Data Entry & Administrative Support Professional (Chicago)

Natalie Hayes

*******.*********@*****.*** LINKEDIN 312-***-****

*Chicago-based. Open to on-site, hybrid & remote roles. Professional Summary

MEDIA RELATIONS STRATEGIC STORYTELLING CONTENT STRATEGY B2B TECH FINTECH CLEAN ENERGY

MEDIA MONITORING & ANALYSIS DATA-DRIVEN PR

CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS TEAM COLLABORATION

FORMER JOURNALIST FREELANCE WRITER

PR & Communications Experience

Public Relations Consultant

APRIL 2025 - PRESENT

-Provide strategic media counsel across a range of verticals, including consumer, B2B tech, franchise, law, & finance.

-Lead PR strategy & execution, delivering sustained business growth through strategic media placements & brand positioning.

-Secure earned media coverage by leveraging existing relationships with reporters & executing results-driven strategic media outreach.

-Design & execute integrated PR programs tailored to client objectives–encompassing content strategy, social media campaigns, SEO, media training, expert storytelling, content development,

& reputation management.

-Develop compelling media angles & strategic storytelling initiatives aligned with overarching business objectives.

1

Senior Communications Strategist

Northwestern Mutual, Hybrid/Milwaukee, WI

JANUARY 2024 - APRIL 2025

-Manage cross-functional Field PR teams & PR agency partners in building high-value media relationships within the personal finance & wealth management landscape.

-Collaborate with teammates to improve pitch strategy & maximize coverage opportunities.

-Deliver actionable media insights & trend analysis to enhance PR campaigns & improve client positioning.

-Foster a high-performing team culture, improving productivity & engagement through timely feedback.

-Develop compelling client stories by shaping narratives that align with & capitalize on relevant news cycles.

-Oversee PR campaigns that drive substantial business growth & support recruitment goals for Northwestern Mutual wealth advisors.

-Identify & secure new business by spearheading proposals & client engagement initiatives.

-Lead mentorship initiatives for interns & junior staff, driving professional development & strengthening team capability.

Senior PR & Content Strategist

Alliant Credit Union, Chicago

MAY 2022 - OCTOBER 2023

-Partner with C-suite executives to elevate thought leadership, securing high-profile speaking engagements, podcasts, media interviews, & awards coverage in Tier 1 outlets including Forbes & Wired.

-Monitor & analyze PR performance metrics, delivering executive reports to inform strategic decision-making.

-Manage collaboration with external PR agencies to align media outreach with organizational goals, ensuring measurable results & accountability.

-Highlight B2B partner success through strategic planning, team coordination, & writing case studies.

-Oversee blog editorial calendar; plan & generate content aligned with sales & marketing initiatives.

-Leverage deep media relations expertise to identify news trends, anticipate opportunities, & advance PR objectives across personal banking & B2B sectors. 2

Vice President, Strategic Media Relations

Paragon Public Relations, New Jersey (mid-sized tech PR agency) NOVEMBER 2021 - MAY 2022

-Act as primary client liaison in a PR agency setting, providing strategic counsel & guiding large-scale PR initiatives to exceed expectations.

-Strengthen long-term client relationships through proactive partnership & fostering trust & alignment on business objectives.

-Lead account teams, ensuring collaboration, efficiency, & delivery of high-quality client outcomes.

-Oversee development & management of comprehensive Statements of Work, aligning project scope, timelines, deliverables, & budgets.

Account Supervisor & Writer

Sanderson Public Relations

SEPTEMBER 2009- MAY 2012

-Secured high-value earned media placements for franchise clients. Account Executive

SS Public Relations

AUGUST 2008 - SEPTEMBER 2009

-Supported the execution of PR initiatives, programs, campaigns and events. Tech Experience

Content Marketing Manager/Senior Technical Writer

Amount, Chicago (high-growth fintech startup)

JANUARY 2020 - NOVEMBER 2021

-Partner with sales, product, marketing, & executive teams to craft pitch materials, go-to-market content, & B2B marketing initiatives to position Amount’s white-label digital banking products in the market.

-Develop & launch the company’s first intranet using Confluence, creating a centralized knowledge hub that increased employee engagement & information sharing.

-Manage & optimize IT support workflows for Atlassian products via Zendesk, improving response efficiency & user satisfaction.

3

Journalism Experience

Digital News Producer

CBS Channel 2 News, Chicago

MAY 2018 - JUNE 2019

-Produce & edit high-quality feature news videos for broadcast, social media, & web platforms while ensuring accuracy & timeliness in a fast-paced newsroom.

-Exercise strong editorial judgment & ethical decision-making to maintain credibility & trust with audiences.

-Manage digital content workflow to meet tight deadlines while maintaining consistency & news quality across platforms.

Reporter

The Chicago Tribune

OCTOBER 2014 - FEBRUARY 2017

-Cover local news beats, including breaking news, crime, courts, education, business, & government—consistently producing accurate, timely, & engaging stories.

-Built a trusted network of sources & maintained strong community relationships to enhance reporting depth & credibility.

Chicago Sun-Times

MARCH 2010 - OCTOBER 2014

-Report on fashion & lifestyle beats while also covering breaking news as needed, delivering compelling stories across print & digital platforms.

-Demonstrated expertise in storytelling, research, & deadline-driven content production. Education

Arizona State University, The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass Communication Tempe, AZ - Bachelor’s degree in Journalism & Mass Communication Special Projects

Non-Profit Marketing & Communications Lead (Contract) Surgical Care Associates & One World Surgery, Honduras JANUARY 2017—DECEMBER 2017

4

-Capture patient stories through photography & interviews at a rural surgery center & orphanage, creating high-impact content for door campaigns.

Skills

Cision, HARO, Muck Rack, Microsoft Office, Lucid Chart, GitHub, Prowly, Ahrefs, SEO, AI tools *(END) 5

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