Rhonda Burke
Antioch,IL
Summary
Dynamic communications leader with extensive experience at the U.S. Department of Labor, skilled in strategic planning and media engagement. Proven track record in enhancing organizational efficiency and fostering workforce development. Adept at crisis communications, with a strong ability to mentor and develop talent, driving impactful results in high-pressure environments.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
Deputy Director of Public Affairs, Midwest Region
U.S. Department of Labor
08.2010 - 12.2025
- Supported team initiatives by conducting research and compiling relevant data.
- Created documentation for standard operating procedures and best practices.
- Developed strategic plans to achieve organizational goals, ensuring alignment with company''s mission and vision.
- Developed thought leadership around specific topics and emerging practice areas in support of budget, financial and operational goals.
- Increased overall efficiency by identifying areas of improvement and implementing necessary changes.
- Turned mandates into actionable operational strategies.
Senior Enlisted Leader
Navy Region Midwest
01.2010 - 08.2010
- Developed training programs to improve junior personnel's skills and increase overall unit competency.
- Fostered an inclusive culture that respected diversity among team members and encouraged open communication of ideas and concerns.
- Represented unit or command at high-level meetings with key stakeholders from other military branches or government agencies.
- Streamlined internal communication processes, fostering collaboration across multiple departments and enhancing information flow.
- Mentored junior leaders, providing guidance on leadership principles and operational strategies to enhance their professional growth.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop strategic plans for future growth and mission success.
Mass Communications Specialist
U.S. Navy- Navy Region Midwest
04.2007 - 01.2010
- Developed comprehensive communication strategies to enhance brand visibility and public engagement.
- Crafted targeted press releases and media materials, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
- Mentored junior staff on best practices in communications, promoting professional growth and skill enhancement.
- Coordinated event planning efforts for successful product launches, conferences, and trade shows.
- Coordinated community outreach initiatives, fostering relationships with local stakeholders and organizations.
- Implemented crisis communication plans, effectively mitigating potential negative press and preserving company image.
Officer in Charge, Navy Media Center, Bahrain
U.S. Navy Active Duty
01.2005 - 03.2007
- Established live radio station, led training of junior enlisted.
- Negotiated international broadcasting license for radio station.
- Coordinated travel of junior enlisted personnel throughout the Middle East for internal video story production.
- Increased productivity output of five person journalist team 500 percent over calendar year 2004.
- Coordinated operational coverage with headquarters staff at U.S Fifth Fleet and Navy Media Center, Washington DC
- Led team in implementing operational improvements to enhance workflow efficiency.
- Developed training materials to onboard new employees, ensuring consistent performance standards.
- Mentored junior staff on best practices, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and skill development.
- Improved team morale and performance with consistent feedback and recognition of achievements.
Staff Journalist
Naval Training Center/Naval Service Training Comma
10.2000 - 11.2004
- Conducted in-depth research to produce accurate and timely news articles on naval training programs.
- Collaborated with military personnel to gather insights and enhance story authenticity.
- Edited and fact-checked articles ensuring adherence to journalistic standards and protocols.
- Developed multimedia content, integrating video and audio elements for online publication.
- Mentored junior journalists on effective reporting techniques and ethical practices in journalism.
- Coordinated with public affairs officers to ensure clear communication of naval training initiatives to the public.
- Wrote, edited and produced stories for Internet and digital channels.
Freelancer Writer
Chicago Tribune
04.1998 - 12.2000
- Covered school board, city council and police beats in Northern Lake County and McHenry County, Illinois. Wrote obits for publication.
- Collaborated with editors to refine articles and improve overall quality.
- Utilized exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills to produce engaging and error-free content.
- Generated ideas for new content series or formats based on audience interests and market trends.
- Interviewed individuals by phone, video chat and in-person to write news stories.
- Organized material to research and complete writing tasks.
- Followed company policies and editorial guidelines to craft thorough, well-written content.
- Conducted interviews with subject matter experts to generate topics.
- Wrote compelling, succinct, clear news scripts under tight deadlines.
Editor in Chief
Lakeland Newspapers
08.1991 - 04.1998
- Manged editorial content and staff for 13 weekly newspapers.
- Led editorial team in developing and executing content strategy aligned with publication goals.
- Oversaw production schedules, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality publications across multiple platforms.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to integrate digital strategies into traditional publishing processes.
- Coordinated special edition publications, showcasing high-quality content tailored to specific themes or events.
- Maintained open lines of communication between departments to ensure seamless collaboration on cross-functional initiatives.
- Oversaw, trained and developed writers and associates, assistants and junior editors to optimize production and quality of work.
- Managed budget allocation for editorial projects, ensuring optimal use of resources and cost-effective strategies.
- Maintained a consistent editorial voice throughout all published materials, reinforcing the publication''s unique identity.
- Established editorial direction and publication policies and procedures and monitored and maintained functional consistency.
Education
Master of Arts - Human Resources Development
Webster University
St. Louis, MOBachelor of Science - Workforce Education
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
Carbondale, ILNo Degree - Communications
University of Oklahoma
Norman, OKMaster of Arts - Creative Writing
Southern New Hampshire University
Hooksett, NH12-2026
Skills
- External and internal communications
- Journalistic and feature writer
- Media engagement
- Strategic planning
- Crisis communications
- Workforce development
Timeline
Deputy Director of Public Affairs, Midwest Region
U.S. Department of Labor
08.2010 - 12.2025
Senior Enlisted Leader
Navy Region Midwest
01.2010 - 08.2010
Mass Communications Specialist
U.S. Navy- Navy Region Midwest
04.2007 - 01.2010
Officer in Charge, Navy Media Center, Bahrain
U.S. Navy Active Duty
01.2005 - 03.2007
Staff Journalist
Naval Training Center/Naval Service Training Comma
10.2000 - 11.2004
Freelancer Writer
Chicago Tribune
04.1998 - 12.2000
Editor in Chief
Lakeland Newspapers
08.1991 - 04.1998
Master of Arts - Human Resources Development
Webster University
Bachelor of Science - Workforce Education
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
No Degree - Communications
University of Oklahoma
Master of Arts - Creative Writing
Southern New Hampshire University
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