CHERYL MCELROY

COMMUNICATIONS & CREATIVE PROFESSIONAL excited to take your company's communications to the next level by leveraging your vision with my storytelling, skills, and experiences. Together we will share your organization's story and brand while building positive reputations.

 

My natural enthusiasm for building relationships allows me to live out my love for writing and hearing people’s stories – how they’ve made difficult decisions, and how they’ve accomplished their goals. Working in communications positions me to do this, as well as the ability to learn something new everyday.

​

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Hope for Women Magazine
Indianapolis, IN                                                    

Managing Editor - Senior Copy Editor - Writer                                                                                                                  2020 – present

• Manage and coach Section Editor team.

• Oversee content quality, elevate writer standards, and edit copy submissions.

• Coordinate story alignment, create headlines and lead-ins.

• Author original and engaging articles (for print and digital platforms) that educate, enlighten, and inspire individuals resulting in increased readership.

• Perform extensive research to conduct knowledgeable interviews for composing pertinent content in an informed, concise, and clear manner.

• Create ghostwriting pieces in voice of CEO/Editor-in-Chief.

• Build marketing efforts to grow readership for print and digital collateral utilizing strong communication and storytelling skills.

• Serve on Executive Editorial Board.

​

Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation (IndyGo)
Indianapolis, IN                                                    

Internal Communication Specialist – Public Affairs Department                                                                                        2019 – 2020

• Developed communication strategies that included content research, strategic messaging, delivery medium recommendations, and internal & external alignment.

• Managed, authored, and distributed company-wide communications delivering essential information to 900 employees in the form of four monthly newsletters, company instructional bulletins, and corporate announcements.

• Produced creative graphic designs & layouts while promoting Brand understanding and preservation: logos, newsletters, flyers, posters, ads, banners.

• Created data collection tools, analyzed the metrics, and developed strategy recommendations to improve internal communications, employee culture, and engagement efforts.

• As Project Manager, developed work scope, timeline, budget, role delegation, vendor selection, and project execution. Projects included: employee intranet, employee relations framework, and office interior décor renovation.

• Facilitated development and communication of community volunteer events, capital projects, company initiatives, training opportunities, and recognition programs.

• Cultivated relationships with executive leaders, board of director members, peers, and stakeholders to build and grow employee engagement and retention.

• Proven ability to assume responsibility, solve problem and make decisions.

• Balanced independent remote working and being a collaborative team player through leadership, relationship building, and inclusiveness.

​

State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
West Lafayette, IN                                                         

Event Planner – Convention & Travel                                                                                                                         2011 – 2018

• Championed high-volume of planning and executing 500+ meetings for 25,000 attendees. Organizational skills, attention to detail, and multi-tasking supported planning steps of identifying venues, negotiating bids, creating proposals, reviewing contracts, and executing meeting specifics within tight deadlines.

• Managed an average budget of $2,500,000 annually in meeting expenditures Contributed negotiated savings on more than 92% of my events – positively impacting the company’s profit more than $75,000 of negotiated meeting costs.

• Reconciled and processed invoices of substantial amounts. Detailed breakdown was required on each invoice for finance and IRS compliance rules.

 

State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
West Lafayette, IN

Communication Coordinator/Senior Editor –
Public Affairs/Marketing                                        

                                                                                1987 – 2011        

• Supported Sales Force Promotional Programs managing statistical data, designed promotional pieces, created communications, and coordinated awards.

• Created designs and layouts in the form of logos, ads, flyers, posters, programs, publications, and billboards.

• Authored clear, concise corporate memos, business articles, motivational messages, and instructional pieces for leadership, employees, and sales force.

• Promoted, emphasized, and educated corporate Branding through design and writing projects.