Strategic Communications Executive Leader
Resume:
CHELLE KAINE JAHNKE
Strategic Communications Executive
********.****@*****.***
linkedin.com/in/michelleksafo
21+ Years Transforming Business Strategy Into
Employee Experiences That Drive Real Results
From Crisis to Transformation • From Strategy to Story • From Teams to Impact
Strategic
Communications
Fortune 500 leadership across
Mars, McDonald's, USDEC
Change Leadership
M&A integration, crisis
response, transformation
Global Impact
50+ markets, 200K+ employees,
$4B acquisition
CHELLE KAINE JAHNKE
+1-240-***-**** • ********.****@*****.***
linkedin.com/in/michelleksafo
EXECUTIVE PROFILE
Award-winning communications executive with 21+ years transforming employee engagement across Fortune 500 organizations. Strategic partner to C-suite leadership, specializing in turning complex business challenges into compelling narratives that drive trust, alignment, and measurable outcomes. Proven expertise leading through major organizational change, M&A integration, and high-stakes crisis situations while building and developing high-performing global teams.
STRATEGIC EXPERTISE
Employee Communications & Engagement • Change Management • M&A Integration • Executive Communications & Counsel • Crisis Communications • Strategic Content Development • Multi-Channel Campaign Strategy • Global Team Leadership • Stakeholder Engagement • Brand Storytelling • Data-Driven Measurement CAREER IMPACT HIGHLIGHTS
Led $4B Acquisition Communications Integration
Spearheaded comprehensive communications strategy for massive Mars Petcare acquisition, managing messaging across 1,000+ locations and 50+ global markets. Built and led 15-person global team, developed multi-channel engagement campaigns, and maintained cultural cohesion during major organizational transformation. Delivered communications excellence that earned industry recognition while protecting brand reputation and stakeholder trust.
Transformed Global Employee Engagement at Scale
Architected and executed strategic communications reaching 200K+ McDonald's employees across international markets during critical business transformation. Created multi-channel content strategies that aligned diverse workforce with company vision and drove measurable engagement. Recognized with Brand Builder Award for exceptional communications impact and business results.
Executive Communications & C-Suite Partnership
Serve as strategic communications partner to C-level executives at $190M trade organization, developing CEO messaging, crisis response protocols, and executive communications that drive organizational priorities. Partner across business functions to translate complex strategy into clear, actionable communications that resonate at every level of the organization.
Crisis Communications Leadership
Led high-stakes crisis communications across multiple organizations, developing rapid response protocols and managing sensitive situations under intense pressure. Protected brand reputation, maintained stakeholder trust, and guided leadership through complex communications challenges. Expertise in balancing transparency with strategy to achieve optimal outcomes during organizational turbulence. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
VICE PRESIDENT, COMMUNICATIONS
U.S. Dairy Export Council • Remote
Lead comprehensive communications strategy for global trade organization. Partner with C- suite on strategic messaging, crisis response, and organizational transformation initiatives. GLOBAL HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS
Mars Petcare (Banfield Pet Hospital) • Portland, OR / Remote Built and led 15-person global communications team. Directed $4B acquisition integration across 50+ markets. Spearheaded crisis communications and employee engagement strategies during major organizational change.
SENIOR MANAGER, INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS
McDonald's Corporation • Chicago, IL
Developed global employee communications reaching 200K+ employees. Created multi- channel strategies supporting business transformation. Brand Builder Award recipient for communications excellence.
BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT
CNBC & Bloomberg Television
Built strategic storytelling foundation through live broadcast journalism. Translated complex business topics for diverse audiences under deadline pressure. EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts, Communications
Leadership Development • Crisis Communications • Strategic Communications Certifications WHY I'M YOUR NEXT COMMUNICATIONS LEADER
Let me be direct: employee communications isn't about creating pretty content or managing message calendars. It's about building genuine connection between people and purpose—and knowing how to do that when things get messy. I've spent 21 years in the trenches of some of the world's most complex organizations. I know what it's like when you're managing a $4B acquisition and everyone's looking to communications to make sense of the chaos. When you're crafting CEO messages that need to land perfectly across 50+ markets. When a crisis hits and there's no time for multiple drafts—just get it right, right now.
What makes me different? I get that your employees are smart. They don't need spin— they need respect and truth. I can take the most complex strategy and make it human. I can write for your CEO in the morning and connect with your newest team member in the afternoon because I understand that great communications works at every level. My background in broadcast journalism taught me that clarity beats cleverness every time. My years leading global teams taught me that culture eats strategy for breakfast— but the right communications can make both work together. And my track record? It speaks for itself: Brand Builder Awards, successful M&A integrations, crisis situations navigated, and teams built that deliver real business impact. I'm not just bringing you communications expertise. I'm bringing you a strategic partner who understands business outcomes, knows how to build and lead high-performing teams, and can translate your vision into engagement that actually moves people. Here's what fires me up: working with organizations that are shaping the future. Companies that need communications to match their innovation energy—strategic, authentic, and built for real impact. That's exactly what I deliver. I'm ready to bring that energy, expertise, and proven results to your organization. Let's talk about how we can elevate employee engagement and create communications that actually matter to your people.
— Chelle
+1-240-***-**** • ********.****@*****.***
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