Cristal Downing

Hillsborough, NJ 08844 (917) 596-0292 cell (908) 262-7911 home crisnoell@hotmail.com www.linkedin.com/in/cristaldowning/

SENIOR LEVEL EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS / MARKETING / STRATEGY & PLANNING

Corporate Communications / Media Relations / Marketing / Customer Relationship Management / Event Planning / Digital Media / Mergers & Acquisitions, Integrations/ Vendor Management / Financial Services / Human Resources / IT Services / Contract Negotiations & Management
Dynamic leader with a successful record of designing, implementing and managing strategic communications programs; Strong focus on and track record for developing high-performing teams, delivering innovative solutions, creating value and driving results; Expertise in employee engagement; Superb communicator, creative problem solver and collaborative team player.

CAREER OVERVIEW

TE CONNECTIVITY (BERWYN, PA) Director, Communications and Engagement

2012-Present Create and execute global internal/external communications strategies designed to engage employees as brand ambassadors, enable the companys success, and promote the company externally. Design, implement and manage internal/external global corporate communications strategy and corporate branding initiatives. Define internal/external global messaging and communication themes, in line with the co mpanys strategy, brand promise and value proposition. Partner with executives in key functional roles including the CEO, CTO, CFO, General Counsel and Head of HR to identify communications objectives, creative solutions and engagement programs. Launched Business Segment Diversity program, sit on the Diversity Council, partnering with HR to rollout global/corporate arm of Inclusion & Diversity program, promote Diversity activity via global vehicles. Manage merger, acquisition and reduction in force employee communications and media relations. Partner with external public relations vendor to implement promotional strategies for the company. Produce global leadership events annually to support CEO and Sr. Leadership strategic focus. Re-designing company intranet to improve user experience, provide enhanced functionality, enable social collaboration, migrate to new platform, become more in-line with a world-class corporate intranet. Leverage social media and web technologies to effectively reach/engage all employees (wired and non-wired). Develop/implement communications plans in support of the Corporate Social Responsibility team, to promote philanthropic activity internally and externally.

ITT CORPORATION / XYLEM

INC. (WHITE PLAINS, NY) Director, Corporate Communications 2010-2012 Created/Implemented global communications programs/strategies in support of the companys critical objectives. Company Spinoff One of thirty senior level executives initially read-in to work on confidential company spinoff announcement and then subsequent 2011 spinoff activity for three new companies. Over the course of four weeks: Developed comprehensive communications materials to support the spinoff announcement: CEO employee video, CEO Employee Message, FAQs, Leadership guidance/talking points/briefings, Media playbook, Town Halls, etc. Designed intranet portal to serve as repository for all spinoff relevant information. Provided communications counsel, advice and guidance to CEO, Strategic Council and Senior Leadership to enable effective internal/external communications to the employee-base/media about the spinoff announcement and plans. Partnered with Communications team to create new company name, brand and logo; develop new company vision and values; designed/launched new company intranet (Currents); designed/rolled out several new communications vehicles; designed/rolled out global ad campaign; produced Leadership Forum in Germany for companys top 200 leaders; provided communications counsel to CEO, senior leadership team and other stakeholders; drafted all internal CEO speeches, talking points and presentations. Business as Usual Worked closely with the CEO, Strategic Council and senior management to develop and deliver external messages to appropriate audiences (media, conferences, universities, etc.); ensured timely and consistent delivery of communications to employees on strategic topics critical to the company and achievement of its business objectives. Partnered with CEO, Senior Leadership and lines of business to promote corporate signature philanthropic program, inspiring employee engagement ranging from monetary contributions to company matches to donation of time and services in third-world countries.

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Cristal Downing
(917) 596-0292 cell (908) 262-7911 home crisnoell@hotmail.com

Career Overview continuedPage Two

UNION BANK (SAN FRANCISCO, CA) Vice President, Corporate Communications

2010 Developed and implemented strategic communications plans designed to enhance employee experience, attract new talent and support Union Banks goals and objectives. Developed strategic communications plans and key messages to support a variety of recruiting/employee/marketing initiatives. Designed plans/materials to manage employee experience during mergers and acquisitions; developed a universal tool kit that all HR and business units could utilize to introduce and orient newly acquired employees to Union Bank. Provided communications coaching, counsel, writing and planning to the Head of HR and Sr. Management to ensure strategic objectives were articulated clearly, consistently, accurately and effectively.

WELLS FARGO (SAN FRANCISCO, CA) Small Business Marketing Consultant

2009-2010 Designed and implemented strategic plans for external diversity marketing programs targeting Women, Latino, African American, Asian and LGBT segments. Partnered with VP to create an external communications strategic plan for all national diversity marketing programs, targeting the small business market. Collaborated closely with enterprise marketing, regional marketing, and product teams to effectively manage diverse business programs and national alliances. Developed, analyzed and communicated metrics for the diverse segments to drive focus for current and future activities. Redesigned portfolio of collateral material for Latino, African American, Asian and LGBT programs.

PROVIDIAN FINANCIAL / WASHINGTON MUTUAL / JP MORGAN CHASE

First Vice President, Strategic Planning, Card Services (Pleasanton, CA) 2002 2009 Strategic Planning/Communications Developed and implemented annual internal/external communications plan communicated company focus & priorities, heightened awareness & understanding, inspired employee performance. Championed, designed and implemented key corporate strategies and initiatives that re-engineered costs, increased ROI, strengthened business relationships and enabled company to achieve goals and objectives. Designed and implemented change management strategies, dramatically increasing productivity and morale - demonstrated by year over year increase with employee satisfaction survey results. Member of the enterprise-wide Diversity Committee. Partnered with HR to create core competency models, training/development programs, and performance metrics. Interim Card Services CIO/Leadership Worked closely with the President of Card Services and the CIO of WaMu to formulate strategies supporting the Card Services business. Chosen for interim role because of superb strategic planning and communication capabilities. Managed a team of approximately 190 FTEs, 400 outsourced resources; Managed a budget of $200 million Notable Accomplishments Played a key role in implementing technology reengineering initiatives at Providian to position for acquisition stock value increased from $3.40 to $18 over 3 years Engaged in two major multi-year outsourcing partnerships with industry-leading vendors for infrastructure and application development resulted in significant savings, increased resource flexibility and productivity Created a vendor governance strategy to manage vendor partnerships; focused on performance, finances, contract administration, and service delivery. So well received, the strategy was adopted enterprise-wide Developed and implemented change management strategies, dramatically increasing productivity and morale demonstrated by year over year increase with employee satisfaction survey Developed Diversity/Inclusion strategies for WaMu technology and Card Services divisions, attended Diversity events as a corporate spokesperson/representative resulted in successful launch of Diversity pilot program

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Cristal Downing
(917) 596-0292 cell (908) 262-7911 home crisnoell@hotmail.com

Career Overview continuedPage Three

AMERICAN EXPRESS (New York, New York) Director

1998-2002 Implemented Strategic Communications Plans, Led Enhancement of AmEx Membership Rewards Platform, Increased Market Penetration/New Customer base. Served as the chief of staff and program leader in support of the Senior Vice President; charged with managing strategic initiatives, including global communications, press inquiries, project portfolio management and college relations programs. Planned/executed 9/11 business resumption strategy for Consumer Card Services Group and business counterparts receiving major acknowledgement for effort. Supported Card Services growth objectives, with specific focus on new product development including: American Express Blue, Centurion Card, and Costco Card, as well as Small Business Services products. Managed strategy, planning, execution, and solution delivery for key growth consumer card services businesses: including Membership Rewards and Strategic Relationship Services. Developed, implemented, and managed global strategic communications programs: Reward & Recognition Program Connect Magazine (print and electronic) Incentive Award Program Annual Leadership Conferences FRAMEWORK Content (intranet) Employee Welcome Kit (intranet) Diversity Team Program CIO Broadcasts

SETON HALL UNIVERSITY (South Orange, New Jersey) Senior Account Marketing Manager

1997-1998 Executed Comprehensive Media/ Marketing/Communication Plans; Enabling Successful Launch of Key Seton Hall Programs. Created and implemented public relations/marketing campaigns for several university initiatives, including the Seton Hall Virtual University and the mobile computing project. Developed and managed internal and external marketing/public relations initiatives for the school of diplomacy and international relations, the school of graduate medical education, and the college of nursing. Produced public relations, marketing and advertising collateral for university clients and wrote and edited articles for the university magazine and the Hallways newsletter.

TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT & FUNDING (Princeton, New Jersey)

Corporate Communications Manager
1993-1997 Promoted within First Year of Employment to Head the Corporate Communications Division. Established and directed the marketing and public relations department supporting the company and its portfolio of ~50 companies. Developed all strategy and planning for multimedia activities. Coordinated with an external vendor to design, implement, and manage the company website, to include content and interface development, functionality and infrastructure requirements, and market feasibility testing. Secured corporate speaking engagements/press opportunities for the president to promote company - both domestic and international venture capital arenas (i.e., National SBIR, European Conference Board, New York University).

TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS INC. / MCCANN ERICKSON WORLD GROUP (New York, New York)
Account Executive 1991-1993 Performed all Public Relations Activity for Signature Clients Including IBM and Sony. Contributed to the development of enterprise-wide strategies focusing on new business development, leveraging technology innovation for business applications, and value generation. Participated in all aspects of public relations and media relations; orchestrated trade show events; and coordinated interviews with clients by media and press organizations. Liaison between prominent high-tech clients and electronic television, radio, and print media.

EDUCATION / ASSOCIATIONS / COMMUNITY SERVICE

Bachelor of Arts Communications 1990 - CUM LAUDE MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY (West Long Branch, New Jersey) Wharton Executive Program: December 2007 International Association of Business Communicator (IABC) Make a Wish Foundation Junior Achievement -END-