Michelle Whittaker
Kensington,MD
Summary
Creative and strong executive leader, adept in brand & strategic messaging and team leadership. Expertise on national and state-level advocacy campaigns with strong voter engagement and fundraising skills for non-profits and political campaigns. Excels in content development, community relations, and social media engagement. Demonstrates exceptional problem-solving skills and a proven track record in staff management and budget oversight.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Principal
MCW Creative Group LLC
05.2015 - Current
- Developed design, communications, and campaign services for small businesses, non-profits, politic campaigns, and individuals to increase awareness and drive action.
- Managed national vote by mail program reaching over 80 million voters during the 2020 election cycle to ensure voters were able to vote during the pandemic.
- Served as campaign manager for local candidates in Montgomery County (MD) and the District of Columbia; led successful fundraising campaigns using new public financing laws raising over $100,000 in matching funds.
- Evaluated organizational processes, identifying inefficiencies and recommending targeted improvements and introducing new productivity tools and workflows.
- Compiled research data and gave professional presentations highlighting findings and recommendations.
Chief of Staff
Montgomery County Government
12.2022 - 11.2024
- Advised the Councilmember on education policy and coordinated the Education & Culture Committee policy and budget actions; supported key negotiations for Montgomery County Public Schools to receive additional funding.
- Analyzed, developed, and tracked legislation and policy issues related to assigned areas; led the introduction and drafting process for key legislation on housing that passed in 2023.
- Supervised staff and fostered a collaborative workplace and open door policy for 4 full-time and multiple contractors; organized and led biannual staff planning retreats.
- Implemented performance evaluations with clear objectives and goals to support employee accountability, professional development, and belonging.
- Oversaw policy priorities and held regular weekly meetings with staff to receive updates on assigned areas and identify key issues that required the Councilmember's action and/or direction.
Communications Manager
Manna Food Center
07.2018 - 11.2019
- Developed compelling content for Manna's website, social media, and email communications to support efforts to reduce hunger and increase advocacy for food insecurity.
- Created and maintained visual assets and branding for the organization; and designed the capital campaign branding to raise $2 million towards facilities and building updates.
- Doubled social media engagement, launched new website, and coordinated digital fundraising campaigns with the Development Manager.
- Coordinated the design and production for the annual report and fundraising appeals with vendors to ensure timely delivery.
- Engaged Manna staff and board members in developing content; led training on best practices for take photographs.
Communications Director
Democracy Initiative
02.2017 - 04.2018
- Coordinated messaging and digital actions for the 64 groups in the coalition; educated and mobilized 40 million members on democracy reforms.
- Led weekly strategy meetings with coalition liaisons to support democracy reform campaigns for public financing, automatic voter registration, and voting rights restoration.
- Wrote content for press releases, website and social media campaigns.
Director of Communications
FairVote
04.2015 - 02.2017
- Developed research-driven messaging language for organizational identity and key reforms; implemented messaging for state-level campaign in Maine.
- Cultivated relationships with political journalists, opinion editors and thought-leaders regarding FairVote’s reform agenda; and coordinated letters to the editor and opinion pieces across the country.
- Spearheaded rebranding, visual content, style guide, and launched of new website.
- Improved social media presence with tailored content strategies that incorporated better visuals and engaging copy, resulting in higher audience engagement.
Communications Director
United Methodist General Board of Church & Society
09.2006 - 04.2015
- Coordinated email communications for 11 networks (500 to 8,000 subscribers) and a weekly newsletter, Faith in Action (16,000+ subscribers). Managed and launched umc-gbcs.org (30,000+ visitors per month).
- Crafted language for new campaign initiatives on Ebola, health care, abolition of torture, economic justice and alcohol consumption. Fostered development of online community to reform health care in 2010.
- Led expansion into social media (2008), grew networks (5800+ on Facebook and 10000+ on Twitter).
- Fielded media inquiries, drafted press releases, and coordinated press conferences.
- Facilitated workshops and trainings on social media and advocacy for justice advocates and staff.
- Operated $430,000 communication and resource budget and supervised interns and consultants.
Education
Associate of Science - Graphic Design
The Art Institute Online
Pittsburgh, PABachelor of Science - Communications Studies
University of Maryland Global Campus
Hyattsville, MD01-2028
Skills
- Brand & Strategic Messaging
- Problem-Solving
- Team Leadership & Staff Management
- Data tracking & analysis
- Content development
- Community Relations
- Social Media Management & Engagement
- Budgeting, Forecasts, and Expense Tracking
Affiliations
- Board Chair, Represent Women
- At-Large Representative, Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee
Timeline
Chief of Staff
Montgomery County Government
12.2022 - 11.2024
Communications Manager
Manna Food Center
07.2018 - 11.2019
Communications Director
Democracy Initiative
02.2017 - 04.2018
Principal
MCW Creative Group LLC
05.2015 - Current
Director of Communications
FairVote
04.2015 - 02.2017
Communications Director
United Methodist General Board of Church & Society
09.2006 - 04.2015
Associate of Science - Graphic Design
The Art Institute Online
Bachelor of Science - Communications Studies
University of Maryland Global Campus
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