Fiona Kay Willis
Rochester
Summary
Creative professional with strong background in managing and executing diverse design projects. Proven ability to lead teams, adapt to evolving priorities, and deliver impactful results. Skilled in developing creative strategies, overseeing production, and ensuring high-quality outputs. Known for fostering collaboration and driving success in fast-paced environments.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
Work History
DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE SERVICES
WXXI PUBLIC MEDIA
- Company Overview: Rochester, NY.
- Served as head writer and managed the creative team in charge of all marketing, public and media relations, advertising, media buying, on and off-air promotions, station relations, print publications, web development, and internal and external communications for all television, radio, educational services, and programs offered by WXXI Public Media.
- Rochester, NY.
CONTRACT SPEECHWRITER
XEROX CORPORATION
- Company Overview: Rochester, NY.
- Member of the team of writers that handled all aspects of employee communications for the North American President and Senior Executives of Xerox.
- Responsibilities included writing speeches, project management, and traveling extensively to serve as the on-site producer for events, executive speeches, and meetings.
- Rochester, NY.
FREELANCE WRITER
THE DIAN THOMAS COMPANY
- Company Overview: Salt Lake City, UT.
- Writer, editor, researcher, and photo stylist for the new edition of Dian Thomas’ outdoor camping and cookbook, Backyard Roughing It Easy, and editor of Thomas’ cookbook, Recipes for Roughing it Easy.
- Salt Lake City, UT.
PRODUCER, HANDMADE BY DESIGN
LIFETIME TELEVISION
- Company Overview: New York, NY.
- As a producer of this how-to show craft show, responsibilities included segment development, booking talent, writing scripts, pre- and studio production of segments, and editing elements into completed shows.
- New York, NY.
FREELANCE STORY EDITOR
NICKELODEON
- Company Overview: Nick News Black History Month Special with Linda Ellerbee, New York, NY.
- As the story editor, responsibilities included extensive research, story development, coordinating shoots, and obtaining and clearing historical graphics.
- Nick News Black History Month Special with Linda Ellerbee, New York, NY.
PRODUCER, OUR HOME
LIFETIME TELEVISION
- Company Overview: New York, NY.
- As a producer of this hands-on home show, responsibilities included booking guests, writing scripts, pre- and studio production, and producing entertaining segments that presented precise, step-by-step instructions for viewers.
- New York, NY.
SEGMENT PRODUCER
THE JOAN RIVERS SHOW
- Company Overview: New York, NY.
- Under tight and continuous deadlines, responsibilities included research, booking guests, pre-interviewing guests, scripting, pre-production, rights clearances, and live control room graphic coordination of this live-to-tape daily syndicated series.
- New York, NY.
PRODUCER - WRITER - PROJECT MANAGER
MEDIFLIX
01.2021 - Current
- Company Overview: Start-up, video-based, online health platform/app.
- Project management
- In-depth medical research
- Content and technical production
- Script writing
- Copyediting/proofreading
- Video editing
- Start-up, video-based, online health platform/app.
CONSULTING PRODUCER
OPPORTUNITY KNOCK
01.2021 - Current
- Company Overview: Financial reality television series.
- Serve as liaison between series producers, presenting station, and distributor
- Oversee compliance with PBS standards and FCC regulations
- Execute all broadcast licensing and distribution contracts
- Financial reality television series.
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
SECOND OPINION WITH JOAN LUNDEN
01.2002 - 01.2025
- Company Overview: Medical television series. Series airs on PBS stations nationwide.
- I had the great honor of leading this incredibly talented content, creative, production, and technical team for 20+ years
- Story development
- In-depth medical research
- Panel booking
- Script writing
- Proofreading/copyediting
- Studio production
- Editing
- Budget development and management
- Fundraising
- Web development
- Social media
- Station relations
- Marketing
- Public relations
- Media relations
- Community outreach
- Contracting crew, freelancers, vendors
- Producing podcasts, Facebook Live Events, radio shows
- Liaising between series and funders, strategic partners, PBS stations, distributor, medical advisors
- Medical television series. Series airs on PBS stations nationwide.
PRODUCER - WRITER
OUT IN RURAL AMERICA
01.2014 - 01.2021
- Company Overview: Independent film.
- Independently created, produced, shot, wrote, story edited, and distributed this film that follows the story of five individuals/families over a six-year period, capturing the experience of being LGBTQIA+ in rural America
- Independent film.
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
OPIOIDS AND FIRST RESPONDERS
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Company Overview: Independent film.
- Project management
- Content development
- Story editing
- Budget development and management
- Broadcast licensing
- Distribution
- Independent film.
PROJECT MANAGER
THE ROCHESTER EFFECT
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Company Overview: University of Rochester | Cross-country tour of live events.
- Project management
- Content development
- Script writing
- Event production
- Video production
- Logistics management
- University of Rochester | Cross-country tour of live events.
PRODUCER - WRITER
OPIOIDS FROM INSIDE
01.2018 - 12.2018
- Company Overview: Independent film.
- Project management
- Production
- Research
- Pre-and on-camera interviews
- Location and graphic clearance
- Story editing
- Budget development and management
- Licensing and distribution contracts
- Independent film.
Education
BA - Communications—Concentration in Media Management
State University of New York at New Paltz
Graduate -
Institute for Integrative Nutrition
Skills
- Product packaging
- Photography direction
- Strategic planning
- Social media strategy
- Project management
- Creative direction
- Marketing analytics
- Program leadership
- Media planning
Accomplishments
- Supervised team of 20+ creative and technical team members.
- Used Microsoft Excel to develop and manage production budget.
Timeline
PRODUCER - WRITER - PROJECT MANAGER
MEDIFLIX
01.2021 - Current
CONSULTING PRODUCER
OPPORTUNITY KNOCK
01.2021 - Current
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
OPIOIDS AND FIRST RESPONDERS
01.2019 - 01.2020
PROJECT MANAGER
THE ROCHESTER EFFECT
01.2018 - 01.2019
PRODUCER - WRITER
OPIOIDS FROM INSIDE
01.2018 - 12.2018
PRODUCER - WRITER
OUT IN RURAL AMERICA
01.2014 - 01.2021
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
SECOND OPINION WITH JOAN LUNDEN
01.2002 - 01.2025
Graduate -
Institute for Integrative Nutrition
DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE SERVICES
WXXI PUBLIC MEDIA
CONTRACT SPEECHWRITER
XEROX CORPORATION
FREELANCE WRITER
THE DIAN THOMAS COMPANY
PRODUCER, HANDMADE BY DESIGN
LIFETIME TELEVISION
FREELANCE STORY EDITOR
NICKELODEON
PRODUCER, OUR HOME
LIFETIME TELEVISION
SEGMENT PRODUCER
THE JOAN RIVERS SHOW
BA - Communications—Concentration in Media Management
State University of New York at New Paltz
Similar Profiles
John VesticJohn Vestic
Master Control Supervisor at WUSF Public MediaMaster Control Supervisor at WUSF Public Media
Anna DollenmeyerAnna Dollenmeyer
News Reporter, Anchor, Editor, and Writer at WOUB Public MediaNews Reporter, Anchor, Editor, and Writer at WOUB Public Media
Amy GarrettAmy Garrett
Manager, Donor Relations at WJCT Public MediaManager, Donor Relations at WJCT Public Media
Alex McCoyAlex McCoy
Community Service Volunteer at Jackson Ohio SchoolCommunity Service Volunteer at Jackson Ohio School
Denim HallDenim Hall
Deli Associate at WalmartDeli Associate at Walmart