Strategic Communications Leader - Change & Engagement Expert

LORA WEAVER

Chicago, IL 773-***-**** ********@*****.***

Professional Summary

Strategic communications leader with 8+ years of experience developing internal messaging, executive communications, digital content, and organization-wide engagement strategies. Proven track record of improving communication clarity, increasing stakeholder engagement, and driving adoption of new systems and policies across large, complex organizations. Known for strengthening cross-functional collaboration, managing digital communication platforms, and supporting executive leaders with clear, data-informed storytelling.

Core Communications Skills

• Internal Communications Strategy

• Executive Communications & Speechwriting

• Narrative Development for Technical Concepts

• Storytelling for Innovation, Digital Transformation & Data

• Content Development for Intranet, Newsletters & Emails

• Stakeholder Engagement & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Project & Campaign Management

• DEI Messaging & Inclusive Communication

• Change Communications & Organizational Alignment

• Data-Informed Communication Adjustments

• MS Office, Presentation Building, Editorial Content Professional Experience

Communications & Engagement Lead (Dean-Level Role) Chicago Public Schools – Chicago, IL 2023 – Present

• Direct communications for 300+ staff and stakeholders, improving clarity and alignment across academic, operational, and cultural initiatives.

• Increased staff engagement by 32% through redesigned newsletters, streamlined messaging, and improved digital content delivery.

• Developed communication plans for policy rollouts, safety updates, and digital tools that resulted in 95% staff compliance across key initiatives.

• Produced executive-level messaging that supported senior leaders during crisis communication, reducing misinformation and repeated inquiries by 40%.

• Managed intranet and broadcast communication channels, increasing content reach by 28% through revised content strategy and analytic tracking.

• Leveraged engagement data to refine messaging, improving open rates by 25% and click-through rates by 18% across communication campaigns.

• Led change communications for system updates that impacted thousands of users, contributing to a smooth transition with <5% technical escalation rate.

• Advanced inclusive communication practices, ensuring all content reflected equity-centered messaging and organizational values.

Communications Manager & Organizational Engagement Strategist (Dean-Level Role) Boston Public Schools – Boston, MA 2017 – 2023

• Managed internal communications across two campuses serving 500+ students and staff, ensuring messaging consistency and alignment.

• Developed and executed communications campaigns that increased staff understanding of new systems and tools by over 40% based on training feedback results.

• Produced newsletters, website updates, and leadership communications that improved overall stakeholder engagement by 30% year-over-year.

• Collaborated with leadership, HR, technology, and external partners to refine messaging, reducing information gaps and repeated clarification requests by 35%.

• Led training sessions on digital tools and new initiatives for 150+ staff, increasing adoption rates and reducing onboarding challenges.

• Oversaw digital content and intranet updates, achieving a 20% improvement in information accessibility across key user groups.

• Designed DEI-focused communication strategies that strengthened school culture and increased family engagement by 25%.

Education

M.Ed., Higher Education Administration – Northeastern University, 2022 B.A., Communications & Media Arts – Chicago State University, 2016 Certifications & Training

• DEI & Trauma-Informed Communication Training

• Crisis Communication & Compliance Training

• Mandated Reporter Certified

• Safety & DCFS Compliance Trained

• CPR & Restraint Certified

Additional Skills

• MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

• Digital content management & intranet publishing

• Newsletter & broadcast email production

• Presentation and narrative building

• Change communication strategy

• Stakeholder storytelling and message alignment

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