ISABEL WALLISCH
Bethesda,MD
Summary
Strategic communications and leadership development leader who leads enterprise messaging, organizational engagement, and curriculum development for a 120-person team. Shapes executive communications, cross-functional coordination, and culture-building efforts that connect leadership decisions, mission priorities, and employee alignment.
Overview
1
1
Certification
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Commander & Director of Enterprise Communications & Leadership Development
05.2024 - Current
- Lead strategic communications, organizational engagement, and leadership development for 120-person organization; develop communications strategy and vision, support executive leadership, coordinate enterprise programs, and foster organizational culture aligned with mission priorities.
- Develop and execute strategic communications plans for enterprise initiatives; craft audience-centered messaging that articulates organizational vision, ties operational decisions to mission impact, and engages diverse stakeholder groups.
- Develop U.S. Air Force Academy curriculum for new commanders; create course materials translating leadership principles, organizational strategy, and command philosophy into clear, practical guidance for senior leaders—strengthening command-level effectiveness and organizational culture.
- Designed and implemented eight organizational engagement initiatives, enhancing employee understanding, participation, and alignment with mission and values.
- Provided strategic communications support to leadership, partnering on message development, content coordination, and executive outreach—ensuring clear communication of vision and strategic decisions.
- Coordinate organizational communications with 40+ teams on strategic priorities, compliance protocols, professional development, and engagement opportunities. Maintain consistent messaging, brand alignment, and accessibility across channels.
- Supported employee recognition and development initiatives by creating stories that highlighted contributions, organizational culture, and mission alignment.
Strategic Communications & Program Management Officer
01.2016 - 01.2024
- Led communications coordination during the COVID-19 pandemic response; aligned government support messaging and strategic guidance across FEMA, DHS, and partner agencies to ensure coordinated organizational response and stakeholder alignment under crisis conditions.
- Managed strategic communications and stakeholder engagement for international projects across Jordan, Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain, and Lebanon; conducted site assessments and diplomatic interactions translating technical/operational context to strategic and diplomatic audiences.
- Translated organizational strategy, technical capability, and mission priorities into strategic communications for executive leadership and diverse organizational audiences, enhancing understanding and alignment.
- Articulated and defended strategic value of Guardian Angel weapons system and budget justification; crafted compelling messaging that clarified technical and operational capabilities for senior decision makers and stakeholders.
- Directed program execution and stakeholder management for $4.3M portfolio supporting 165+ personnel across multiple sites; coordinated cross-functional teams, managed communications for complex initiatives, and maintained executive visibility on strategic priorities.
- Established crisis management governance; developed post-incident review programs and continuous improvement processes that leveraged operational experience for organizational learning and risk reduction.
Operations & Communications Support Specialist
01.2011 - 01.2016
- Developed and maintained organizational policies, frameworks, and communications guidelines; ensured consistent application and communicated updates to stakeholders.
- Coordinated communications and employee engagement initiatives; created accessible content to enhance employee understanding and participation.
- Facilitated communication among leadership, teams, and support functions. Managed stakeholder relationships to strengthen cross-functional collaboration.
- Supported organizational operations and administrative functions; coordinated strategic communications, developed policies, and provided program support across multiple departments.
Education
Master of Arts - Leadership and Counseling
University of Colorado
Colorado Springs01-2025
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
College of Charleston
Charleston, SC01-2011
Skills
- Strategic Communications
- Executive Messaging
- Leadership Development & Curriculum Development
- Communication Planning & Vision Development
- Content Development & Editing
- Translating Technical/Complex Information
- Employee Engagement & Activation
- Organizational Development
- Program Coordination & Execution
- Crisis Communications
- Stakeholder Relationship Management
- International Communications
- Editorial Judgment & Brand Alignment
- Executive Communication Support
- Presentation Development
- Audience-Centered Writing
- Continuous Improvement
- Message Architecture
- Team Leadership
- Strategic communications
- Curriculum design
- Curriculum development
- Executive messaging
Certification
Project Management Professional (PMP) | Project Management Institute (2020), Six Sigma Green Belt | Six Sigma Global Institute (2020)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Active Secret Clearance, 2019 | Extensive experience in regulated DoD environments | International project management experience (Middle East) | Comfortable with remote work and periodic travel | U.S. Citizen
Timeline
Commander & Director of Enterprise Communications & Leadership Development
05.2024 - Current
Strategic Communications & Program Management Officer
01.2016 - 01.2024
Operations & Communications Support Specialist
01.2011 - 01.2016
Master of Arts - Leadership and Counseling
University of Colorado
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
College of Charleston