Experience

Throughout my career, I have focused on the intersection of strategic communications and social impact. My work is rooted in the belief that communication is both a science and an art. Below is a look at the initiatives, partnerships, and strategies I’ve led to move people to action and accelerate positive change.

Media Relations

As a communications expert, one of my key responsibilities is to serve as spokesman and point person with the media. During my career, I have enjoyed great working relationships with members of the press, pitching stories that are both factual, on-message, and memorable. I attract the right kind of attention for my clients and their causes—the kind that advances goals; not just for publicity’s sake.

Here are some examples:

• “Why ‘big bets’ matter more than ever” (Candid, 2025)

• “Young leaders advancing potential climate solutions could win $1 million grants” (The Associated Press, 2025)

• “Durable Capital for Durable Impact” (Stanford Social Innovation Review, 2025)

• “LinkedIn Co-Founder Thinks Trust in Democracy Has Eroded. How He Plans to Fix It.” (Barron’s, 2024)

• “The MacKenzie Effect: How Billionaire MacKenzie Scott Is Changing the Giving Game” (Town & Country, 2024)

• “A $50 Million Challenge Is Looking for Innovative Solutions to the Gulf of Mexico’s Future” (Barron’s, 2024)

• “Why Billionaires Like MacKenzie Scott And Reid Hoffman Are Partnering With This Nonprofit Trying To Shake Up Philanthropy” (Forbes, 2024)

  “MacKenzie Scott donates $640 million, more than doubling her gifts to nonprofit applicants” (The Associated Press, 2024)

• “Billionaire MacKenzie Scott expands donation promise to give away $640 million” (Good Morning America, 2024)

• "Move fast and mend things: The super-rich are trying new approaches to philanthropy" (The Economist, 2024)

• “Interview: Cecilia Conrad on working with MacKenzie Scott and the Lever For Change model” (Alliance Magazine UK, 2023)

• “Four Years After Launch, Here’s How MacArthur’s Lever for Change Is Galvanizing Big Giving” (Inside Philanthropy, 2023)

• “LEGO Foundation announces recipients of $117 million Global Challenge” (Philanthropy News Digest, 2022)

• “Refugee organisations get $24.3m funding boost” (Philanthropy Age, 2021)

• “Can Philanthropic Competitions Be Equitable?” (Inside Philanthropy, 2021)

• “In an era of mass dislocation, we need new approaches to aid” (San Francisco Chronicle, 2017)

• “Syrian refugee crisis outstrips international aid” (The Seattle Times, 2015)

• “Ending The Stigma: Major Humanitarian Prize Shines Light On Mental Illness” (Forbes, 2014)

• “Indian eye care group wins top world aid prize” (Reuters, 2010)

Public Speaking

During my career, I have been honored to contribute to the body of knowledge in the social sector, speaking on panels and at conferences:

• The Nonprofit Fundraising Exchange: How a $10M Mindset Can Break the "Who You Know" Funding Barrier

  In this podcast, host Josh Gryniewicz asked me about the ways in which open calls are reshaping access to philanthropic funding. Finding the right funding for new ideas is challenging, especially when traditional philanthropy often favors established connections. However, open-call grant models are leveling the playing field, encouraging organizations to propose big, bold solutions that might otherwise stay under a funder's radar.

• Simmons Center for Global Chicago 2025: Communicating your Values in a Divided Landscape

  This hybrid discussion with nonprofit members of the Center was part of a series focusing on communications strategies with experts from the field sharing insights and advice. During an unprecendented moment of crisis in American giving, we talked about how to navigate hot button issues and effectively reach diverse audiences.

• Communications Network 2024: AMERI'KANA - Shifting and redefining narratives

  In this workshop, we helped the audience gain a deeper understanding of the value of storytelling in moving people to action. We explored how to reframe and shift narratives to adapt to new times and evolving cultures. The goal was to learn how to think about storytelling in non-traditional ways, meeting audiences where they are in ways that resonate with their lives.

• CauseVox 2020 - Pandemic Communications for Nonprofits

  This online webinar, held in the first month of the Covid pandemic, was designed to help nonprofit staff deal with an overnight gamechanger for the communities in which they were operating—including cuts to funding, heightened competion for scare resources, and dramatic uncertainties. It explored how to adjust to a new reality with creativity in order to survive and thrive in spite of the circumstances.

• Southern California Grantmakers Family Philanthropy 2017: Navigating External Disruptions to Philanthropic Practice

This session explored case studies to better understand how foundations and nonprofits alike have navigated some of the most disruptive events of recent times—the digital communications revolution, the financial crisis of 2008, the Affordable Care Act, and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

• Council on Foundations Conference 2017: Serving Communities by Sharing What We Know

This session took a close look at the kinds of knowledge assets that foundations can share and how senior staff can support knowledge-sharing practices at every level of the organization.

• Communications Network Conference 2016: Brand as a Social Impact Driver

  Three leading communications experts offered their unique insights into the making of a brand at distinct moments in the brand awareness process. The panel also explored what it takes to drive social change through organizational branding and influence.

Media Grants

As a communicator, I am grateful to have been able to contribute to the funding of outstanding media organizations, with partnership grants totaling more than $3 million: