A

Amanda Ponzar

About

Detail

Communications & Marketing Executive; Founder of the Social Impact Group; Highly Networked Leader
Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Timeline

work
Job
school
Education
folder
Project

Résumé

Jobs verified_user 0% verified
  • Community Catalyst
    Chief Enterprise Communications Officer
    Community Catalyst
    May 2026 - Current (6 months)
  • Kaptivate
    Senior Advisor, Public and Corporate Relations (Executive Team)
    Kaptivate
    Apr 2025 - Current (1 year 7 months)
    (Previously contractor for Kaptivate; now staff)
  • Self Employed
    Senior Communications Consultant and Government Contractor
    Self Employed
    Aug 2024 - Apr 2025 (9 months)
  • T
    Founder and Leader
    The Social Impact Group
    Jan 2021 - Current (5 years 10 months)
    Founded and lead ●The Social Impact Group● which has grown to 85+ corporate citizenship leaders from top global companies, including Amazon, Starbucks, Comcast, FedEx, IBM, Cisco, HP, NFL, MLB, Ford, Wells Fargo, Mars, Best Buy, Warner Bros., Mondelez, BAE, KPMG, PwC, MGM, Abbott, and more.
  • Ragan Communications and PR Daily
    Communicators Roundtable Member, Advisory Board Member, Contributing Writer
    Ragan Communications and PR Daily
    Jan 2020 - Current (6 years 10 months)
  • CHC Creating Healthier Communities
    Chief Communications & Marketing Officer
    CHC Creating Healthier Communities
    Aug 2018 - Aug 2024 (6 years 1 month)
    (Was Chief Comms & Strategy Officer until Sept 2022.) Recruited and led Corporate Leadership Council of 60+ CSR/ESG/DEI/social impact experts. Served as Head of communications and marketing including executive positioning and thought leadership, multi-channel marketing campaigns, B2B marketing, branding, reputation management, PR, web, social media, digital, google, newsletter, content, and more.
  • CHC Creating Healthier Communities
    Chief Marketing Officer
    CHC Creating Healthier Communities
    Aug 2016 - Aug 2018 (2 years 1 month)
    Hired as Vice President of Communications. Promoted to CMO 10/2016. Leading marketing, communications, PR, advertising, social media, digital, web, branding, product development, and more for the 2nd largest workplace federation. Key accomplishments: Launched new website and digital promotions, increasing monthly web traffic by 35,383%. Earned thousands of media placements (USA Today, CNN, MSN, NBC News, U.S. News and World Report, Fox News, Military Times). Created innovative new "custom cause" product. Official Member, Forbes Communications Council.
  • United Way of Central Maryland
    Asst Director, Marketing & Communications
    United Way of Central Maryland
    Mar 2015 - Aug 2016 (1 year 6 months)
    - Leading content marketing; writing blogs, web pages, social media, direct mail campaigns, email marketing messages, mobile marketing, newsletters, marketing materials, ads, annual reports and more.
    - Project managing team.
    - PR and media relations.
    - Handling Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), cause marketing and corporate recognition.
  • GOOD
    Vice President, Marketing & Communications
    GOOD
    Jan 2014 - Dec 2015 (2 years)
    - Brought in National Football League/NFL as new partner.
    - Secured high-profile media interviews for Board Chair/US presidential candidate and CEO.
    - Led communications team including PR/media relations, content marketing and online/social media, securing significant elite media coverage, website traffic and social media engagement.
    - Promoted cause marketing programs/corporate partnerships.
    - Worked on two innovative new online e-commerce platform launches, with crowdfunding and mobile capabilities.
  • UNITED WAY
    Director of Communications & Director of Key Stakeholder Communications
    UNITED WAY
    Oct 2006 - Sep 2014 (8 years)
    Director of Key Stakeholder Communications/Brand Leadership (11/2012-9/2014)
    Director of Communications, Global Corporate Leadership/Investor Relations (10/2006-11/2012)

    Led a team to deliver internal & external communications (paid media, earned media, public relations, advertising, marketing materials, online, web, social media, newsletters & more), CSR & grant partnerships focused on education, financial stability & health, cause marketing, recognition, awards, brand visibility & more for multinational corporate partners like Microsoft, Wells Fargo, Target, Walmart, Bank of America, UPS, etc., worth more than $1 billion in annual revenue.
  • American Red Cross
    Corporate Partnerships & Cause Marketing
    American Red Cross
    Jan 2006 - Dec 2006 (1 year)
    Helped implement consumer brand licensing products strategy working with corporate partners and licensing agency.
  • Swank Motion Pictures Inc
    Marketing Manager
    Swank Motion Pictures Inc
    Jan 2003 - Dec 2006 (4 years)
    Created marketing plans, marketing materials, direct mail, ads, branding style guides & PR for 1,000-employee business-to-business company.
  • Anderson Group
    Copywriter
    Anderson Group
    Jan 2000 - Dec 2003 (4 years)
    Wrote, concepted and edited ads, websites, direct mail, newsletters, TV/radio spots, annual reports and more.
  • T
    Copywriter
    The Franklin Mint
    Jan 1998 - Dec 2000 (3 years)
    Marketing assistant and then copywriter
  • Self Employed
    Writer/Consultant, Ponzar Creative
    Self Employed
    Jan 1995 - Dec 2006 (12 years)
    Developed strategic publicity plans and pitched media, wrote articles, product taglines, website promotional copy, TV & radio ad campaigns, brochures & more.
Education verified_user 0% verified
  • Harvard Business School
    Sustainable Business Strategy
    Harvard Business School
    Jan 2021 - Current (5 years 10 months)
    Certificate: Sustainable Business Strategy
    Completion Date: October 6, 2021
  • Harvard Business School Executive Education
    Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
    Harvard Business School Executive Education
    Jan 2010 - Dec 2010 (1 year)
    Certificate: Corporate Social Responsibility: Strategies to Create Business and Social Value. Completion Date: November 2010
  • Webster University
    Master's degree, Media Communications, Advertising & Marketing
    Webster University
    Jan 2004 - Dec 2005 (2 years)
    Master's degree in media communications, emphasis in advertising and marketing
    Thesis: “But did it sell the cheese spread? Return on investment: the key to marketing success.”
  • Rosemont College
    Bachelor's degree, English, Education
    Rosemont College
    Jan 2000 - Dec 2000 (1 year)
  • Penn State University
    Bachelor's degree, English
    Penn State University
    Jan 2000
  • Wheaton College
    English & Political Science
    Wheaton College
    Features Editor of Wheaton Record, member of Pew Younger Scholars Society (Honors Society), Top Honor Roll based on GPA, writing tutor
  • Rosemont College
    English, Education
    Rosemont College
  • Pennsylvania State University
    Pennsylvania State University
    Pennsylvania State University
  • Penn State University
    Bachelor's degree, English
    Penn State University
Projects (professional or personal) verified_user 0% verified
  • E
    Email marketing campaign
    Dec 2015
    Strategized and wrote email marketing campaign resulting in up to 43% click-through rates with 75% response rate, raising $205,299 dollars.
  • E
    Ebola Media Relations
    Sep 2014
    Led Good360's media relations calling for companies to donate products to save lives and aid in Ebola response. Worked with Good360 board chair & former HP CEO Carly Fiorina. Resulted in $1 million in donated product and interviews with: Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Agence France Press, Forbes, Fox News, San Francisco Chronicle, Bloomberg TV, PR Week, Bloomberg health, CNBC; also worked with Fox Business, Associated Press, CBS Atlanta and Al Jazeera International. Sample coverage: Bloomberg: http://www.bloomberg.com/video/ebola-outbreak-what-businesses-
  • J
    Johnson & Johnson Donate a Photo mobile app
    Aug 2014
    Worked with Johnson & Johnson to launch Donate a Photo cause marketing/consumer engagement campaign for United Way's education work, including leading PR/media relations: "Johnson & Johnson app makes it a snap to help students with United Way," social media and more. Featured in MarketWatch, Reuters, Inside Mobile Apps, Tech Updates, Drug Store News, etc. For every photo donated, Johnson & Johnson donated $1 to United Way to help mentor a student.
  • L
    Led United Way's media relations for Government Shutdown & joint letter with AFL-CIO & US Chamber
    Oct 2013
    Led United Way's media outreach, including writing press releases, media pitching, briefing United Way president and other senior leaders, securing interviews, and partnering with US Chamber & AFL-CIO senior PR teams on government shutdown. Results included live interviews for United Way US President on CNN Newsroom & The Big Picture with Thom Hartmann as well as placements in The New York Times (link above), Chicago Tribune, Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, Washington Examiner, The Hill, NonProfit Times and more, plus press release pick-up -- all in one week.
  • "
    "Healing in Heartland" Blake Shelton Oklahoma tornado recovery media relations
    May 2013
    Pitched elite media, wrote press release & earned coverage for United Way re: Blake Shelton's "Healing in the Heartland" benefit concert on NBC for Oklahoma tornado recovery. Results included: Associated Press (AP), USA Today, MSNBC, ABC News, NonProfit Times, The Oklahoman and more; 809 million media impressions and estimated ad value of $20 million.
  • W
    Walmart grant "MyFreeTaxes.com" earned media
    Jan 2013
    Worked with Goodwill, National Disability Institute & Walmart Foundation to obtain earned media around MyFreeTaxes which provides free federal and state tax filing for qualified individuals and families. Results include: Traditional media coverage:
    • Total PRINT & ONLINE Media Placements: 749; total impressions: 304,543,229 (includes Cision and EITC PR Newswire drop)
    • Total BROADCAST placements: 63; total impressions: 378,988 (in addition to radio media tours) Earned media placements have increased in 2013, with many key placements, including:
    • Forbes – Exclusive post on MyFreeTaxes.com If You Qualify, File Your Taxes For Free -
  • M
    MyFreeTaxes "5 Tax Tips That Can Save You Money"
    Oct 2012 - May 2013 (8 months)
    Working as communication lead for United Way's largest grant w/Walmart, I wrote "5 Tax Tips That Can Save You Money" to raise awareness of free tax preparation & filing services. Results: 2,845 unique media placements; 161 million audience
    • Print: 2,440 articles, 50 states, 11.7 million audience, $65,004 ad value
    • Radio: 199 broadcasts, 31 states, 27.7 million audience, $175,774 ad value
    • TV: 119 broadcasts, 26 states, 92 million audience, $127,384 ad value
    • Spanish print: 16 articles, 2 million audience, $7,423 ad value
    • Spanish radio: 65 broadcast, 17.28 million audience, $109,759 ad value
    • Spanish TV: 6 broadcasts; 10.5 million audience; $14,397 ad value.
  • B
    Bloomberg Businessweek special section
    Mar 2012 - Aug 2012 (6 months)
    Worked closely with Businessweek Custom Publishing team to create a concept & vision & edit this 10-page section worth $1M+. Features Wells Fargo, Walmart, Bank of America, Microsoft, UPS & more with United Way.
  • W
    Walmart’s MyFreeTaxes Initiative
    Increased communications capacity through a 417% increase in social media referrals, 851,130,601 total media impressions, a 139% website traffic increase and a 110% increase in online tax filing. Project-managed marketing/communications planning efforts, collaborating with 40+ national team members. Represented partnership as primary liaison to Walmart’s corporate affairs senior manager. Custom-designed mass communication database management program. Facilitated detail-oriented organization of all marketing deliverables. Developed/implemented innovative, pre-initiative social media communications fact-finding efforts, targeting 200+ local partner advocates. Assessed and incorporated findings into strategy/tactics. Created and executed socia
Awards verified_user 0% verified
  • C
    National Essay Winner
    Center for Voting and Democracy
  • N
    4 Superior Achievement in Media Relations Awards
    NAPS
  • Daughters of the American Revolution
    Good Citizen Award
    Daughters of the American Revolution
  • s
    Silver Award
    st Annual Healthcare Advertising Awards
  • U
    Army Commanders Award for Public Service Medal
    US Army Reserve st LSO
  • N
    Golden Thinker Award, Extraordinary Achievement in Media Relations (2)
    NAPS
This is a community-created genome.