Gretchen Marks
New Milford,CT
Summary
Internationally accomplished executive with a Master of Arts in Professional Writing and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies. Unique combination of creative talent and technical aptitude. Trusted adviser to Australian Parliament members, C-suite leaders, and board presidents since 2009. Significant digital, stakeholder engagement, and editorial accomplishments with 15+ years of background writing and executing internal and external strategies for a variety of audiences. Motivated specialist with talent establishing strategic alliances to influence thinking and inspire personnel. Possesses dual citizenship in Australia and the USA, complemented by natural abilities to connect, strategize, and lead effectively. I am excited to leverage expert knowledge and a track record of global achievements during my next professional endeavor.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Communications Adviser, Infrastructure Delivery
Queensland State Government: Dept. of Transport and Main Roads (TMR)
03.2024 - 07.2024
- Led stakeholder engagement for major, government infrastructure projects at local, state, and federal levels utilizing IAP2 consultation methodologies
- Played instrumental role planning, advocating, and advancing Brisbane metropolitan region projects
- Formed meaningful relationships with government officials, agencies, and community organizations
- Directed cross-department teams to navigate compliance processes
- Delivered over 30 critical updates to the Minister of Transport and Main Roads with a flawless on-time delivery record
Executive Communications Strategist, Product and Marketing
MultiPlan (NYSE: MPLN)
09.2022 - 03.2023
- As the Executive Communications Strategist with MultiPlan, I led storytelling and strategic initiatives for the CEO of a B2B billing services company during a pivotal growth phase
- I equipped the sales team with persuasive presentations and collaborated with service agencies to drive messaging
- I also advised the SVP of Product and Marketing about enhancing market presence through SEO-optimized content and partnered with Investor Relations to craft financial commentaries, filings, and updates
- Designed and executed a communications program to elevate executive visibility, contributing to a 15% revenue growth
- Developed and launched the program during the first 90 days of appointment, including internal and external messaging
- Directed PR agency during the development of a 6-month, $1m reputation enhancement program, which resulted in a 30% improvement in brand perception and an 18% increase in employee engagement at monthly town halls
Communications Consultant, Self-Employed
Kennedy Consultive
08.2018 - 02.2022
- Provided public and private sector clients with impactful communication and change management strategies
- Wrote high-stakes materials like annual reports, marketing collateral, and investor communications
- Adviser to senior executives and c-suites
- Achieved a 20% reduction in mortgage application times as part of Suncorp Bank’s (ASX: SUN) digital upgrade
- Led all communications for Axiom Mining’s (ASX: AVQ) nickel mining operations in Australia and the Solomon Islands
- Built and mentored a marketing team for Axiom, which drove a 30% increase in stakeholder engagement
- Updated company media platforms to align with changing internal goals and external variables.
Financial Writer
The Motley Fool
12.2020 - 03.2021
- Company Overview: https://www.fool.com.au/author/schmiddles/
- Https://www.fool.com.au/author/schmiddles/
- Developed engaging content by conducting thorough research and understanding audience needs.
- Explored diverse themes and topics, resulting in fresh and innovative writing perspectives.
Change Communications Adviser
Suncorp Bank
09.2019 - 12.2019
- Train, coach, guide and manage diverse network of over 100 stakeholders during significant digital program.
- Plan and lead large-scale initiatives to assess, design and deploy change across a vast audience of lenders, brokers and internal teams.
- Monitor and improve current systems to minimize risk and align with ICT best practices resulting in reducing mortgage application time by 20%.
Senior Communications Officer
Department of Justice & Attorney General
05.2019 - 08.2019
- Composed Communications and Engagement Plan and presented to project Steering Committee within first three weeks of appointment.
- Supported operational design to transform culture, innovate methodologies and optimize processes pertaining to the new service model for court recordings and transcriptions across the state of Queensland.
- Write and revise 17 digital and hard-copy training artifacts for cross-functional teams.
- Organized 12 leadership and orientation sessions.
- Wrote and revised materials such as: complex stakeholder analysis; briefing memos for Parliament; thought leadership pieces; and risk analysis work.
Head of Communications
Axiom Mining
07.2018 - 12.2018
- Head of internal and external communications reporting directly to the CEO and leading all stakeholder engagement activities in Australia and the Solomon Islands.
- Gained front page placement in targeted publication, The Solomon Star, within initial two months.
Assistant Vice President (AVP), Financial Writer
Voya Investment Management (NYSE: VOYA)
04.2015 - 04.2018
- Managed over 300 portfolio commentaries for a financial services organization overseeing $317b in assets
- Advised human resources and cross-functional teams about best practices for employee communications
- Distributed 93% of financial reports on time, improving quarterly publication efficiency by 24% within the first 3 months
- Streamlined communication processes, which cut report production time by 15% during the above-mentioned period
- Authored intranet articles and employee profiles to foster connections among more than 7,000 staff members
Assistant Vice President (AVP), Communications
Assured Guaranty Corp (NYSE: AGO)
02.2012 - 11.2014
- Recruited to oversee daily communications operations (internal and external) during an aggressive growth program
- Directed marketing initiatives, investor relations efforts, and employee engagement programs
- Partnered with senior leadership to write quarterly earnings scripts for CEO and CFO—managed relationships and performance of key vendors
- Designed and executed strategies that contributed to an 83% increase in share price over 3 years
- Launched website and television campaign with external partners, completing the successful projects 20% under budget
Communications Manager
International Federation of Accountants (IFAC)
08.2011 - 02.2012
- Crafted globally-relevant communications for a worldwide accounting body
- Oversaw internal and external communications activities
- Managed and mentored two associates and two administrators fostering excellence and a professional growth culture
- Authored communications delivered internationally by the Board President on behalf of 2.5m accountants in 127 countries
- Composed and launched a social media strategy during corporate rebranding and managed executive content
Communications Adviser, External Positioning
CPA Australia
06.2010 - 05.2011
- Enhance and develop reputation by positioning the organization and CEO as a thought leaders in business, finance and accounting.
- Compose opinion pieces, letters to the Editor, speeches and by-lined articles and gained national placement two of the nation's top daily publications, The Australian and Australian Financial Review newspapers.
Senior Communications Adviser (Integrated Transport)
Queensland State Government: TMR
02.2010 - 05.2010
- Support development, implementation and evaluation of stakeholder engagement and public relations plans to demonstrate the government’s delivery of vital infrastructure projects and commitment to providing sustainable transport.
- Responsible for the production and maintenance of a complex Events and Opportunities Portfolio for the Ministers of Transport and Main Roads which involved managing a statewide network of Advisers, local Council affiliates, media representatives and members of Parliament.
Marketing and Communications Officer (Strategy Division)
Queensland State Government: TMR
11.2008 - 02.2010
- Speech preparation for political figures including previous Queensland Premier Anna Bligh, Transport Minister Rachel Nolan and Transport Minister John Mickel.
- Research and write high-quality, original, communication materials including press releases, newsletters, advertising copy, brochures and web content.
- Assess sponsorship proposals, determine strategic merit and make recommendations based on research and strategic objectives.
- Plan, manage, and act as spokesperson at PR events like Ride to Work Day and The Great Brisbane Bike Ride.
Project Officer (Engineering and Technology Division)
Queensland State Government: TMR
09.2007 - 11.2008
- Manage publication activities and edit content pertaining to technical standards and specifications for bridge and road construction.
- Edit, proofread and format high volumes of technical papers within extremely tight timeframes.
- Compose and implement project-specific Style Manual. Write Technical Standard and Policy Guidelines submitted to and approved by the Director General.
- Lead and manage two contractors inspiring each to pursue full-time roles.
Administration Supervisor
Barard Management
09.2005 - 08.2007
- Responsible for the legal compliance of over 300 commercial and residential strata-titled properties.
- Build and supervise team of three administrators and two support staff. Chair annual and extraordinary general meetings.
- Counsel committee members on responsibilities defined by the Body Corporate and Community Management Act.
- Successfully generated over $500K in annual body corporate management contracts over an 18-month period.
Education
Master of Arts (Honors) - Writing and Literature (Professional Writing)
Deakin University
Melbourne, VIC06.2009
Bachelor of Arts (Honors) - Communication and Media Studies
Western Connecticut State University
Danbury, CT06.2000
Skills
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Adobe Suite
- Final Cut Pro
- Google Docs
- Telegram
- Sprout Social
- Slack
- Zoom
- Microsoft Teams
- Google Workspace
- Salesforce
- Asana
- Canva
- Hootsuite
- HubSpot
- SAP Concur
- Mailchimp
- BuzzSprout
- WordPress
- Drupal
- ExpressionEngine
- Grammarly
- Jasper AI
- ChatGPT
- Jira
- Confluence
- Agile
- Prosci
- IAP2
Timeline
Senior Communications Adviser, Infrastructure Delivery
Queensland State Government: Dept. of Transport and Main Roads (TMR)
03.2024 - 07.2024
Executive Communications Strategist, Product and Marketing
MultiPlan (NYSE: MPLN)
09.2022 - 03.2023
Financial Writer
The Motley Fool
12.2020 - 03.2021
Change Communications Adviser
Suncorp Bank
09.2019 - 12.2019
Senior Communications Officer
Department of Justice & Attorney General
05.2019 - 08.2019
Communications Consultant, Self-Employed
Kennedy Consultive
08.2018 - 02.2022
Head of Communications
Axiom Mining
07.2018 - 12.2018
Assistant Vice President (AVP), Financial Writer
Voya Investment Management (NYSE: VOYA)
04.2015 - 04.2018
Assistant Vice President (AVP), Communications
Assured Guaranty Corp (NYSE: AGO)
02.2012 - 11.2014
Communications Manager
International Federation of Accountants (IFAC)
08.2011 - 02.2012
Communications Adviser, External Positioning
CPA Australia
06.2010 - 05.2011
Senior Communications Adviser (Integrated Transport)
Queensland State Government: TMR
02.2010 - 05.2010
Marketing and Communications Officer (Strategy Division)
Queensland State Government: TMR
11.2008 - 02.2010
Project Officer (Engineering and Technology Division)
Queensland State Government: TMR
09.2007 - 11.2008
Administration Supervisor
Barard Management
09.2005 - 08.2007
Master of Arts (Honors) - Writing and Literature (Professional Writing)
Deakin University
Bachelor of Arts (Honors) - Communication and Media Studies
Western Connecticut State University
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