TENISHA K. WALDO tenishawaldo@yahoo.

com
10178 Forest Landing Drive | Charlotte, N.C. 28213 | (803) 920-3199

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
Strategic communicator and brand manager specializing in integrated
communications; social media maven and avid believer in brand journalism
and brand storytelling; innovative thought-leader with strong business acumen;
and former journalist able to produce polished copy under tight deadlines.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Communications Director 03/13-Present
Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, Charlotte, N.C.
Responsible for promoting the Charlotte Chamber and communicating its mission through branding, social
media, publications and electronic communications.
Oversees and monitors the chamber brand, ensuring consistency and powerful messaging in all facets
of its communications. Maintains brand standards.
Develops and implements messaging strategies to ensure that chamber staff and volunteers are on
point in messaging and communication of brand for the Charlotte Chamber.
Directs the chambers social media efforts, ensuring engagement with various audiences through
Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and other social media. Monitors efforts for effectiveness.
Administers branding, social media and publication portions of overall communications budget.

Accomplishments
! Implemented comprehensive communications calendar for supporting initiatives across organization.
! Led organization in breaking new ground with its social media efforts as unique hashtags for major
chamber events trended locally on Twitter.
! Nearly doubled number of Twitter followers over past 18 months.
! Consolidated excessive chamber Twitter accounts and formed cross-functional social media team.
! Named a peer-nominated 2013 Chamber Champion and recognized as a 2013 Spirit Award recipient.

External Communications Manager 10/10-03/13
External Communications Specialist
Corporate Communications Consultant
Food Lion/Bottom Dollar Food/Delhaize America, Salisbury, N.C.
Responded promptly to media inquiries about grocery retailer. Media spokesperson for company.
Pitched company news and events to broadcast, print, trade and online media.
Provided media training for senior leadership and store management.
Managed major projects, media tours and in-store interviews related to store openings.
Monitored social media, advised social media team in minimizing reputational impact when responding
to sensitive Facebook customer commentary, and recommended ways to leverage social media in PR
strategies.
Managed daily report of company news coverage, utilizing tools such as Factiva, Critical Mention,
TVEyes and Meltwater News.
Managed news tracking program Vocus Marketing and PR Software.
Managed the development of collateral pieces needed for effective communication of PR programs,
special initiatives and community programs.
Collaborated with community relations team to establish positive relationships with community leaders
across store footprint. Provided talking points for store management as needed.
Collaborated with Internal Communications team to ensure message consistency of various materials,
including intranet articles, memos and Human Resources documents that reached more than 107,000
associates companywide.
Responsible for writing, editing and proofing message copy, and ensuring accuracy and quality.
Provided news updates to leadership about Fortune Global 500 parent company, Belgium-based
Delhaize Group.
Assisted with issues management and reputation management.
Assisted with strategic communications planning for key company initiatives.
Waldo | 2

Accomplishments
! Developed internal and external communications, including social media strategy, for largest layoff
announcements in companys history with store portfolio optimizations in 2012 and 2013.
! Managed media story with KYW-TV, one of the largest broadcast outlets in the Philadelphia DMA,
for an investigative segment about grocery store prices, which was viewed by a cumulative estimated
audience of more than 575,000 and helped to yield one of companys best sales weekends.
! Was integrally involved in arranging an executive media tour with reporters in Pittsburgh to announce
Bottom Dollar Foods new market entry, resulting in media placement in top broadcast and print outlets.

Project Assistant 01/10-04/10
Tribble Creative Group, Charlotte, N.C.
" Assisted with updating and organizing event databases for corporate clients.

Assignment Editor 06/08-01/10
How We Live Magazine, Columbia, S.C.
" Assigned and coordinated article submissions from freelance writers throughout the Southeast.
" Edited stories for the entire publication, which is circulated primarily regionally.
" Managed marketing sweepstakes, dubbed Operation L.O.V.E. Military Home Makeover.
" Designed How We Live Magazines quarterly E-zine, a viral, interactive electronic newsletter.

Charleston County Government Reporter | General Assignments Reporter 06/06-05/08
The Post and Courier, Charleston, S.C.
" Reported on policies and decisions that affect 330,000 Charleston County residents.
" Covered County Council and Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority news and events.

Special Assignments
! Covered several spot news stories during the contentious 2008 Democratic presidential primary.
! Reported on nationally reported tragic fire involving Charleston firefighters.
! Spent seven months exploring the daily operation of the county jail for an award-winning special report.
! Chronicled life of a local woman who was HIV-positive and struggling with drug addiction.

Awards
South Carolina Press Association 1st Place Award for Enterprise Reporting (March 2009)
American Society of Newspaper Editor's Jesse Laventhol Prize for Deadline News Reporting by a Team

EDUCATION
University of South Carolina, Columbia, S.C.
Master of Mass Communication, May 2010
Concentration: Integrated Communications (Public Relations, Marketing, Advertising, Promotions)

Bachelor of Arts, May 2006
Major: Print Journalism Minor: Business Administration

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS AND VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Co-Diversity Director, American Advertising Federation Charlotte (AAF), Charlotte, N.C.
Membership Committee Member, Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Charlotte, Charlotte, N.C.
Publicity Committee Member, Rowan County United Way, Salisbury, N.C. (2011-2013)

REFERENCES
Natalie English
Senior Vice President of Public Policy, Charlotte Chamber
704.378.1332 | nenglish@charlottechamber.com

Benny Smith
External Communications Manager, Food Lion/Delhaize America
Former President, Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Charlotte
704.608.6737 | blsmith@foodlion.com