Thelma A. Walker 2401 Bradley Place Evanston, IL 60202 847/328-6628 (Hm/Fax) 847/404-9997 (Cell) [email protected]
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Thelma A. Walker 2401 Bradley Place Evanston, IL 60202 847/328-6628 (hm/fax) 847/404-9997 (cell) [email protected] CORE COMPETENCIES/RELEVANT STRENGTHS Writing, strategic plan development, MS Office, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint & Soc ial Media (webinars, Facebook, Twitter, online promotions, blogs, etc.), creativ e, responsive (excellent listening skills), crisis communications training/manag ement, media pitching, trends measurement/monitoring, organized, multi-tasker, p resentations and reports, spokesperson media training. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Munson Walker Communications, Evanston, IL May 2009 - Present Private Practice PR Consultant - Provides media and public relations expertise a nd services to organizations and clients: Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare, Inc., G ary Splash International Basketball Team, Glencoe Pediatrics, Muntu Dance Theatr e of Chicago, Youth Job Center of Evanston, Inc., North Side Housing & Supportiv e Services, Bronzeville Institute of Technology; develops and distributes media materials, media pitching, communications plans development, marketing collatera ls, crisis communications, strategic plans, website copy, social networking. As sists agency clients (30) with computer skills, resume writing and developing co ver letters; conducts job readiness training, skills assessments and mock interv iews; spokesperson training. Flowers Communications Group, Chicago, IL Sept. 1998 - May 2009 Assistant Media Relations Director - Developed and executed media relations and public relations activities for all client accounts including the U.S. Departmen t's National Institute of Mental Health, Walgreens youth fitness initiative, Uni ted Healthcare, Chicago Public Schools, McDonald's, Courvoisier, MillerCoors and Lawry's. Achieved typical results of 100 - 250 million media impressions and mo re than $1,000,000 in ad value. Secured national interviews on The View, The To day Show, Access Hollywood and The Rachel Ray Show. Developed publicity plans, w eb content, media materials -- press kits, press releases and PSAs-and award-win ning campaigns. Coordinated media outreach, pitching, press conferences and med ia luncheons. Conducted satellite and radio media tours for high profile events/ personalities such as The Little Rock Nine 50th Anniversary, B. Smith, NBC's The Apprentice with Donald Trump winner Dr. Randal Pinkett, Magic Johnson, Billy D. Williams, and artists T.I., Musiq and Jermaine Dupri. Provided spokesperson tr aining for all clients and celebrities. Developed strategic and crises communic ations plans. Supervised staff and interns. Girl Scouts of Chicago, Chicago, IL Sept. 1988 - Sept . 1998 Director of Communications - Developed and implemented integrated marketing comm unications to support $10 million fund development, membership, corporate and pr ogram budget. Oversaw crisis communications and advised board and top-level sta ff. Managed all media placements. Developed first Alumni program and spearheade d city-wide anniversary celebration. Planned delegate/annual meetings and speci al events. Developed publications, served as staff photographer. Managed the C ommunications Department budget. Council Liaison and staff trainer for Girl Sco uts of the U.S.A., NY. EDUCATION Roosevelt University - Chicago, IL BA Degree - English Literature; Concentration in Journalism Continuing Education: marketing, communications, new media/social networking, w orkshops/seminars; Certificate, McDonald's Hamburger University ORGANIZATION AFFILIATIONS * Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare, Inc. (Board of Directors & Event Committee), 20 09 * Evanston Youth Job Center, Inc. (Consultant), 2009 * The National Association for Female Executives (NAFE) (Member) 2005 * Cabrini Green Tutoring Program, Inc. (Tutor), 1992-1996 * Evanston/Skokie School District 65, Long Range Planning Committee, 1990-1992 * Women in Charge Conference, Marketing/PR Committee, 1990 * Publicity Club of Chicago (Member), 1988-1995 * Evanston-Northshore YWCA Shelter for Battered Women, Advisory Board, 1985-1987 * Ambassador Group, Evanston/McGaw YMCA (Chairperson) * Illinois Women's Agenda, Job Training Task Force Committee, 1984-1986 * CHA Senior Wellness Expo, Advertising/PR Committee, 1987 * Mayor's Commission on Women's Affairs 17th Annual Convention Committee, 1986 * Who's Who in Fund Raising, (NSFRE) 1988/1989 Edition AWARDS * 2008 Bulldog Media Relations Award for Little Rock Nine Publicity Campaign * 2008 Publicity Club of Chicago Award for Little Rock Nine Publicity Campaign * 2008 PRNews CSR Award for Little Rock Nine, Publicity Campaign * 2007 Publicity Club of Chicago Awards, Lawry's-Marketing, Miller-Internal Comm unications, and McDonald's-Community Relations * 2006 Publicity Club of Chicago Awards, Platinum-Get Fit with Walgreens, Gold-G et Fit with Walgreens and Honda Battle of the Bands; and Silver-Luster Pink Empo werment * 2006 LACP Magellan Awards, Gold- Get Fit with Walgreens; Silver-Lawry's Family traditions and Honda Battle of the Bands * 2004 Publicity Club of Chicago, Silver Awards-WAMU and McDonald's Write to Ach ieve, Community Relations/Public Relations * 2003 Publicity Club of Chicago Award, Gold-Honda Know Your Money * 2001 Bulldog Reporter's Award for Excellence in Media Relations and Publicity, Thomas Blackshear's Ebony Visions for Willitts Designs * 2000 IABC/Chicago Spectra Award of Merit, Media Relations, Illinois Bureau of Tourism * 1999 Communicator Award for Lawry's Menu for Success Media Promotions * 1998 Publicity Club of Chicago, Silver-PR Materials, Illinois Bureau of Touris m Thelma Walker Resume 12.2010 S.