Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Timeline
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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, PA

Bachelor of Science - Communications Studies

University of Maryland Global Campus
Hyattsville, MD
01-2028

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
Michelle Whittaker