Ana Grecia Méndez
Private Consultant
Greenville,NC
1
Certification
37
years of professional experience
Strategic Integrated Communications Expert Specialized in the Higher Education Sector with Extensive Management and Project Development Experience
Work History
8 Years 7 Months
- Consulting in the areas of integrated communications, project and business development for the following entities:
- Ana G. Mendez University System – at present comprised of 12 campuses located in Puerto Rico, and 3 campuses in Florida, USA
- Provide USA and International clients consulting services in project development and management, with a strong focus on financials.
- Established an extensive network of contacts around the world which included major investment firms, banks, law firms and private corporations.
- Increased yearly billings for clients, assisting management in the overall yearly profitability
- Because of NCND’s signed with clients, cannot disclose detailed information on clients.
President
26 Years- Main advisor to the President of the Ana G. Mendez University System. A non-profit university system with 11 campuses in Puerto Rico and the USA, with (at the time) 45,000+ students. As advisor and right hand to the President, I was directly involved in:
- Wrote all speeches, messages, press releases, important letters and communications (internal and external) for the president and the chancellors of the 3 main campuses.
- Developing and implementing corporate image, advertising, public relations, and marketing campaigns.
- Developed and implemented integrated communications and marketing programs.
- Working with all the vice presidents in the development of the five-year strategic planning.
- Led university's capital fundraising campaigns, enhancing financial resources for institutional projects.
- Involved in cultivating and maintaining government relations with key players in the municipalities where the campuses were established and with the central government.
- Consulted with the president of INTENOR to evaluate and develop renewable energy projects, preparing comprehensive business plans for each initiative.
- Developed the tourism program for the region as a consultant for INTENE & DISUR. This included developing marketing and advertising strategies with the Secretary of Tourism for the Government, and the major tourism industries, such as airlines, hotels and food and beverage companies.
- Directly involved in the establishment of the business incubator in one of the campuses.
- Cultivated and maintained government relations with key players in the municipalities where the campuses were established and with the central government.
- Worked with the three regional economic development alliances created by the university for the benefit of Puerto Rico’s development, called INTENOR, INTENE & DISUR.
- Analyzed new potential markets for the university, including the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, and Spain.
- Developed the crisis management program/manual for all campuses, including training of the selected staff.
- Responsible for analyzing new potential markets for the university such as, Dominican Republic, Salvador and Spain.
- For other clients, such as United Health Care, Merryl Lynch, Chubb Insurance, Popular Mortgage, Banco Santander, I personally worked with the presidents of such institutions in the following areas:
- Managed client relationships.
- Managed relationships with clients to ensure satisfaction and address needs.
University Professor
11 Years- Certified university professor for AHORA Adult Program. Delivered courses in English and Spanish on market research, general marketing, public relations, and advanced research, enhancing students' understanding in diverse cultural contexts.
- Developed and implemented innovative curriculum enhancements across multiple disciplines.
- Mentored junior faculty, fostering professional development and academic excellence.
- Conducted research leading to published articles in peer-reviewed journals.
Planning and Practice Development Director
2 Years- Achieved unsurpassed client growth for the firm, as well as billing.
- Developed and implemented the law firm’s strategic development plan, including marketing, advertising and corporate image.
- Supported attorneys in advising clients on crisis management issues related to labor unions and environmental matters.
- Developed innovative strategies for acquiring new clients in competitive markets.
- Supported attorneys in counseling clients on crisis management, including labor unions and environmental issues, and developed communications strategies for high-profile lawsuits.
- Supported initiatives to identify and develop new business opportunities for the firm.
Education
B.A. - Communications, Psychology
Ph.D. - Business Administration
I started a doctorate degree in Business Administration.
M.B.A. - Business Administration, Marketing
Graduated Summa Cum Laude and obtained the AGM Medal of Honor, the highest academic award given to a student.
Skills
Strategic communications
Industry experience
Integrated communications strategies
Niche market targeting
Educational operations knowledge
Stakeholder engagement
Accomplishments
2000–2011 AGM University System San Juan, PR
University Professor – Adult Program
§ Certified university professor for the AHORA Adult Program. Offered bilingual courses (English and Spanish) in the areas of market research, and general marketing in the advanced courses program for adults.
1992–2002 AGM University System San Juan, PR
Business News Analysts
§ Appeared as business news analyst in the news program of Channel 40, WMTJ-TV, a non-profit television station affiliated to PBS
§ Association of Professional Secretaries – 1997 –Outstanding Woman in her Field
§ Recognize by the Puerto Rico Farm Bureau as the Woman of the Year in Agriculture – 2004
§ Recognized as a TOP WHO’s WHO in her industry 1998 – 2004
§ Woman of the Year in Business 2007 – El Vocero
§ Entrepreneur of the Year – Ernst & Young - Finalist 1998
§ Public Relations Society of Puerto Rico - Excel Award for Best Event and Campaign – “Un pueblo sin Agricultura” 1998
§ Crisis Management Trainer and Consultant for Shell Oil and Shell Petroleum (Caribbean and Latin America) 1998-2002
Affiliations
- Member of the Puerto Rico Public Relations Professional Association
- President of its Counselors Committee
- Member of the Public Relations Society of America
- Member of its Counselor’s Academy
- Member of the Sales and Marketing Association
- Board Member of the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce (2001-2004)
- Member of Communications Committee
- Member of its Educational Committee
- Member of its Agricultural Committee
- Member of the Strategic Planning Committee
- President of Agricultural Committee of the PR Chamber of Commerce (2005-2006)
- President of its Scrutiny and Voting Committee of the PR Chamber of Commerce (2004)
- Member of the National Association of Female Executives
- Board Member of the Asociación Internacional de Hombres y Mujeres de Empresas (International Association of Businessmen and Businesswomen)
- Board Member of Junta para el Desarrollo de Capital Humano de San Juan (Board for the Development of Human Resources of San Juan (2001-2007)
- Member of its Executive Committee
- President of the Strategic Planning Committee
- President of the Communications Committee
Certification
- Accredited Public Relationsist practice
- Certified Negotiator by Clark University, Massachusetts
Languages
Languages: fully Bilingual in Spanish, English, Italian. Understanding of French and Turkish
EXTRA CURRICULAR PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
2000–2011 AGM University System San Juan, PR University Professor – Adult Program Certified university professor for the AHORA Adult Program. Offered bilingual courses (English and Spanish) in the areas of market research, and general marketing in the advanced courses program for adults. 1992–2002 AGM University System San Juan, PR Business News Analyst Appeared as business news analyst in the news program of Channel 40, WMTJ-TV, a non-profit television station affiliated to PBS 2000–2011 AGM University System San Juan, PR University Professor – Adult Program Certified university professor for the AHORA Adult Program. Offered bilingual courses (English and Spanish) in the areas of market research, and general marketing in the advanced courses program for adults. 1992–2002 AGM University System San Juan, PR Business News Analyst Appeared as business news analyst in the news program of Channel 40, WMTJ-TV, a non-profit television station affiliated to PBS
Training
- 1995 Crisis Management Training New York, NY
- 1996 Strategic Planning Seminar New York, NY
- 2002 Seminar on Developing Fund Raising Programs and Developing Proposals for Federal Grants and Foundation Grants San Juan, PR
SOME RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS
Association of Professional Secretaries – 1997 – Outstanding Woman in her Field, Recognize by the Puerto Rico Farm Bureau as the Woman of the Year in Agriculture – 2004, Recognized as a TOP WHO’s WHO in her industry 1998 – 2004, Woman of the Year in Business 2007 – El Vocero, Entrepreneur of the Year – Ernst & Young - Finalist 1998, Public Relations Society of Puerto Rico - Excel Award for Best Event and Campaign – “Un pueblo sin Agricultura” 1998, Crisis Management Trainer and Consultant for Shell Oil and Shell Petroleum (Caribbean and Latin America) 1998-2002
Timeline
Private Consultant
01.2018 - CurrentRead More
University Professor
AGM University System
01.2000 - 01.2011Read More
President
Corporate Strategists, Inc./The Contact Group, Inc
01.1992 - 01.2018Read More
Planning and Practice Development Director
McConnell Valdés
01.1990 - 01.1992Read More
Universidad Metropolitana
M.B.A. from Business Administration, Marketing
Read More
Universidad del Turabo
Ph.D. from Business Administration
Read More
Boston College
B.A. from Communications, Psychology
Read More