Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Conference Speaker, PRSA
Teacher Aide/Special Events Coordinator, Mater Christi School, Albany, NY
Substitute Teacher, Albany City School District
Timeline
Generic

Lisa Witkowski, APR

Glenmont,NY

Summary

A multi-talented and accomplished professional specializing in strategic communication, media relations, crisis communication, government relations and grant writing. Known for developing successful strategies and enhancing institutional reputation through effective advocacy and stakeholder engagement.

Overview

32
32
years of professional experience

Work History

Director of Public and Government Affairs

Siena University
Loudonville, NY
08.2016 - Current
  • Handle all news media relations and serve as primary Siena University spokesperson. Pitch news and feature ideas to local, regional and national media. Offer faculty and administration experts to analyze current events. Write press releases and plan press conferences and avails.
  • Help strategize communications efforts for the University. Write articles and other copy for the Siena website, Siena News magazine, internal newsletters, other offices on campus. Write letters and remarks from the President.
  • Serve as Siena's liaison with elected officials at the local, state and federal level to advocate and advise on higher education issues. Work with New York’s Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities on higher education advocacy.
  • Write and apply for state and federal grants up to $1 million to support Siena's infrastructure and equipment needs through U.S. Congressional earmarks, HECap from DASNY, CREST, Empire State Development REDC funding, etc.
  • Promoted to this position in June 2021 from Associate Director for Communications.

Lecturer, Management

Siena University
Loudonville, NY
09.2018 - 05.2023
  • Taught Strategic Communication (MGMT 413), a three-credit upper-level Management elective in Siena's School of Business.

Principal

Proof Positive
Albany, NY
03.2002 - 08.2016
  • Self-employed as a freelance copywriter, editor and proofreader to provide comprehensive editorial support to marketing/advertising agencies and individual clients, including Siena College; Zone 5 (Marshall University, Algoma University, Rifton Equipment and others); Creative Communication Associates (Columbia University, American University, SUNY Geneseo, and others), Stylebookings.

Manager, Corporate Communications

Medical Liability Mutual Insurance Company
Latham, New York
04.1997 - 02.2003
  • Created all marketing and corporate communication strategies and materials, such as marketing kits and brochures, website copy, quarterly physician and broker newsletters and monthly employee newsletter. Handled all news releases and media relations.

Public Relations Specialist

Blue Shield of Northeastern New York
Albany, NY
09.1993 - 04.1997
  • Helped develop all public relations and advertising for this Blue Shield plan. Wrote and designed quarterly newsletters for physicians, plan members and brokers. Handled all news releases and media relations.

Education

Master of Arts - Women's Studies

University At Albany
Albany, NY
05-2026

Certificate of Graduate Study - Women And Public Policy (Summa Cum Laude)

University At Albany
Albany, NY
05-2024

Accredited in Public Relations (APR) -

Public Relations Society of America
06-2018

Master of Arts - Organizational Communication (Magna Cum Laude)

University At Albany
Albany, NY
05-1992

Bachelor of Arts - Journalism and Political Science (Cum Laude)

SUNY New Paltz
New Paltz, NY

Skills

  • Strategic Communications
  • Media Relations
  • Content Writing and Editing
  • Government Relations
  • Grant Writing
  • Event Planning

Conference Speaker, PRSA

  • Spoke in break-out sessions for the annual Northeast District (upstate New York and New England) Conferences of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA): "Prepping Your CEO for the Big Interview," Syracuse, November 2024; Queen Elizabeth II vs. Harry and Meghan: Who is Winning the PR Game?" Albany, June 2022.

Teacher Aide/Special Events Coordinator, Mater Christi School, Albany, NY

  • Provided educational support in preschool and substituted for elementary level classes. Solely responsible for planning and conducting annual Scripps Spelling Bee and National Geographic Bee, plus tutoring winners for state/regional bees. Parent Teacher Organization officer. January 2010-June 2016.

Substitute Teacher, Albany City School District

  • Substituted for teachers in elementary and middle schools. January-June 2009

Timeline

Lecturer, Management

Siena University
09.2018 - 05.2023

Director of Public and Government Affairs

Siena University
08.2016 - Current

Principal

Proof Positive
03.2002 - 08.2016

Manager, Corporate Communications

Medical Liability Mutual Insurance Company
04.1997 - 02.2003

Public Relations Specialist

Blue Shield of Northeastern New York
09.1993 - 04.1997

Master of Arts - Women's Studies

University At Albany

Certificate of Graduate Study - Women And Public Policy (Summa Cum Laude)

University At Albany

Accredited in Public Relations (APR) -

Public Relations Society of America

Master of Arts - Organizational Communication (Magna Cum Laude)

University At Albany

Bachelor of Arts - Journalism and Political Science (Cum Laude)

SUNY New Paltz

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