TreeHouse Foods

Communications Manager, Social and Digital Engagement

Patina Solutions

Communications Consultant

Karen Nicholas Communications

Freelance Writer & Communications Professional

Millig Design Build

I recruited and onboarded new employees and created various communication pieces to increase employee engagement. I created a Human Resources department and established internal communications best practices. I helped plan events and contributed to our marketing communications efforts.

Director of Communications & Employee Relations

Willdan Performance Engineering 

I provided communication strategy, developed content for both internal and external audiences and recruited new employees for our division. 

I created targeted communications to ensure employee engagement. I identified new ways to improve and innovate our internal and external communication practices and channels, including monthly update meetings, a branded Medium.com site, video communications, etc. 

I also recruited, hired, and onboarded new employees. I focused on furthering initiatives around Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, particularly in the hiring, recruiting, and onboarding process.

Communications & Talent Acquisition Manager

I designed presentations to share critical findings with clients, focusing on simplicity and client engagement. I also helped package our data into consumable content such as charts, graphs, etc.

University of Kansas

As the first communications person for the IT Department, I created and oversaw all communication efforts, including communications planning, crisis communications, and copywriting. I developed internal communication strategies and materials to support new launches, programs, and processes. 

I distilled complex, technical information into simple, digestible, and actional messages for diverse internal audiences, including students, faculty, and staff.  I also built relationships with other departments and team members to ensure seamless launches of new technologies and programs.

IT Communications & Media Relations Manager

David Evans and Associates, Inc.

As the first person in my role,  I created and executed a media relations program – including pitching media, writing press releases, ghostwriting bylines, and submitting applications for various awards. I ensured our external messages were consistent with our internal messages and focused my efforts on telling DEA’s brand story. 

I developed media pitches and articles to attract and engage with new talent through employee profiles in publications, company culture articles, and Best Places to Work awards. We were ranked on Fortune’s 100 Best Places to Work during my time in this role. 

I engaged with senior leadership and colleagues on media outreach opportunities and provided media training, including crisis communications guidance. 

I also assisted in various internal communications efforts, including contributions to internal newsletters and employee communication pieces.

Media Relations Manager

Edelman

Account Supervisor

Special Olympics Texas

Public Relations Coordinator

Corporate Communications | Writer | Employee & Internal Communications - Helping companies engage with their employees and clients

In our current remote/hybrid work environment, engaging and communicating with employees has never been more challenging – or essential. Creating an environment for employees to be the best versions of themselves is not only a cultural win – it’s also a business win.

A Gallup "State of the Workplace" report found that when employees are engaged at work, profitability increases by 21%. Yet, this same report shared that 65% of employees aren’t engaged at work.

We spend a lot of time talking “at” people – not necessarily “to” them. My goal isn’t just to communicate a message. My goal is to ensure those messages are delivered and digested by the audience. It’s also my responsibility to provide executive guidance and direction when messages aren’t the right voice and fit for the audience.

With a background in media relations, editorial content creation, internal communications and employee relations, I bring a range of creative skills and experience to any position. Communicating with employees and partners can be a company's greatest strength rather than its biggest weakness.

Karen Nicholas

Andrea Holt, LMFT

Mental Health Therapist

UCHealth

Associate Director of Behavioral Health

Personal Growth, LLC

In my private practice, I build collaborative and productive working relationships to provide individual, couple, and family therapy regarding a variety of clinical issues across a diverse demographic. I partner with my clients to resolve issues quickly and with empathy throughout the entire process – from intake to triage and case management. 

I also provide clinical supervision/consultation to therapists working toward LMFT or LPC licensure and EMDR certifications, and partner with billing and insurance companies to provide specialized out-of-network services.

Key Achievements:
✦ Contract with Larimer County Department of Human Services to provide therapy consulting on biweekly basis. Services include intensive family therapy, mental health treatment, and EMDR for individuals involved with Department of Human Services.  
✦ Facilitate challenging conversations between family members to find solutions and improve functioning.  
✦ Lead resiliency groups and provide debriefing services for caseworkers. 
✦ Supervise clinical staff functioning as PEER ambassadors for employees throughout Larimer County.  
✦ Developed curriculum for an educational group for advanced clinical skills training.  

Other Skills: Billing | Insurance | Out-of-Network Services | Curriculum Design | Program Management | Performance Management | Contract Management & Negotiation

Owner and Therapist

Health District of Northern Larimer County

As an integrated care program manager at a fast-paced medical clinic (UCHealth's Family Medicine Center) that serves a diverse population, I led and continually educated an interdisciplinary wellness team of 7. 

I managed a $750K program budget, authored annual program reports, analyzed program and employee performance, and provided administrative and clinical supervision. 

Key Achievements:
✦ Improved provider satisfaction by developing a medication assisted treatment program and expanding behaviorist support for the chronic pain clinic.  
✦ Partnered on development, negotiation, and adjustment of contracts between Health District and partner agencies.  
✦ Provided disaster/crisis mental health response in community on events including 2013 flood, High Park Fire, Hayman Fire, Cameron Peak Fire, and numerous domestic violence incidents and suicides.  
✦ Key member on annual medical student interview team and match process for placement into family practice residency slots at FMC.  
✦ Increased workplace efficiency by providing medical residents with skills and tools to optimize workflow, improve difficult patient encounters, and navigate complex professional relationships while managing their own wellness. 
✦ Completed Advanced Leadership Training Program through Regional Institute for Health and Environmental Leadership.
✦ Improved quality of hires by overhauling interview process, building a behavior-based interview that simulated real workplace conditions. 
✦ Retained team during COVID-19 pandemic, a time which caused significant spike in patient volume as well as constant workplace disruptions.

Core Skills: Program Management | Behaviorist Support | Contract Negotiation | Contract Management | Employee Onboarding | Leadership Training | Process Improvement | Employee Resiliency

Integrated Care Program Manager and Behavioral Health Clinical Therapist

Colorado State University

As the youngest clinical supervisor in the state of Colorado, I provided clinical supervision for both student therapists in the Center for Family and Couple Therapy and interns placed at FMC and in private practice.

Key Achievements:
✦ Conceptualized and developed a hybrid internship site for CSU students.
✦ Saved 25% in contracted health rates by leading negotiations for reduced rates.

Clinical Supervisior

North Range Behavioral Health

As a mental health therapist and key member of an assertive community treatment (ACT) team and with Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) program at North Range Behavioral Health, I provided therapy for homeless people with severe and persistent mental illness. 

Key Achievements:
✦ Facilitated Dialectical and Behavior Therapy and Dual Diagnosis (SU/MH) groups. 
✦ Collaborated with community agencies to coordinate care (probation/parole, social services, medical providers).  
✦ Conceptualized, launched, and scaled program that enabled former residents of local homeless shelter to cook and serve shelter meals weekly. 

Core Skills: Case Management | Community-Based Therapy | Program Management | Relationship Building | Community Outreach

Passionate about nurturing healthy workplaces, I research, develop, and manage innovative wellness programs that enable employees to maintain significant workloads while prioritizing their health, wellness, and work-life balance. 

I foster cultures of wellness by collaborating with leadership and HR teams to understand and advocate for well-being needs of the organization, design appropriate trainings and interventions, and analyze data.  

Signature Strengths & Skills:
📌Program Management
📌Family & Group Therapy
📌Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)
📌Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
📌Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
📌Integrated Care 
📌Employee Resilience
📌Employee Education
📌Crisis Intervention

Snapshot of Successes:

✔ Awarded “Outstanding Employee Award 2020” by Health District for transparent and supportive leadership style.  
✔ Member of local CARE team, which provides mental health disaster and crisis response in the community.
✔ Served as an expert witness in court on 5+ occasions in trials including workers’ compensation and accident injury claims.
✔ Respected presenter and subject matter expert (SME) at multiple colleges, clinics, and conferences. 


Areas of Expertise: Project Management | People Management | Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion | Relationship Management | | Trauma | Substance Use | Change Management | Wellness Benefits | Time Management | Risk Assessment | Compliance | Executive Communications | Quality Assurance | Training & Development | Psychology

I am currently accepting new patients in my private practice, and I welcome opportunities to connect! #OpentoOpportunities

Integrated Care Program Manager and Behavioral Health Specialist

As an integrated care program manager at 2 fast-paced medical clinics (UCHealth's Family Medicine Center and Salud) that serve diverse populations, I lead and continually educate an interdisciplinary wellness team of 7. 

I manage a $750K program budget, author annual program reports, analyze program and employee performance, and provide administrative and clinical supervision. 

Key Achievements:
✦ Improved provider satisfaction by developing a medication assisted treatment program and expanding behaviorist support for the chronic pain clinic.  
✦ Partner on development, negotiation, and adjustment of contracts between Health District and partner agencies.  
✦ Provide disaster/crisis mental health response in community on events including 2013 flood, High Park Fire, Hayman Fire, Cameron Peak Fire, and numerous domestic violence incidents and suicides.  
✦ Key member on annual medical student interview team and match process for placement into family practice residency slots at FMC.  
✦ Increased workplace efficiency by providing medical residents with skills and tools to optimize workflow, improve difficult patient encounters, and navigate complex professional relationships while managing their own wellness. 
✦ Completed Advanced Leadership Training Program through Regional Institute for Health and Environmental Leadership.
✦ Improved quality of hires by overhauling interview process, building a behavior-based interview that simulated real workplace conditions. 
✦ Retained team during COVID-19 pandemic, a time which caused significant spike in patient volume as well as constant workplace disruptions.

Core Skills: Program Management | Behaviorist Support | Contract Negotiation | Contract Management | Employee Onboarding | Leadership Training | Process Improvement | Employee Resiliency

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Karen Nicholas

Andrea Holt, LMFT

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