write well, think strategy
Turnaround communications for new executive leadership
Context: Appointment of an interim commissioner required rapid trust-building with legislators, media, staff and the public.
Role: Directed turnaround communications strategy and executive messaging.
Approach:
Developed 90-day communications framework aligned with leadership priorities
Identified and amplified early wins through earned media
Coordinated internal and external messaging to reinforce transparency and stability
Impact:
Improved tone and consistency of media coverage
Highlighted measurable progress during leadership transition
Reinforced executive credibility with stakeholders
Visuals:
Interim commissioner reflects on first 90 days (press release)
Positive media coverage:
KOCO, News 5 (first live interview with new commissioner)
Crisis communications during legislative scrutiny
Context: State agency faced intense public and legislative scrutiny during Select Committee hearings, a leadership removal, a $43M budget shortfall and a consent decree.
Role: Led public affairs and media relations, advising executive leadership and managing all high-risk media engagement.
Approach:
Developed a coordinated crisis communications strategy aligned across executive leadership, board members and internal teams
Prepared executive leadership for legislative testimony and media engagement
Managed rapid-response messaging and proactive media outreach
Monitored media trends and adjusted messaging in real time
Impact:
Stabilized media narrative during prolonged public scrutiny
Ensured consistent, credible messaging across leadership
Maintained public trust during a highly sensitive transition
Visuals:
Demonstration in change of tone in media coverage from May to July, 2025
Citywide employer branding and recruitment
Context: City of OKC faced staffing shortages and recruitment challenges across multiple departments.
Role: Led employer branding development and recruitment communications strategy across 22 departments.
Approach:
Created unified employer brand and messaging framework
Launched multi-channel recruitment campaigns across digital, print and social platforms
Coordinated messaging across 22 departments to ensure consistency
Impact:
Vacancy rate reduced to under 10 percent
Improved recruitment reach and message clarity
Strengthened employer brand perception
Potential visuals
Marketing framework
Employee engagement and internal communications
Context: City leadership sought to improve employee engagement, satisfaction and trust during organizational change.
Role: Directed internal communications and engagement strategy.
Approach:
Developed supervisor communication toolkits and ready-to-use resources
Led engagement campaigns in collaboration with HR, Equity Office and leadership
Improved clarity and tone of internal messaging
Impact:
Increased Gallup employee satisfaction scores
Contributed to Forbes Best Employer recognition (2024 & 2025)
Strengthened leadership-to-employee communication
Visuals:
