Non-Profit Community Relations

Rich Diefenbach

*** ******* **** • Chappaqua, New York 10514 •c (914) 649 - 4164

ad5yb5@r.postjobfree.com

OBJECTIVE

Storytelling has always been a passion, especially during my many years covering news events. Whether it be teaching the public about history or launching a new marketing or community relations campaign for a business or non-profit, excellent communications can draw people to your company or cause. My goal is to gain a communications management position to engage the community by producing inspiring positive content to promote curiosity, creativity, and connectivity in the company resulting in higher productivity and sales.

PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATIONS EXPERIENCE

RPD Media Associates LLC, Chappaqua, NY Owner, Executive Producer, July 2021-present, 2005 – 2017.

●Innovated storytelling to brand a new national healthcare start-up, researched and wrote press releases, website content, social marketing: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, identified local community-based marketing ideas and planned events with local offices. (9/8/2021 – 4/8/2022, (extended 8-month contact)

●Initiated, planned, collaborated, and facilitated first annual Great Holiday Train Show (11/20/21-1/9/22) for The New Castle Historical Society. Most successful fundraiser in decades, while successfully engaging awareness into Horace Greeley’s home and history. Chaired launch parties for the first three years of Great Holiday Train Show, assisted in fundraising, and supported acquisition of initial train layouts. The show grossed over $50,000 in the holiday season leading into 2024.

●Co-produced a ground-breaking documentary, Honorable But broken: EMS in Crisis to raise awareness to advocate for the third arm of 911 – EMS or Emergency Management Services. EMS workers are not considered an “essential” service” in over 40 states and yet they are tasked daily to respond and administer life-saving support. Laws are needed to mandate funding to ensure necessary pay, 24 hour staffing coverage to meet 911 calls, and health benefits to protect these first responders. Secured and filmed interviews, shot b-roll, co-wrote script.

●Wrote & produced award-winning historical multicast documentaries, walking tours and original marketing content for businesses, non-profits, and healthcare companies.

●Honored with 18 Big W Awards including Gold Awards for The Bronx River Walk Audio Tour with Dan Rather, and AIDS: A Change in Social Awareness

ABC News, CBS News, Fox News Channel

Senior Producer, Assignment Desk Manager, Deputy Bureau Chief CBS Los Angeles, Deputy for CBS Campaign Coverage, ABC Control Room Operations Manager 1980’s - 2012

Leader in Newsgathering and production for major networks’ coverage of historic global events, including four presidential elections (seven conventions).

●Responsible for hard news fact checking, script writing and oversight, story coverage logistics

●Authorized on-air graphics, collaborative producing of on-air content for 24 hour, seven day week news cycle.

●Innovated ways to streamline communications for optimal reporting

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

New Beginnings Family Academy, 189 Garden Street, Bridgeport CT 06605

English Language Arts and Social Studies 6, 7, 8 January 2023 - present

* Focusing on our goals of providing an excellent academic experience through Social Emotional Learning, raised literacy reading levels over 100 points, enhanced writing skills for ELA. Covered United States History, and Global history using literary, visual and digital texts as well as problem based learning and creative immersion projects.

* As a faculty member, collaborated with teacher on the Literacy Committee to plan curriculum goals for 2024-2025 and on the planning and execution of Literacy Night, and Multicultural Night with parents and the community.

Scarsdale High School, 1057 Post Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583 September 2020 – June 2021

U.S. History Teacher (Leave Replacement)

* United States History (3), American Studies (1). Martin Luther King Committee, secured speaker Anthony Roy Hinton from EJI. CBS News Race & Culture EP Alvin Patrick role of media in oversight/content for MLK’s dream and legacy.

Bronxville Middle School, 177 Pondfield Road, Bronxville NY 10708 September 2018 – June 2020

Teacher, 8th Grade: ELA and Social Studies (Tenure track)

●Social Studies 8: PBLs included Muckraker / Progressive Era Convention, Role-play Roaring Twenties/Depression TV Show, World War I re-enactment; RAFT, Enduring Issues PBL project.

●English Language Arts 7, 8: – Teachers College Reading and Writing Program Curriculum; Kate Roberts Book Club curriculum. Novel Studies, Argumentative Writing, Literary Essays, Position Papers, Journalism. (Highly Effective)

Bronxville High School, 177 Pondfield Road, Bronxville, NY 10708 September 2017 – June 2018

History Teacher: A.P. United States History and United States History Honors (2 year Leave replacement)

●A.P. United States History. United States History Honors – Early America to present (Highly Effective)

●Faculty Advisor: Bronxville Model United Nations 2017-2020: ran trips to Princeton (PMUNC 7 awards), Johns Hopkins University (JHMUNC 2 awards), and Heschel High School (HESCHMUN 15 awards).

School of the Holy Child, 2225 Westchester Avenue, Rye, NY 10580 August 2015 – June 2017

A.P. U.S. History, European History Honors, World History II and World History I, and Faculty Advisor

Pace University, Pleasantville, New York September 2011 – May 2013

Adjunct Professor, Media and Communications

●Radio & TV News Writing: Rated: Taught broadcast news writing format for Radio and TV. Used authentic writing models from WCBS-88, World News with Diane Sawyer. Student teams developed full broadcasts. (Superior Performer)

Teaching Certifications:

Connecticut: CDE certified provisional certificates for ELA & Social Studies (7-12)

New York: NYSED certified Professional certificates for ELA & Social Studies (7-12)

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS (MA+30)

11/19: Wrote BSF grant and attended the National Conference for Social Studies (NCSS) Annual Meeting – Austin TX

8/18 & 8/19 Teachers College Reading and Writing Program: August Writing Institutes I & II

5/19: Next Generation English Language Arts

3/19: Enhancing the Reading Classroom with Technology

9/15 & 9/16: National History Day, University of San Diego (6 credits)

6/15: Royal Shakespeare Company/Warwick University: Teaching Physical Shakespeare, Horace Mann, NYC (2 days)

SKILLS

●Writing press releases and social media content

●Proficient in digital filmmaking using SONY A7 IV, some light video editing, (Final Cut, Sound Forge); some website design and maintenance, use of GVM lighting, and sound equipment (wireless Sennheisers).

EDUCATION

Rossier School of Education, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California August 2012

Master of Arts in Teaching, Single Subject Social Sciences (GPA 3.85)

The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.

Bachelor of Arts in Political History, Minors in Drama and English Literature (GPA 3.2)

REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

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