EXPERIENCE

Sheila Ballen Communications Consultant 
Philadelphia, PA | 2010–present             

  • Facilitates connections between government officials and policymakers to navigate the political and policy development process and drive legislative outcomes.
  • Stewards authentic partnerships between clients and community members to arrive at mutually beneficial outcomes. 
  • Provides strategic communication blueprints to maximize positive media coverage and exposure. 
  • Navigates crisis communications to mitigate long-term negative publicity.
  • Directs large-scale and critical meetings and events in various locales (e.g. legislative briefings, board meetings, training sessions and press conferences).
  • Serves as interim communications’ director for organizations during transitions.

Oversee all operational aspects of a full-service consulting firm that focuses on government relations, external affairs, community engagement, strategic communications, compelling development, message crafting, organizational branding and media relations. Offer subject-matter-expert guidance regarding marketing, communications, public relations, and brand identity. Provide promotional guidance by utilizing well-established network of government contacts to aid in enhancing the client’s organizational mission. Serve as liaison among government, non-profit organizations, clients, media representatives and community leaders to promote clients.  

University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2),
Public Relations and Public Affairs Consultant 
Philadelphia, PA | 2016–2018  

Consulted on marketing, public affairs, message crafting, strategic communications and media relations. Responsible for writing a range of content for print and electronic communications vehicles, such as news and feature articles, press releases, op-eds, and marketing collateral. Established relationships between SP2 leadership and faculty with government and community leaders to shape local social policy.

  • Interviewed and wrote all content for SP2 2.0: A Penn Red and Blueprint for Impact, SP2’s annual report distributed to 7,500 recipients.
  • Organized a Philadelphia city council briefing from SP2’s Dean and faculty to inform city council and staff of SP2 resources and social policy work.

Scholar Academies, Managing Director
Philadelphia, PA | 2015–2016

Directed a staff of three and managed comprehensive communications strategy for non-profit charter-school-management organization. Designed and implemented project-management strategies that improved organizational operations. Cultivated strong business relationships, served as a liaison with Board of Trustees to ensure operational effectiveness and fiscal responsibility. 

  • Orchestrated brand-identity and awareness campaign that resulted established stronger relationships with community and educational partners.
  • Identified, cultivated, solicited and stewarded all major donor gifts for the organization.
  • Organized the annual gala resulting in 33% more income through individuals and major donors and 20% attendance increase.
  • Led the redesign of the organization’s website.

Mastery Charter Schools, Director of Communications
Philadelphia, PA | 2013–2014

Hired as the first ever Director of Communications, tasked with creating and implementing the communications’ strategy, including all media relations, public relations, and marketing initiatives for the non-profit charter school organization. Built the organization’s inaugural electronic news platform created to deliver electronic communications to include social media planning, press releases, promotional materials, annual reports, seasonal publications and newsletters. 

  • Increased organizational awareness by developing strategic and sustainable development as well as communications plans to include promoting brand identity resulting in an invitation to participate in 25 elected official meetings.
  • Served as liaison between the organization and the media, blogs and news agencies on all events and activities resulting in over 300 notable media mentions in 16 months.
  • Provided comprehensive train-the-trainer style education to 100+ community activists on media relations and government affairs. 

Pennsylvania Department of Education, Director of Communications
Harrisburg and Philadelphia, PA | 2008–2010

Managed, mentored and trained 10 staff members and provided leadership with full accountability for daily operations associated with all media relations and communication activities for state agency with a $9 billion budget. Developed and employed strategic communication and public- relations plans as well as crisis communications including crafting, and distributing press releases, opinion pieces, speeches and various correspondences for the Governor and Secretary of Education. Provided subject-matter-expert guidance to leadership regarding all communications as well as community and governmental affairs. Promptly and effectively resolved escalated concerns while maintaining organizational integrity as well as preventing negative media attention.

  • Successfully oversaw various large-scale dynamic projects including the Governor’s annual budget address as well as the compilation and release of the annual State Assessment test results.
  • Developed and maintained successful professional relationships with community partners, coalitions; and media agencies resulting in the successful promotion of Governor Rendell’s educational agenda.

Pennsylvania Department of Education Office of Elementary & Secondary Education, Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary
Harrisburg and Philadelphia, PA |2006–2008

Directed the Multiple Pathways to Academic Success (MPAS) Initiative. Drove policy reform and cross-system collaboration encouraging school districts to improve academic outcomes for educationally disrupted and at-risk youth. Led effective brand-identity campaign to promote program across state and local entities and partnerships focused on aiding disruptive youth.

  • Created and implemented policy and program changes that resulted in successful improvements in student achievement as well as a positive shift in attitudes and behavior, allowing educators to cultivate a more nurturing school and community environment.

National Democratic Institute, Country Director
Almaty, Kazakhstan | 2004–2006

Oversaw the development and implementation of $1.5 million training program for political party leaders and citizens focused on promoting and expanding democracy while developing civic society leaders. Provided subject-matter-expert guidance during a domestic election with 2,500 voters. Mentored and trained international staff of ten aiding in the delivery of effective training programs and successful election oversight.

  • Served as the mission head for an international election observation delegation for the 2006 Kazakhstani presidential elections.

Ballen for State Representative, Candidate
Philadelphia, PA | 2003–2004

Pursued Democratic nomination for Philadelphia’s 175th State Representative District. Directed election campaign to include crafting communications, media relations, scheduling public appearances including community outreach. Orchestrated effective political fundraising campaign through various outreach methods (house parties, phone solicitations, direct mail, door-to-door canvassing, and public event appearances).

  • Spearheaded political fundraising efforts yielding $80,000 in donations from individual donors.
  • Earned Philadelphia Daily News editorial board endorsement.
  • Won major endorsements from 25 local, state and national community organizations.

Good Schools Pennsylvania, Director of Communications
Philadelphia, PA | 2001–2003

Served as the primary spokeswoman and director of all media relations for start-up non-profit coalition. Cultivated and maintained effective statewide media contacts. Created and launched brand-identity campaign to promote organization’s mission of improving public education.

  • Shaped and applied captivating message conveying organization’s objectives targeted at foundations, community leaders and statewide legislative leadership.

Commerce Department, City of Philadelphia, Director of Communications
Philadelphia Empowerment Zone
Philadelphia, PA | 1998–2001

Directed all communications, public-relations and media-relations activities for $79 million federally funded program. Developed effective business relationships with local, state, and federal officials; community residents; and businesses to promote the organization’s vision and mission.

  • Successfully secured an additional $125 million in funds for program enabling further neighborhood development projects.

Philadelphia City Councilwoman Happy Fernandez, Campaign Manager/Council Aide
Philadelphia, PA | 1995–1998

Managed a campaign staff of five and all aspects of 1995 re-election campaign including fundraising, speech writing, media relations and coordinating public appearances. Investigated, established, and applied major policy initiatives to include the formation of the Murals Arts Advocates.

  • Coordinated Philadelphia’s inaugural all-woman fundraiser event headlined by First Lady Hillary Clinton and Second Lady Tipper Gore during the 1996 re-election campaign raising over $1 million.
  • Successfully steered fundraising raising over $300,000 through individual donations, house parties and direct mail campaign.

Public Interest Research Group (PIRG)/PIRG Fuel Buyers, Executive Director
Philadelphia, PA | 1987–1994

Provided leadership with full accountability of all programs of a non-profit public interest organization to include administration, fundraising and communications. Coordinated community-outreach program educating the public via telephone regarding the Environmental Protection Act of 1990 while simultaneously raising over $1 million from individual donors.

  • Led successful fundraising campaign yielding in over $750,000 in donations.

EDUCATION 

Master of Arts in Urban Studies, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA

Bachelor of Arts in Government, Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, PA