robin leigh wolfgang

** ********* ***** • amherst, new york • 14228

CELL 716-***-**** • E-MAIL advzb3@r.postjobfree.com

PROFILE

Senior level communications executive with 15+ years experience in a variety of industries and environments from start-ups and Fortune 500 companies to Government and not-for-profits. Strong leader and strategic thinker with a background in developing and implementing successful and effective media relations and corporate communications, in the US and internationally. Expertise in crisis communications planning, public policy and executive speech writing.

Proficient in media relations, campaigns, strategy, public speaking, collateral development, executive communications, branding, internal communications, special events, problem solving and writing for diverse audiences .

EXPERIENCE

Paychex, Senior Manager, Employee and Corporate Communications

ROCHESTER, NEW YORK – 2022-PRESENT

Partner with senior executives to design, implement and lead communications strategy to enhance the employee experience, deliver critical messages and support the company mission, values, and culture.

Direct internal communications initiatives, engaging all employee communication stakeholders and ensuring that employee communication initiatives are integrated and executed in a manner that informs and engages company employees

Responsible for leading cross-collaboration workstreams, assuming roles including budget management and facilitating internal employee and external communications programs to create positive brand and name recognition.

Citi Bank, Vice President, Internal Communications Lead and Executive Communications for Site Head

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - 2014 - 2022

Communications Lead for Citi Bank Buffalo Services Center which houses 1,700 employees in over 50 unique banking business units. Responsible for all site enterprise communications both internal and external including weekly newsletter, quarterly town halls and companywide presentations, Chief of Staff for daily Service Center Site operations.

Development of thoughtful internal program to strengthen the employee culture, connection, and engagement.

Work to increase brand awareness in the community, improve relations with local stakeholders including government officials and develop corporate strategic programming for the internal dissemination of information to all employees.

RLW Communications, LLC, President

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - 2010 - 2014

President of a boutique public relations firm that provides strategic communications and marketing programs for clients ranging from Prime Minister of Somalia to University of Phoenix to British Consulate General of Trade and Investment; counsel senior level management on tactics and messages for outreach activity; implement plans; determine budgets.

Draft documents including press releases, white papers, talking points, web page text, and speeches.

Work with International, national, local and trade press for earned media opportunities; provide media training; crisis communications instruction; focus groups and nurture media relationships.

Time Warner Cable, Vice President Public and Government Affairs

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - 2007-2009

Vice President of Public and Government Affairs for largest telecommunications company in a new marketplace. Responsible for creating world-class strategy across all channels, including online and interactive media, branding, executive communications, and events, to drive engagement, awareness, and name recognition.

Primary media strategist providing strategic counsel on communications issues including crisis management; company spokesperson; responsible for contacting/pitching the media on a proactive basis.

Supervise staff of 20+ plus external agency and manage communications budget. Draft press releases, briefs, business updates, speeches, and executive presentations.

Delmarva Foundation for Medical Care, Director Corporate Communications

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - 2003-2007

Director of Corporate Communications for a not-for-profit healthcare quality improvement organization with state accounts for the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Created national and local media opportunities. Developed white papers, speeches, and collateral materials for variety of healthcare audiences. Developed thought leadership and subject matter experts in the key quality improvement areas.

Coordinate and oversee the execution of strategic outreach programs to reach underserved and hard to reach beneficiaries of Medicare. Received national communications awards and prizes including PRSA Silver Anvil Award, top award in PR Industry.

Handle all proactive and reactive media inquiries, act as spokesperson and community liaison.

Widmeyer Communications, Assistant Vice President

WASHINGTON, DC - 2002-2003

Responsible for managing clients including McGraw-Hill Education Group, Governor Jim Hunt's Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the campaign against teenage bullying, the College Board and Discovery Communications

Day to day client services include high level strategic counsel, message development, media training, media outreach, creation of all media documents including press releases and press kit materials, budgeting and staff management

Caliber Learning Network, Director Public Relations

BALTIMORE, MD - 1999-2002

Responsible for the creation and execution of a strategic public relations campaign including research of market, competitive analysis, positioning, branding campaign, and messaging

Implementation of long-term communications plan including aggressively pitching local, national, business and trade media, analyst relations, creation of press materials, press tours, event management, speechwriting, creation of video news releases, seminars and conferences

Counsel senior officers including CEO, CFO, CTO, and CLO on media and investor relations

Creation and implementation of internal company communication program.

Ruder Finn Global Public Relations, Director Media Services

WASHINGTON, DC - 1998-1999

Creation and execution of strategic media and communications plans. Execution of formal press conferences, media tours, editorial roundtables, congressional and governmental agency receptions, and fund raisers.

Draft press releases, fact sheets, editorials, speeches, talking points, briefing books, executive presentations.

Management of accounts including direct client contact and liaison between client plus all media training of CEOs

Planet Hollywood International, Regional Director Public Relations

WASHINGTON, DC - 1996-1998

Establish and execute promotions and public relations for Washington and Baltimore stores. Launch Baltimore store with grand opening that attracted A-list celebrities, 65,000 spectators and 150 media outlets.

Coordinate and promote more than 100 events related to visits of national film, television and sports celebrities as well as local charity organizations to increase traffic and exposure.

US Congress, Rep John McHugh, Press Secretary

WASHINGTON, DC - 1993-1996

Develop and direct public affairs program to inform and educate constituents about legislative and policy issues; strategic planning of key messages.

Act as spokesperson and handle requests from local, national and international media; Coordinate press conferences and.

Produced monthly television show. Wrote columns, white papers, press releases, media responses and talking points.

EDUCATION

Master of Arts, School of Communications

American University, Washington, DC – 1996

Bachelor of Arts, Political Science and History

Emory University, Atlanta, GA – 1990

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