Karen Roxberry
Ellicott City,MD
Summary
Dynamic and performance-driven professional with comprehensive experience in managing public affairs, executing strategic communication plans, and spearheading community relations and programs to enhance organizational visibility. Expert in leveraging diverse media channels, crafting compelling messaging, and coordinating public relations campaigns to enhance brand reputation and foster lasting consumer engagement. Adept at optimizing executive writing support, community outreach, and internal and external communications for global workforce to drive organization's public image to new heights. Insightful leader; providing leadership, creativity, and strategic insights to diverse teams in conducting high-stakes operations and achieving target goals.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief, Public Affairs Corporate Communications
Defense Media Activity
01.2022 - 08.2024
- Promote organization's online presence by directing external communications strategies, overseeing social media tactics, and evaluating press releases for public distribution
- Orchestrate communication initiatives as Public Affairs Director and served as key personal staff advisor to Organization Director, (SES) 3/3-star general equivalent to increase public awareness
- Empower leaders and staff with spokesperson skills to manage media and ensure effective representation of organization's key messages
- Fostered cohesive organizational culture and facilitated smooth information flow by championing internal communications for diverse global workforce of 1500+ employees
- Assured prompt, accurate, and positive responses to client queries and cultivated external relationship channels while acting as central point of contact for media and customers
- Encouraged organizational communication by offering executive-level writing support and generating high-quality documents
- Oversaw and upheld senior leader engagement to coordinate high-impact relations and strengthen organizational collaboration
- Elevated employee interaction forums and introduced internal communication products to nurture connected global workforce
- Drove significant growth of 1K+ followers through social media refurbishing, targeted media connections, and outreach activities
Chief, Media Operations
U.S. Central Command
01.2020 - 01.2022
- Guaranteed impactful representation across diverse media platforms by formulating messages for national and international media and strategically publicizing USCENTCOM operations
- Steered setups of media trips to Middle East by managing short notices and compressed timelines
- Led organization of communication guidance among USCENTCOM's subordinate commands, regional embassies, and higher headquarters, encompassing OSD Public Affairs and Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Public Affairs Office
- Facilitated safe transport of 124K Americans and Afghan evacuees through consistent communication for missions and harmonized messaging from White House to ground units throughout U.S
- Military withdrawal from Afghanistan
- Conveyed organizational messaging to external audiences as designated command spokesperson and assured articulate representation by equipping senior leaders and subject matter experts for media appearances
- Functioned as foremost liaison for USCENTCOM's press release distribution, operational video dissemination, and response to media inquiries while guiding dynamic team of 11 personnel, comprising both military and civilian members
- Presented appropriate data and crafted press statements to promote numerous Pentagon press conferences as primary point of contact between USCENTCOM and OSD Public Affairs
Public Affairs Officer
8th Theater Sustainment Command
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Supervised public affairs forecasting and preparedness for major military exercises, as Public Affairs Officer for exclusive military-to-military interaction between U.S
- And China
- Performed vital role as Public Affairs Director and staff advisor to 8th TSC Commander, 2-star General, providing leadership in shaping command's public image and guiding commander on key decisions
- Communicated mission, policies, and updates to 2K personnel operating across Hawaii and Pacific Theater as lead spokesperson
- Encouraged comprehensive speechwriting initiatives resonating with diverse audiences and headed six-person communication team in handling internal and external communications, media relations, and community involvement
- Increased over 1500 followers on social media pages, elevating social media presence and boosting brand's digital footprint
- Revitalized internal communication plans to support 2K+ employees and maximize work capacity within diverse teams
- Conducted press conference for four-star commanding general, assessed and authorized all content for public delivery, and trained 100+ U.S
- Soldiers for media interviews to ensure favorable exposure in crucial international settings
Public Affairs Officer
2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Offered counseling on communication initiatives at leadership level to Brigade Level Commander as Public Affairs Director and key advisor
- Organized groundbreaking community open house and integrated community participation into organization's calendar, including civic associations, local schools, and veteran’s organizations to reinforce Military-Community relations on Oahu Island
- Led internal communications for workforce 4K+ to augment organizational connectivity through targeted engagement strategies
- Oversaw successful social media management, submitted customized writing assistance, and structured campaigns for community involvement to enrich organization's visibility in offline and online communities
- Equipped all subordinate commanders with skills and readiness necessary for media-sensitive scenarios by establishing media and instruction programs to maintain positive image during critical situations
- Acquired coverage from local news outlets and Department of Defense channels via authoring and validating 100+ press releases
Operations Officer
School of Advanced Military Studies
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Rendered administrative assistance to 30+ students registered in Army's Advanced Strategic Planning and Policy Program to amplify field-grade officers' skills for strategic planning roles by integrating military education, real-world experience, and doctoral degree from civilian university
- Optimized communication with university staff to track and foster academic progress of individual students enrolled in diverse Ph.D
- Programs and raise overall academic success
- Streamlined seamless financial transactions while acting as direct financial interface between Army and University Bursar's Office
- Reduced processing time and promptly monitored tuition payments of $500K+ by pioneering creation of internal processes
- Achieved substantial annual savings of $25K, mitigating out-of-state tuition expenses and eliminating unnecessary fees by directing officers on reduction practices on university application tuition
- Championed all marketing initiatives, resulting in prominent coverage in press highlights and featuring in Army Times publications
Deputy Joint Reconnaissance Officer
United States Forces Korea
01.2012 - 01.2013
- Conducted many collection surges under command of Secretary of Defense during turbulent periods, including North Korea's third nuclear test and successful satellite deployment to support decision-making
- Strengthened critical alliance between United States and Republic of Korea by overseeing and optimizing all Sensitive Reconnaissance Operations in Korean Theater of Operations
- Upgraded intricate airborne operations by piloting more than 3500 airborne intelligence missions to achieve target objectives
Education
Joint Professional Military Education -
Joint And Combined Warfighting School
Norfolk, VA2022
Public Affairs Qualification Course -
Defense Information School
Fort Meade, MD2016
M.A. - Business and Organizational Security Management
Webster University
City, MO2014
B.A. - Criminology
University of Tampa
City, FL2004
Skills
- Community Engagement
- Social-Media Management
- Operational Excellence
- Public Speaking
- Program Marketing
- Media Relations
- Digital Communications
- Education Program Implementation
- Crisis Management
- Team Leadership
- Training & Development
- Financial Management
- Cross-Functional Collaborations
Timeline
Chief, Public Affairs Corporate Communications
Defense Media Activity
01.2022 - 08.2024
Chief, Media Operations
U.S. Central Command
01.2020 - 01.2022
Public Affairs Officer
8th Theater Sustainment Command
01.2018 - 01.2019
Public Affairs Officer
2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division
01.2016 - 01.2018
Operations Officer
School of Advanced Military Studies
01.2014 - 01.2016
Deputy Joint Reconnaissance Officer
United States Forces Korea
01.2012 - 01.2013
Joint Professional Military Education -
Joint And Combined Warfighting School
Public Affairs Qualification Course -
Defense Information School
M.A. - Business and Organizational Security Management
Webster University
B.A. - Criminology
University of Tampa
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