Communications Director

Carter W. Ashforth *.*.********@*****.*** 203-***-****

Los Angeles, CA. 90291 LinkedIn

ABOUT ME

Human-centered design leader with extensive public affairs experience, specializing in project management, stakeholder engagement, and strategic communications. Organized and proactive, with a passion for driving positive change through impactful actions and relatable, effective messaging. Motivated by doing well while doing good. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Shibumi Shade, Remote

Community Manager – part-time – contract (May 2024 – Present) As a Community Manager for Shibumi Shade, I am responsible for expanding brand awareness in the SoCal beach markets. My role includes executing local partnerships, organizing and managing both small and large-scale events, and initiating creative marketing strategies. I serve as the "face of the brand," representing Shibumi at various pop-ups, venues, and events, as well as regularly visiting the beach to oversee brand activations. My role demands creativity, strong communication skills, and a passion for the brand. Duties include:

● Expert knowledge of Shibumi products and effective brand representation in the SoCal beach markets.

● Manage brand activations at local beaches, handling all logistics from setup to takedown.

● Implement word-of-mouth marketing strategies to boost brand awareness.

● Identify local events and potential partnerships for brand growth.

● Collect and report customer feedback and trends to Shibumi HQ.

● Report the outcomes of various activations and initiatives to my team. Selected accomplishments:

● Hired as Shibumi's first Community Manager on the West Coast, pioneering the brand's presence in the region.

● Consistently report outcomes and insights to Shibumi HQ, contributing to strategic decision-making.

● Build and maintain key partnerships with local business owners, retailers, athletes, influencers, and the general public, enhancing brand visibility and engagement in the SoCal area.

● Increased visibility of Shibumi shades from zero to regular multiple sightings on local beaches. Michael L. Younger for California Governor 2026, Remote Communications Director – part-time (April 2024 – Present) I’m part of the core team electing California’s next governor. After successful private and public sector careers, Michael is running to expand opportunities and build a thriving California. A native Californian who grew up unhoused with a single mom, Michael intimately understands the challenges many face and knows what it takes to achieve the American dream. Duties include:

● Lead the communications team–developing, coordinating, and executing the campaign's strategic communications plan.

● Write newsletters, social media copy, press releases, statements, media advisories, talking points, and all of the candidate’s speeches.

● Drive media and digital strategies.

● Website maintenance.

● Staff the candidate at events.

● Until a permanent fundraising lead is on-boarded, I am leading the fundraising efforts.

● Supervise the social media coordinator.

Selected accomplishments:

● Redesigning the campaign’s website and writing new content for it.

● Re-writing the campaign’s slogan.

● Wrote the candidate’s first major address in his bid for governor.

● Helped execute the candidate’s first official in-person event, which was attended by hundreds of people. 1

Carter W. Ashforth *.*.********@*****.*** 203-***-**** Los Angeles, CA. 90291 LinkedIn

Sugerman Communications Group, Los Angeles, CA.

Associate – full-time (October 2023 – March 2024)

Sugerman Communications Group is an award-winning communications and public affairs firm built on best practices learned in politics, public relations, and news media. I executed strategic communications campaigns for diverse clients, including corporations, associations, schools, and nonprofits. Responsibilities included crafting press materials, managing social media, planning event rollouts, prepping clients for media opportunities, and analyzing policy in sectors like affordable housing, solar energy, and maritime shipping. Selected accomplishments:

● Led a 10-person team to develop and launch a client’s website on time.

● Pitched and coordinated a TV segment on Spectrum 1.

● Increased a client’s social media audience by 25% in five months.

● Produced a client video that gained media coverage and drove new business.

● Directed a comprehensive rebranding project, fully integrating it into the client’s operations. Children Now, Remote

Communications & Outreach Coordinator – full-time (November 2021 – September 2023) Children Now is California’s nonpartisan, whole-child research, policy development, and advocacy nonprofit to improve children’s health, education, and well-being. I amplified Children Now’s messages through media strategies, social media management, content creation, and press outreach. Organized key events, supported podcast production, and refined internal communications processes. Selected accomplishments:

● Secured an average of 5 media hits per month in major outlets like USA Today and the LA Times.

● Grew social media audience by nearly 20%.

● Led media strategy for the most successful statewide advocacy campaign in the organization’s history.

● Created the first org-wide communications calendar and internal newsletter.

● Contributed to key legislative wins, including paid family leave expansion and Medi-Cal reform. Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF), San Francisco, CA. Outreach Manager - Volunteer & Corporate – full-time (April 2019 – October 2021) Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco is a direct service non-profit organization that provides high-quality, community-based youth development services to thousands of youth annually in San Francisco. I led a volunteer program engaging 3,000+ individuals annually and supported corporate and individual fundraising efforts. Managed the volunteer department’s budget, created content for Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco’s blog and newsletters, and oversaw the young professional board, the NextGen Leadership Council. Selected accomplishments:

● Contributed to securing $6M of the $15M annual budget.

● Launched the first young professional board government advocacy group at a Boys & Girls Club nationwide.

● Raised $250K from the NextGen Leadership Council and $80K annually from corporate volunteer groups.

● Developed the organization’s first diversity standards for the NextGen Leadership Council.

● Increased volunteer retention by 25%.

Sofar Sounds, San Francisco, CA., New York, NY., Nashville, TN. Sofar Crew– part-time (March 2014 – July 2021)

Sofar Sounds, is a British music events startup company, responsible for various small performances, hosted in over 400 cities. In my various roles, I produced and promoted live music events across multiple cities. Led event operations as Talent Buyer and City Director in Nashville; managed day-of event teams in NYC and SF. Produced an unreleased documentary following two bands on tour in Brazil. Selected Accomplishments:

● Directed 100+ live music events across three major cities.

● Supervised event teams to ensure seamless execution.

● Successfully scouted and booked talent, curating diverse lineups.

● Tour managed a month-long tour through Brazil, while producing a documentary capturing the experience. 2

Carter W. Ashforth *.*.********@*****.*** 203-***-**** Los Angeles, CA. 90291 LinkedIn

Family Centers, Inc. (Greenwich, CT.)

Community Engagement Specialist – full-time (December 2017 – March 2019) Family Centers is a private, nonprofit organization offering more than 20 education, health, and workforce programs to thousands of children, adults and families in Connecticut. I managed volunteer and corporate engagement programs, reporting to the COO. I supported major fundraising events, liaising with high-net-worth individuals. I contributed to meeting a $4.5M department goal as part of a $14.5M agency budget across 24 human services programs.

Advancement Specialist – full-time (March 2017 – November 2017) Reported to the Senior Director of Development. Volunteer program coordinator (2,500 volunteers during FY 16-17), donor database administrator, and wrote all donor acknowledgement letters. Development Coordinator – full-time (March 2016 – March 2017) Reported to the Senior Director of Development. Donor database administrator and wrote all donor acknowledgement letters. EDUCATION

School of Public Affairs, American University, Washington, D.C. Master of Public Administration and Policy (Phi Alpha Alpha) Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA

Bachelor of Arts, English with Writing Concentration The Lawrenceville School, Lawrenceville, NJ.

High School Diploma

CERTIFICATIONS

School of Public Affairs, American University Issued December 2022 - no expiration date SPA Analytics and Management Institute Certificate CITI Program . Issued September 2021 - expires September 2025 Social and Behavioral Research - Basic/Refresher

Credential ID 44790002

SOFTWARE

Airtable: strong user Microsoft Office: strong user Asana: strong user Monday: intermediate user

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Cision: beginner user Salesforce: intermediate user Constant Contact: strong user Slack: expert user

Critical Mention: intermediate user Sprout Social: strong user Double the Donation: strong user SPSS: intermediate user Google Workspace: strong user Squarespace: strong user Kindest: strong user VolunteerHub: strong user

Mailchimp: intermediate-strong user Webflow: intermediate user Meltwater: strong user Wordpress: intermediate user Mention: beginner user

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