Elizabeth Kurylo

Global Immunization Division/Office of the Director

• Lead the planning, implementation, and evaluation of public health communication and marketing programs
• Manage communication and marketing resources independently
• Supervise a team of 6 employees by planning their work, setting priorities, and creating schedules
• Assign tasks based on priorities and team members' strengths while providing guidance on their work and administrative issues
• Provide advice and expertise to program staff and management on communication and marketing strategies to different audiences
• Review and approve communication materials for digital and social media
• Offer consultation, technical assistance, and training on implementation strategies to both internal teams and external partners, including CDC staff and international collaborators
• Translate scientific information into easy-to-understand formats for different audiences
• Serve as a liaison to internal and external partners, including the World Health Organization, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, UNICEF, the United Nations Foundation and Rotary International.
• Represent management in meetings to share program goals, technical details, and public health policies
• Keep management informed about program issues, anticipate challenges, and suggest solutions.
• Generated public interest by coordinating thought leadership initiatives and securing speaking engagements for key executives.
• Implemented data-driven processes to track ROI on all communication efforts, enabling continuous improvement of tactics.
• Enhanced brand visibility by developing and executing strategic communications plans.
• Developed key messaging for all external-facing materials to ensure consistency across channels and touchpoints.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to launch successful integrated marketing campaigns.
• Revamped website content to improve user experience and increase web traffic.
• Increased media coverage through targeted press releases and proactive media outreach.
• Devised content strategy to effectively engage target audiences.
• Oversaw preparation of marketing copy, images, videos, emails, and other collateral.
• Coordinated with design and media teams to develop high-quality creative assets.

• Wrote press releases for routine use and crisis management.
• Conducted communications audits to identify areas of improvement and develop targeted action plans.
• Provided communication and policy support to senior team members.
• Trained employees on effective communication techniques, improving overall team performance and collaboration.
• Liaised between departments during project-based collaborations ensuring timely delivery of high-quality outputs.
• Created engaging multimedia content such as infographics, videos, and blog posts to illustrate complex concepts in an accessible manner.
• Spearheaded email marketing campaigns that drove substantial traffic to the website while maintaining low bounce rates.
• Enhanced brand awareness by developing and executing strategic communication plans.
• Optimized social media presence through strategic content creation, leading to significant growth in followers and engagement rates.
• Proofread and edited materials prepared by all staff to check and correct spelling, grammar, and style.
• Managed public relations efforts, securing positive media coverage and strengthening brand reputation.

Accomplishments and Related Skills

• Served as a senior communications specialist in CDC’s Division of Global Migration & Quarantine, Travelers’ Health Branch, supporting priorities through internal and external communication products, including materials development, media relations, social media strategy, newsletter creation, and communication evaluation
• Deployed for the Zika emergency response.

Served as a senior communications specialist in CDC’s Division of Global HIV & TB, developing internal and external communication products, including media relations, social media strategy, newsletters, and evaluation

• Authored the proposal “Engaging the Media: Communication to Support CDC‘s HIV Work in Africa,” which was a finalist in the 2016 HHS Ignite Accelerator Idea Lab
• Created engaging multimedia presentations to showcase company achievements at conferences and events.
• Interviewed experts to create communication plans, talking points, key messages, infographics, and fact sheets.

Accomplishments and Related Skills:

• Led the publication and distribution of "2020 INSight: The End in Sight," mobilizing over $250 million from international donors to eliminate blinding trachoma
• Communicated and integrated the organization's strategic plan, mission, vision, and values into team strategies
• Oversaw communication and marketing activities, including editorial direction, design, production, and distribution of publications, websites, and social media
• Supervised communication staff
• Developed recommendations to enhance communication for the International Trachoma Initiative (ITI) within the Task Force for Global Health's strategic efforts
• Managed ITI's rebranding and created three websites: trachoma.org, trachomaatlas.org, and trachomacoalition.org
• Researched requirements and wrote RFPs for three websites, selecting vendors and managing projects
• Updated content on all three websites using Drupal CMS and led communication and branding strategies
• Planned web development, cleared content, and managed contracts, proposals, and quality of work
• Engaged with partners like the World Health Organization and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
• Conducted media training for health officials and public health workers to enhance collaboration with journalists
• Trained journalists on trachoma and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)
• Managed the publication of training manuals on various aspects of trachoma care
• Developed video scripts and produced a Pfizer video celebrating 15 years of medicine donations, premiered at Pfizer headquarters with former President Jimmy Carter in attendance
• Served as ITI spokesperson for media interviews across Africa, including with Voice of America and local outlets in Uganda, Mozambique, Senegal, and Ethiopia
• Translated and disseminated scientific information in multiple formats
• Recorded, produced, and posted online videos showcasing Pfizer's donated medicine distribution in Africa
• Photographed medicine distribution across sub-Saharan Africa and shared images with stakeholders
• Consulted with academic partners like the London School of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene for training materials using ITI images
• Selected 25 high-resolution images for a photo exhibit at Pfizer headquarters for ITI’s 15th anniversary
• Identified, edited, and submitted articles for publication in the Community Eye Health Journal quarterly
• Boosted social media presence with the creation of compelling content, resulting in increased followers and engagement rates.

Accomplishments and Related Skills:

• Created and launched peer-reviewed, academic Journal of Family Life, an online, open access publication
• Oversaw website copy and social media platforms.
• Served as Managing Editor of Journal of Family Life, soliciting submissions and shepherding them through the peer-review process
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop cohesive messaging for product launches and announcements.
• Published content to the Journal of Family Life, and promoted new content through Facebook
• Mentored junior staff members on effective communication techniques, driving professional growth within the team.
• Demonstrated creativity, innovation, and decision-making skills to achieve communication goals
• Generated media interest through development of media strategies and regular contact with target media outlets
• Conducted media training for professors and graduate students to be interviewed by journalists about their research
• Interviewed subject matter experts and summarized research findings for web content, newsletter articles, brochures
• Assisted in management of Public Relations program by tailoring press releases and monitoring publications in local and global media outlets

Accomplishments and Related Skills:

• Interviewed subject matter experts and drafted the internal newsletter
• Developed a column on international activities for the Emory Report (faculty and staff newspaper) and created web content about these activities
• Managed the news section of the organization’s website to ensure accurate and timely information
• Documented international programs at Emory and entered data on scholars conducting international research
• Traveled with faculty to Budapest and Germany to document conferences and meetings with peer scholars
• Escorted VIP international scholars, including Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson, to classes, meetings, and events in Atlanta, including a visit with President Carter
• Assisted media during His Holiness the Dalai Lama's multi-day visit to Emory.
• Wrote and edited content for operations, marketing and public relations needs.
• Assisted with planning, production and execution of email blasts, digital signage boards, special event flyers and social media campaigns.

Accomplishments and Related Skills:

• Served as a copy editor on the national desk and reported on local, national, and international news
• Covered Jimmy Carter's post-presidency for 10 years, including photographing his international trips
• Reported from Bosnia, Mexico, Ethiopia, Sudan, Kenya, Germany, Haiti, and Nicaragua
• Covered metro Atlanta’s immigrant and refugee community and non-sports international news during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.