Lisa Vestal

• Serve as principal advisor to the Command General and senior staff principals.
• Plan, coordinate, and supervise the implementation of community relations, media relations, and command public information programs.
• Provide guidance, counsel and support to commanders on public affairs activities.
• Program, initiate, and direct a positive internal and external information program to meet various information needs, missions and policies of the Department of Army and Department of Defense.
• Developed first ever organization wide communication plan, proposed public affairs guidance, and social media plan, content calendar and branding guidelines.
• Plan, develop and manage "Army at 250" media campaign in honor of U.S. Army's 250th birthday in 2025.
• Oversee and maintain website content, updates, and implement new tools and trainings.
• Serve as official spokesperson and primary contact for local and regional media. Respond to media queries and assist media representatives in assuring technical accuracy. Manage media advisories, town halls, tours and interviews.
• Prepare, review, and or coordinate executive leadership scripts, speeches, presentations, messaging, talking points, and videos.
• Write, develop, produce, and distribute news releases, articles, feature and profile stories, annual reports, historical narratives, infographics, factsheets, brochures, and videos.
• Manage community relations programs. Manage public appearance for leadership and Command Speakers Bureau program. Provide policy guidance, messaging and talking points. Coordinate with supported commands, USARC, and DoD on event logistics/protocol.
• Develop and manage cross functional efforts coordinating with Command Office, Dept of Public Works, Talent/Recruiting, Inspector General, Legal and multiple other staff sections to ensure compliance, regulations, coordinate strategic messaging, execute all deliverables and maintain ongoing communication.
• Supervise civilian and military staff. Plan and coordinate what is to be accomplished. Develop and produce initial counseling, performance plans, and evaluations. Assign work, manage due outs, and review end product of functions supervised for completion and accuracy.
• Lead crisis communications and media relations activities in response to challenging situations.
• Oversee social media presence and align posts to include branding and trending ideas.
• Develop, plan and conduct media training for senior leadership.
• Create and implement systems and processes for monitoring media coverage.
• Collaborate with other departments to develop integrated branding and public relations strategies.

Accomplishments: Developed, planned, managed, and executed strategy, planning, program coordination, Protocol, Internal, external, and executive communications for a complex portfolio of agency wide flagship and high-profile campaigns, initiatives, social media programs, launches and events (in-person, hybrid and virtual). Created unique experiences and engagement and executive thought leadership opportunities across NASA's brand and reputation initiatives for a geographically distributed and hybrid workforce. Collaborated with C-level internal and external leadership, cross functional, geographically dispersed and high value teams, and key stakeholders to plan develop and execute all business goals. Executed all deliverables in accordance with agency wide policies, procedures, best practices, and DEIA core values.

Awards:

KBR One Performance Excellence by KBR, May 2023

Group Achievement Award Silver Medal by NASA, February 2023

Group Achievement Award by NASA, September 2022

Multimedia communication - Davey and W3 Awards, 2021

• Developed and executed strategy, planning, strategic and global communication plans, campaigns and social media strategies to drive brand recognition, reputation, engagement, voice and executive thought leadership.
• Mined stories, opportunities and translated business strategies into compelling narratives, storytelling, programs, events, and partnerships resulting in highly visible and impactful communication products, impactful events, significant visibility and engagement while reaching new audiences.
• Researched, collected and analyzed data to write, edit, design, distribute and publish multiple communication channels and products. Managed selection and distribution of channels and outreach engagement strategies.
• Distilled, interpreted and synthesized complex and highly technical information into compelling, engaging, informative, timely and accurate multi-channel communication and business storytelling meeting all deadlines.
• Developed, managed and executed web content creation, design and corresponding strategies to drive and expand brand awareness, engagement and conversion. Designed, edited, and managed websites and ensured consistent voice across all channels.
• Managed graphic design and video planning, production and dissemination of visual and digital assets. Oversaw the internal/external production process including all consultant/vendor logistics.
• Managed editorial calendars, end-to-end content lifecycle for a variety of events, meetings, town halls, forums, webinars, conferences, symposia and workshops. Managed designers, creative teams and digital developers in addition to vendors and consultants.
• Interviewed subject matter experts, principal investigators, and consulted legal and government affairs to craft visual and written storytelling and social media placement.
• Worked closely with senior and executive leadership, public affairs, social media, and multiple research directorates, to develop strategic partner plans, produce high level thought leadership, speaking opportunities. Prepared, edited and reviewed executive presentations, scripts, town hall content to drive all business objectives, milestones and deliverables.
• Media Relations: Established, cultivated and maintained relationships with reporters, columnists, and influencers. Proactively pitched stories, responded to press inquiries, served as POC, coordinated high-profile media plans and advisories, press kits and press conferences, demos, events, tours and visits.
• Developed and managed high visibility center wide and agency wide events and the only agency wide commercial space lecture series.
• Office of Protocol: Served as a Protocol associate working with Heads of State, Industry CEOs, government agencies and think tanks, legislative executives and staffs, and academic audiences.
• Office of Diversity & Equal Opportunity Supervisor: Supported and advanced agency wide culture of engagement, diversity, inclusiveness, excellence and innovation through communications, programming, change management, team success storytelling, training and development.

Accomplishments: Executed communication, programming and community outreach with academia, civic agencies, regional, state, and private sector partners for diverse public audiences.  Expanded  memberships, digital and social media engagement by over 35% and increased corresponding merchandising sales for targeted exhibition programming.

• Coordinated marketing plans, multi-channel brand strategy (web, digital, print), editing and production.
• Planned and executed VIP special events and member programs, tours, and promotions.
• Developed and facilitated STEAM projects, events and outreach activities for K-12 and college audiences.  Coordinated volunteers and educator in-service sessions.
• Media Relations: Coordinated community relations and press tours, interviews, and strategic media placement.  Prepared media press kits, briefing materials, demonstrations and collateral.
• Implemented On the Go campaign marketing planning, communications, outreach activities, podcasts, digital media, social media, and collateral. Edited news content and messaging. Coordinated local business, government, and academic outreach and relations.
• Museum Store sales marketing and program outreach coordination.

Awards: 

Team Staff Award by SFPL, February 2012

Blue & Green Award by San Francisco Mayor's Office, April 2010

Accomplishments: Executed strategic communication plans, campaigns, initiatives and engagement.
Planned, managed and led Protocol and high-level delegation visits.  Developed, managed and produced system wide programming and events, stakeholder relations and partnerships.  Developed and expanded new audiences and engagement through innovative communication products, digital and social media expansion and elevated branding.

• Developed and managed short-term and long-term public affairs plans for strategic communication, community engagement and outreach and media relations.
• Coordinated Protocol efforts, meetings, tours, workshops and demonstrations for legislative, Heads of State, Ambassadors, regional, state and county government agencies, industry and academic audiences.  Worked closely with executive teams to plan out all visit logistics. Prepared management talking points, strategic messaging, interviews, tours and related events.
• Wrote, edited, and reviewed multiple communications, high-level presentation, reports and publications (press releases, newsletters, web content, articles, social media content, annual reports, publications, etc.).
• Planned, managed and executed digital and social media plans, in addition to conceiving of all graphic assets including advertising copy, layout and production for earned, and owned media, and partner social media relations.
• Served as a Library representative in meetings, events, and programs at off-site venues for internal and external audiences. Planned and executed VIP tours and high level presentations.
• Drafted and produced supporting briefings, factsheets, background information, video scripts, talking points, speeches, and strategic messaging.
• Managed multiple editorial, event and program calendars, and timelines, prepared and finalized event agreements, contracts and MOUs. 
• Supervised staff: Responsible for performance management. Assigned, managed, and reviewed work plans, coached and mentored team. Supervised consultants, vendors, designers, developers, contracted writers and photographers. 

Accomplishments: Secured significant media placement/amplification, record event attendance, and executed high-profile protocol and VIP events and ongoing public events and programs.  Achieved elevated and expanded profile, audience engagement and reach, strategic branding and partnerships.  Developed strategic communication and marketing plans, initiatives, events, and multimedia communications. Planned and executed over 100 events and programs for audiences of 50 to 1,000+. 

• Developed, managed and executed strategic communication plans and marketing collateral design, production and distribution, web, social, multimedia, newsletters, reports, and impactful storytelling content for multiple programs, events, and initiatives.
• Crafted and executed strategy, plans, and communication channels and messaging for senior and executive leadership, program announcements, updates and university wide events.  
• Managed Protocol planning, coordination. logistics, and strategic communication for delegations including heads of state, entertainment, academic, and industry executive leadership.  Worked with executive teams to identify priorities and preferences.  Managed all related calendars, schedules, coordination across the u
• Developed and wrote multiple communication products and writing assignments.  Collaborated with university wide communication and marketing teams.
• Developed, produced, and managed website pages, content and served as lead for university wide website pilot program and implementation.
• Coordinated media interview training, counsel, preparation and follow up.
• Collaborated and partnered with multiple cross-functional, interdisciplinary teams to plan, coordinate and distribute social media.
• Managed end-to end event planning, logistics, management, and execution.  Developed and implemented event branding, agendas, speaker development and engagement strategies.
• Office of President Initiative: Served on tiger team to develop and implement branding, communications, and stakeholder integration for inaugural university wide initiative.
• Measured and evaluated ongoing communication platform effectiveness, status, outcomes and results and ran analytics and metrics reports. 
• Established and maintained productive media relations.  Proactively pitched stories, managed media inquiries and responses, wrote and disseminated press releases, briefing information, press kits, and background materials. Developed local, regional, and national media contacts and produced corresponding database.  Measured and evaluated media impacts and made recommendations for continuous improvements.
• Served as spokesperson and represented the university to professional and public audiences. Gave high-level presentations and collaborated with a wide range of external stakeholders.
• Supervised consultants, designers, creative teams, contractors, exhibitions and events staff, interns and volunteers.