Lisa Peterson

Experience

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  Ohio Treasurer of State

  Jan 2002 - Jan 2004

  Press Secretary & Deputy Communications Director, Treasurer of State’s Office

  Initially served as Communications Director for Deters for Ohio’s Future reelection campaign, formulating communications strategies to disseminate candidate’s position, fuel earned media across statewide outlets, and secure editorial endorsements. Transitioned to serve as key office spokesperson and implemented communications objectives for second-term State Treasurer.

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  Ohio Department of Development

  Jan 2004 - Jan 2006

  Deputy Director, Office of Communications

  Recruited to lead all marketing and communications efforts for the state’s economic development initiatives, managing a million-dollar-plus budget, providing leadership to a 13-member team, and supporting strategic messaging for the Lt. Governor.»» Created the “Ohio Means Business” campaign, positioning Ohio as a #1 choice for business expansion; developed strategic marketing collateral promoting sweeping tax incentives for domestic and international organizations; and equipped Governor Taft with the resources to secure $160M+ in investments in Ohio and overseas sales. Show less

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  Ohio State Medical Association

  Jan 2006 - Jan 2008

  Director of Communications

  Joined the state’s largest physician association, shaping strategic communications initiatives focused on empowering physicians, residents, and medical students to advocate on behalf of their patients, communities, and profession. Represented the associate to national and regional healthcare media outlets, serving as an SME promoting healthcare access and delivery transformation. Editor for Ohio Medicine, the association’s magazine, producing a special edition reaching 20K+ members on EMR practices.»» Raised awareness of the OSMA-sponsored Healthcare Simplification Act, calling for contracting transparency and fairness, standardized credentialing, and web-based eligibility verification; the Act became law in June 2008.»» Secured widespread support—through earned media, strategic messaging, and thoughtful collateral—for a change in the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services payment schedule, mitigating significant revenue losses. Show less

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  Ohio Association of Health Plans

  Jan 2009 - Jan 2010

  Director of Communications

  Became the first in-house communications lead and created compelling and influential messaging representing the state’s licensed health plan association, whose member companies insured 7.5M+ Ohioans. Charged with editing and publishing all digital and print communications, including two monthly e-newsletters, marketing collateral, and daily electronic news clips. Served as the media liaison for healthcare reporters, Statehouse legislative correspondents, and editorial boards.»» Built a powerful new brand and tools to deepen understanding of the health insurance industry across all stakeholder groups, including the Ohio General Assembly, state policymakers, media, and members of the public.»» Developed targeted communications—focused on commercial insurers, Medicaid Managed Care, and Medicare Advantage plans—delivered through legislative testimony, policy memos, Statehouse events, and an outdoor wallscape.»» Created a themed policymaker publication featuring a Monopoly character identifying opportunities to achieve savings, stability, and better health outcomes during the 2008 financial crisis and state finance shortfalls.»» Led the Public Affairs Committee in working with health plan members’ marketing and communications staff to coordinate industry advocacy events, including participation in Ohio’s Make a Difference Day in 2009 and 2010. Show less

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  Ohio Attorney General's Office

  Jan 2011 - Jan 2019

  Director of Communications

  Received a personal invitation from the new Attorney General to join his office and direct all marketing, communications, legislative, and policy efforts representing statewide officeholders, state agencies, boards and commissions, and universities. Provided strategic counsel on PR, visual communications, graphic design, legislative liaison, and public policy development.»» Oversaw a broad portfolio of strategic communications directives, personally advising the Attorney General on all public relations touchpoints, including policy, outreach, legislative influence, change management, and more.»» Acted on opportunities to showcase this novel collaboration between academia and BCI, securing maximum earned media and awareness of the new $11.9M state-of-the-art crime lab and investigations facility.»» Increased visibility for Consumer Protection services, creating lighthearted yet educational advertising to empower Ohioans not to fall victim to predatory practices, and building media partnerships to connect directly with consumers.»» Created a cadre of media events launching National Consumer Protection Week, improving awareness of the office’s ability to investigate and prosecute Consumer Sales Practices Act violations and resolve consumer disputes.»» Produced a compelling and educational video—with 3M views—telling the story of a middle-class Central Ohio family and the loss of their daughter to a heroin overdose, the drug she turned to after becoming addicted to opiates. Show less

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  Office of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine

  Jan 2019 - now

  Director of Communications

  Named Director of Communications within 24 hours of Mike DeWine winning the Governor’s race, serving as the first named staff member, and continuing a legacy of working well together to promote administration priorities. Oversee a network of 27 cabinet-level agencies—and boards and commissions—influencing each through development of the gubernatorial agenda.»» Planned the state’s public relations strategy before the first case was even identified in Ohio, driving awareness of public health and state resources that would become vital in Ohio’s response to this unprecedented event.»» Developed the cadence and calendar for 150+ press conferences held throughout the pandemic, deliberately selecting 2 PM for broadcasting to allow policymakers the time to gather and analyze data, local officials the opportunity to facilitate regional activities, and news stations the time to prepare for their 5 PM newscasts.»» Featured prominent Ohioans in advertisements promoting good health measures and vaccinations and brought an uplifting tone to conferences by showcasing creative efforts of Ohioans to support the fight against the pandemic.»» Recognized that the “Ohio, Find it Here” brand was not connecting with residents and visitors and played a key role in bringing back a classic slogan with modern graphics, a new brand anthem, and a team of state leaders. Currently engaged in working with 27 state agencies to rebrand all materials, tracking to complete migration by year-end.»» Joined a partner at Intel to optimize visibility and impact of their selection of Ohio as home to up to 8 chip-making factories, creating a brand-new industry in Ohio and putting Ohio at the epicenter of the new Silicon Heartland.»» Created strategic communications supporting unprecedented investments in traffic safety projects across 30 counties, perhaps most notably resulting in the passage of Senate Bill 288, Ohio’s Distracted Driving Law. Show less