I support organizations in crafting and telling compelling stories to grow business while managing risk. I'm passionate about reshaping capitalism for a better future for all stakeholders, including our home planet. If a better future aligns with your organization's goals I can help.
Providing senior counsel to agency leadership and clients on ESG-related matters
As CCO for ASBN, which partners with business organizations, companies, and impact investors to advocate for solutions and policies that support an equitable, sustainable, stakeholder economy, I led the Network to increase its visibility among thought-leaders and policy influencers that advances stakeholder capitalism. ASBN represents over 250,000 sustainable businesses in a wide range of industries and geographies. I successfully led merger communications and rebranding for the organization during the coupling of the American Sustainable Business Council and Social Venture Circle, resulting in an organization that effectively doubled in size and impact.
Managed new product launches and PR campaigns for Gillette that helped resuscitate the company’s strategy back towards the razor/razor blade model away from disposables. Created guidelines for global agency network for product launches and line extensions of Gillette brands and products.
Served as crisis counselor and marketing communications team leader for GNC and US public affairs team of Aerospatiale (now Airbus). Managed strategic planning, event production and budget management for clients.
Selected for and completed BBDO account management training during Omnicom integration. Porter Novelli
Created in-house PR department and protocols to support marketing communications, publicity and product placement for Evian in North America. Pioneered the first marketer-studio collaborations for product placement. Managed PR agencies and activation of sporting and entertainment sponsorships such as the US Open, Council of Fashion Designers of America, Women’s Professional Volleyball Association and Share Our Strength/NoKidHungry. Led marketing committee for bottled water industry to drive category growth, resulting in a recommendation to drink 8 glasses of water per day.
Supported global corporate communications team during NYSE listing and other corporate milestones.
Served as company/brand spokesperson; directed public relations & entertainment marketing agencies; directed internal communications; planned and implemented M&A communications for 3 acquisitions; represented company at industry associations; planned and directed community relations and crisis communications including the development of a bottled water plant in Mt. Shasta, CA for the company's domestic brands. evian natural spring water
Served on executive committee of venture capital backed start-up organic food company, which was the fastest growing in its sector before being selling to Hain. Managed PR, product placement, and digital agencies. Successfully navigated issues and crisis communication, managed Web sites, employee communications, and cause-related marketing.
Advanced awareness of Walnut Acres portfolio of organic soups, juices, pasta sauces, salsas, and kid’s snacks by developing corporate communications, PR, and consumer affairs capabilities.
Accelerated creation of company and brand reputation to build product distribution, leading to successful sale. Managed communications for four acquisitions and 2 plant closures within 3 years.
Re-built marketing practice of one of NYC’s largest independent PR agencies from less than $1M to more than $5M in two years through client counsel, team development, business forecasting, new business development, issues management, and event planning.
Doubled the practice from 8 to 15 practitioners, serving clients including: The North Face, Keurig, GoDaddy, WW (formerly Weight Watchers). Ruder Finn
Oversaw brand and corporate PR, as well as community relations where the company makes yogurt. Built close working relationships with senior management and communications teams globally, and proactively implemented best-in-class PR / communications practices, and global collaboration across regionalized structure; supported global Danone corporate communications and investor relations teams.
Orchestrated campaign, increasing awareness of probiotics, resulting in consumer awareness of +70%, and category and company growth to market leader position (400% growth, 2005 – 2012).
Devised brand and corporate PR for yogurt category (30% category growth, 2005 – Present).
Forged mutually productive relationships, including publicity by working with business stakeholders, including the NFL, Partnership for a Healthier America, Clinton Global Initiative, and PETA.
Resolved growth related issues at the manufacturing locations, resulting in harmonious community relations.
Proactively influenced communications positions and practices of industry trade associations, including the International Dairy Foods Association, National Yogurt Association, and International Food Information Council, as well as Grocery Manufacturers Association through board and committee leadership.
Led and nurtured communications team overseeing a portfolio of 20 brands of the largest yogurt, organic food and plant-based food business in North America. Conceived of and directed PR and corporate communications for other business units of Danone in North America, including Danone Waters, Happy Family Organics, and Danone Manifesto Ventures. Transformed the communications function and services from a single category focus to serve a variety of categories, while combining operations with WhiteWave Foods. Established the reputation for Danone North America as the largest Certified B Corp in the world, while continually preparing for and managing through dozens of crises, product withdrawals, various litigation, and other business interruptions. Drove awareness of B Corp Certification and relationships across the stakeholder continuum.
Protected and promoted company/brands by serving as lead spokesperson, including Horizon Organic, So Delicious, Silk, Dannon, Earthbound Farm, and International Delight. Developed PR strategies and plans, directing and supporting brand teams.
Integrated PR and corporate communications of Danone and WhiteWave Foods, during and following acquisition, resulting in positive company-focused media coverage. Built outcome-focused relationships with top-tier journalists; generated high-value deliverables by effectively managing company’s PR agencies.
Led media briefings and trainings for senior management and subordinate spokespeople and wrote briefs to manage complex issues. Minimized reputation risk through crisis management and preparedness without impacting sales growth during the largest class-action lawsuit in food industry history.
Project-based and ongoing counsel for businesses and nonprofit clients. Past and present clients include Danone for a stakeholder audit; B Lab, which conceived of and administers the fast-growing B Corp certification; Fund for Social Equity, developing innovative means to reduce the racial wealth gap in the U.S.; Intrinsic Exchange Group, to meet the demand for nature positive investment; L'Occitane Group, and a major NYC-based healthcare institution managing through Covid-19; . Services including sustainability related communications, stakeholder mapping and assessment, communications planning, crisis and issues management, recruiting, and cohort building.
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Since October 7, 2023 woefully few companies and academic institutions have expressed their horror at the atrocities that have been committed and the ongoing suffering due to terrorism. When else in history have so few been so silent after a massive act of terrorism? After 9-11? Definitely not. Why now?
During the past several years we have witnessed an explosive proliferation in ‘statements of support’ from company CEOs and university presidents about a huge range of topics that strike fear...