Takashi Kendrick
Vancouver,WA
Summary
Communications leader with a strong background in strategic messaging and team development. Expertise in digital marketing and project management led to enhanced departmental operations and increased engagement. Developed and implemented diversity and inclusion training programs for over 250 employees, fostering a more inclusive workplace. Proven ability in content development, event management, and targeted marketing strategies.
Proof points:
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Consultant / Creative Sabbatical
Self-employed
Vancouver, WA
01.2024 - Current
- Consulting with a few great organizations to think through their communications and marketing opportunities
- Pursuing professional development opportunities to bolster my leadership skills, learn more about different ways people and teams work and communicate, and further my project management abilities while figuring out my next strategic leadership role
- Working on creative writing projects
Communications and Marketing Director
Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries (FVRL)
Vancouver, WA
01.2016 - 01.2024
- Oversaw and provided strategic guidance for communications and marketing throughout one of Washington's largest library districts.
- Administrative Team member helping set strategic priorities for the library district
- Co-developed two 5-year Strategic Plans
- Helped develop $34+ million annual budget
- Participated in building and construction planning for new and existing libraries and facilities
- Participated in administrative discussions regarding hiring of personnel, including negotiations with two unions, and the budgetary impact(s) of employee benefits
- Provided guidance on decisions involving IT and purchasing
- Worked with library foundation to support fundraising; developed new strategies and marketing materials for building campaigns
- Set and managed budget and priorities for all communications, advertising, and printing for the district
- Managed staff of seven
- Primary voice for the district; provided messages and training for district directors, branch managers, supervisors, and librarians
- Rebranded FVRL away from traditional understanding of libraries, helping patrons understand modern library's place in communities
- Modernized the Communications and Marketing Department to be nimbler and more responsive to today's communications needs
- Rebuilt website to better reach 7,000 visitors daily
- Developed guidelines to reach patrons via social media
- Adopted new project management tools to streamline productivity
- Developed new print collateral to reach rural audiences and those with limited access to internet and technology
- Served on the library's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) workgroup
- Developed Equity Statement and Equity Toolkit for the organization
- Created training for 250+ employees in DEI skills and processes; also developed advanced DEI training for management
- One of Washington's largest library districts, serving three counties with 15 locations and 250+ employees.
Communications Officer
The Lemelson Foundation
Portland, OR
01.2009 - 01.2016
- Strategic communications lead for a mid-sized family foundation working in the US and in developing countries to improve lives through invention.
- Developed messaging frameworks to position the Foundation's mission
- Coordinated communications with grantees and partners such as the Smithsonian Institute, MIT, Gates Foundation, and USAID
- Researched and proposed opportunities for high-level engagements in the US and internationally, including Gates Foundation summits and Clinton Global Initiative
- Co-wrote and prepared talking points and speeches; coached staff and partners to prepare for speaking opportunities
- Worked with grantees to help build their communications capacity
- Played integral part of developing the Foundation's Strategic plan; led the development and implementation of the Foundation's Strategic Communications Plan
- Hired and supervised communications and marketing vendors, including a $500,000 annual budget for communications activities
- Managed approximately $1 million annually in communications grants; served as a consultant throughout the grantmaking portfolio
- A mid-sized family foundation working in the US and in developing countries to improve lives through invention.
Community and Content Manager
AboutUs.org
Portland, OR
01.2006 - 01.2008
- Developed comprehensive content calendars to ensure timely delivery of materials across various channels.
- Conducted in-depth SEO audits to enhance content visibility and organic reach.
- Analyzed content performance metrics to refine strategies and optimize engagement rates.
- Created guidelines for brand voice and messaging to maintain consistency across platforms.
Co-publisher
Wayward Couch Press/Ellipsis Magazine
Portland, OR
01.2005 - 01.2006
- Managed the editorial calendar to ensure timely publication of content across multiple platforms.
- Collaborated with authors and editors to refine manuscripts and enhance overall quality.
- Developed and implemented promotional strategies to increase readership and engagement.
Education
Bachelor of Arts -
The Evergreen State College
Olympia, WA01.1999
Associate's degree -
Olympic College
Bremerton, WA01.1996
MFA -
Naropa University
Boulder, COSkills
- Non-profit leadership
- Team development
- Content strategy and creation
- Brand messaging
- Stakeholder engagement
- Project management
- Problem solving
- Diversity and inclusion
- Strategic communication
- Adobe Creative Suite proficiency
- Digital marketing
- Team leadership
- Crisis communication
- Digital communications
- Social media management
- Stakeholder relations
- CRM management
- Website oversight
- Multimedia projects
- Corporate messaging
- Campaign development
- Internal communications
- Creative content development
- Integrated marketing strategies
- Media relations and press releases
Additional Information
Additional references are available upon request.
References
- Lynne Caldwell, Collection and Technical Services Director, Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries, (360) 619-2575
- Justin Keeler, Vancouver Community Library Branch Manager, Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries, (307) 399-2165
- Veronica Satalich, Coach, WAVE Training and Consulting LLC, (503) 318-2351
Awards
- 2018 Oregon Literary Fellowship recipient
- One of Pritchard Communication's 'Portland Ten' social changemakers (2015)
- Awarded the Hiro Yamagata scholarship for students of color during first year at Naropa University
- Recognized with awards from the Society for Professional Journalism and the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association as well as numerous in-house accolades from previous employers
- First person of color selected as News Director at KAOS Radio in Olympia, WA
Timeline
Consultant / Creative Sabbatical
Self-employed
01.2024 - Current
Communications and Marketing Director
Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries (FVRL)
01.2016 - 01.2024
Communications Officer
The Lemelson Foundation
01.2009 - 01.2016
Community and Content Manager
AboutUs.org
01.2006 - 01.2008
Co-publisher
Wayward Couch Press/Ellipsis Magazine
01.2005 - 01.2006
Bachelor of Arts -
The Evergreen State College
Associate's degree -
Olympic College
MFA -
Naropa University