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Brenda Stidham Cohen

STRATEGIC AND CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt | Certified Change Management Specialist | Award-winning broadcast journalist with experience in brand management, marketing and public relations

Location:

Denver, CO

Let's connect:

Hi, I'm Brenda.

My professional career has taken many twists and turns, leading me to five states and innumerable skill-building experiences along the way. Through it all, my two biggest takeaways are take chances and welcome challenges.

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I deliver value as a precise writer and communications strategist who embraces the impact of authentic storytelling, transparent and proactive messaging and making complex concepts understandable. I’ve conceptualized, socialized and launched new communication channels for existing teams through blogs, social media, video initiatives and podcasts to amplify communications to a diverse and global workforce.

 

I advocate for audiences’ informational needs while upholding the mission, objectives and values of my organization’s brand. My years of experience as a journalist also make me a nimble communicator with the ability to quickly and accurately process, triage, synthesize and deliver key information.

 

I'm an AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner and certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and Change Management Specialist and earned a specialization certificate in Managerial Economics and Business Analysis.

EXPERIENCE

EXPERIENCE

2021-PRESENT

Senior Communications Manager

Global Education and U.S. State & Local Government, Worldwide Public Sector

AMAZON WEB SERVICES

Manage and execute high-visibility, high-impact vice president-level communications across a variety of channels and platforms to a globally dispersed organization; develop keynote speeches, moderator questions and discussion guides, panelist talking points and presentations for conferences and speaking engagements for vice president and leadership team; set strategic direction for and lead content and communication projects, define plans, manage stakeholders, scope, schedules and expectations; operationalize content and communication workflows to build repeatable mechanisms to facilitate communication at scale

2020-2021

Senior Program Manager

AT&T/DIRECTV

Provide leadership communication and program management support for multiple vice president organizations; define process enhancements, operational gap-closures and governance opportunities to support active business initiatives; gain expertise on new collaborative tools to facilitate full introduction to organization; established organization's culture committee; named Video Sales & Service process improvement subject-matter expert and facilitator; received AT&T Connection Award

2016-2020

Senior Communications Manager

AT&T

Executed multi-channel communications strategy, including leadership messages, organizational updates, newsletters and videos announcing business results and programs; expanded organization's communication platforms with introduction of blogs, social media and instant messaging; produced first-of-its-kind webcast for internal and vendor audiences; participated in six-month special assignment to establish Contact Shed Program Management Office that resulted in creation of online intake form, dashboard and project tracker; launched organization's book club; named AT&T Design Thinking Champion 

2013-2016

Communications Manager

DIRECTV/AT&T

Composed newsletters, safety materials, technical guides and job aids for technician workforce; produced training videos and served as on-camera talent; partnered cross-functionally to develop and execute integrated communications plan for product launches and other field-impacting initiatives or directives; observed time-and-motion studies to reconcile technician feedback; launched weekly podcast; chosen by peers to serve as President of SHARE! employee engagement committee; received AT&T Collaborator Award

2011-2012

Brand Manager

UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO ANSCHUTZ MEDICAL CAMPUS

Distributed campus-wide announcements and member newsletter for Anschutz Health & Wellness Center; managed social media and content calendar; produced videos spotlighting center staff and members; wrote content for website; provided media training and media relations support; guided design of marketing materials

2011

Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator

THE MARKETING TRUST

Assisted in development of marketing strategies and event planning for multiple Denver-area restaurants; managed client websites and social media accounts; created press releases, newsletters and website content; coordinated design of marketing materials; drafted proposals for prospective clients

2008-2010

News Producer/Writer

KOB-TV

Selected, prioritized and wrote content for 5:00 p.m. newscast; assigned reporter stories and reviewed scripts for clarity and accuracy; set up interview and video opportunities; field produced special events, including local coverage of 2008 presidential election and televised gubernatorial debates in 2010; received 2010 New Mexico Broadcasters Association/Associated Press Excellence in Broadcasting Award

2007-2008

Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator

H&R BLOCK

Initiated marketing plan, including creation of customer retention campaign, promotional giveaways and referral program; managed collateral and business correspondence; implemented franchise’s online presence by adding tax preparer bios and specialized services to corporate website; recorded office expenses, tracked invoices and monitored budget; organized office's first-ever community open house and canned food drive

2006-2007

News Producer/Writer

WBTV-TV

Gathered elements and constructed evening newscasts for sister station (CW affiliate) before promotion to WBTV (CBS affiliate) after only six weeks; supported assignment desk and assisted producers in researching, writing and coordinating live shots for reporters; filled in as backup producer for weekday or weeknight newscasts; published top stories and videos on station’s website

2005-2006

Sports Reporter & Anchor/News Producer

WEYI-TV

Supported sports department as No. 3 reporter/anchor; reported live in 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. newscasts from station’s featured high school Game of the Week and provided in-studio recap for 11:00 p.m. sports segment; produced, edited and anchored weekend sports segment; produced 6:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. newscasts 2-3 days a week

2003-2005

News Producer/Weekend Anchor

WLUC-TV

Shot, wrote and edited stories for live reports for one of three nightly newscasts; won audition to anchor and produce weekend newscasts and serve as backup weeknight anchor; assisted sports department in shooting video of high school and college games; served as sideline reporter for Michigan High School Athletic Association’s regional basketball finals; recognized by Michigan Association of Broadcasters

CERTIFICATIONS

CERTIFICATIONS

AWS CERTIFIED ASSOCIATE SPEAKER 

Amazon Web Services 

Successful completion of four modules and certification test; AWS Associate Certification is required for AWS employees who wish to speak or present at lower-visibility, lower-impact public-facing events, such as meetings, training classes and webinars; certification test score: 98%

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AWS CERTIFIED CLOUD PRACTITIONER

Amazon Web Services Training and Certification 

Demonstrated fundamental understanding of IT services and uses in the AWS Cloud, including cloud fluency, foundational AWS knowledge and ability to identify essential AWS services necessary to set up AWS-focused projects. Certification is valid through March 1, 2025.

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LEAN SIX SIGMA BLACK BELT

Six Sigma Global Institute

Successful completion of 32 modules focused on the Six Sigma philosophies and principles, including supporting systems and tools; Black Belts have a thorough understanding of all aspects of the define, measure, analyze, improve and control (DMAIC) model in accordance with Six Sigma principles; final certification test score: 87%

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CHANGE MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST

Management & Strategy Institute

Successful completion of rigorous change management course with curriculum that focused on tactics and practices to develop procedural and organization change implementation strategies; certification test score: 85%

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MANAGERIAL ECONOMICS & BUSINESS ANALYSIS

Coursera

Successful completion of six courses (including written assignments and tests) and capstone project; courses covered fundamentals of finance and integrated financial management framework through business and financial models and use models to make data-driven decisions; final average: 93%

 

​CERTIFIED CHANGE MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL™

Association of Change Management Professionals 

Expected certification in early 2025

ACTIVITIES

ACTIVITIES
Current

International Association of Business Communicators

Denver Sister Cities International 

WorldDenver 

Indiana University Alumni Association

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Previous

Women of AT&T Colorado 

  • Vice President, Communications (2016 - 2019)

DIRECTV Women's Leadership Exchange 

  • Communications committee and event videographer (2013 - 2015)

Denver Botanic Gardens​

  • Special events volunteer (2013 - 2016)

Aerys Sports 

  • NFL writer and lead contributor (2011 - 2015) 

Colorado Mountain Club

  •  â€‹Marketing and public relations volunteer (2010 - 2012)

Bachelor of Science (Sports Communication)

Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)

INDIANA UNIVERSITY-BLOOMINGTON

Student representative on School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation’s student-faculty advisory board; member of National Society of Collegiate Scholars; three-year member of news and sports departments at student-run radio station; member of Habitat for Humanity, Hoosier Sports Marketing Club, Japanese Club, Psi Chi and Student Athletic Board; Indianapolis Colts game day promotions and giveaways volunteer; WVNI radio volunteer; WISH-TV sports department intern

EDUCATION

EDUCATION

SKILLS

SKILLS
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Communications strategy

Change management

Executive communications

Process optimization

Organization communications

Stakeholder relations

Video production

Graphic design

Brand management

Program management

Enablement communications

Storytelling and message development

REQUEST

REQUEST

REFERENCES

I've had the honor of working with and for accomplished professionals from a variety of industries and sectors. My references have known me for years and can speak about my skills and their experiences working with me. 

VIDEO RESUME

An introductory video resume is available upon request. This two-minute video highlights specific communication solutions I've implemented in my career. Please email me or use the contact form below for more information. 

WRITING SAMPLES

I have a robust portfolio that includes everything from press releases to technical guides to leadership messages and even videos and infographics. While available upon request, written samples lack context and insight into the development process. Instead, consider giving me a writing test or written assignment. Yes, I'm asking for homework!

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CONTACT

CONTACT

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