TreeHouse Foods

Communications Manager, Social and Digital Engagement

Patina Solutions

Communications Consultant

Karen Nicholas Communications

Freelance Writer & Communications Professional

Millig Design Build

I recruited and onboarded new employees and created various communication pieces to increase employee engagement. I created a Human Resources department and established internal communications best practices. I helped plan events and contributed to our marketing communications efforts.

Director of Communications & Employee Relations

Willdan Performance Engineering 

I provided communication strategy, developed content for both internal and external audiences and recruited new employees for our division. 

I created targeted communications to ensure employee engagement. I identified new ways to improve and innovate our internal and external communication practices and channels, including monthly update meetings, a branded Medium.com site, video communications, etc. 

I also recruited, hired, and onboarded new employees. I focused on furthering initiatives around Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, particularly in the hiring, recruiting, and onboarding process.

Communications & Talent Acquisition Manager

I designed presentations to share critical findings with clients, focusing on simplicity and client engagement. I also helped package our data into consumable content such as charts, graphs, etc.

University of Kansas

As the first communications person for the IT Department, I created and oversaw all communication efforts, including communications planning, crisis communications, and copywriting. I developed internal communication strategies and materials to support new launches, programs, and processes. 

I distilled complex, technical information into simple, digestible, and actional messages for diverse internal audiences, including students, faculty, and staff.  I also built relationships with other departments and team members to ensure seamless launches of new technologies and programs.

IT Communications & Media Relations Manager

David Evans and Associates, Inc.

As the first person in my role,  I created and executed a media relations program – including pitching media, writing press releases, ghostwriting bylines, and submitting applications for various awards. I ensured our external messages were consistent with our internal messages and focused my efforts on telling DEA’s brand story. 

I developed media pitches and articles to attract and engage with new talent through employee profiles in publications, company culture articles, and Best Places to Work awards. We were ranked on Fortune’s 100 Best Places to Work during my time in this role. 

I engaged with senior leadership and colleagues on media outreach opportunities and provided media training, including crisis communications guidance. 

I also assisted in various internal communications efforts, including contributions to internal newsletters and employee communication pieces.

Media Relations Manager

Edelman

Account Supervisor

Special Olympics Texas

Public Relations Coordinator

Corporate Communications | Writer | Employee & Internal Communications - Helping companies engage with their employees and clients

In our current remote/hybrid work environment, engaging and communicating with employees has never been more challenging – or essential. Creating an environment for employees to be the best versions of themselves is not only a cultural win – it’s also a business win.

A Gallup "State of the Workplace" report found that when employees are engaged at work, profitability increases by 21%. Yet, this same report shared that 65% of employees aren’t engaged at work.

We spend a lot of time talking “at” people – not necessarily “to” them. My goal isn’t just to communicate a message. My goal is to ensure those messages are delivered and digested by the audience. It’s also my responsibility to provide executive guidance and direction when messages aren’t the right voice and fit for the audience.

With a background in media relations, editorial content creation, internal communications and employee relations, I bring a range of creative skills and experience to any position. Communicating with employees and partners can be a company's greatest strength rather than its biggest weakness.

Karen Nicholas

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Spearheaded the creation of a dedicated team aimed at identifying and mitigating employee challenges, enhancing workplace satisfaction, and elevating employee engagement and experience for ~37,000 Chase employees working in a hybrid setting. Manage and mentor a results-driven team and partner with senior leadership to implement strategies and interventions that align with business goals and enhance the organizational culture.
•.     Employee Workplace Experience
•.     Organizational Culture
•.     Stakeholder Management
•.     Employee Insights, data collection & analysis

Executive Director/ Senior Vice President, Workplace Experience

Create and implement change strategies impacting 120k+ employees at Chase 
•.     Human-centered change management
•.     Design Thinking/ User-centered Design approach
•.     Organizational effectiveness
•.     Employee Engagement
•.     Organizational Culture

Vice President, Change Management, Organizational Effectiveness & Employee Experience

Team development and talent consultant for ~70k technologists in global technology and corporate 
investment bank
•.     Succession Planning & Promotion Management
•.     Leadership, Management and Career development
•.     Culture, Change & Engagement
•.     Diversity & Inclusion
•.     Human Capital Management (HCM) and Human Resources Information System (HRIS)

Talent Consultant and Global Head of Team Development, Workforce Strategy

Cabrini University

Department of Business Administration, Human Resources Management

Adjunct Faculty 

Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic

•.      Team Leadership: acted as servant leader to organizational development team in delivering results 
         and consistently achieving & exceeding goals 

•.      Learning & Development Leader: designed, implemented and oversaw purposeful, pervasive, 
        sustainable learning programs/ employee training (instructor-led, e-learning & innovative blended 
        techniques) and training delivery, with measurable outcomes in alignment with strategic plan and 
        mission, vision, values

•.      Talent Development: facilitated and improved processes related to goal setting, talent planning and 
        performance management, including talent calibration, succession planning, and high potential 
        development

•.      Leadership Development: responsible for strategy and delivery of development programs and 
        activities, including needs assessments, measurements & metrics

•.      Change Management: consulted on transitional and transformational change planning and 
        execution, facilitated workshops and exercises to minimize resistance and maximize success

•.      Employee Engagement: collaboratively facilitated and implemented programs, processes, and 
        procedures to increase employee engagement, resulting in year over year increase in engagement 
        (2015-2018)

•.      Culture Shaping: consulted, advised, developed and integrated research on best practices to 
        achieve desired organizational culture

•.      Program & Project Management:  for multiple, concurrent small and large-scale programs and 
        projects, including Stand Out, a Marcus Buckingham engagement and performance tool, Human 
        Resources Information System (HRIS) implementation and partnership with Recruiting

Director, Organizational Development

Nationwide Children's Hospital

Served as a change agent in an effort to continuously improve the work environment for Nationwide Children's Hospital leaders, physicians, and staff. Responsible for all aspects of:

- Leadership Development Program
- New Leader Onboarding 
- Culture Shaping Initiatives 
- New Employee Orientation

Increased average quarterly course offerings in leadership development program from 6 to 18 (200%).

Streamlined new employee orientation program and increased new hire evaluation scores by 13%. Example of feedback: 

“I have been to over 12 orientations in my lifetime... I’m going to be honest: they were all horrible. Not personal, interesting, fun or even enlightening. This one has been my favorite by far. I LOVED this one. I don’t know what else you guys can do; this was phenomenal."

Facilitated instructor-led, online and blended learning events for groups of 3 to 180.
- Consistently recognized with outstanding feedback in evaluations, earning an average 95% rating for teaching effectiveness (organized, professional, engaging, respectful, clear communicator).

Developed and tailored curriculum; provided support and coaching to managers and facilitated team-building interventions. Used a variety of models and tools to identify competency, knowledge and talent gaps to prepare current and future leaders for the organization.

Senior Consultant, Organizational Development

Reach Out and Read, pediatric literacy program. Recruited, trained and managed over 100 volunteers.
Served as program and project manager on multiple small and large projects and program implementations.

Program Manager

Managed content and maintained program website (a directory of information and 1200+ resources) for CAP4Kids Columbus, a program of Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

Program Specialist

Various For-Profit, Non Profit & Educational organizations

Other Career Experience: High School Teacher, PR/Marketing, Professional Relations Representative

Learn something new every day... 

On his 90th birthday, my father was asked to share his greatest pearl of wisdom. "I have been on this earth for many decades,” he responded, "and it never ceases to amaze me that each and every day there is still something new to be learned." With a twinkle in his eye, he exclaimed, "Most days there are several things to be learned! Never stop learning." 

I share my father's wonderment and enthusiasm for learning. I was the kid who always had my nose in a book - while walking home from school, in the stands at sporting events, riding in the car, and sitting at the dinner table. I have always been energized by the exchange of information and ideas. 

I am an Organizational Effectiveness Leader, and  I align evidence-based research with workforce strategy to enable exceptional results in employee experience (attraction, development, retention), leadership, team and individual performance. I have over 12 years of experience in leading and facilitating culture shaping initiatives, innovation and change management, workforce strategy and talent development across various industries and sectors.

I leverage my expertise in leadership theory and development, adult learning theories, coaching, and facilitating to create and deliver training solutions, team building, and employee experience programs. My mission is to foster new ways of thinking that empower individuals to lead more fulfilling lives and organizations to thrive. 

I am passionate about learning and sharing knowledge, and I enjoy collaborating with other professionals and experts in the field.

taplio

The Battle

Karen Nicholas

Dr. Janel B. Field

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?