MATTHEW COSSOLOTTO

Avenue Chazal ***, **** Brussels, Belgium

Mobile: +32-048*-******

adb45t@r.postjobfree.com / www.ThePodiumPro.com

LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATIONS / CEO-LEVEL SPEECHWRITER Offer more than 25 years of demonstrated success in senior-level, high-profile public and private sector positions, including the U.S. Congress, NATO, Fortune 100 companies, and a leading public research university. U.S. DOD/NATO secret security clearance (adjudicated December 2015) for role as Speechwriter at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. CORE PROFESSIONAL STRENGTHS / U.S. GOVERNMENT HIGHLIGHTS Executive Speechwriting Guest Speaking/Workshops Public/Government Affairs Speech/Leadership Coaching Corporate Communications Nonprofit/Team Leadership Media Relations/Spokesperson International Affairs Published Author Author of The Almanac of Transatlantic Politics (Brassey’s) and The Almanac of European Politics

(Congressional Quarterly Books), the only single-source guides to election results, political parties, key leaders and institutions in 19 Western European democracies. Special Assistant to Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Jim Wright: Wrote political and policy-related speeches, floor statements, articles, and leadership messages. Legislative Aide to U.S. Representative Leon Panetta: Specialized in foreign affairs, defense, veterans, national service, and international education issues. CAREER HISTORY

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Brussels, Belgium Speechwriter 2016-2018

Worked closely with the NATO Spokesperson and in face-to-face contact with NATO Secretary General and Deputy Secretary General to shape NATO’s international communications and public diplomacy efforts. Composed a wide range of policy speeches, talking points, ceremonial remarks, video scripts, and articles for publication. Conducted PodiumPower! public speaking workshops for NATO staff and public diplomacy briefings about NATO’s history and agenda for visiting government officials, opinion leaders and students. The Podium Pro

Founder and President 1996-Present

Provide comprehensive executive communications and public relations services including speechwriting, media relations and one-on-one speech coaching. Clients have included GTE, AT&T, MasterCard Worldwide, Deloitte International, IBM, AT&T, Lafarge North America, NeuStar, GTS, and Samuels International. Created and conduct PEPTalks (Personal Empowerment Programs) – including PodiumPower! and HabitForce! workshops – for government, business, education and community organizations. Author of All the World’s a Podium, Harness Your HabitForce! and the forthcoming The Power of a Promise, with a foreword by Jack Canfield, creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series. www.ThePodiumPro.com

Office of the Chancellor, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Executive Speechwriter 2011-2016

Provided full range of executive communications support for high-volume, deadline-driven Office of the Chancellor at UCLA, one of the world’s leading public research universities. In coordination with external affairs colleagues and campus-wide leadership, prepared Chancellor for local, national and international audiences – academic, political, business, community and alumni. Resumé Continues

MATTHEW COSSOLOTTO - 2

CAREER HISTORY (continued)

GTE Corporation

Director of Executive Communications 1995-1998

Coordinated speechwriting and speech coaching support for fast-paced Office of the Chairman, which included the Chairman/CEO, Vice Chairman, and President. Wrote speeches presented to business, industry, analyst/investor audiences at venues that included the Telecom 95 international conference in Geneva, SuperComm and Houston Forum.

Pepsi-Cola International

Director of Communications 1992-1995

Led internal and external communications programs and projects for global, multi-billion-dollar division of PepsiCo. Editorial and design direction for flagship magazines Panorama and Savor. Speechwriting and coaching for the President and CEO at diverse international venues, including India, China and Europe. MCI Communications Corporation

Senior Manager, Corporate Communications 1988-1992 Speechwriter for Chairman and CEO William G. McGowan and other top executives at groundbreaking telecommunications company that helped create the competitive U.S. telecommunications industry. Coordinated editorial services department, managed executive speeches and oversaw the award-winning IN Magazine.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

Leadership Communications/CEO-Level Speechwriting/Coaching

Speechwriting for NATO Secretary General and Deputy Secretary General; Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives; UCLA Chancellor; GTE Office of the Chairman; Pepsi-Cola International President and CEO; and MCI Chairman and CEO.

Speechwriting and coaching of speakers for a variety of prominent venues, including the World Economic Forum (Davos); NATO; UN General Assembly; National Press Club; Economic Club of Detroit; Houston Forum; SuperComm; and Microsoft CEO Summit.

Articles and commentaries for publications that include the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Christian Science Monitor and Los Angeles Times. Numerous guest appearances on local and national radio and television.

Public Affairs/Leadership

Founding President and Board Chair (1992-1997) of The Center for Voting and Democracy, a nonprofit organization advocating voting system reform alternatives. www.fairvote.org

Extensive public affairs and global experience with major organizations: Member of the NAFSA (Association of International Educators) Strategic Task Force on Education Abroad; communications executive with Pepsi-Cola International; Peace Corps Volunteer in Sierra Leone, West Africa (1981-1982). Played leading role in the launch of the annual Sargent Shriver Award for Distinguished Humanitarian Service sponsored by the National Peace Corps Association.

Founder of Study Abroad Alumni International, a global nonprofit, educational organization dedicated to supporting study abroad opportunities and building a community of global citizens. www.StudyAbroadAlumni.Wordpress.com

Media/Public Relations

Comprehensive media relations and innovative marketing communications support for clients including NeuStar, Applied Digital Solutions and Digital Angel Corporation. Wrote and distributed press announcements, arranged client interviews and performed media spokesperson role with top local, national, and global media outlets including the Today Show, Good Morning America, BBC, New York Times and Washington Post.

EDUCATION

Study Abroad: University of Lund, Sweden

Foreign Languages: Swedish, intermediate French

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (Phi Beta Kappa): University of California, Berkeley

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