Natasha Woods
Bay Area,CA
Summary
A strategic communications professional who thrives when creating results-driven communications functions within an organization from the ground up.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Director of Communications
Andela
07.2023 - Current
- Created the global communications function at Andela, which included media relations, analyst relations, product communication, crisis communication, executive communication, internal communications, awards, and speaking.
- Revitalized African Marketing program
- Drove CNCF + Andela training program
- Developed 10-year anniversary communication strategy; including NASDAQ visit and Tower presence and broadcast media tour
- Created CEO change internal and external communication strategy (including investor, customer and talent communication)
- Drove RIF internal and external communication strategy (including investor, customer and talent communication)
Director, Corporate Communications
GitLab
06.2019 - 04.2023
- Led global communications efforts during pre & post IPO
- Created the Corporate Communications department at GitLab, which included Product PR, EMEA & APAC PR, Corporate PR, Crisis Communications, Executive Communications, Social Media Marketing, and Internal Communications
- Managed team of nine and eight PR firms globally
- Developed and executed comprehensive communications strategy
- Developed and executed communications process for 5 consecutive earnings quarters
- Developed and executed communications process for historic IPO
- Developed and managed company's crisis communications plan and processes
- Communications lead for GitLab side of JiHu launch (China company)
- Communications lead for Remote Work Playbooks and Surveys
Senior PR Manager
The Linux Foundation
03.2016 - 06.2019
- Developed and executed communications processes for Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF)
- Managed direct report and PR agency
- Led media and analyst coverage for Kubernetes after donation from Google to CNCF, as well as, all other cloud native projects under the Foundation
- Managed CNCF, Kubernetes and other cloud native projects' social media program
- Managed Kubernetes and other cloud native projects' case study program
- Communications lead for Kubernetes 1.9, 1.10 and 1.14 releases
- Created communications framework for Kubernetes release team
- Communications lead for KubeCon 2016-2019 creating media and analyst program for the event
- Developed reporting structure that analyzed effectiveness of communications initiatives for each CNCF project and used data to inform future strategies
- Helped launch the Continuous Delivery Foundation (CDF)
- Communications lead for ODPi and LF Deep Learning
- Analyst relations lead for the Linux Foundation
Senior Account Manager
10Fold
05.2014 - 03.2016
- Day-to-day client lead for Big Data, Cloud and IoT practice
- Managed team of three
- Specialized in launching start-ups in stealth mode
- Secured Fortune feature article of Tinder's use of Interana's behavioral analytics software
- Client accounts included: Interana, BlueData, Reflektion, Striim, SnapLogic, MemSQl, MariaDB, Saffron Technologies (purchased by Intel), and Viptela
Account Manager
Weber Shandwick
04.2011 - 05.2014
- Day-to-Day client lead and support for technology and corporate communications U.S West region
- Managed interns
- Communications lead on Gigamon IPO
- Led media interviews for Symantec earnings
- Led media interviews for Goodwin Procter to discuss handling of Twitter IPO
- Client accounts included: Symantec, Verizon Enterprise Solutions (formerly Terremark), Verisign, Gigamon, GlobalLogic, Revolution Ventures, Goodwin Procter, OneRoof Energy and ADARA Networks
LaBreche
10.2010 - 08.2011
Fleishman-Hillard
08.2008 - 10.2010
Tunheim Partners
11.2007 - 05.2008
Comcast - West Coast Region
06.2006 - 05.2007
Education
B.A. - Communications, Economics
California State University San Marcos
01.2006
Skills
- Dot Connector (expansive world view)
- Relater & Ideation
- Documentation & Process Creator
- Remote Work
- Project Management
- Execution & Results Oriented
- Relationship & Bridge Builder
- Motivational Leader
Timeline
Senior Director of Communications
Andela
07.2023 - Current
Director, Corporate Communications
GitLab
06.2019 - 04.2023
Senior PR Manager
The Linux Foundation
03.2016 - 06.2019
Senior Account Manager
10Fold
05.2014 - 03.2016
Account Manager
Weber Shandwick
04.2011 - 05.2014
LaBreche
10.2010 - 08.2011
Fleishman-Hillard
08.2008 - 10.2010
Tunheim Partners
11.2007 - 05.2008
Comcast - West Coast Region
06.2006 - 05.2007
B.A. - Communications, Economics
California State University San Marcos
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