Marisa Kollias
Communications
CHICAGO,IL
Summary
Executive Communications Strategist: A driven, critical-thinking, strategic communications professional bringing 23 years of extensive knowledge and hands-on experience in fast-paced entities both in private and public environments possessing excellent leadership, and crisis communications skills. A public affairs expert and strong writer who excels at serving C-Suite executives, developing communications plans across industries including healthcare, non-profit, government, media and education, public policy, and establishing narratives that help manage and protect client reputations.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Communications
State Of Illinois-Department Of Human Services
2020.07 - Current
- Serves as Senior Advisor to the Office of the Secretary and C-Suite at IDHS.
- Leads as the Senior Communications Director across the Pritzker administration, guiding communications and marketing at the largest and most high-profile State Department.
- Builds and maintains relationships with key leaders in Governor's office, IDHS, advocates and opinion leaders.
- Develops communications strategies to drive forward progress in public relations.
- Leads communications plans through the development and implementation of internal and external communication strategies.
- Manages and oversees the communication department's $4 million budget.
- Supervises 4 junior-level managers to maintain excellent services for over 6 divisions across the agency.
- Creates messaging, media materials, and strategies for key leaders in the C-Suite and the Office of the Governor.
- Leads media interviews, prepping subject matter experts and determining course of action.
- Evaluates program effectiveness to determine return on investment.
- Developed communications strategies to drive positive results and create awareness of Reimagine Public Safety, 988, SNAP, and welcoming Asylum Seekers.
- Minimizes and controls the reputation of the Department as necessary.
- Works with marketing department to create targeted advertising strategies for key customer demographics.
- Envisioned, and launched revamped website to better convey the Department's brand "Help is Here"
- Creates engaging and creative press releases and media materials for various programs on behalf of the Office of the Governor.
Vice President
Edelman Public Relations Worldwide
2019.01 - 2020.07
- Crisis and Risk Management
- Served as a Senior Advisor to C-Suite clients and partners with companies to protect their reputation by developing integrated risk management capabilities on various issues.
- Specialize in crisis, focusing on crisis communications, preparedness and training.
- Provided strategic counsel to clients across healthcare, retail, food and beverage, technology, higher education and other industries on reputation-impacting issues ranging from data security & privacy to litigation to executive misconduct.
- Orchestrated positive media coverage and stakeholder relations as public face of company.
Deputy Director of Communications-Transition
Lightfoot for Chicago
2019.01 - 2019.03
- Served as a Senior Advisor and speechwriter for all public events planned and executed the media strategy for the Mayor’s transition through her inauguration.
- Created the overall media relations strategy for the Mayor on a local and national level.
- Provided strategic guidance on communications initiatives and announcements.
- Worked closely with cabinet-level departments and policy leaders in order to create a coherent strategy, through which the Mayor’s message was disseminated effectively.
- Managed a team of 6, supervising staff members, and ensuring the team's success by managing work quality and productivity.
Vice President
Tribune Publishing, Corporate Communications
2017.01 - 2019.03
- Served as Senior Advisor to the Chief Executive Officer and Board of Directors.
- Direct report to the CEO and Chairman of the Board.
- Responsible for the overall corporate and media relations strategy for a national media organization and provided high-level strategic counsel, quality outcomes and superior service to the executive team and business leaders across the company’s eight markets.
- Developed and executed the corporate communications and media relations initiatives to accurately highlight Tribune Publishing’s identity and brand – primary focus is on educating and updating media and internal staff about the strategic direction of the company, sharing corporate initiatives dialogue with internal departments.
- Purposefully engaged stakeholders, handle and navigate confidential and sensitive issues with discretion.
- Provide strategic guidance and leadership to staff, supervising staff members, and ensuring the team's success by managing work quality and productivity levels.
- Led crisis communications on a number of various initiatives including major staff reductions, mergers and acquisitions, the company re-brand, change management, and reputational matters facing executives.
- Served as the company’s lead media spokeswoman with proven leadership skills including superb people management skills.
- Led in media relations, including developing and driving both traditional, and social media outreach; manage multiple projects from concept to completion.
- Led messaging and worked collaboratively with the VP of Investor Relations to position the company’s quarterly financial earnings.
Director
Golin Public Relations
2015.01 - 2016.01
- Healthcare Media Relations
- Led, developed and evaluated media strategies based on client objectives.
- Worked effectively in a high-level cross-functional fast-paced environment.
- Expanded product and company recognition in national press to support client goals.
- Coached client representatives on effective communication with the public and employees.
- Spearheaded innovative approaches to resource allocation and strategic planning.
- Leveraged marketplace trends to create solutions and refine business strategies.
Principal
MK Strategies Consulting Ltd.
2015.01 - Current
- MK Strategies connects, engages and helps shape important messages with specific audiences.
- MK Strategies administers the development and execution of strategic communications for various clients across education, healthcare, public policy issues, advocacy and local government.
- MK Strategies navigates highly sensitive communications issues and manages the rollout of new strategic initiatives.
- MK ensures that all messages are aligned and speak to both internal and external stakeholders.
- MK Strategies leads media relations and public affairs initiatives while creating opportunities for candidates on the campaign trail, develops messaging, plans speaking engagements and develops impactful strategies that drive positive results.
Director of Public Affairs
Cook County Health Hospital Systems
2010.01 - 2015.01
- Served as the spokesperson for the Health System and managed various contracts and budgets totaling $1.5m for public relations, community outreach and online.
- Led in planning and activating the County Care campaign.
- Created, launched and managed a social media presence for the health system including a comprehensive website, a custom Ask the CEO tool, and social media channels.
- Developed corporate communications strategies, coached junior staff on media relations best practices, and effectively media trained surgeons in Cook County Trauma and Emergency departments for internal and external purposes.
- Maintained proactive media relations program by distributing news releases for placement, building strong relationships and monitoring media.
- Executed social media plans to create cohesive online presence.
- Communicated with media weekly to build relationships and optimize press coverage.
- Managed service projects from start to finish by finding partners, making detailed plans and executive projects.
Director of Communications
State Of Illinois-Department Of Transportation
2005.01 - 2010.01
- Developed and executed a media relations strategy and campaign for some of the largest transportation projects in the State of Illinois, which included the planning, and implementation of a media campaign surrounding the reconstruction of the Dan Ryan expressway.
- Served as the lead spokesperson for the department.
- Developed communications strategies to drive forward progress in public relations.
- Managed communication department's $1m budget.
- Assisted with media interviews, prepped leadership and guests.
- Built and maintained relationships with key leaders, partners and opinion leaders.
News Writer
WBBM-TV & WFLD-TV
2003.01 - 2005.01
- Sought out stories by pursuing other news organizations information periodically and either assigned or wrote stories according to strict timelines.
- Monitored breaking news for information on incidents, events and topics of interest to quickly assign coverage to staff.
- Applied understanding of public opinion, social media and traditional media use to create engaging and attention-grabbing stories.
- Performed research and checked facts to maintain a high standard of journalistic integrity.
- Interviewed sources and developed relationships with informants to obtain vital information for stories.
- Evaluated and followed up on news leads and news tips to develop story ideas.
- Conceptualized, pitched, assigned, and monitored stories from origination to publication.
Web Financial, Producer
News & ETRADE Financial
2001.01 - 2003.01
- Coordinated with producers and on-air talent to create program content, new ideas and segments.
- Generated leads through cold calling, networking and social media.
- Presented production ideas and determined creative scenarios for production and delivery.
- Planned video shoots in studio and remotely by managing production through stages to completion.
- Coordinated production schedules and activities for 6 shows for an on-line television network.
- Prepared and wrote daily financial news stories moving the stock market.
General Assignment Reporter
WREX-TV
2000.01 - 2001.01
- Responded 24/7 to emergencies and breaking news stories with strong sense of urgency.
- Delivered live reports from site of event and from mobile broadcast unit.
- Deployed to news events locales to provide on-the-ground broadcast news coverage.
- Delivered local news and feature reports in public for daily news programs.
- Disseminated news content through social media for better engagement with audiences and faster reporting.
- Collected data from various sources to determine facts and opinions and fashioned into cohesive story for television broadcast.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Broadcast Journalism
COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO
2000
Skills
- C-Suite and Board of Directors Senior Advisor
- PR Strategy Development
- Media Spokesperson
- Brand Management
- Crisis Communications
- Relationship and Team-Building
- Critical Thinking
- Campaign Coordination
- Messaging Strategy
- Press Coverage
- Complex Problem-Solving
Timeline
Director of Communications
State Of Illinois-Department Of Human Services
2020.07 - Current
Vice President
Edelman Public Relations Worldwide
2019.01 - 2020.07
Deputy Director of Communications-Transition
Lightfoot for Chicago
2019.01 - 2019.03
Vice President
Tribune Publishing, Corporate Communications
2017.01 - 2019.03
Principal
MK Strategies Consulting Ltd.
2015.01 - Current
Director
Golin Public Relations
2015.01 - 2016.01
Director of Public Affairs
Cook County Health Hospital Systems
2010.01 - 2015.01
Director of Communications
State Of Illinois-Department Of Transportation
2005.01 - 2010.01
News Writer
WBBM-TV & WFLD-TV
2003.01 - 2005.01
Web Financial, Producer
News & ETRADE Financial
2001.01 - 2003.01
General Assignment Reporter
WREX-TV
2000.01 - 2001.01
Bachelor of Arts - Broadcast Journalism
COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO
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