Curious & Candid Communications for Folks Doing Good

If you’re a leader at a mission-driven organization, you probably know that a strong communications strategy is the key to getting more people — and the right people — to support the vital work you’re doing. But building an effective approach takes time…and you’ve already received five emails and 10 Slack notifications since you started reading this. You’ve come to the right place if:

  • You’re ready to take the leap and invest in building a communications strategy for your organization, but you have no capacity or clue where to start.

  • You need a thought partner to revamp your outdated or ineffective strategy.

  • You’re struggling to define your organization’s story and communicate with clarity and impact in the moments that matter.

  • You’re looking to elevate your thought leadership and become a stronger ambassador for your brand and cause.

  • You want to demystify the process of talking to reporters and nail your next media interview.

  • You want to identify and train new storytellers to amplify your mission.

If this sounds like you, or if you have another comms conundrum you’re trying to solve, then let’s talk!

Hey There, I’m Katie

For two decades, I’ve helped organizations harness the power of smart communications, compelling storytelling, and authentic thought leadership to raise awareness, shape narratives, and achieve their advocacy and fundraising goals. I’ve crafted creative media strategies for some of the largest nonprofit organizations in the U.S., including Habitat for Humanity and Feeding America, and built ground-up plans for emerging nonprofits to secure front-page coverage, influence the news cycle during pivotal moments, and grow their brands.

After spending the first half of my career in-house and over a decade as a leader at a digital agency, I know what works well in a consultant-client relationship (transparency! trust! a mutual love of reality TV!) and what doesn’t (unclear goals! overpromising! erratic communication!). Whether I’m engaging teams in a comms planning process, prepping a spokesperson for a big interview, or ghostwriting an op-ed, I approach every project with curiosity, a collaborative mindset, and a healthy dose of candor.

Aside from my experience and impeccable taste in black turtlenecks, why work with me?

💜 Your mission matters. I’ve dedicated my career to supporting organizations that advance justice, economic opportunity, human rights, public health, and conservation.

🤝 Personalized approach. I’ll develop a game plan and content that’s tailored to you and only you.

🏃🏻‍♀️ Nimble & efficient. You’ll get all the agency-level expertise and support you need, and nothing you don’t.

🙅🏻‍♀️ Bullsh*t free zone. If you’re paying a consultant to tell you you’re doing everything right, they are getting the better end of that deal. I’ll always share my honest take (even if it’s not necessarily what you want to hear).

😎 Fun required. Even if you roll your eyes at my cheesy puns, I promise you won’t dread our calls. Heck, you might even have a gouda time.

Read more about me here.

How I Can Help

  • Communications Planning

    I know, I know — you’re sick of planning meetings and want to DO the work. But trying to raise brand awareness, shape the media narrative around your issue, or meet your advocacy or fundraising goals without a plan to ground you is like heading into Jurassic Park without an exit strategy (spoiler alert: it won’t end well!)

    I’ll guide your team through an inclusive planning process that'll help identify your unique challenges and opportunities and map out strategies to support your organizational goals. You’ll walk away with an actionable comms plan grounded in ambitious yet achievable goals that everyone in your organization can feel excited about and invested in.

    Already have a comms plan, but it’s gathering dust? I can give it a fresh look and turn it into a living document you’ll actually want to use.

    Depending on your needs and capacity, as an optional add-on, I can roll up my sleeves and bring the plan we’ve built together to life by engaging journalists on your behalf, creating media materials, and more.

  • Executive Thought Leadership

    Organizational leaders are juggling a LOT. When there’s a major grant report due or a board meeting coming up, adding “be a thought leader” to your to-do list probably feels exhausting. But becoming the go-to voice people trust on your issue is one of the best investments you can make to build credibility, attract supporters, and advance your mission.

    Thought leadership shouldn’t feel like extra work; it should feel like a natural extension of the important work you’re already doing. Together, we’ll dig into the personal experiences that fuel your passion and expertise, and work to craft messages that make an impact — but still feel authentically you. Then we’ll get your voice heard by pitching you to journalists, securing speaking gigs, identifying awards to apply for that showcase your leadership, and more.

    If the idea of speaking in public or on the record makes you queasy, I’ll prepare you to feel confident sharing your perspective on podcasts, panels, and with reporters, without worrying about saying the “wrong” thing.

  • Storyteller Cultivation & Media Training

    Authentic voices are the heartbeat of any good communications strategy. They connect, inspire, and illustrate the urgency of the challenges you’re tackling in a way that even the most compelling data and charts can’t.

    I’ve been fortunate to train dozens of storytellers—including individuals with lived experience, policy experts, and volunteers—to speak from the heart with poise and purpose.

    Whether you’re looking to connect with potential supporters, sway an elected official, boost employee morale during a time of transition, or something in between, I’ll help you identify potential storytellers, work with them to develop their personal narratives, and adapt them to reach your audience.

    If you’re hoping to put your storytellers in the spotlight, I can create bespoke trainings to help them feel comfortable interacting with reporters, including tips on pivoting in tricky situations and staying cool under pressure. For more seasoned spokespeople, I offer preparation for specific media opportunities, including running mock interview scenarios and providing real-time feedback.

“I worked with Katie for over a decade, and she was the person we always turned to lead our most complex, high-impact projects. Her creative, flexible approach to strategy helped clients seize new opportunities or pivot when needed to achieve their goals. I can’t think of a colleague I’d rather have on my team.”  

~Bill Wasserman, Co-Founder, Virunga Mountain Spirits, and former President, M+R Communications

Let’s Work Together

Ready to chat? Click below to schedule a complimentary 30-minute discovery call, or contact me directly at katie@3183comms.com. I look forward to meeting you!