EXPERIENCE

ANDMORE (A BLACKSTONE PORTFOLIO COMPANY) | ATLANTA, GA

APRIL 2013 – AUGUST 2025

(Formerly International Market Centers & AmericasMart Atlanta)

Director, Internal & Corporate Communications leading strategic efforts to position corporate brand, executives and team as leaders in innovation, industry and community plus staff engagement (April 2023-August 2025)

  • Selected by executive leadership team to direct corporate and internal communications through rebrand and company strategic realignment

    • Led ongoing campaign to promote team members as industry leaders

    • Successfully debuted new CEO to trade media community and local business community

    • Served as associate producer for launch of executive podcast

    • Collaborated with Blackstone Global Public Affairs to promote ANDMORE as a key asset in its Atlanta portfolio resulting in multiple features and placements

  • Represented ANDMORE to civic and trade organizations

    • Created engagement opportunities for local economic development organizations to encourage members to convert to customers

  • Led ongoing transformation of internal engagement opportunities including starting a new newsletter and expanding executive communications, trainings and more

  • Led corporate giving resulting in record donations and recognition as a leader among Blackstone portfolio companies and in the trade show industry

Senior Public Relations Manager for the nation’s largest gift and home furnishings wholesale trade shows (April 2021-April 2023)

  • Led growth-focused media relations campaigns that leveraged synergies across the trade show portfolio to engage new verticals and expand existing programs with longtime partners to drive attendance and sales

  • Curated engaging familiarization opportunities at trade shows that attracted top-tier media including the Oprah team, Good Morning America, Better Homes & Gardens, Architectural Digest, Luxe, Modern Luxury and more

  • Served as spokesperson for video, print and digital media

  • Expanded executive thought leadership practice and developed corporate voice as primary ghostwriter for editorials and presentations

  • Managed operations of PR department including overseeing staff, budget and vendor contracts

    • Supervised team coordinator and mentored junior team member

    • Directed implementation of media contact database and integration into cross-department CRM

  • IMC Excellence Award Winner for successful management of PR for all IMC markets during staff transition

Public Relations Manager for 15 yearly trade shows in the design, lifestyle, fashion and commercial lighting sectors plus corporate communications (April 2013-April 2021)

  • Responsibilities expanded in 2020 to manage crisis communications during COVID-19 disruptions

  • Responsibilities expanded in 2018 to include management of commercial lighting show media relations and providing counsel on full trade show portfolio (Atlanta, High Point, Las Vegas)

  • Directed editorial content for corporate blog (Portman + Peachtree) including its rebrand and development as an integral part of corporate social media and digital marketing strategy

  • 2015 Quality Achievement Award winner (employee of the year) for excellence in media coverage

 

CHARLESTOWN HOTELS | CHARLESTON, SC

FEBRUARY 2011 – JUNE 2012

Corporate Communications Manager for innovative hospitality management group representing 32 independent, branded and boutique hotels and resorts

  • Developed media content resulting in increased coverage, first-time placements and thought-leadership opportunities for clients and management group 

  • Managed integrated digital campaigns involving social media and email marketing supporting hotel sales goals resulting in increased followers, interaction and consistent revenue generation

  • Served as content creator of choice for websites, advertisements and promotional items

 

MAVERICK SOUTHERN KITCHENS | CHARLESTON, SC

JUNE 2010 – JANUARY 2011

Marketing Assistant representing Charleston’s leading fine dining group and culinary store

  • Managed all media relations activities resulting in continuous and first-time placements

  • Managed email marketing campaign for 18,000 subscribers resulting in increased reservations 

 

SPOLETO FESTIVAL USA | CHARLESTON, SC

JANUARY – JUNE 2010

Seasonal Communications Assistant managing media experience for America’s premier arts festival

  • Directed social media presence resulting in a 300 percent increase of followers in six months

  • Served on Steering Committee for Spoleto SCENE young patrons society 2010-2012

EDUCATION

ELON UNIVERSITY | ELON, NC

CUM LAUDE B.A. COMMUNICATIONS

Minors: English and Music; Journalism and Communications Fellow

 

ACCREDITATION IN PUBLIC RELATIONS (APR)

Conferred by the Universal Accreditation Board to demonstrate proficiency and alignment with cutting-edge PR practices and knowledge

RECOGNITION

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE 2024 - PRSA Georgia

Internal Branding Campaign “Building Engagement ANDMORE”

YOUNG GAMECHANGERS 2023 - Georgia Forward

Gathers 50 of Georgia’s brightest young minds to develop creative and viable recommendations for one community

FORTY UNDER 40 2023 - Home Furnishings Business

Recognizes forty individuals, under the age of 40, who are making a difference in the home furnishings industries and their communities

CHAD CORZINE YOUNG GIFT EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR 2022 - Gift and Home Trade Association

Recognizes a rising executive in the gift industry

GIFT + STATIONERY 40 UNDER 40 2021 - Gift Shop & Stationery Trends

Acknowledges the new generation of gift industry leaders