Patricia  M  Sears  Page  1  of  2  

PAT R I C I A  M .  S E A R S 52 F innegan Road | Lowel l , Vermont 05847

802 744.6600 | tr ish@kingdomcommons.com

C A T A L Y S T F O R S T R A T E G I C C O M M U N I C A T I O N S

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Public  Affairs,  Media  Relations,  Communications  

o Skilled  advocate  for  coordinated  strategies  and  unified  communications

o Extensive  experience  in  connecting  media  to  program  goals,  outcomes  and  organization’s  mission  

o Successful  in  pitching  stories  to  internationally  and  nationally  recognized  newspapers,  radio,  television  and  internet  news  outlets.    

I  have  had  stories  placed  in  international,  national  and  local  media  on  topics  ranging  from  post-­‐‑tsunami  reconstruction  in  Indonesia  to  women’s  healthcare  in  coffee-­‐‑growing  communities  in  Mexico  to  economic  and  community  development  of  the  Northeast  Kingdom  of  Vermont.  

Partnering  for  social  change  

o Strong  ability  to  build  effective  executive,  staff,  peer  and  partner  relationships

o Proficient  in  multi-­‐‑cultural  and  competitive  environments

o Extensive  experience  in  forming  partnerships  to  leverage  funding  for  key  programs,  and  representing  projects,  programs  and  organizations  to  donors,  the  US  and  foreign  governments,  multilateral  organizations,  and  the  media  

o Designs  and  implements  strategic  advocacy  campaigns  locally,  statewide,  nationally  and  overseas  

o Deep  knowledge  of  the  US  and  UN  political  environments  and  key  players  

At  the  UN  I  led  the  coordination  of  international  organizations  during  several  UN  Special  Sessions  on  women  and  children.  

Results  oriented  

o Recognized  for  organizational  development  and  concrete  results  

o Outstanding  planning,  organizing,  monitoring,  and  follow-­‐‑up  skills  

o Proven  track  record  of  working  in  challenging  environments,  bringing  diverse  groups  and  cultures  together  for  a  purpose  

While  living  in  Indonesia  for  three  months  in  2005,  I  led  the  management  of  media  relations,  dignitaries’  visits  and  special  events  for  the  one-­‐‑year  anniversary  of  the  tsunami  for  International  Save  the  Children  Alliance  member  countries.

   

Patricia  M  Sears  Page  2  of  2  

H IGHLIGHTS  OF  PROFESSIONAL  EXPERIENCE  

Northeast  Kingdom  Tamarack,  Inc    /dba/  NEKTI  Consulting  (2001  –  present)    CEO  &  President  

Selection  of  Global  Clients:  

o Grounds  for  Health  |  International  NGO  |  Communications  &  Development  (2006)  o Save  The  Children  |  International  NGO  |  Advocacy,  Communications  &  Media  Relations  (2004/Bangkok,  

2005/Banda  Aceh)  o USAID  |  Federal  Agency  |  Media  Relations  (2001,  2004,  2005)  o Communications  Consortium  Media  Center  |  International  Media  Relations  (2002)  o CEDPA  (Center  for  Development  &  Population  Activities)  |  Advocacy,  Media  Relations  (2001)  o Population  Action  International  (PAI)  |  Media  Relations  (2001)  

CEDPA  (Center  for  Development  &  Population  Activities)  (1997  –  2001)  Senior  Advisor,  Public  Affairs  &  Special  Projects  

PAI  (Population  Action  International)  (1989  –  1997)  Deputy  Director,  Media  Relations  Special  Olympics  New  York  (1986  -­‐‑  1987)  Field  Director,  Western  NY  (staff  liaison  to  the  statewide  Law  Enforcement  Torch  Run)  

Wyoming  State  Training  School  (1985  –  1986)  Volunteer  Coordinator/Public  Relations/Family  Liaison    

ABILITY  &  EXPERIENCE  OF  NOTE:  

! AREA  (WY,  NY),  STATE  (WY,  NY,  DC),  1987  INTERNATIONAL  SPECIAL  OLYMPICS  GAMES  |  Coordinator,  Manager/Communications,  Media  Relations,  Celebrity  Escort,  Liaison  to  NY  Law  Enforcement  Torch  Run  (1987)  

! MEMBERS  OF  CONGRESS  &  THEIR  STAFF  |  (1989  –  present)    As  International  Non-­‐‑governmental  representative,  working  with  US  Senate  Foreign  Relations  Committee  &  others:  providing  advocacy  &  media  relations,  drafting  testimonies  to  committees,  briefings  before  visiting  programs  in  countries,  ad-­‐‑hoc  committee  re  Quebec-­‐‑Vermont  border  crossings  (Senator  Sanders),  Hill  visits  for  advocacy  

! FEDERAL  AGENCIES  AT  NATIONAL  &  STATE  LEVELS;  US  STATE  DEPARTMENT,  HHS,  USDA,  USAID,  &  US  HOMELAND  SECURITY  |  (1989  –  present)  Providing  briefings,  coordinating  partnership  efforts  between  agencies,  UN  International  Conferences  (Beijing,  Cairo,  Copenhagen,  Rio),  US-­‐‑Canada  border  crossings  

! HEARING  BEFORE  THE  COMMITTEE  ON  THE  JUDICIARY  UNITED  STATES  SENATE,  110TH  CONGRESS,  FIRST  SESSION:  ECONOMIC  &  COMMUNITY  IMPLICATIONS  OF  NORTHERN  BORDER  SECURITY|(2007)    Testimony  as  Patricia  M  Sears,  Executive  Director,  Newport  City  Renaissance  Corporation  

! INTERNATIONAL  STEERING  COMMITTEE  FOR  SAFE  MOTHERHOOD  |  (1999  –  2004)  Advocacy  &  Media  ! INTERNATIONAL  NON-­‐‑GOVERNMENTAL  ORGANIZATIONS  IN-­‐‑COUNTRY  &  US  |  (1989  –  present)  

Staff,  Consultant,  Partner  |  Providing  Advocacy,  Communications,  Media  Relations    ! AARP  ADVOCACY  ON  THE  HILL  &  NATIONWIDE  AGE-­‐‑FRIENDLY  POLICY  CHANGES  (2014  –  present)  ! CELEBRITIES  IN  INTERNATIONAL,  NATIONAL,  STATEWIDE  ARENAS  |  (1980  –  present)  Providing  media  

relations,  escort  VIPs  on  program  tours,  staff  VIPs  for  special  events  ! PRESENTATIONS,  MEDIA  SPOKESPERSON  AT  INTERNATIONAL,  NATIONAL,  STATE  LEVELS  |    

(1985  –  present)  Present  as  speaker,  act  as  media  spokesperson  at  International,  National,  State  Conferences  

HIGHLIGHTS  OF  VOLUNTEER  SERVICE  

AARP  Vermont  |  STATE  PRESIDENT  Vermont  Aviation  Advisory  Council  |  MEMBER  (appointed  by  Governor)  Northeast  Kingdom  Travel  &  Tourism  Association  |  BOARD  PRESIDENT  Grounds  for  Health  |  BOARD  MEMBER,  Chair/Communications  Committee  Special  Olympics  Wyoming  |  BOARD  MEMBER,  Communications  Committee  Special  Olympics  District  of  Columbia  |  VOLUNTEER,  Chair/Media  Relations