Kristina Ruiz-Healy

Houston, TX *****

415-***-**** • adth2t@r.postjobfree.com

linkedin.com/in/kristinaruiz-healy

Marketing & Community Relations Director

Bilingual, results-driven communications specialist leverages 15+ years of experience directing critical outreach initiatives to bolster public health by engaging and educating diverse communities. Commended for successful execution of award-winning community events, branding campaigns, and virtual engagements. Dedicated, bicultural team leader drives revenue growth by establishing mutually beneficial partnerships with community sponsors, expanding project budgets and operational resources.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Community Outreach • Program Development & Management • Strategic Partnerships & Alliances • Special Event Planning

Public Relations • Marketing Campaign Management • Volunteer Management & Virtual Volunteerism • Health Education

End-to-End Project Management • Multicultural Community Engagement • Research & Analysis • Content Development

EXPERIENCE

Friday Health Plans Remote / Denver, CO 3/2022-Present

Senior Manager, Community Relations

Handpicked by Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) to assist Director of Community Relations in newly created role overseeing outreach in Texas, including company’s largest and most culturally diverse consumer markets. Selected for regional expertise and proven success connecting organizational values with multicultural client groups.

Manage strategy & communications across major and minor state markets, identifying client interests and pain points; partner with community leaders to direct public relations (PR) and extend healthcare to underserved populaces.

Operate within $120k annual budget to develop short and long-term community relations plans providing strategic direction for regionally based outreach initiatives. Produce insights for community advocacy and engagement analysis.

Coordinate operations with marketing team, supporting development of creative branding initiatives with data-driven feedback and emphasis on optimizing revenue growth.

Partner with internal sales team as well as community organizations and public agencies to streamline access to affordable healthcare and position the company to be recognized as Affordable Care Act (ACA) option.

Leverage growing network of active members and healthcare providers to create empathetic brand ambassadors who advocate benefits of company products and services, building trust and access within secluded communities.

Conduct extensive research of population data to improve accessibility of vital healthcare information, cultivating impactful partnerships and programs with focus on improving educational equity in multicultural communities.

Canvas sponsorship contract terms for added value options, such as exclusive venue access or expansion of funding.

Select Achievements

Selected as one of two lead generation professionals to build and develop new outreach department alongside Director of Community Relations; conducted strategic planning for standard operating procedures (SOP).

Organized 50+ community events, educational initiatives, and trainings for one open enrollment season, increasing statewide active member count and inspiring impactful dialog concerning health & wellness within the community.

Negotiated $25K sponsorship contract with State Fair of Texas, securing kiosk location to maximize outreach and drive sales at month-long event; attendance expected to exceed 30K.

Developed culturally accurate branding for themed programs, including Lucha Libre event attracting ~500 attendees.

Coordinated design and strategic placement of bilingual mural in Rio Grande Valley area, capitalizing on venue popularity and high-potential growth market location.

Applied portion of corporate budget to sponsor fundraising and awareness events, including six charity walks.

Donate Life Houston, TX 11/2017-3/2022

Community Engagement Manager / Volunteer Manager – LifeGift

Drove execution of community engagement initiatives that increased awareness and actions in support of organ and tissue donation. Directed 300+ volunteers during 150+ virtual community events across Houston metro in 2021.

Expanded engagement and support within multicultural communities, leveraging qualitative and quantitative research-driven strategy. Led development of skills-based volunteer program to prepare effective brand ambassadors.

Elevated training program to connect organ donation education with community partners, school districts, and local governments, enhancing opportunities for communication, collaboration, and promotion.

Select Achievements

Increased volunteerism 20% in one year, leading orientation/training for 100+ new volunteers. Diversified outreach through targeted newsletter, webinars, and online training that doubled volunteer hours despite global pandemic.

Developed and directed new partnership with United Airlines (UA) to improve organ donation education and participation within regional/national UA team. Led initiative design, content development, and campaign execution.

Donate Life Houston, TX 11/2017-11/2018

Hospital Development Liaison – LifeGift

Recruited from Donor Network West to drive strategies & partnerships across hospital networks/systems, cultivating a culture of awareness around organ and tissue donation.

Expanded knowledge in legislation affecting organ donation, hospital processes, and best practices of donor education program implementation within medical systems. Led data collection and analysis to fuel education and messaging.

Built hospital partnerships to articulate importance of organ donation and drive education. Gained support for mission and national initiatives (e.g., National Donation Life Month celebration) from hospital C-suite.

Partnered with hospital staff to enable regulatory compliance, including strategies that leveraged technology; performed medical record review, implemented after-action plans, and collaborated on corrective action plans.

Donate Life San Francisco, CA 7/2015-11/2017

Community Development Liaison – Donor Network West

Identified, nurtured, and strengthened community relationships to advance organizational mission, building critical partnerships and collaborations with federal, state, local, educational, and medical sectors.

Headed research-based strategies and initiatives, including development of bilingual and multicultural marketing tools for distribution and partner alliance networks.

Forged strategic partnership with Dept. of Public Health, Unified School District, and City Hall to champion and implement previously unaddressed legislation requiring organ donor education for students/physicians.

Secured partnership with Mexican Consulate/Generals to launch community education campaign encompassing mobile clinics, media, and outreach.

GradGuru San Francisco, CA 12/2014-7/2015

Operations and Marketing Manager

Led development through implementation of brand marketing campaigns/programs, new client contact list, and B2B networking strategy for mobile application serving college students.

CBS Corporation San Francisco, CA 3/2011-4/2014

Columnist, Photographer

Hired as food writer in San Francisco and became Editor’s choice for featured articles & photography on lifestyle, fashion, dining, and sports. Developed high-quality content across traditional and digital platforms.

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

Fencing Program Development San Francisco, CA 1/2011-1/2014

Program Consultant / Fencing Instructor

Professional Competitive Fencer & Assistant Maitre, ranked nationally in foil and epeé. Developed first-generation fencing initiative for Veteran’s Administration recovery program, later sourced as prototype for national adoption.

Educational Testing Service San Francisco, CA 1/2006-12/2010

International Property Manager

Rebuilt fractured relationship with Spanish publishing houses by removing cultural barriers, bringing ETS account from arrears, and facilitating communication. Renegotiated content usage terms, conditions, and payment agreements.

National Public Radio San Antonio, TX 1/2002-12/2005

Writer & Commentator

Served as creator, champion, and voice of weekly social and political commentary series “A View from Two Countries” for 99 episodes aired during Morning Edition.

Collaborated with NPR program managers/editors on award-wining Latino USA program, “Obesity in San Antonio.”

Delivered live reporting of events surrounding Hurricane Katrina for NPR National Desk and Weekend edition.

EDUCATION

University of Texas San Antonio San Antonio, TX

Master of Arts, Political Science; Emphasis in International Relations and Communication

Mills College Oakland, CA

Bachelor of Arts, Communication; Minors in Visual Arts and Latin American Studies

TECHNICAL

Qualtrics, Smartsheet, monday.com

Microsoft Word, Excel, SharePoint, Teams, Outlook

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Social Media for Startups & Small Business; Business of Happiness, Photography – Stanford University

iOS Development Program – General Assembly San Francisco

Community Business Advancement Program – Entrepreneurial Institute of the Arts, University of Texas at Austin

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Board Member, Special Olympics of Greater Houston (9/2022-Present)

Lecturer, LoneStar College (2021-Present)

oThe Art of Community Engagement Leadership

oThe Art of Volunteering

oThe History of Fencing

Member, Mills Alumnae Association (2015-Present)

Life Affiliate Member, Stanford Alumni Association (2015-Present)

Alumna, Leadership Houston Class XXXIX (2021)

Electoral Board Member, San Francisco Rotary International (2014-2017)

Southwest Public Relations Representative, United States Fencing Association (2005)

PUBLIC SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

Baylor St. Luke’s Health Texas Medical Center / Transplant Center (2020-2022)

One Star College AARP Institute of Lifelong Learning (2019-2022)

Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO) (2021)

Donate Life America, Multicultural Awareness & Diversity Initiatives (2020-2021)

United Airlines, Wings of Hope (2020-2021)

University of Houston, College of Pharmacy (2019-2021)

Envision National Youth Leadership Forum: Medicine, Rice University (2020)

Organ and Tissue Donation, Stanford University VIA Speakers Panel (2016-2017)

HONORS & AWARDS

City of Houston Award for community enrichment through education in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month (2019)

American Association of Tissue Banks Award for groundbreaking educational program development (2017)

American Association of Tissue Banks Award for Virgen de Guadalupe education campaign in Northern CA (2016)

LANGUAGES

English, Spanish (Bilingual)

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