BARBARA LEWIS, APR
14140 Sherwood, Oak Park, MI 48237
Telephone: 248-546-4255
Email: [email protected]
OVERVIEW
Award-winning writer and editor skilled in crafting news and feature stories, donor communications and marketing communications. Proven ability to build brand awareness and advance organizational mission via communication plans, corporate identity/graphics standards, communication policies, media relations, Web content and marketing programs, and support of fund development campaigns. Clear understanding of effectiveness of communications tools in building corporate culture.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF MICHIGAN, Detroit, Michigan 2002 to 2012
The state’s largest faith-based human services agency, with 70 programs in 44 Michigan cities.
Director, Communications
Planned and implemented programs to increase visibility and awareness of organization and its services as organization grew from $70 million to nearly $100 million in annual revenue. Advised senior management on communications and public relations issues.
Spearheaded and implemented new organizational identity, including graphic standards manual.
LEWIS MARKETING SERVICES, Oak Park, Michigan
A marketing communications and PR firm providing consulting services for clients with specific growth and/or positioning objectives.
Principal
Created and implemented PR counsel by providing writing, editing, media relations and marketing communication services for local and national clients, primarily healthcare and nonprofit organizations.
HOSPICE OF MICHIGAN, Southfield, Michigan
Large nonprofit provider of end-of-life care, offering care and support services.
Director, Corporate Communications
SINAI HOSPITAL, Detroit, Michigan
A leading health system with a 615-bed hospital and five satellite medical centers.
Director of Corporate Communications
Managed staff to devise and execute media relations plans, outreach programs, publications, special events, physician relations, advertising campaigns and annual report.
EDUCATION
Master of Science in Administration, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MI
Master of Journalism, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Bachelor of Arts, Antioch College, Yellow Springs, Ohio, Major: Literature
PROFESSIONAL ACCREDITATION AND AFFILIATIONS
Accredited by Public Relations Society of America
Founding member and secretary, Lutheran Communicators Network
Former vice president, Non-Profit PR Network
Former board member, Michigan Health Care Communicators Association
AWARDS
Touchstone Awards, American Society for Healthcare Marketing and Public Relations
Best in the East Award, Virginia Society for Hospital Public Relations
Clarion Award, Women in Communications
Great Lakes Region Professional Awards, Women in Communications
Apollo Awards, Michigan Health Care Communicators Association
Renaissance Awards, International Association of Business Communicators, Detroit Chapter
Silver Quill Award, International Association of Business Communicators
Arnold’s Admirables, Ragan Communications
Grand Awards, Apex Awards for Communications Excellence
Blanche Connell Scholarship, Central Michigan University
PUBLICATIONS
Barbara Lewis, “Secrets of Advocacy Success Outlined,” Alliance for Children and Families Magazine, Winter 2006.
Barbara Lewis, “Twice the Challenge: Hospice Helps a Family Cope With Two Terminally Ill Children,” Hospice Magazine, 1998, 9:1.
14140 Sherwood, Oak Park, MI 48237
Telephone: 248-546-4255
Email: [email protected]
OVERVIEW
Award-winning writer and editor skilled in crafting news and feature stories, donor communications and marketing communications. Proven ability to build brand awareness and advance organizational mission via communication plans, corporate identity/graphics standards, communication policies, media relations, Web content and marketing programs, and support of fund development campaigns. Clear understanding of effectiveness of communications tools in building corporate culture.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF MICHIGAN, Detroit, Michigan 2002 to 2012
The state’s largest faith-based human services agency, with 70 programs in 44 Michigan cities.
Director, Communications
Planned and implemented programs to increase visibility and awareness of organization and its services as organization grew from $70 million to nearly $100 million in annual revenue. Advised senior management on communications and public relations issues.
Spearheaded and implemented new organizational identity, including graphic standards manual.
- Instituted electronic communications program, including redesign of website and creation of e-newsletter and email campaigns, resulting in significant increase in online giving. Managed website content.
- Developed social media program, including news blog and organizational Facebook page.
- Created or revised organizational communications policies, including social media policy.
- Served as agency spokesman; wrote published op-ed pieces and letters to editor on behalf of CEO.
- Directed decisive response to negative press reaction during crisis situations.
- Produced award-winning publications to help foster care and refugee programs achieve top-of-mind awareness.
- Directed production of numerous videos to enhance understanding of organization and its programs.
LEWIS MARKETING SERVICES, Oak Park, Michigan
A marketing communications and PR firm providing consulting services for clients with specific growth and/or positioning objectives.
Principal
Created and implemented PR counsel by providing writing, editing, media relations and marketing communication services for local and national clients, primarily healthcare and nonprofit organizations.
HOSPICE OF MICHIGAN, Southfield, Michigan
Large nonprofit provider of end-of-life care, offering care and support services.
Director, Corporate Communications
- Executed communication plans to become statewide “hospice-of-choice” for referrers and purchasers. Created corporate identity, graphic standards and communication policies for new organization.
- Used marketing communications to help grow organization from $2.1 million to $46 million.
- Developed and launched marketing communication plans for first freestanding hospice home, outpacing pro forma revenue estimates.
- Positioned HOM to win competition for Best Managed Non-Profit by Crain’s Detroit Business.
- Directed development and content of organization’s first website and Intranet.
- Produced promotional video to win National Hospice Organization Award of Excellence.
- Built media relations program with statewide staff to:
- Ø Become first hospice media consults for comment
- Ø Secure major feature stories in Detroit dailies and community newspapers
- Ø Position HOM as provider of an alternative to assisted suicide
- Ø Secure inclusion of HOM’s CEO in 100 Most Influential Women by Crain’s Detroit Business
SINAI HOSPITAL, Detroit, Michigan
A leading health system with a 615-bed hospital and five satellite medical centers.
Director of Corporate Communications
Managed staff to devise and execute media relations plans, outreach programs, publications, special events, physician relations, advertising campaigns and annual report.
- Increased favorable media coverage between 15% and 50% in each of five years.
- Increased consumer calls to Physician Referral Service by 100+%.
- Increased patient volume to new physician practices by 100+% with direct mail campaign.
- Increased usage of cardiovascular fitness program by 50% with advertising and public relations.
EDUCATION
Master of Science in Administration, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MI
Master of Journalism, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Bachelor of Arts, Antioch College, Yellow Springs, Ohio, Major: Literature
PROFESSIONAL ACCREDITATION AND AFFILIATIONS
Accredited by Public Relations Society of America
Founding member and secretary, Lutheran Communicators Network
Former vice president, Non-Profit PR Network
Former board member, Michigan Health Care Communicators Association
AWARDS
Touchstone Awards, American Society for Healthcare Marketing and Public Relations
Best in the East Award, Virginia Society for Hospital Public Relations
Clarion Award, Women in Communications
Great Lakes Region Professional Awards, Women in Communications
Apollo Awards, Michigan Health Care Communicators Association
Renaissance Awards, International Association of Business Communicators, Detroit Chapter
Silver Quill Award, International Association of Business Communicators
Arnold’s Admirables, Ragan Communications
Grand Awards, Apex Awards for Communications Excellence
Blanche Connell Scholarship, Central Michigan University
PUBLICATIONS
Barbara Lewis, “Secrets of Advocacy Success Outlined,” Alliance for Children and Families Magazine, Winter 2006.
Barbara Lewis, “Twice the Challenge: Hospice Helps a Family Cope With Two Terminally Ill Children,” Hospice Magazine, 1998, 9:1.