training videos and served as on-camera talent; partnered cross-functionally to develop and execute integrated communications plan for product launches and other field-impacting initiatives or directives; observed time-and-motion studies to reconcile technician feedback; launched weekly podcast; chosen by peers to serve as President of SHARE! employee engagement committee; received AT&T Collaborator Award
2011-2012
Brand Manager
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO ANSCHUTZ MEDICAL CAMPUS
Distributed campus-wide announcements and member newsletter for Anschutz Health & Wellness Center; managed social media and content calendar; produced videos spotlighting center staff and members; wrote content for website; provided media training and media relations support; guided design of marketing materials
2011
Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator
THE MARKETING TRUST
Assisted in development of marketing strategies and event planning for multiple Denver-area restaurants; managed client websites and social media accounts; created press releases, newsletters and website content; coordinated design of marketing materials; drafted proposals for prospective clients
2008-2010
News Producer/Writer
KOB-TV
Selected, prioritized and wrote content for 5:00 p.m. newscast; assigned reporter stories and reviewed scripts for clarity and accuracy; set up interview and video opportunities; field produced special events, including local coverage of 2008 presidential election and televised gubernatorial debates in 2010; received 2010 New Mexico Broadcasters Association/Associated Press Excellence in Broadcasting Award
2007-2008
Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator
H&R BLOCK
Initiated marketing plan, including creation of customer retention campaign, promotional giveaways and referral program; managed collateral and business correspondence; implemented franchise’s online presence by adding tax preparer bios and specialized services to corporate website; recorded office expenses, tracked invoices and monitored budget; organized office's first-ever community open house and canned food drive
2006-2007
News Producer/Writer
WBTV-TV
Gathered elements and constructed evening newscasts for sister station (CW affiliate) before promotion to WBTV (CBS affiliate) after only six weeks; supported assignment desk and assisted producers in researching, writing and coordinating live shots for reporters; filled in as backup producer for weekday or weeknight newscasts; published top stories and videos on station’s website
2005-2006
Sports Reporter & Anchor/News Producer
WEYI-TV
Supported sports department as No. 3 reporter/anchor; reported live in 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. newscasts from station’s featured high school Game of the Week and provided in-studio recap for 11:00 p.m. sports segment; produced, edited and anchored weekend sports segment; produced 6:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. newscasts 2-3 days a week
2003-2005
News Producer/Weekend Anchor
WLUC-TV
Shot, wrote and edited stories for live reports for one of three nightly newscasts; won audition to anchor and produce weekend newscasts and serve as backup weeknight anchor; assisted sports department in shooting video of high school and college games; served as sideline reporter for Michigan High School Athletic Association’s regional basketball finals; recognized by Michigan Association of Broadcasters
CERTIFICATIONS
AWS CERTIFIED CLOUD PRACTITIONER
Amazon Web Services Training and Certification
Demonstrated fundamental understanding of IT services and uses in the AWS Cloud, including cloud fluency, foundational AWS knowledge, and ability to identify essential AWS services necessary to set up AWS-focused projects. Certification is valid through March 1, 2025.
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LEAN SIX SIGMA BLACK BELT
Six Sigma Global Institute
Successful completion of 32 modules focused on the Six Sigma philosophies and principles, including supporting systems and tools; Black Belts have a thorough understanding of all aspects of the define, measure, analyze, improve and control (DMAIC) model in accordance with Six Sigma principles; final certification test score: 87%
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CHANGE MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST
Management & Strategy Institute
Successful completion of rigorous change management course with curriculum that focused on tactics and practices to develop procedural and organization change implementation strategies; certification test score: 85%
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MANAGERIAL ECONOMICS & BUSINESS ANALYSIS
Coursera
Successful completion of six courses (including written assignments and tests) and capstone project; courses covered fundamentals of finance and integrated financial management framework through business and financial models and use models to make data-driven decisions; final average: 93%
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ACTIVITIES
Current
Denver Sister Cities International
WorldDenver
International Association of Business Communicators
Indiana University Alumni Association
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Previous
Women of AT&T Colorado
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Vice President, Communications (2016 - 2019)
DIRECTV Women's Leadership Exchange
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Communications committee and event videographer (2013 - 2015)
Denver Botanic Gardens​
Aerys Sports
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NFL writer and lead contributor (2011 - 2015)
Colorado Mountain Club ​
Habitat for Humanity
Bachelor of Science (Sports Communication)
Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)
INDIANA UNIVERSITY-BLOOMINGTON
Student representative on School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation’s student-faculty advisory board; member of National Society of Collegiate Scholars; three-year member of news and sports departments at student-run radio station; member of Habitat for Humanity, Hoosier Sports Marketing Club, Japanese Club, Psi Chi and Student Athletic Board; Indianapolis Colts game day promotions and giveaways volunteer; WVNI radio volunteer; WISH-TV sports department intern
EDUCATION
SKILLS
Strategic messaging
Change management
Leadership communications
Global workforce communications
Reputation management
Video production
Graphic design
Brand management
Process management
Vendor relations
REQUEST
REFERENCES
I've had the honor of working with and for accomplished professionals from a variety of industries and sectors. My references have known me for years and can speak about my skills and their experiences working with me.
VIDEO RESUME
An introductory video resume is available upon request. This two-minute video highlights specific communication solutions I've implemented in my career. Please email me or use the contact form below for more information.
WRITING SAMPLES
I have a robust portfolio that includes everything from press releases to technical guides to leadership messages and even videos and infographics. While available upon request, written samples lack context and insight into the development process. Instead, consider giving me a writing test or written assignment. Yes, I'm asking for homework!
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