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915 SW 18
th
St. Blue Springs, MO 64015 Phone: 816-808-2830 (cell) cheryl.leppert@gmail.com

Profile

Accredited business communicator with a passion for creating an integrated marketing
communications environment in which clear, consistent messages, based on the organizations
strategic plan, are carried to all audiences.
Strategist skilled in planning marketing communications, corporate communications, employee
communications, brand management, advertising, public relations and website content
development.
Organized and efficient project manager who prioritizes, sets and meets deadlines, and exceeds
customer expectations.

Skills
Strategic Communication Planning
Marketing Communications
Corporate Communications
Employee Communications
Web Content Development
Annual Reports
Brand Management
Advertising Copywriting
Health Promotion & Wellness Education
Employee Benefits Enrollment Materials
Special Event Planning & Promotion
Public Relations and Media Relations

Selected Accomplishments
Acted as primary project manager and communication advisor for internal clients, including
human resources, risk management, public safety and finance. Projects for my largest
client, human resources, included nursing recruitment, benefits, wellness, compensation
and policies.
Produced a weekly e-newsletter designed to engage employees and motivate them to
exceed business goals and objectives through better understanding of the overall
organization and how each employee fits into the big picture.
Supervised writing and production of annual benefits enrollment packets. These included
easy-to-read summaries of changes, product summaries and enrollment instructions.

Improved the quality of candidates attending nursing recruitment events through more
effective and targeted advertising. Those invited for second interviews increased from 22%
to 44% in one year.
Directed production of a Facebook page in a social media-resistant organization. The page
is now part of employee onboarding efforts, designed to introduce potential employees to
the workplace culture of John Knox Village, one of the nations largest continuing care
retirement communities.
Increased participation in biennial (2008-2010) employee satisfaction survey by 27%, and
maintained that level in the 2012 survey.
Developed a communication plan to launch an enhanced employee wellness program for
John Knox Village. Successfully recruited 475 associates to sign up for the new (not yet
constructed) Associate Wellness Center and wellness program during open enrollment.
By promoting the upcoming clinic and wellness services, we were able to maintain a stable
base of health plan participants even though deductibles were raised and corporate
contributions were lowered on an already high-deductible health insurance plan.
My award nominations led to John Knox Village being named one of Kansas Citys top four
Healthiest Employers in 2012, following the first year of our new wellness program, and
named as a finalist again in 2013 and 2014.

Page 2 C Ch he er ry yl l L Le ep pp pe er rt t Page 2 Phone: (816) 808-2830 (Cell)

Selected Accomplishments (Contd.)
Coordinated media relations during the presidential campaign rally showcasing Republican
candidates John McCain and Sarah Palin at The Pavilion at John Knox Village in September
2008, resulting in numerous national and international mentions of John Knox Village.
Ran a successful freelance marketing communications business from 1999 2006.
Projects included web copy, newsletters, advertising, brochures, art direction, ad
placements and project management.

Career
John Knox Village Marketing Communications (Lees Summit, Mo.) 2006 - Present
Account manager for the communications needs of internal departments in an in-house agency style
setting. Managed more than 275 projects in the past fiscal year. Collaborated with department directors,
vice presidents and the CEO in planning crisis communications and strategic employee communications.
Worked in partnership with clients in creating effective customer relations, public relations, advertising,
corporate identities and promotions that support their departmental and organizational goals. Produce a
weekly e-newsletter and weekly intranet content for employees, coordinate website content, and produce
brochures, advertisements and benefits enrollment packets.

Self-Employed Big Dog Marketing Communications 2001 - 2006
Served clients as an integrated marketing communications service, bringing a strong line of writing,
planning and project management skills to a variety of for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. Managed
projects such as website planning and copywriting, crisis communications, and advertising campaigns.
Directed the work of subcontractors who provide graphic design, photography, printing and distribution.

Health Midwest Website Project Management (Kansas City, Mo.) 1999 - 2001
Managed all aspects of this multi-facility health care organizations website as a subcontract employee.
Coordinated design and content submissions, wrote copy, and hired and managed vendors for
e-commerce projects, programming and health information content.

Health Midwest/Lees Summit Hospital Public Relations and Communications (Lees
Summit, Mo.) 1994 - 1999
Developed and managed employee communications, marketing communications and public relations for
the hospital. Wrote, edited and art-directed a bimonthly community newsletter, a monthly physician
newsletter and a weekly employee newsletter, as well as a variety of brochures, booklets, advertisements
and flyers. Also planned special events and handled media relations.

Sprint (Kansas City, Mo. and Mission Woods, Kan.) 1991 - 1994
Produced a daily corporate-wide employee newsletter. Directed corporate United Way campaign
communications. Developed trade show publicity and support materials for government clients.

Education
THE UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO Bachelor of Science: Print Communications/Journalism
KENT STATE UNIVERSITY Major: Advertising Copywriting