Executive Summary
I’m a culturally competent and DEI-certified communications strategist who solves business problems.
I uncover opportunities and develop plans that support business objectives. My strategies help organizations decide what, when, and how to communicate with the media and other stakeholders.
My experience spans 15 years and multiple industries—nonprofit/philanthropy, trade association, financial services, agency, tech, consumer technology, and commercial real estate.
- » Media Relations
» Reputation Management
» Strategic Planning
» Marketing Strategy
» Brand Development
» Business Development - » Message Development
» Speechwriting
» Fundraising Communications
» Market Research
» Digital Marketing
» Budget Development - » Public Speaking
» B2B Marketing
» B2C Marketing
» Social Media Marketing
» Creative Direction/Graphic Design
» Executive Communications
Experience
Sr. Director, Communications & External Affairs
AAUW (American Association of University Women)
Feb. 2023 – present
Washington, DC
Reporting to the CEO, I lead the team responsible for establishing AAUW as a leading public voice on priority equity issues for women and girls — particularly those of color — such as pay equity and economic opportunity, educational access, and leadership opportunities through strategic communications.
Sr. Director, Communications
Council for Responsible Nutrition
Nov. 2020 – Oct. 2022
Washington, DC
I’m responsible for CRN’s strategic communications program, helping to determine when and where to deploy the right message to the media and other stakeholders.
I raise CRN’s visibility as an authority in industry, build partnerships that further our mission, and craft consumer education and advocacy campaigns central to protecting the reputation of the dietary supplement industry.
I also deepen people connections and generate revenue for the association by running its annual conference for marketers and communicators in the wellness industry, WellComms.
Sr. Manager, External Communications
CoStar Group, Inc.
(Nasdaq: CSGP)
May 2019 – Aug. 2020
Washington, DC
I shape the commercial real estate industry by developing integrated marketing campaigns for CoStar Group’s two largest flagship business units, CoStar and LoopNet.
I connect with journalists to deliver clickable stories to garner media coverage for the company and its two largest brands. I identify marketing opportunities, drive awareness, manage reputations, and provide strategic direction to senior management.
Director of Marketing
AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges)
consultant via agency
Oct. 2018 – Jan. 2019
Washington, DC
I devise the overall marketing strategy and activate marketing campaigns and communications plans that drive revenue (B2C), raise awareness, and achieve business goals for a portfolio of internal clients, constituents, and business units.
Working closely with program and business development staff, I develop, implement, and evaluate communication strategies that use traditional, digital, and social media components.
Consultant
KendallRidley.com
Dec. 2017 – Dec. 2021
Washington, DC
I helped my clients develop strategies that support their communication and marketing goals. Client roster includes foundations, commercial real estate, and nonprofit organizations.
Director of Marketing
Halpern Enterprises, Inc.
Nov. 2014 – Nov. 2017
Atlanta, GA
Led the day-to-day management of the marketing department, including communications planning and strategy. Managed media relations and marketing strategy for a portfolio of shopping centers valued at $342 million. Directly supervised a permanent team of 1 and a floating team of 3 staffers.
Principal + Creative Director
Element K Creative
Aug. 2008 – Aug. 2014
Houston, TX + Atlanta, GA
Element K Creative was a creative agency that helped brands grow their influence and raise funds using high-value design and smart copywriting.
Public Relations Chair
Urban League of Greater Atlanta Young Professionals
Dec. 2011 – Dec. 2012
Atlanta, GA
Additional Experience
Co-Founder + Art Director
Dovely Magazine | Atlanta, GA | Aug. 2010 – Feb. 2011
Graphic Designer and Marketing Coordinator
PNC Bank | Houston, TX | Apr. 2007 – June 2008
Education & Certifications
Master’s Degree (MPS), Public Relations & Corporate Communication
Georgetown University
Expected August 2023

Bachelor’s Degree (BA), Communication
George Mason University

Nonprofit Management Essentials
Kellogg School Center for Nonprofit Management

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate
University of South Florida Muma College of Business

Professional Certified Marketer (PCM), Marketing Management
American Marketing Association

Professional Development
Media Training
- The Issues & Crisis Group, Washington, DC
University of the District of Columbia Community College (UDC- CC)
- Project Management
Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)
- How to Prepare and Train Executives for Media Interviews
American Marketing Association (AMA)
- Marketing Decision-Makers: Stop Thinking Tactics, Start Thinking Campaigns
- Stakeholder Mapping for Brand Success
- Optimize Video Content to Multiply Your Media
- Leverage Google Analytics Features for Your Business
- The Power of Primary Research: Gather Insights Straight from Consumers
- Lessons from Marketing Luminaries: What It Takes to Lead and Succeed as a Marketer
CareerTrack
The Copywriter’s Workshop
ICSC
Driving Revenue from Social Campaigns
National Seminars Training (NST)
Crash Course for the First-Time Manager or Supervisor
Technical Skills
Applications
- PR + Social Media: Cision (power user), Critical Mention, Hootsuite
- Adobe Creative Cloud: Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Acrobat
- Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, Teams
- Email Marketing: Mailchimp, Constant Contact, Higher Logic/Magnet Mail
Market Research
Mintel, Statista, SurveyMonkey, Mergent Intellect, CoStar, Esri Business Analyst
CMS
WordPress, Drupal
Style Guides
Associated Press (AP), Modern Language Association (MLA)