Diane C. Simpson
Supervisory Media & PR Communications Consultant | Event Project Manager
Salt Lake City,Utah
Summary
SUMMARY: Strategic Communications Director and Relationships Builder with more than 25 years media relations / PR external and internal communications experience looking for supervisory role in mission-driven organization to manage projects and events and to produce products. Creative thinker with journalism, Olympic sport, higher education, federal government, operations logistics, event project management and hospitality experiential activation mindset. Detail-oriented problem-solver ready to drive communications campaigns and enhance customer engagement.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
15
15
years of post-secondary education
4
4
Certificates
Work History
Public Affairs Specialist, Utah State Office
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT UTAH
Salt Lake City
07.2021 - 05.2023
- Managed statewide public affairs and wrote communications products to conserve land and water and to protect public lands through science and strategy within the Department of the Interior.
- Served as acting communications director more than 20% of business days and increased productivity of products through mentorship of public affairs officers by more than 45%.
- Built coalitions and served as leadership voice for internal staff, leadership, headquarters legislative affairs & communications.
- Led communications strategy and tracked analytics with up to 38% open click rate.
- Wrote more than 36 news releases, media responses two-to-three times per week and finalized social media.
- Wrote effective work products including communications plans and digital content using templates and analyzed data for performance.
- Presented in-person PowerPoints and on-camera Zoom and Teams sessions to Utah Leadership team and staff.
- Presented weekly as Lands and Minerals department lead with focus on renewable energy / sustainable solutions.
- HQ legislative affairs liaison and for Utah-based congressional staff, organizing three congressional meetings.
Senior Executive Assistant, Project Manager
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
Evanston, IL
03.2021 - 07.2021
- Managed vice president / department schedule including complex calendar scheduling with focus on proper allocation of executive Budget and Planning team availability and meeting agendas.
- Reviewed budgets for fatal flaws and built coalition among senior Northwestern leadership with strategic planning to reach mission.
Media PR Communications Director & Project Manager
DIANE SIMPSON CONSULTING
Chicago
01.2011 - 03.2021
- Kellogg on Growth Forum: Project manager and hospitality logistics coordinator with nearly 1,600 attendees and 26 C-suite speakers in year Kellogg School of Management went to No. 1.
- The University of Chicago: Led career networking MyCHOICE for 90 attendees & wrote Medicine and Biological Sciences graduate students and alumni bios, while organizing logistics for PhDs.
- Vasta and Associates: Internal, media and government liaison for CEO, writing talking points, web content and key messages. Managed CEO prep for crowd management safety software app for events with up to 20,000 attendees.
- Inspired Communications International, LLC: Wrote / edited flyers, external communications, news releases, web content and talking points for U.S. Army veteran, pitched and launched book.
- Chicago Blues Camp: Wrote and produced CEO communications and digital marketing / IMC plans & managed client relationships.
- Midwest Olympians and Paralympians president: Supervised Olympic alumni athlete engagement with corporate partners & donors, increasing community outreach and experiential marketing events by 500% & producing dozens of newsletters & media alerts.
Athlete Relations & Communications Manager
2016 OLYMPIC GAMES BID
Chicago
03.2006 - 10.2009
- Built supporter database by more than 3,000% from 90 to more than 3,000 Olympians, Paralympians and coaches.
- Supervised seven staff, interns and volunteers.
- Community outreach leader, assisting on sustainability summit for land and waters at Adler Planetarium and Aldermanic ward crises communications town halls.
- Wrote talking points, newsletters & monthly blog.
- Executed media strategy, experiential production, activation, partner hospitality & creative brand implementation with talent, USOC, donors and officials to ensure seamless athlete side of Bid.
- Activated 81 Olympians and Paralympians and wrote content for Millennium Park event that raised $12 million.
- Planned, produced, executed and tracked projects in more than 2,000 events that reached 2 million.
- Wrote bios and managed dozens of athletes at McCormick Place event with 2,000 donors, raising $9.4 million.
- Sparked World Sport Chicago legacy, introducing sports and Olympians to more than 30,000 inner-city kids.
- Presented PowerPoints and secured $1000-plus tickets.
Media Services & Events Specialist
COLLEGE OF AMERICAN PATHOLOGISTS
Northfield, IL
03.2003 - 01.2006
- Managed more than two dozen national spokespersons for crisis-management responses and media relationships.
News Writer & On-air Reporter
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES CBS 2 FOX-32 NBC 5 NBC SPORTS
Chicago
03.1997 - 01.2005
- CBS 2 Chicago & The Loop 97.1 FM: Monitored breaking news, writing deadline stories for reporters and anchors. Chicago Marathon producer.
- Chicago Athlete, Chicago Hospital News and MVP Media: Writer.
- AM 1000 associate producer: Interviewed sources & booked guests.
- NBC 5 and NBC Sports: Writer, Sydney Olympic Games statistician.
- FOX-32: News Writer for 5, 6, 7 and 8 a.m. newscasts.
- Turner Sports: On-air Commentator, 1998 Goodwill Games.
Advance & Illinois Press Staff Manager
SEN. JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT
Chicago, Washington
01.2003 - 11.2004
- Raised $300,000 in one night, securing multiple $10,000 donations.
- Advised senior officials on details.
Deputy Press Secretary & Video Producer
SEN. CAROL MOSELEY-BRAUN
Chicago
03.1996 - 09.1997
- Managed media, wrote speeches and letters, and coordinated community outreach / press conferences for senator.
- Spokesperson, "Crumbling Schools" DNC producer and adviser to senior officials, the press secretary and senator.
Reporter
WJWJ-TV & ROANOKE TIMES AND WORLD-NEWS
Beaufort, Roanoke, SC, VA
01.1993 - 11.1993
- Wrote and submitted accurate, engaging and fact-checked stories.
- Collaborated and produced comprehensive news coverage.
- Investigated community issues, receiving Chamber of Commerce acclaim to stay ahead of competition, while promoting current events.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Journalism And Political Science
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
Evanston, IL 01.1988 - 06.1993
MBA - Marketing Concentration
KELLER GRADUATE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT AT DEVRY UNIVERSITY
Chicago, IL 02.2017 - 08.2019
Business Management Certification
TUCK SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AT DARTMOUTH
Hanover, NJ 04.2019 - 04.2019
Olympian
U.S. OLYMPIC & PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE
United States 03.1985 - 06.1992
Skills
Writer / Editor AP Style, Media / Alumni Relations, Public Affairs, Organizational Management, Client Relationships, Deadlines Deliverer, Problem Solver
Strategic Communications, Project Management, Operations Logistics, Protocol, Confidentiality, Brand Marketing, Digital Content
News Releases, C-Suite Presentations, Creative, PowerPoints, Talking Points, Client Briefings, TrainingsLegislative Processes Navigation, Public Policy
Microsoft 365, Teams, Office (Excel, Word, Outlook), MacBook Pro, iOS apps
Salesforce, Basecamp, Cvent, Smartsheet, Final Cut Pro, Constant Contact, Meltwater
Certification
Board-Certified by American College of Sports Medicine
Timeline
Public Affairs Specialist, Utah State Office
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT UTAH
07.2021 - 05.2023
Senior Executive Assistant, Project Manager
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
03.2021 - 07.2021
Business Management Certification
TUCK SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AT DARTMOUTH
04.2019 - 04.2019
MBA - Marketing Concentration
KELLER GRADUATE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT AT DEVRY UNIVERSITY
02.2017 - 08.2019
Media PR Communications Director & Project Manager
DIANE SIMPSON CONSULTING
01.2011 - 03.2021
Athlete Relations & Communications Manager
2016 OLYMPIC GAMES BID
03.2006 - 10.2009
Media Services & Events Specialist
COLLEGE OF AMERICAN PATHOLOGISTS
03.2003 - 01.2006
Advance & Illinois Press Staff Manager
SEN. JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT
01.2003 - 11.2004
News Writer & On-air Reporter
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES CBS 2 FOX-32 NBC 5 NBC SPORTS
03.1997 - 01.2005
Deputy Press Secretary & Video Producer
SEN. CAROL MOSELEY-BRAUN
03.1996 - 09.1997
Reporter
WJWJ-TV & ROANOKE TIMES AND WORLD-NEWS
01.1993 - 11.1993
Bachelor of Science - Journalism And Political Science
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
01.1988 - 06.1993
Olympian
U.S. OLYMPIC & PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE
03.1985 - 06.1992