Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Kennedy Associates Inc., Indianapolis, IN, February 2009 – Present
Responsible for the leadership, direction, and achievement of the firm’s mission, strategy, goals, and objectives. Providing expertise in entrepreneurial leadership and management, communications strategy, and related expertise to a wide variety of clients.
Director of Marketing, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, July 2006 – October 2008
Served as Chief Marketing Officer and brand strategist for the university. Maintained and enhanced a consistent and compelling image for the university, and created, implemented and managed all aspects of the University's comprehensive integrated marketing program. Completed the first university-wide marketing audit to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of all marketing and communications materials.
Oversaw the development of the first comprehensive university brand manual to provide clear and consistent marketing guidance for university communicators in order to build long-term brand equity, enhance credibility, generate a powerful value perception, and ensure continued growth for UMass Boston. Provided strategic and production support for recruitment and enrollment, university advancement, and events on campus, working closely with the Chancellor's Office, Admissions and University Advancement Departments, Colleges of the University and the University's key constituencies.
Oversaw the production of internal and external publications, print production and overall operations of the Marketing Department. Managing Editor of the UMass Boston Magazine mailed quarterly to 70,000 alumni and friends. Served as a key member of the university's senior management team.
Senior Vice President, The Liberty Square Group, Boston, MA, March 2005 – July 2006
Oversaw the Strategic Events Management practice. Developed, planned and managed special events, from international summits to entertainment productions. Ensured that events reinforced the delivery of clients' key messages to influence target audiences, and generated media coverage.
Assistant to the President for Special Events, Office of the President, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, September 2001 – March 2005
Coordinated the President's international travel and geopolitical activities, including negotiations with government and private sector officials, preparation and presentation of briefing materials and the oversight of all traveling staff. Provided overall leadership of international travel planning committees in the development of short and long-range goals, objectives, trip activities and coordination of logistics. Served as the liaison for the president to the undergraduate and graduate communities, provost, deans, faculty, university officers and staff on a wide range of Harvard community issues. Developed and managed the budget for the president's official residence and events.
Developed, produced, directed and oversaw events for the president, such as a 10,000 person university-wide festival for students, college faculty, staff and their families; faculty dinners; public relations activities; and celebrations relating to Alumni Affairs and Development. Coordinated stewardship and donor relations for activities at the President's official residence.
Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Social Secretary for Communications, The White House, Executive Office of the President, Washington, DC, Office of the Social Secretary, April 1998 – January 2001
Assisted in producing and overseeing all events at the White House, including bill Signings and award ceremonies as well as state dinners for world leaders, ambassadors and dignitaries. Worked to organize and coordinate every detail of receptions, dinners, ceremonies and meetings at which administration policy was unveiled to the public. Working with the First Lady, helped to ensure that no detail was overlooked and all events were properly communicated to the press and the public.
Produced, directed and oversaw multiple events of the President and first lady. Examples include the 50th Anniversary of NATO hosting 44 visiting heads of state; the state visit of Their Majesties King Juan Carlos I of Spain and Queen Sophia; the China permanent trade relations ceremony with former Presidents Ford and Carter; and the National Governors Association Annual Meeting and Dinner. Developed and implemented the communications effort for Office of the Social Secretary with the president and first lady's press offices to secure coverage of events in the White House. Negotiated with high-level national and international government and private sector officials. Traveled domestically and internationally on behalf of the president and first lady serving as protocol liaison and coordinating media relations.
