Highlights from Year Two: On the Road Again

If Year One of my life as a strategic communications consultant was spent broadening my perspective and expanding my network, Year Two was all about diving deeply into community. And logging many, many miles. With a home in Vermont, a significant other in Manhattan, and client work that took me to New Haven, Worcester, Martha’s Vineyard, Baltimore, and beyond, the past year was filled with planes, trains, and automobiles.

I am deeply appreciative of the opportunities I’ve had to do meaningful work for individuals and institutions that are, in so many ways, working to make the world better. It has been a great privilege to join them in advancing their missions.

This past year, I had the good fortune of stepping into interim leadership roles at two institutions. I served for six months as interim vice president for communications and marketing at the College of the Holy Cross, and, just as that one ended, I took on the same role at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), where I continue to serve as the university undertakes a national search for a permanent vice president.

I knew I would like interim work. I didn’t know how much I would love it or what a great fit it would be for me. It plays to my strengths, and it appeals in allowing me to connect deeply and in a sustained way with a community. And in these two instances, it also gave me the opportunity to work with extraordinary leaders in their first college presidencies and to support talented communications and marketing teams through significant change.

To help Holy Cross develop and launch a strategic plan and open a performing arts center, and to partner with President Vincent Rougeau and his exceptional leadership team was a great privilege, as was the work to help bring a new VP to the role (the terrific Jeremy Thompson) and support his success and that of the team. Thank you, Heather Hayes, for sharing such kind words about our work together.

And now, I have the great joy of working with UMBC President Valerie Sheares Ashby, who is leading that admirable institution to new heights as she prepares to begin her second year in the role. Over the past several months we’ve hosted an inauguration (the first one at UMBC in 30 years!) and UMBC’s largest-ever commencements and managed through a whole lot of transition. My work with UMBC continues, much to my delight, and I am excited to help this amazing community articulate its strategic aims for the years ahead, grounded in its unwavering commitment to inclusive excellence.

The public-serving missions of UMBC, Holy Cross, and so many other institutions feel more urgent--and, in some places, more under siege--than ever. I’m grateful to be able to lend my support to help them achieve their goals. Onward to Year Three!