Employee Engagement External Communications

Johnell Johnson

Director of Internal/External Communications Brand Strategy Change Management Employee Engagement

*******.*******@*****.*** 404-***-**** linkedin.com/in/johnell-johnson-b468485

SUMMARY

A seasoned and strategic Communications Executive with 15+ years of experience in journalism, internal and external communications, and executive messaging. Proven track record in thought leadership, employee engagement, and global communications strategies for high-growth organizations. Expertise in organizational change communication, AI-enhanced content development, and multimedia storytelling. Adept at driving employee engagement, amplifying executive voice, and leading communications during periods of transformation and crisis management. Based in the New York metro area and fully willing to commute into NYC as needed.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

EILEEN FISHER – Irvington, NY

Director of Internal Communications and Employee Engagement Dec 2021 – Present

Developed and executed a company-wide internal communications strategy aligned with seasonal business milestones and core values, using AI-driven sentiment analysis and engagement dashboards to build trust, transparency, and alignment with all employees.

Built and managed an integrated communications calendar incorporating benefits, DEIB campaigns, leadership messaging, and cultural observances; used engagement data to optimize timing and message relevance.

Drove adoption of Slack as a strategic communications platform by analyzing usage patterns and creating AI-powered onboarding content, leading to measurable increases in cross-team participation and transparency.

Produced and promoted biweekly newsletters, internal podcasts, and a leadership content series using SharePoint, Canva, and generative AI tools (ChatGPT, GrammarlyGO), resulting in a 38% increase in average engagement and improved message clarity.

Led content creation and logistics for hybrid All Hands events via Webex and in-person events; used real-time polls, attendance metrics, and AI-assisted feedback analysis to drive a 23% YoY increase in live participation.

Improved intranet usability by launching editorial calendars, engagement features (surveys, likes), and AI-generated content previews - boosting pageviews by 40% and enhancing navigation based on behavioral analytics.

Strengthened executive communication during periods of change (e.g., restructuring, global crises) by developing data-informed talking points, cascading FAQs, and tailored messaging in collaboration with HR.

Measured campaign performance using SurveyMonkey, Google Forms, and SharePoint analytics; translated insights into quarterly dashboards to inform content planning and executive decision-making.

HANWHA VISION – Teaneck, NJ

Senior Manager of Corporate Marketing Communications and PR May 2017 – Nov 2021

Shaped executive voice and secured speaking engagements at ISC West and ASIS GSX, positioning Hanwha leadership as innovation thought leaders.

Led North American PR strategy for a global security brand, securing executive thought leadership placements in Security Today and SDM Magazine.

Elevated brand visibility through strategic influencer partnerships and integrator engagement campaigns, resulting in improved product adoption and increased share of voice within six months.

Drove a 17% YoY increase in organic web traffic and a 12% increase in product page views through SEO optimization, keyword strategy (SEMrush, Google Trends), and blog content targeting high-intent search terms.

Managed B2B content marketing campaigns and live-streamed internal/external events, using Webex and Canva for video production, scripting, and branded collateral.

Scheduled and monitored strategic social content through Hootsuite, driving engagement and visibility on LinkedIn and Twitter (X) during product launches and executive engagements.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (CONTINUED)

ACORD – Pearl River, NY

Senior Communications and Marketing Specialist Jan 2012 – Apr 2017

Led high-impact campaigns, including the CEO transition announcement, achieving a 60%+ open rate and extensive media coverage in Digital Insurance and Insurance Journal.

Launched digital storytelling initiatives showcasing member success, increasing newsletter open rates by 18% and driving traffic to thought leadership content.

Developed persona-based onboarding and marketing campaigns, resulting in a 10% increase in platform engagement and improved clarity and accessibility scores.

Utilized Cision and Meltwater to distribute press releases, monitor sentiment, and analyze media coverage.

Executed targeted campaigns promoting ACORD solutions and events, achieving a 15% YoY increase in webinar attendance and boosting digital platform adoption.

HI-TECH CRIME SOLUTIONS – Atlanta, GA

Editor-in-Chief and Public Relations Director Jan 2010 – December 2011

Led public relations efforts, including purchasing media, external advertising, and social media management.

Authored corporate communications and produced articles to support global marketing initiatives.

NEWS 14 CAROLINA – Charlotte, NC

Anchor and Reporter Aug 2006 – July 2009

•Anchored weekend morning newscast and wrote, shot, and edited multiple stories daily.

•Delivered breaking news coverage, providing real-time updates and in-depth analysis.

WSET-TV – Danville, VA

Anchor, Reporter, and Bureau Chief July 2003 – August 2006

•Simultaneously managed the Southside Virginia Bureau while reporting and anchoring three shows daily.

•Conducted in-depth interviews and investigative reports, uncovering critical community issues.

TECHNOLOGY & TOOLS

Comms Platforms: Slack, Webex, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, SharePoint, Outlook, Yammer/Viva Engage, HubSpot, Marketo, Ragan Communications, and MailChimp

AI & Content Tools: ChatGPT, CoPilot, Canva, Vimeo, Adobe Creative Suite, and Microsoft Office

Surveys & Analytics: SurveyMonkey, Alchemer, Google Trends, Sprinklr, Hotjar, Tableau, and BuzzSumo

PR & Social Media: Cision, Meltwater PR Newswire, Hootsuite, SEMrush, LinkedIn, and X (Twitter) for media relations, social media management, and content strategy

CORE COMPETENCIES

Internal/External Communications: Expertise in AP style writing, strategic communication, and exceptional verbal and written communication. Proficient in project management, prioritizing multiple initiatives, and meeting tight deadlines. Extensive experience in global communication strategy, change management, executive messaging, and driving employee engagement across diverse teams.

Leadership Visibility: Proven ability to enhance executive visibility through thought leadership. Skilled in culture building, employee advocacy, and successfully integrating DEI principles into organizational initiatives and communications strategies.

Crisis Communication: Adept in strategic messaging and reputation management during high-pressure situations. Experienced in crafting sensitive internal communications and managing complex issues during crisis events to protect and strengthen organizational reputation.

Storytelling & PR: Expertise in brand messaging, strategic storytelling, and external communications. Strong background in social media strategy, media relations, including building relationships with reporters, pitching stories, managing media inquiries, and serving as a media spokesperson.

Digital Channels: Skilled in intranet management, multimedia content creation, and developing engaging video content to support communication strategies and enhance audience engagement.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Frequent contributor to executive messaging workshops, DEIB communications, and global leadership roundtables

Known for cross-functional collaboration, creative problem-solving, and agility in complex, high-change environments

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts in Journalism

Clark Atlanta University

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