As Associate Director, Corporate Communications, I manage strategic, cross-functional internal and external communications for the Minneapolis, Denver and Detroit KPMG offices. I have more than 20 years of strategic communications and PR experience gained in corporate, agency and nonprofit organizations. Before joining KPMG, I ran a successful, Twin Cities-based PR and marketing communications consultancy, serving a wide range of profit and nonprofit clients. Prior to that I was an Account Supervisor at Fleishman-Hillard International in Minneapolis and held senior account management positions at several other top Minneapolis and St. Paul PR and marketing agencies. I began my career as a journalist at a daily newspaper and earned a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, a Mini-MBA Certificate from the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis, and a Master Trainer Certificate from Anoka-Ramsey Community College. During my career I've written numerous articles and posts for various print and online media and garnered a number of industry awards for writing and successful local and national PR and marketing communications campaigns from the Minnesota chapters of IABC, PRSA, AMA and Women in Communications. In addition, I have designed and conducted a variety of writing workshops for professionals at several Twin Cities colleges and universities.