Nolan Sundrud, ABC

Experience

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  Ketchum PR

  Jan 1993 - Jan 1995

  Account Executive

  Helped build a new technology PR practice at Ketchum, managing special event, business press and vertical market PR activities for HP, Genentech, and several start-up technology companies. I also assisted outside the technology group with campaigns for California Raisins, California Prunes and the Beef Council.

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  Cunningham Communications

  Jan 1995 - Jan 1996

  Account Executive

  Designed and implemented public relations strategies for Apple Computer, Motorola and IBM Storage Systems.

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  Hewlett-Packard

  Jan 1996 - Jan 2005

  Built strong relationships with industry analysts and top-tier business media to maintain company’s thought leadership. Created speeches, presentations, PR materials, and newsletters for several HP vice presidents as part of communication campaigns and marketing pushes, resulting in HP being universally and consistently regarded as leader, trend-setter, and “best choice for business or consumers” in printing and imaging. Managed four PR and event agencies to produce large press and analyst events, introduce new products, and conduct strategy briefing tours, consistently achieving praiseworthy results on time and under budget. Show less Created high-level initiative messaging for several imaging and printing teams, linking together the HP corporate vision, six key imaging and printing initiatives and the needs of 17 product divisions. Trained and educated HP product groups on company strategy through seminars, white papers and presentations, particularly around messaging involving connectivity, digital publishing, and e-services. Crafted the messaging content used in product packaging, sales collateral, online sources and customer service for all new imaging and printing products from HP. Spearheaded a media training effort for product managers, VPs and other company spokespersons, helping them become adept at delivering clear messages and staying on topic during media interviews. Drafted and edited white papers, strategy documents and PR materials for new product launches. Show less Led the development and delivery of worldwide, strategic business communications and public relations for the $20 billion printing and imaging business. Brought 25 worldwide communication professionals together under one strategy and acted as the key link between HP Corporate and the HP Imaging and Printing PR community. Strategized, planned and led the highly visible HP Printing E-Services launch, managing budgets in excess of $1 million, several communications agencies and 11 partner companies. Directly supported HP printing and imaging president Carolyn Tichnor, providing counsel, executive support and media training.Served as HP company spokesperson and crisis communications manager during the highly visible HP/Xerox patent infringement legal battle. Developed crisis plans for several other contingencies, including potential legal battles, the Y2K transition, product recalls and the handling of negative media reviews. Improved relationships with key technology and business media reporters from the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, BusinessWeek, and New York Times, resulting in positive coverage of HP printing business. Show less Developed business, vertical and trade press strategies for emerging printing (hardcopy) businesses. Directly supported an Italian division of HP, integrating their key messages into the overall international public relations plan. Introduced two new product categories for HP (network scanning and multi-function printing), through media pitching, press releases, spokesperson interviews, contributed articles and new product tours. Served as North American PR counsel for two strategic competitive marketing task forces, bringing attention to potential public perception issues of competitive activities and getting those activities stopped. Orchestrated the development of the HP Digital Sender and Mopier category websites. Show less

  • Worldwide Analyst Relations Manager

    Jan 2002 - Jan 2005

  • WW Category Messaging Manager

    Jan 2000 - Jan 2002

  • Worldwide Business Press Manager

    Jan 1999 - Jan 2000

  • Public Relations/Web Manager, North America

    Jan 1996 - Jan 1999
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  Cole Diagnostics

  Jan 2006 - Jan 2010

  Chief Operating Officer

  Designed and individually produced all communication materials, including company identity, website, trade show materials, sales information, benefit packages, HR, and company forms and reports. Hired, trained, and retained all administrative staff. • Re-branded entire company and all its medical laboratory services, creating unique value proposition in crowded market to win business from larger and more established competitors.• Managed the construction of a new CLIA-certified office to house technical laboratory, administration, secretaries, and pathology offices within budget and ahead of schedule.• Doubled number of clients and grew company revenues by 150% and profits by 350% in four years through direct sales, marketing, and trade show activities. Show less

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  MWH, now part of Stantec

  Jan 2010 - Jan 2011

  Americas Communications Manager

  Managed internal and external communications for MWH Americas. Distilled complex technology and environmental information into stories accessible by wide variety of audiences. Directed efforts of six-person communications team, including advertising, international public relations, investor relations, branding, tradeshow, and sponsorship programs, refocusing materials on client needs and solutions rather than “internal company speak.” • Oversaw internal communications, including presidential communication, global ethics and compliance, benefits communication, and company SharePoint intranet, increasing ability of company to function as one entity. • Transformed unorganized internal communications and delivered effective new programs that became company standards; improved employee satisfaction with internal communications from 13% to 69%. Show less

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  University of Denver

  Jan 2011 - Mar 2020

  Adjunct Professor

  Taught public relations, writing, reputation management, marketing, and organizational communications to students in the Master's program at Denver University.

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  Willis

  Jan 2012 - Jan 2014

  Senior Communications Consultant

  Provided strategic internal communications counsel to more than 85 different organizations throughout Western U.S., helping clients more effectively communicate company benefits to employees. Managed 15 different creative, design, and production vendors to respond to specific client needs, including meeting tight deadlines, mediating between clients and vendors, inspiring effective writing and design, and fixing inevitable issues. • Created communication plans, benefit guides, employee presentations, social media campaigns, and training videos to encourage employee action and improve employee retention and satisfaction. • Trained company sales force on effective communication and removing HR jargon for clarity with prospective client. Show less

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  ROI Communication

  Jan 2014 - Jan 2017

  Director

  Delivered award-winning internal communications consultation to Fortune 500 companies such as Toyota, Amazon, PepsiCo, PG&E, Genentech, Blue Shield, and HP, supporting times of complex transformation. Managed teams to deliver HR communications, organizational and culture changes, communication during mergers and acquisitions, change management, social media campaigns, and reputation management support; measured and reported results.• Crafted messages, stories, speeches, and strategic content for CEOs and senior leaders, supporting their efforts to inspire, engage, and align employees and key target audiences located worldwide.• Developed manager cascade programs to support improved message sharing internally.• Awarded 2015 Best Internal Communication Campaign of the Year from PRWeek.• Won 2015 Gold Quill Excellence Award for Change Communication from IABC. Show less

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  Zovio

  Jan 2018 - Jan 2020

  Director Corporate Communications

  Zovio (previously known as Bridgepoint Education)Led corporate communication department with responsibility to engage employees, build company reputation, and further company mission, goals, and vision. Managed all communication functions, including HR and executive communications, change management, created brand identity, public relations, corporate social media, and investor relations. Oversaw team of six, three agencies, and the yearly communications budget. • Guided communications during time of complete corporate transformation, with company separating into two organizations, renaming itself, redefining its company mission, merging two colleges, targeting new customers, acquiring two companies, and moving company headquarters from California to Arizona.• Created new voice and tone for company after transformation, revising all internal content ranging from employee manuals to job descriptions, building a new investor relations website, and relaunching social media programs.• Protected company reputation from external attacks, managed company crisis, serving as company spokesperson and actively refuting inaccurate reports by special interest groups, regulators, and media, including publishing public responses.• Provided speechwriting and communication counsel to CEO, CHRO, CMO, and executive team, including content for quarterly all-hands meetings, investor calls, and CEO media outreach and social media. Show less

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  Mitchell International

  Mar 2020 - Mar 2021

  Director, Marketing Communications

  Shaped and shared the Mitchell story as the leader of the corporate communications function and a key contributor to the global marketing strategy. Oversaw strategic planning, brand communications, messaging themes, press relations, executive communications, and monitoring industry trends. Managed all company web content, thought leadership blog posts, photography libraries, and digital engagement across all social media channels.• Managed the company’s editorial calendar, including crafting monthly thought leadership articles for the CEO and the ELT to build Mitchell's reputation in the insurtech market, increasing website visits by 40%.• Developed messaging, brand voice, and communications to build trust in a new organization after two major acquisitions.• Created a COVID-19 hub page on Mitchell.com to share policy updates, which boosted website traffic by 21%.• Took over all company PR activity when budget cuts meant losing PR agency support. Through solid project management and effective collaboration, prepared all corporate press releases, built relationships with industry journalists, and earned between two to ten articles in industry media outlets each month.• Spearheaded the CEO keynotes for the company’s annual industry conference and internal all-hands meetings. Show less

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  Health Net Federal Services

  Mar 2021 - now

  Senior Director, Communications, Health Net Federal Services

  Refreshed and improved internal and external communications programs, revised the website and social media platforms, and protected the corporate brand and brand identity. Directed press relations, government relations and investor relations functions, and owned community engagement and philanthropy programs. Reported to the CEO, and managed a team of nine communication and graphic design professionals, regularly called the “rock stars” of the company.• Directed all leadership communications, including weekly CEO updates, quarterly town halls, all-employee event support, stakeholder presentations, award acceptance speeches, and published thought leadership articles. Employee attendance at town halls rose from 35% to 85% during tenure.• As a key executive leadership team member, provided counsel and business strategy guidance, drove executive-level meetings, supported all internal and external communications, using data-driven insights to develop risk management plans, managing media and stakeholder relations strategy, and shaping company culture. Responsible for the final review of all written company content.• Oversaw all crisis communications after the loss of a major contract, protecting external reputation and maintaining employee engagement, which resulted in the company earning the best performance scores in its history and contributed to low voluntary employee turnover rate (under 7%) during that final year of the contract. Show less