Who I Am

I am a compassionate communicator who wants everyone to understand and be understood.  

What I Do

I write, edit, speak, coach, strategize and partner ... and I've been doing it for almost 20 years. My resume can be found below.

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Bridget N. Locke

Accomplished professional with 20+ years of progressive experience in communication strategy, marketing, consumer engagement, and management roles. Skilled in using interpersonal understanding and leadership abilities to motivate others and create an environment for positive change from the top down. An ideal opportunity will offer the opportunity to connect people to purpose, the flexibility to work creatively, and the capacity for professional development and personal growth.

EDUCATION

Master of Arts, Communication and Leadership, Park University, 2018

Bachelor of Arts, Communications and Human Development, University of Saint Mary, 1999

PROFESSIONAL SKILLSET

• BRAND + CHANGE MANAGEMENT

• EXECUTIVE TEAM COMM. COACH

• CORPORATE COMMS. STREAMLINING

• COMPANY COMM. STRATEGIST

• SURVEY ANALYSIS + ACTION PLANNING

• MARKET AWARENESS

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Director of Strategic Communications | Manager of Strategic Communications

Park University April 2016 – current

Develop and execute strategic communications that promote the University, including a comprehensive communication plan for the Office of the President, and branded communications pieces to other units of the University, including Advancement, Digital Communications and Marketing, and Student Recruitment Marketing areas. Manage organic social media strategy, through collaboration with and management of digital storytelling coordinator position. Responsible for communications elements of Park’s major public programs. Oversee and develop communication plan for key programs and events, including convocation, commencement, and the University’s annual premier fundraising event, Night at the Helm. Provide ghostwriting services for the president in support of diversity and inclusion efforts, as well as various presidential and VP-level internal communications. Coach executive team members for University Town Hall meetings and Board of Trustees meetings. Support and lead the University through positive culture change, including: leadership transparency, staff/faculty satisfaction and retention improvements.

Major Gifts Manager

United Way of Greater Kansas City December 2014 – April 2016

Developed donor renewal strategies for Tocqueville Society members ($10,000+ pledge level) and Women’s Leadership Council members ($2,400+ pledge level). Oversaw donation acknowledgment process and donor appreciation events. Co-managed Tocqueville Society volunteer committee and presented leadership giving information to partner companies. Notable accomplishments:

• Service as Urgency Team member, responsible for implementing culture transition program designed and supported by Kotter International, Inc.

• Creation of Winnertainment Tonight, an internally-broadcasted web show used to cultivate a culture of celebration, inclusion, empowerment and “winning” among United Way employees

Marketing Manager | Assistant Director of Enrollment Services

Donnelly College July 2013 – August 2014

Created and implementing marketing strategies and messaging to increase awareness of programming and events. Served as editor-in-chief of Donnelly College Digest, the bi-annual College magazine. Managed graphic designer, Information Desk operations and five-person employee team. Supported faculty and staff with proofreading and editorial review of materials. Pitched stories to local media, through media alerts and press releases; created strategic ad campaigns to support enrollment cycles, academic programs and events; and drafted and placed off-plan advertisements (print, radio, online, etc.) in response to enrollment trends and recruiting needs. Notable accomplishments:

• Created process flow and redesigned enrollment documents to improve enrollment procedures

• Assisted with College’s re-immersion into African-American community, through series of one-on-one community conversations with Black Chamber of Commerce, Baptist Ministers Union and creation of African-American clergy database

Corporate Communications and Community Relations Specialist | Renewal Underwriter

Assurant Employee Benefits April 2000 – June 2013

Drafted and executed communication plans to promote division news, product enhancements, reporting changes and reductions in force. Proofread, edited and wrote articles for corporate intranet news site (average readership: 2,000 employees). Developed and maintained intranet web pages, drafted and managed deployment of internal health care reform communications, created internal and external marketing collateral for products and services, and created business-wide contests to drive employee engagement. Planned, prepared content for and presented at quarterly, all-employee meetings (average attendance: 800).

Prepared and hosted monthly service anniversary receptions, eventually replacing vice presidents as hosts.

Served on Brand Council, Employee Engagement, and Social Media Strategy committees. Managed home office community relations volunteer efforts and partnerships; managed Community Relations funding for 40 locations (home and field offices).

Notable accomplishments:

• Established and served as ghost writer for the company’s first-ever President/CEO blog

• Earned Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals’ 2010 Communitas awards for Leadership in Community Service and Specific Volunteer Project for self-created and managed Change Your World project

SPECIAL COMMITTEES + AWARDS

2020 Black Woman of Distinction honoree

College Coaching Network advisory board member

Urban League of Greater Kansas City Advisory Council member

2019 Women Making History in Higher Education honoree

Diversity and Inclusion Task Force Member—Education and Training Committee co-chair

Strategic Planning—Sustainable and Thriving Workforce co-chair

Civic Advisory Council member

Workforce Development Task Force member Women’s Leadership Group member

Inclusive Search Advisory Council member