MAI SHIOZAKI
Silver Spring,MD
Summary
Accomplished professional with a security clearance and over 25 years of combined experience in communications, broadcast journalism, media relations, consulting, events, marketing, media operations, public diplomacy, and public affairs. Skilled in cross-functional collaboration to effectively communicate messaging, campaigns, and policy to members of the media and the public. Demonstrated success in developing communication products that are important and timely, resulting in high levels of engagement and recognition. Dedicated team player with a strong problem-solving mindset, consistently delivering results that drive organizational success. Experienced in managing public perception and media relations to ensure a positive organizational image. Utilizes strategic planning and effective communication to handle crisis situations and media inquiries. Proven track record of strong interpersonal skills and maintaining stakeholder relationships.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Public Affairs Specialist
U.S. Department of State
10.2022 - Current
- Led and executed national partnerships to advance outreach goals, leveraging strong communication and diplomacy to foster collaboration.
- Designed and managed a dozen high-profile domestic outreach initiatives, securing speakers, organizing events, and engaging key stakeholders to support U.S. foreign policy priorities.
- Built and maintained relationships with 25 Department bureaus to align outreach efforts with foreign policy priorities, relying on interpersonal skills to navigate complex dynamics.
- Served as the primary point of contact for Department inquiries, providing guidance on outreach activities and policy engagement while building trust with diverse stakeholders.
- Strengthened partnerships with over two dozen national organizations by amplifying foreign policy initiatives and facilitating public awareness campaigns.
- Coordinated Department-wide outreach efforts, connecting local communities with U.S. foreign policy priorities through people-to-people programs.
- Demonstrated leadership, adaptability, and problem-solving in high-stakes environments, ensuring effective collaboration across teams.
Media Relations Officer
U.S. Department of State, Foreign Press Center
11.2021 - 10.2022
- Developed and executed targeted media campaigns to enhance foreign correspondents' understanding of U.S. foreign policy priorities, providing direct access to subject matter experts.
- Strengthened collaboration between government and private sector communicators, aligning messaging and outreach efforts.
- Crafted compelling press materials and media pitches, securing positive coverage and shaping narratives on strategic issues.
- Analyzed media trends to refine outreach strategies, maximizing impact and engagement.
- Prepared executives for high-stakes interviews, ensuring confident and effective messaging.
- Enhanced internal communications, fostering transparency and alignment across teams.
- Analyzed media coverage to identify trends and opportunities for future outreach efforts, maximizing results.
- Crafted compelling press releases and pitches that resonated with target audiences, generating positive coverage.
- Served as primary point of contact for media inquiries, ensuring timely and accurate responses that reinforced the company''s key messages.
- Guided leadership executives through interview preparation sessions which led them to deliver confident performances during high-stakes interviews.
- Improved internal communications processes, fostering a culture of transparency and open dialogue between management and employees.
Senior Public Affairs Specialist
U.S. Department of State, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP Office)
02.2011 - 11.2021
- Communicated complex U.S. public policy on trafficking in persons (TIP) to international and domestic press, serving as the first TIP Office press officer and media consultant to three U.S. Ambassadors, principal deputy assistant secretaries, and interim office directors.
- Developed and executed strategic media outreach for high-level events, coordinating with State Department bureaus, U.S. agencies, and the White House to align messaging and engagement.
- Briefed and advised nine U.S. State Department Spokespersons on TIP-related public policy issues, ensuring consistency in official messaging.
- Managed press inquiries and media strategy, drafting and editing speeches, statements, fact sheets, and other materials for senior officials, including the U.S. Secretary of State.
- Cultivated relationships with national press, human rights writers, and opinion leaders, leveraging media to influence coverage of human trafficking issues worldwide.
- Led public awareness initiatives, including pitching and managing press for SlaveryFootprint.org at the 2012 UN General Assembly and executing media strategies for key events like the 2016 Turning the Tide initiative on human trafficking in the seafood sector.
- Planned and produced the 2021 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report event, livestreamed globally and hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
- Collaborated on award-winning investigative journalism, dedicating over two years assisting Associated Press reporters on a groundbreaking investigation that freed over 2,000 slaves in Southeast Asia and won the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service.
- Provided media training to 80+ staff members, including senior leadership, strengthening public speaking and press engagement skills.
- Monitored media coverage and analyzed trends, translating complex analytics into actionable insights for executives and staff.
- Represented the U.S. State Department at UNC Chapel Hill's Reporting Institute, engaging with journalism professionals on best practices in public policy reporting.
National Press Secretary
National Organization for Women (NOW)
04.2006 - 02.2011
- Served as a senior communications lead, responding to national and international press inquiries and drafting press releases, advisories, and speeches for NOW executives and board members.
- Managed publicity for major NOW events, including the national NOW annual conference and high-profile press engagements.
- Secured top-tier media placements for NOW's messaging, including NBC Nightly News, ABC World News Tonight, CBS Evening News, The Washington Post, The New York Times, USA Today, NPR's Morning Edition, HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, The View, and The Colbert Report.
- Led media coordination for major events, including the 2006 National Peace March in NYC, which drew 350,000 participants and coverage from over 150 media outlets.
- Managed press strategy for key political moments, including NOW PAC's 2008 endorsement of Hillary Clinton for U.S. President.
- Handled crisis communication and messaging in response to the 2009 murder of Dr. George Tiller.
- Co-wrote and produced NOW's 40th anniversary video, showcased at the 2006 annual conference.
Freelance Morning Anchor, General Assignment Reporter
WTEN-TV
10.2004 - 12.2004
- Anchored weekday morning news, stepping in as reporter and producer as need.
- Delivered live breaking news coverage, multiple times a day, adapting swiftly to unfolding events.
- Ensured seamless on-air timing, covering all scheduled segments efficiently.
- Upheld high journalistic standards, reinforcing the station's commitment to accurate and engaging reporting.
Primary Anchor
NEWS14 CAROLINA
04.2002 - 04.2003
- Adapted to breaking news situations, providing timely coverage and updates for viewers.
- Mentored junior anchors and reporters, sharing industry expertise to foster career growth within the organization.
- Crafted well-written news stories based on facts and edited content when time and space required it.
General Assignment Reporter
WFXT-TV (FOX)
09.2000 - 03.2002
- Bolstered overall station credibility through thorough fact-checking procedures that minimized errors or inaccuracies in printed materials.
- Increased viewers' trust by adhering to ethical journalism standards, verifying facts, and maintaining objectivity in all reporting assignments.
- Developed strong relationships with community members, local organizations, and officials to obtain exclusive information and interviews.
- Strengthened brand reputation with effective crisis management skills during breaking news situations or high-pressure environments.
Education
Bachelor of Arts and Science - English
University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
Urbana, IL08.1996
Skills
- Researching issues
- Analyzing data
- Strategic communications
- Conducting research
Executive Overview
Accomplished professional with a Top-Secret Security Clearance, and over 25 years of combined experience in communications, broadcast journalism, media relations, consulting, events, marketing, media operations, public diplomacy, and public affairs. Experience in cross-functional collaboration to help communicate messaging, campaigns and policy to members of the media and the public. Proven success in developing communication products that are important, timely, and highly quoted. A team player, a problem-solver, and results driven.
Timeline
Public Affairs Specialist
U.S. Department of State
10.2022 - Current
Media Relations Officer
U.S. Department of State, Foreign Press Center
11.2021 - 10.2022
Senior Public Affairs Specialist
U.S. Department of State, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP Office)
02.2011 - 11.2021
National Press Secretary
National Organization for Women (NOW)
04.2006 - 02.2011
Freelance Morning Anchor, General Assignment Reporter
WTEN-TV
10.2004 - 12.2004
Primary Anchor
NEWS14 CAROLINA
04.2002 - 04.2003
General Assignment Reporter
WFXT-TV (FOX)
09.2000 - 03.2002
Bachelor of Arts and Science - English
University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
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