Karen Dickerson

• Write, edit and publish interesting, timely and provocative articles on issues relating to social lifestyle’s for examiner.com’s Relationships Channel in Washington, D.C., sharing local insights, knowledge and experience while adhering to editorial guidelines.

• Apply social media and marketing tools and techniques to build and maximize readership and page views. 

• Consultant working with organizations and non-profits--across industries-- in the public, private and development sector to provide leadership and expertise across all communications resources, including strategic planning/marketing, public relations/public affairs, writing and editing, web content development and management, event management and social media marketing communications. 

• Monitored and vetted the SDNVP’s external internal and websites, daily (20 websites). Liaised with communications officers to ensure timely and accurate information; Develop and report on traffic; Provided strategic direction to optimize content.
• Write correspondence in reply to and/or routed routine inquiries from the general public, civil society organizations, etc. 

Promoted Talking in Circles Club and Toastmasters International to local media, community and general public, highlighting the clubs events and meetings towards  increasing membership and encouraging overall interest in the development and enhancement of oral and communications leadership skills.

• Developed content for launch of Climate Investment Funds (CIF) website in conjunction with CIF Administrative Unit’s strategic goals, ensuring up-to-date, well-organized and stakeholder focused content.
• Liaised with subject eatter experts, including CIF Administrative team, Environment communications staff, web designer and other World Bank staff and stakeholders CIF to develop user-friendly and search-engine optimized (SEO) content consistent with the communications objectives, across funds and associated programs, ensuring flow, timeliness and integration of all/new audience and stakeholder information across the website, ensuring requirements of the CIF administrative unit were met.

• Synthesized information produced on the B-SPAN Internet broadcasting service for World Bank’s Global Seminar Series. Articulated, in an effective, persuasive and engaging manner, the ideas and themes presented in Bank-sponsored seminars, workshops and conferences. Identified potential and existing B-SPAN clients, developing and delivering targeted information aimed at increasing utilization of GDLN’s products and services.
• Developed and edited script for “A Future Without Child Labor”). Performed script editing for video and multimedia presentations used in audio-visual dissemination, e-learning and blended learning programs. 

• Conducted research and developed copy for the Governance and Accountability Program (CommGAP), a joint WB and UK DFID (Department for International Development) Trust Fund. Researched the use of social accountability tools in pilot in 10 African countries, including participatory budgeting, community scorecards, and citizens’ report cards which helped inform the development of a communication’s framework toward their implementation.

• Senior level Associate on Contract Management Team. Provided instruction and training to Patent Examiners on multiple information management systems to strengthen research skills in accessing vital information and resources, facilitating and expediting the processing and issuance of patent applications.
• Analyzed and synthesized performance and technical data. Restructured and standardized teaching methods for information technology trainers. Wrote/edited training materials, presentation and quick reference guides.
• Designed and produced STIC’s first Branding & Style Guide. Edited and/or wrote customized reports,presentations, user guides and technology training materials. Developed and implemented documentation standards for consistency, clarity, conciseness, style, and terminology increasing the efficiency ofreporting and delivery.

• Researched and compiled data in participation of development of analytic products such as monthly, quarterly reports for the World Bank’s Human Resource VP Unit for reports/research papers.Team member on group projects regarding Global Staffing initiatives and Performance Management. Key member of KM team implementing “e(lectronic) HR” – HR’s migration to new platform; complete overhaul/redesign of internal HR’s intranet, included developing the information architecture, navigation, and content/page design.
• Editor for HR’s KM Team; researched, edit “HR Knowledge Online” content, assuring adherence to Bank’s style guidelines and best practices. Developed taxonomy and content design. Edited HR Policy (staff rules) and guidelines for clarity and conciseness.Edited Performance Management website. Authored, “Guidelines for Writing for the Web: a brief reference to some best practices”. Co-Writer/Editor, “Publishing on Main HR Website” Reference Manual.
• Vice Presidents Office: Authored articles for Bank’s Internal Communications Unit, the “Today” Intranet site. 

• Participated with senior communications staff in developing, implementing and managing time-sensitive projects to disseminate IFC’s various messages to key audiences in the financial services industry, local and national government officials, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and journalists and editors in both developed and developing nations; Managed outreach activities to further dialogue and consultation with NGOs and stakeholders such as Baku-Tiblisi-Ceyhan (BTC) Pipeline.Researched, synthesized, and drafted information relating to social development, society participation/consultation and community development issues.
• Edited and disseminated correspondence written on behalf of IFC’s then Executive Vice President (Peter Woicke) regarding controversial projects Created and maintained BTC project website and content.
• Contributed content to Intranet newsletters (i.e. NewsFlash, etc.); Developed and produced case studies and articles for internal/external marketing and for publication in the Annual Report. 

• Assisted Maryland County Executive, Doug Duncan, and staff in preparing for annual state legislative program for the 2002 Maryland General Assembly 2002. 
•  Attended proceedings; perform general research; tracked House and Senate bills; edited bills, resolutions, memorials, and amendments, checking for proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure, verify citations including cross references, and editor's notes, ensure readability; Make copies of bills, amendments, and other materials for a team, legislators, lobbyists, or the public; deliver bills and amendments.

• Implemented and directed Public Relations programs to strengthen corporate visibility and generate awareness of the Company’s solutions and expertise in the healthcare marketplace in preparation for an IPO.
• Directed activities of outside Public Relations agency in support of overall communications objectives, including development of media campaigns/tours, identifying editorial opportunities, and pitching and placing stories with industry, business and trade press.
• Crafted messages for senior management (CEO, CFO, VP) toward developing dialogue and influence with local, business and national press in preparation for IPO. Secured interviews for top executives with Wall Street Journal, WallStreetReporter.com, and Localbusiness.com.  Placed company executives on speaker platform at high-profile industry conferences (i.e., AIIM, TAWPI, and WEDi). 
• Pursued opportunities for visibility-enhancing awards programs: Washington DC’s FastTrak Award, Upside 100, Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year.
• Implemented Analyst Relations program with the Gartner Group, building corporate stature within healthcare IT market.
• Implemented Community Relations program, leveraging local event sponsorship of the annual Race for the Cure (Breast Cancer Research) to build community awareness of corporate brand and enhance recruitment efforts. 

• Directed public relations activities for company’s three divisions across multiple industries (including retail, publishing, hospitality, insurance, finance, telecom and direct marketing), establishing effective relationships relationships with clients and media and identifying venues/opportunities to enhance awareness of the organization and its software solutions.
• Wrote interesting and informative press releases, case studies, white papers, shareholder communications, presentations and other marketing collateral;  managed publication of quarterly newsletter. 
• Developed and executed media campaigns, including product launches, press tours and analyst briefings in support of marketing and sales activities. Pursued opportunities for awards, i.e. Data Warehouse 100, and other high profile industry awards. Placed speakers and top industries conferences, i.e., Direct Marketing Association. 
• Hired and managed the activities of the public relations staff; Gave performance reviews and determined compensation. Developed and managed annual public relations budget. Reported directly to CEO.

Other Positions Held at Group 1 Software include:

Public Relations Specialist1997 – 1998

Technical Writer1996 – 1997

Publications Editor (Intern)1994– 1996

• Taught the Analytical Writing Section of a GRE Prep Course to students participating in Bowie State College’s Model Institutions for Excellence (MIE) development program. The MIE program focuses on helping educate and mentor disadvantaged youths in the sciences, engineering, and mathematics disciplines. Taught English as A Second Language to international students and business professionals.
• Taught English as A Second Language to international students and business professionals.

All coursework completed for M.A., 9 hours toward PhD.