Samantha Gordon
Jersey City,New Jersey
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Owner, Communications Consulting
Kempsey Strategies LLC
01.2019 - Current
- Trusted advisor to lead branding and strategic communications efforts for politicians and organizations including Mayor Ras Baraka of Newark, NJ
- Communications advisor overseeing message development (traditional and digital media platforms), drive SME opportunities and manage crisis communications/rapid response events
- Liaison to nonprofit organizations, foundations, anchor institutions and other key community funders on behalf of the City of Newark: Audible, Prudential, Mars, PSEG
- Managed Newark2020, a two-year effort to secure 2,020 jobs for Newark residents
- Fundraised more than $500,000 to support Newark’s efforts to support “Residents Without Addresses” (the homeless population)
- Drove sustainability efforts by securing funding from PSEG (NJ’s largest electric and gas company) to provide solar panels to Newark’s public schools–cutting burdensome expenses
- Served as Newark’s board liaison to President Obama’s “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative, designed to provide mentoring and hundreds of job opportunities for young men of color
- Drives new business efforts for a multi-million dollar fintech company for ApTask Global
- Senior public relations consultant for the Maher Foundation (Newark, NJ), a multi-million dollar family foundation providing grants to community-based partners
- Leverages extensive contacts among national print, radio and broadcast for new and/or deeper media relationships.
Vice President, Corporate Communications
MWWPR
04.2015 - 12.2019
- Developed strategic communication plans, crisis management, public engagement and other campaign strategies that demonstrate a creative approach to surpass client goals
- Effectively led and managed multiple accounts of public clients which include Deloitte, ConnectOne Bank, Atkins, Amicus Therapeutics, The Washington Post and private, crisis clients
- Drove new business efforts to secure Planned Parenthood of America, RWJ Barnabas Health, TIDAL, The Embassy of Egypt and more
- Drafted talking points, board presentations, rapid response content and other memos for various audiences
- Leveraged extensive relationships among national print, radio, broadcast and international media
- Managed teams of 5-20 colleagues to create and drive successful strategy plans on time and within budget.
Communications and Public Affairs Director
NARAL Pro-Choice America
02.2012 - 03.2015
- Key spokesperson for national non-profit organization advocating for women’s health, appearing on MSNBC and personally quoted in more than three dozen news stories including The Daily Show, Washington Post and The LA Times
- Led an internal team of five staff members and oversaw communications for 22 state affiliates
- Built strong relationships with reporters from national trade media outlets
- Drove messaging for donors/investor and fundraising outreach
- Developed and delivered communications presentations for board members and donors
- Engaged high-level, nonprofit and community stakeholders across a wide range of advocacy causes including sustainability, LGBTQ+, social justice and more.
Industrial Midwest Regional Political Director
Democratic National Committee (DNC)
01.2010 - 01.2012
- Monitored and analyzed political activity in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Missouri, Indiana, Illinois, New Jersey, West Virginia, Kentucky and Kansas
- Prepped and staffed DNC Chairman Tim Kaine for regional visits and press opportunities
- Served as key staff lead for in-state visits from high-profile and national influencers.
New Jersey State Director
Organizing for America (DNC)
01.2009 - 01.2010
- New Jersey spokesperson for President Obama’s grassroots organization
- Successfully led state organizing and stakeholder engagement efforts to pass the Affordable Care Act, providing millions of Americans with healthcare
- Effectively managed all digital media state pages including Facebook, Twitter and blogs.
Campaigns & Policy Lead
National Education Association
05.2008 - 12.2008
- Lead organizer for meetings with elected officials and drove campaigns to educate members on policy and political issues
- Regularly traveled to various states to monitor targeted Presidential, Senate and House races
- Developed and implemented an innovative campaign program using internal polling data
- Coordinated with national headquarters to develop appropriate messaging and mailers for targets.
New Jersey Political Director/National Campaign Staff Member
Hillary Clinton for President Campaign
04.2007 - 05.2008
- Served as a liaison for the national campaign and state/local elected officials, coordinating key fundraising events for the principle and key representatives
- Effectively represented the campaign as a spokesperson for debates and interviews
- Collaborated directly with national Presidential campaign staff on the New Jersey delegate selection process and candidate petition filings.
Traveling Assistant to Governor Jon S. Corzine
State of New Jersey Governor’s Office
03.2005 - 03.2007
- Effectively managed the Governor’s daily schedule in a fast-paced environment
- Served as primary liaison for the Governor to the Governor's office, Cabinet and elected officials while traveling
- Meticulously edited and typed talking points for numerous speaking engagements while also coordinating and recording press opportunities with various media markets.
AmeriCorps Member
AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps
09.2004 - 03.2005
- Served as the 2020 Keynote Speaker for the organization’s 20th anniversary
- Non-profit organization designed to serve various communities including underserved, environmental and homeless populations
- Partnered with New Jersey-based nonprofits to enhance programming and strategic initiatives.
Education
Communications - Broadcast Journalism
Rider University
Lawrenceville, NJ05.2004
Skills
- Public Relations
- Media Strategy
- Public Affairs
- Corporate Reputation
- Campaign Management
- Crisis Lead
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- International Experience
- Executive Coaching
Awards
- Top Dream Keeper, Planned Parenthood of America, 2014
- Pro-Choice Person of the Year, Women’s Information Network, 2015
Volunteer Experience
- Clinton Global Initiative, Volunteer staff member
- NJ Community Food Bank, Volunteer
Timeline
Owner, Communications Consulting
Kempsey Strategies LLC
01.2019 - Current
Vice President, Corporate Communications
MWWPR
04.2015 - 12.2019
Communications and Public Affairs Director
NARAL Pro-Choice America
02.2012 - 03.2015
Industrial Midwest Regional Political Director
Democratic National Committee (DNC)
01.2010 - 01.2012
New Jersey State Director
Organizing for America (DNC)
01.2009 - 01.2010
Campaigns & Policy Lead
National Education Association
05.2008 - 12.2008
New Jersey Political Director/National Campaign Staff Member
Hillary Clinton for President Campaign
04.2007 - 05.2008
Traveling Assistant to Governor Jon S. Corzine
State of New Jersey Governor’s Office
03.2005 - 03.2007
AmeriCorps Member
AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps
09.2004 - 03.2005
Communications - Broadcast Journalism
Rider University
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