San Francisco, California, United States
Accomplished leader with strong track record of developing and executing integrated communications strategies to achieve reputational, brand, public education, engagement and advocacy goals for Fortune 500 companies. Deep experience helping organizations navigate complex and challenging operational, regulatory, public policy, legal and consumer issues and business environments
Communications leader for PG&E, a FORTUNE 200, $18.5 billion energy company with a 23,000 person workforce, and one of the largest combined electric and natural gas utilities in the United States. • Leads a combined team of communicators who provide integrated (internal, external and social) communications support to all lines of business and marketing efforts to 5.5 million customers • Leads emergency/incident command structure communication responses to major events like earthquakes, wildfires, winter storms, electric outages and major gas line dig-ins as well as high profile sporting events. • Leverages a department-wide “agency model” for personnel development and succession planning • Works closely with numerous state and federal oversight agencies including: California Public Utility Commission (CPUC), California Independent System Operator (CAISO), California State Lands Commission (CSLC); California Air Resources Board (CARB), Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
Responsible for the management, leadership, and direction of enterprise-wide communications strategy and programs including internal, external, executive, media, and online communications. Ensures that all communications programs, strategies, and support are aligned with the company’s mission, vision, business strategy and brand.
Led team responsible for executive communications, strategy, policy, regulatory, and content and channel strategy for California’s largest energy company. Responsible for helping PG&E’s top executives drive strategic messaging with media, opinion leaders, employees, policymakers, investors and others; overseeing employee communications for a 24,000-person workforce; and managing the creation and coordination of content for all internal and external channels, including PG&E’s social media properties.
Helped Fortune 500 clients across a variety of sectors to manage reputational issues. Included message and materials development, public opinion research, stakeholder mapping, coalition development and management, crisis planning and crisis management, media relations, and legislative strategy. Led communications around enterprise and consumer technologies, digital entertainment, greentech and vertical markets. Partnered with clients to create corporate and executive platforms, branding and messaging, and outreach plans leveraging social and traditional media. Launch and position hardware, software and services, smart grid technology, and corporate social responsibility efforts around education and the environment.
Responsible for speechwriting, working with local, state and national media; developing web and new media strategies; and managing the mayor’s public events, including daily news conferences, Town Hall meetings, State of the City address and other major appearances. Managed communications during a number of high-profile crises for the City including the Olympic torch relay, the imprisonment of former Supervisor Ed Jew, two oil spills in the bay, a North Bean rock slide, and a deadly tiger attack at the zoo on Christmas Day 2007.
Press Secretary and Deputy Policy Director