Professional Experience

HILLARY SARA U

Global communications leader with expertise in crafting impactful strategies, fostering employee engagement, and nurturing corporate culture. With over a decade of experience at high-growth and Fortune 100 companies, excels in counseling C-suite executives, driving complex transformations, and nurturing high-performing teams.

History of improving internal and executive communications and strategically shaping organizational direction, enhancing employee productivity to drive long-term company success. Holistic approach bridges intricate situations and aligns the voice of executive leadership with employees to build a culture of collaboration and excellence.
Leadership style is marked by humility, clear boundaries, and empowering individuals to thrive in their roles. Consistently delivered transformational results, enhancing organizational dynamics, and fostering sustainable success by prioritizing team growth and well-being. Ensure internal comms enables a harmonious and productive work environment.
Distinction in connecting diverse audiences with valuable and relevant content, leading impactful communications strategies, harnessing in-depth understanding of change management and global engagement.

Director, Employee Communications & Experience
Rivian Automotive / Seattle, WA / August 2022 – present

Lead a high-impact team of nine direct reports and 20+ members responsible for internal communications across the enterprise. Align communication strategies with organizational goals on a global scale and provide strategic direction for employee experience, activation of key initiatives, employee engagement, and channel strategies. Manage resources, agencies, and budgets. Provide executive counsel through collaboration with leaders cross-functionally. Report to Chief Communications Officer.

Strategic Leadership, Global Communications, and Change Management:

Synchronized global communications efforts, promoting a global mindset in communication strategies, accommodating time zones and various work environments, and fostering unified communication in a 24/7 operational setting.
Managed two organizational transitions in early 2023, creating 35+ communications, developing high-touch leader resources for comprehensive support, and aligning global comms cascade and cadence.
Orchestrated communication efforts to prepare for the opening of new manufacturing plant in 2025.
Built trust, empathy, and transparency in internal communications with integrity and sensitivity to media scrutiny.

Employee Engagement and Communication Impact:

Directed 106 campaigns and projects, delivering 815+ communications, collaborating with 100+ partners, amplifying meaningful experiences through employee communications, community relations and employee engagement events.
Successfully managed a challenging and public reduction in force (RIF), the second-largest layoff in 5 years.
Rolled out a mobile-responsive intranet optimized for hourly employees, improving communication on policies and vital information to drive increased employee productivity.
Played a pivotal role in implementing a global bonus program, clarifying stock compensation, production goals, and tax implications to employees as shareholders.
Created two new publications, which achieved high satisfaction scores, including a 14% increase in return-to-office sentiment. Also launched a weekly newsletter for manufacturing staff, garnering a 4.9/5.0 satisfaction score.

Executive Communications and Relationship Building:

Nurtured and built executive communications, transforming relationships with key leaders, boosting employee sentiment and understanding. Relied upon for executive communication support to diverse global teams and VPs.

Team Leadership and Talent Development:

Prioritized developing the team, growing it from 3 to 9 members, with several direct reports poised for promotion. Devoted significant time to people leadership, mentoring team members, and fostering individual career development.
Provide DEI communications and strategy for Equality Resource Groups.

Director, Executive & Internal Communications, Salesforce
Bellevue, WA
2020-2022

In this role, I oversee internal communications/employee engagement for Salesforce's Security team. I also lead executive communications for Salesforce's Chief Trust Officer and his leadership team. I am responsible for developing and executing dynamic and strategic internal communications/campaigns designed to drive employee engagement in protecting Salesforce and our customers’/partners’ data.

Responsibilities include:
•Partner with key stakeholders in Security, and across the enterprise, to understand upcoming initiatives and/or changes; develop integrated communications plans, then execute. Includes drafting key messaging, FAQs, talk tracks and other support materials.
•Provide strategic input on messaging and positioning, and influence stakeholders as needed to ensure communications are compelling and aligned with Salesforce's voice.
•Create memorable, engaging communications programs to drive awareness of key initiatives and inspire employees (60,000+) to take action (e.g. email, blog posts, web pages and banners, and internal social networks (Slack)).
•Lead executive communications for: Salesforce’s Chief Trust Officer, Security Engineering and Operations, Security Product and Program Management, Information Management and Strategy, Governance, Risk and Compliance, Security Integration (Mergers and Acquisitions), Business Operations, and Security Communications & Engagement.
•2021 Security Leadership Award recipient - a recognition honoring the top 1% of the team, selected by the Security Leadership Team.

I also serve as the communications chair for Salesforce's internal Women in Security program.

Sr. Communications & Operations Manager, Amazon Web Services
Seattle, WA

2019-2020

In this role, I led worldwide internal communications and employee engagement for Amazon Web Services’ Compute Go-To-Market Specialist team.

I supported the team responsible for building new businesses for AWS around our Compute services, working to creating new markets and grow existing markets 3-to-5 years out. We worked with thousands of customers ranging from start-ups to Global 100 companies, in a variety of industries including animation, science, and healthcare, helping them solve problems and create opportunities for their customers.

Within the broader Compute GTM team, we were focused on specific business areas: High Performance Computing (HPC), Autonomous Vehicles, cloud rendering for animation and animation studio-in-the-cloud, and Serverless. Additionally, we have employees focused on unused capacity (Spot), on specific instance types (GPUs, Arm-based, AMD-based, etc.), Networking services, and more.
Responsibilities include:
• Define, build and scale internal communications for AWS’ Worldwide Compute Go-to-Market Specialist team
• Create and implement complex communication strategies for a deeply technical and globally-diverse team
• Partner cross-functionally to navigate through data sources and introduce new metrics to track success of the business
• Charged with developing employee engagement plan to connect team members to the overall mission and culture of AWS
• Perform ad hoc analysis and present findings to senior management
• Responsible for monthly business metrics process

Internal Communications Lead, Deloitte Consulting LLP.

Seattle, WA
2017-2019

Develop and execute multi-faceted internal communications strategies and campaigns for Deloitte Consulting LLP.’s Ecosystems and Alliances and Deloitte Digital teams (encompassing over 20,000 employees)
Lead Ecosystems and Alliances intranet refresh project
Act as a communications support to the US Ecosystems and Alliances Leader and Deloitte Digital’s Chief Marketing Officer
Educate and engage relevant internal stakeholders on the Deloitte Digital and Ecosystems and Alliances including Deloitte consulting practitioners, executive leadership and audiences spanning other Deloitte businesses
Orchestrate the promotion of Deloitte Digital and Ecosystems and Alliances news and information across a variety of internal business units, audiences and communications channels
Represent Deloitte Digital and Ecosystems and Alliances as a member of Deloitte Consulting’s integrated Consulting Communications Team
Editor for Deloitte Digital and Ecosystems and Alliances’s internal newsletter; staff writer for Deloitte Digital external blog

Employee Communications Manager, Horizon Air

Alaska Air Group
Seattle, WA
2017

Promoted from Sr. Communications Specialist
Develop and execute company-wide internal communication strategies
Ensure clear, consistent and timely communications that foster employee engagement, informed work groups and an empowered company
Act as a communications resource & consultant to the President/CEO, Vice President of Customer Service, managing directors and dozens of directors and managers, company-wide
Responsible for OnYourHorizon, the Horizon Air internal communications news site
Ensure business tools and templates are uploaded and supported for all company personnel
Act as the SharePoint liaison for IT, and assist all departments with site set up and guidance on long-term management
Responsible for maintaining the Brand Hub
Work to ensure all Financial Earnings, HR communications, Safety, and other key messages are clearly communicated
Mentor and develop team members, enhancing capability and building bench strength for the organization
Act as a key contributor on the Crisis Communication team

Sr. Communications Specialist, Horizon Air

Alaska Air Group
Seattle, WA
March 2016-Present

Responsible for managing and executing divisional communication plans for the Flight Operations, Customer Service and Maintenance & Engineering divisions (4000+ employees)
Act as a communications resource & consultant to 3 vice presidents, 10 managing directors and dozens of directors and managers, company-wide
Lead company-wide SharePoint initiative; create design look and feel
Design communications templates for system-wide use
Assist with implementation of yearly employee engagement action plans

Communications Specialist, Airport Operations & Customer Service Division, Alaska Airlines

Alaska Air Group
Seattle, WA
2014 – 2016

Worked cross-divisionally with corporate communications and other divisions to ensure consistent communication plans for 8,000 employees and vendors within the airline’s largest division
Managed five 2015 Plan company-wide initiatives for the division. This includes social media, employee engagement, creating graphics and other print/electronic collateral
Provided communication support to the vice president and 7 managing directors
Served as division project manager for a massive email client change and transition to Office 365
Assisted with the building and implementation of a customer service experience (Beyond Service) training for over 8000 frontline employees. Tasks included assisting with the development of the space buildout, identifying key program components and creating company integration materials.

Communications Advisor (Special Assignment), Horizon Air Alaska Air Group
Seattle, WA
October – November 2015

Tapped by Horizon Air executives to provide change management and communications assistance during an organization restructure
Developed messaging and print collateral that helped employees better understand organizational changes
Create and implement negotiations-specific communications for the Horizon Air negotiation team
Develop Board of Directors Collateral for President’s office

Volunteer Executive Director & Founding Member
Bright New Day
Seattle, WA
2013 – 2019

Act as an advocate for women who are or have been incarcerated through education and mentorship
Responsible for the foundation's daily operations including finances, strategic planning and communications
Foster partnerships with the community-at-large, as well as with local and national organizations
Manage the hiring, onboarding and supervision of 2-5 employees and dozens of volunteers
Oversee foundation's growth initiatives, including the development of current and future programs

Human Resources Communications Specialist
PACCAR Inc.
Bellevue, WA
2011 – 2012

Editor of the quarterly internal magazine PACCAR World. Distribution: 23,000+ in five global offices. Duties included: researching and brainstorming story ideas/topics, making design decisions, including cover conception, synthesizing and editing articles for grammar, flow and consistency
Managed special communication projects for the chairman and other C-level executives
Assisted with HR communications for the retirement, corporate compensation and health/wellness groups within PACCAR. Projects included: supporting the biannual Health and Wellness Fair, creating comprehensive media plans, social media and managing graphic design
Oversaw HR recruitment brand development including social media and publication management
Introduced and designed the company's first social media pages for recruiting (Facebook and LinkedIn)
Served as the official communications liaison for PACCAR’s yearly United Way campaign

Advancement Services Officer in Regional Advancement

University of WashingtonSeattle, WA2010 – 2011

Created and distributed information to internal and external audiences about the mission and message of the Regional Advancement Team
Planned and executed regional events for groups of 200+. Cities included San Francisco and New York
Prepared detailed donor briefings for the president and other high-level executives
Managed the Regional Advancement budget of $300K; provided quarterly updates to the department

Public Relations Manager

Women's Wellness & Integrated Social HealthSeattle, WA2010 – 2011

Assisted with growth initiatives to turn WWISH into a robust online community for women
Managed relationships with reporters and enhanced relationships with online communities
Directed social networking technologies and created a strong online presence through the company website, Facebook and Twitter
Oversaw all external messaging and branding efforts
Created brand standards for the company; utilized them in publications and communications
Researched industry trends and compiled weekly updates for the CEO

PHILANTHROPIC WORK

Membership and Marketing Chair

UW Bothell Alumni Council
Bothell, WA
2011-2018

Provide marketing and public relations support to the council including: social media management, advertising, event planning and volunteer coordination

President, Board of Directors & Volunteer

Camp Fire USA
Seattle, WA
1999 – 2018

Volunteered in multiple capacities including: youth counselor, candy sale assistant, program coordinator, national youth advisory board member and special sitter

B.A. in Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences – Culture, Literature, and Arts

University of WashingtonBothell, WA2010

President - Relay for Life, UW Bothell Chapter

SOFTWARE AND PROGRAMS

Currently trained in:

Adobe CS: Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign
Digital video and sound editing: Pro-Tools and Final Cut Pro
Microsoft Office: Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Publisher and Access
GSuite: Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sheets, etc.
Web: SharePoint Designer 2007/2010, Dreamweaver, WordPress and HTML

Resume: About