Optimal Blue

Write clear, concise, and compelling content to advance marketing and communications goals
Produce two in-house podcasts - Optimal Insights & Market Advantage
Manage social media strategy
Collaborate with other members of the marketing and communications team
Conduct high-quality research and interviews
Edit and proofread copy content written by others
Make recommendations based on writing and communication best practices

Marketing Communications Writer

The Life Shift Podcast

•	Host, record, and edit The Life Shift Podcast, achieving recognition as a global top 2% performing podcast through engaging storytelling and quality editing
•	Manage and grow the podcast's online presence, including social media and website, driving over 24,000 downloads (as of Nov 2023) with effective marketing and press releases
•	Design episode artwork and produce creative video clips for weekly episodes, enhancing audience engagement and online visibility
•	Analyze show statistics and ad revenue to guide the content strategy and growth plans for 2024

Podcast Producer/Host/Editor

Full Sail University

•	Conduct weekly live-streamed classes for 100-200 students, creating an interactive and dynamic learning environment across 2-3 courses
•	Provide detailed, personalized feedback on student projects, using both written and video formats to support and guide 50-75 students each month

Associate Course Director

Halogen TV

•	Assisted with the production of Laura Marano's music video for "F.E.O.U." in Burbank, CA.
•	Scouted locations in Los Angeles and Burbank, CA. for music video shoot.
•	Communicated with potential vendors prior to filming for single day of shooting.
•	Coordinated the volunteer staff (runners) and talent on set for the day of shooting.

Assistant Producer

Hensley Holdings, LLC

•	Wrote company communications to vendors, contractors, and lawyers for the company owner/president.
•	Managed QuickBooks accounts for a portfolio of eight income properties in Colorado
•	Reconciled all accounts and prepared Profit and Loss statements for company CPA
•	Provided project management oversight from bid process through completion, to ensure construction and renovation projects were delivered on time and within budget
•	Instrumental in the acquisition of three properties, conducting due diligence from initial contract through closing

Project Manager

•	Built an internal best practices portal, centralizing resources for over 60 faculty members to streamline operations and improve instructional quality 
•	Collaborated with management to enhance the department's internal wiki, aligning content with faculty needs and reinforcing departmental objectives 
•	Built a cohesive team environment and promoted open communication with frequent, informal discussions and active engagement across the department
•	Managed the launch of revised academic programs, guiding the course rewrite initiative, managing timelines, and facilitating a seamless transition while preserving the integrity of educational content
•	Authored bi-weekly thought leadership articles for program Facebook pages, boosting the department's visibility and positioning it as a thought leader on industry trends and educational best practices 
•	Created a standardized training protocol for over 20 instructors, coordinating student communication and feedback methods to ensure a consistent educational experience

Department Chair - Entertainment Business and Music Business Bachelors Degree Programs

•	Communicated weekly (email, presentations, zoom) with C-suite leaders, admissions leaders, and advising teams to advocate for a strong focus on the educational outcomes and student success.
•	Developed a 25-member group of educators, overcoming high turnover to establish a cohesive team, significantly enhancing internal morale and performance metrics
•	Created a supportive environment by championing transparent communication, refining operational processes, and implementing targeted training, achieving an increase in employee engagement
•	Designed and implemented new assessment processes to measure and achieve strategic objectives, hitting executive targets with a 90% success rate
•	Authored training materials for over 40 staff members (including adjuncts), standardizing content and internal protocols to ensure consistent messaging and teaching experience
•	Guided a cross-departmental team in delivering foundational courses to over 1600 students a month, both online and on-campus
•	Created a core curriculum plan for the first semester experience of all students leading to a 15% increase in student retention in the first semester.
•	Led content development of a proprietary Leadership Training program for 100+ employees in management.

Director, First Semester Experience

•	Wrote and edited components of a networking program for over 4,000 students that was delivered by department chairs on a monthly basis.
•	Developed and implemented training for 20 associate course directors over a period of 6 months.
•	Applied ADDIE adult learning theory to the development of 30+ new college courses, including developing learning objectives, selecting content, writing course descriptions, and project-based learning activities.
•	Counseled student population regarding curricular and academic concerns/goals.
•	Supervised and developed a team of 16 educators - training, developing, and coaching.
•	Wrote, organized, and developed a "best practices" website for 60+ employees of two degree programs.

Department Chair

•	Created model curriculum development material for training over 40 new instructors
•	Developed and taught curriculum for an online platform and brick and mortar campus program, for approximately 600 students each year
•	Taught 15 four-hour sessions each month, in addition to online instruction with weekly virtual webinars

Course Director

Third Oak Productions LLC

•	Assisted the Producers for Liberty (web-series). IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3719582

Associate Producer

Cambridge Polymer Group

•	Coordinated a comprehensive website upgrade, collaborating with executive leadership and scientists to enhance content, layout, and visuals
•	Led the drafting and editing of patent proposals, securing two out of three submitted SBIR grants and driving the company's innovation and growth
•	Implemented a tiered review system to align cross-departmental efforts in grant and patent submissions, which improved the success rate and organizational cohesion
•	Managed daily operations, developed corporate policies, and oversaw payroll and benefits for a team of 12, upholding operational excellence and employee satisfaction

Operations Manager

Mydea Technologies Corp.

•	Wrote monthly press releases, copy for company website, and all marketing materials.
•	Developed the standard process for on boarding of future business office staff that managed all documentation, orientation, and rapid prototyping basics. This resulted in reduction of 30 hours of training time required of President and other employees, leading to a savings of over $1,000 for each new staff member.
•	Managed the development of company website, including an online quoting engine, Mydea IQ, for rapid prototyping needs.
•	Managed the rapid prototyping sales process from lead to delivery for over 100 clients.
•	Prepared annual budgets and sales forecasts for $1 million-dollar rapid prototyping company.

Operations/Project Manager

In 2004, fresh out of an MBA program, I jumped into the startup world. There, I got my hands dirty in everything from finance to PR and marketing. This experience was a real boot camp and set me up to lead operations at a bio-research company in Boston.

What's always mattered to me, no matter the role is clear communication and genuinely looking out for my team. I'm a big believer in not just finding solutions but making sure the journey there is good for everyone involved.

After a while, I returned to Florida and shifted gears to higher education. Teaching and then running the First Semester Experience at Full Sail University, I saw firsthand how much impact the right kind of communication can have. A few years later, I decided to officially improve these skills with a Master's in Mass Communication and Public Relations at the University of Florida. This experience sharpened my skills, especially in conceptualizing campaigns for brands I admire, like Airbnb and REI.

Skills:

Writing, Proofreading, Research, InDesign, Canva, Excel, Data Entry, Presentation Design, Podcasting.
Plus, I've got solid experience in Digital Platform Management and Training Material Development.

Fun Facts:

🎙 I run 'The Life Shift' podcast. It's about people's life-changing moments. Give it a listen at www.thelifeshiftpodcast.com.
🌆 I've moved over 35 times! And no, I'm not from a military family.
🐕 I'm the proud parent of two senior rescue dogs, Mikey and Molly.
🔍 I love true crime podcasts. There's something about figuring out the story that gets me.
📂 Check out my school work samples at www.mattgilhooly.com.

Matt Gilhooly🎙

Futurist & Leadership Strategist. I help orgs lead with clarity in the messy middle of flexibility, trust & transformation. LinkedIn Top Voice (2024, 2025) 🇨🇦 Top 50 Remote Accelerator🌀

For over a decade, I’ve witnessed companies struggle with the same challenge: how to make hybrid and remote work not just functional, but exceptional. This isn’t just about productivity. It’s about creating environments where people and profits flourish together.

Why am I passionate about this?
Because I’ve lived it.

Since 2012, I’ve been at the forefront of hybrid work, managing business-critical relationships totaling more than $1 billion. I’ve seen firsthand how the right approach can transform uncertainty into opportunity.

My journey across five corporations—including two global conglomerates—taught me a crucial lesson: the future of work isn’t about location. It’s about connection. That insight led me to develop strategies that don’t just adapt to change—they drive it. Let’s face it, AI isn’t going to slow the pace of change.

What sets my approach apart?

• I blend deep research with innovative thinking
• I translate complex systems into clear, actionable stories
• I bridge the gap between employee needs and business goals

And here’s the part most people don’t see coming:
I combine systems thinking with empathy—mapping invisible dynamics like trust, power, and identity—while holding space for the very real human experience inside organizations. That duality is rare, especially at senior levels.

So much of leadership development is theoretical. My approach is to breathe life into policy - making something 3D out of the one dimensional.

I’m also one of the few with narrative intelligence: the ability to decode bias in corporate language, make sense of cultural friction, and reframe stories in a way that actually shifts behavior—not just sentiment.

Add to that a board-level emotional fluency—the kind that recognizes psychological safety isn’t soft, it’s strategic. How do you find clarity in complexity and move forward when the right decision seems ambiguous?

Leaders tell me, “You’re the voice of the unheard employee,” and “It’s rare to find someone advocating so positively for a better future of work.”

But don’t just take my word for it. As a LinkedIn Top Voice for 2024—an honor awarded to fewer than 300 out of a billion users annually.

Whether I’m advising boards, speaking at global conferences, or hosting the Hope & Possibilities podcast (100+ episodes, thousands of downloads), I’m here to help leaders navigate change with confidence and compassion.

Ready to turn workplace uncertainty into your competitive advantage?
Let’s connect. nola@nolasimon.com


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The Battle

Matt Gilhooly🎙

Nola Simon

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