RAJIV FERNANDO

PUBLIC RELATIONS & COMMUNICATIONS PROFESSIONAL

BRAND IDENTITY | PROMOTIONS | MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Innovative public relations and communications professional with extensive experience in strategic media cultivation, resulting in high visibility for client services through creative multi-level campaign platforms. Strengths include creative problem solving, promotion development, and managing large-scale and smallscale organizational projects. Exceptional expertise in crafting internal and external communications and gaining and maintaining client relations.

AREAS OF E XPERTISE
Cutting-Edge PR Programs Creative Implementation Client Relationship Building Team Member Development Media Material Production Strong Business Acumen Promotion Development Media Outreach/Strategy Brand Management Budget Guidelines & Mgmt Spokesperson Interviews Creative Idea Generation Strategic Leader Media Strategy & Counsel Key Message Development Contract Negotiation Vendor Management Proven Revenue Track Record

PROFESSIONAL E XPERIENCE
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR WOMENS REPRODUCTIVE CARE, NEW YORK, NY, 2011 - Present PATIENT CARE COORDINATOR

Assist care team (provider, medical assistant, nurse, patient services, etc) by coordinating care to patients on the providers daily schedule; give advocacy, information and referral services to patients. Provide an effective communication link between patient and medical staff, including relaying messages from providers, gathering information from patients for providers, etc. Handle non-appointment related calls from patients. Resolve reason for call or route to appropriate party. Ensure that all patients are tracked and data entered into systems for follow-up and reporting. Participate in team meetings and pro-actively keep communication between members open and accessible. Handle confidential health information in a manner consistent with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).

HARLEM CHILDREN SOCIETY, NEW YORK, NY, 2010 - 2011 PUBLIC RELATIONS COORDINATOR

Promoted organizations mission (improve science and math education to under-served youth) to media, community groups, and legislative/government leaders. Successfully pitched and acquired media coverage on television, radio, online publications and blogs. Maintained lists of media contacts and potential investors. Developed and managed relationships with legislative leaders, local/regional partners and businesses for fund raising initiatives. Supervised and directed students during weekly lecture series and other program events.

OUR LADY OF CZESTOCHOWA CATHOLIC CHURCH, JERSEY CITY, NJ, 2009 - 2010 OFFICE MANAGER

Performed various clerical, administrative & secretarial duties on a daily basis and worked with Director of Operations to maintain website content, including adding weekly bulletins. Tracked website performance using Google Analytics and adjusted content to improve web traffic Developed & edited weekly bulletin for publication and posted to website. Entered weekly database and donation-records numbers using content management system (CMS.

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PROFESSIONAL E XPERIENCE CONTINUED
NEW JERSEY CITIZEN ACTION, NEWARK, NJ, 2008 - 2009 MARKETING & OUTREACH COORDINATOR

Promoted no-cost tax-preparation services for low-income individuals by creating unique internal and external marketing plans and materials to build community awareness of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Improved client volume to tax center through measured results of completed tax returns Developed & maintained relationships with churches, businesses and community groups with key marketing strategies individualized to the target audience. Scheduled and presented public presentations and speeches. Created and implemented mobile marketing initiative through text messaging service. Supervised volunteers at tax center with their administrative duties.

DBA PUBLIC RELATIONS, NEW YORK, NY, 2005 - 2007 ASSISTANT ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Worked with hi-tech consumer electronics clients such as Denon and online retail merchant Amazon.com. Pitched products and services to local & national media, leading industry magazines and online review blogs. Created and distributed media alerts and press kits. Tracked media coverage. Prepared monthly clipbook of clients media coverage with advertising equivalencies. Maintained targeted list executive client and media contacts.

PROFESSIONAL DEVE LOPMENT INTER PRESS SERVICE NEWS AGENCY, NEW YORK, NY, 2007 - 2009 FREELANCE UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENT

Researched and wrote articles on the UN and related global issues, including youth and education, globalization, and human rights. Interviewed foreign heads of state, dignitaries, and field experts. Photographed interviewees, events and attended press conferences and briefings that coincided with news articles Prepared daily announcements, press releases, and upcoming UN schedule for Bureau Chief.

UNITED NATIONS CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE, COPENHAGEN, DK, 2009 MEDIA WORKSHOP PARTICIPANT

Selected to attend by the COMplus Alliance in partnership with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat. Discussed status of climate change negotiations, topics of mitigation, adaptation, technology and finance Interviewed national delegates and other key experts; reported on the outcomes of the conference. Attended daily press conferences and media briefings to file reports and news stories from conference venue

GOVERNOR'S CONFERENCE ON WORKFORCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, ATLANTIC CITY, NJ, 2008 NON-PROFIT REPRESENTATIVE

Selected to participate in educational seminars with industry leaders in business and other sectors. Networked with leaders in business, labor unions, faith-based organizations, and community-based organizations Increased self-awareness of state and federal programs available for NJ workers and non-profit organizations

COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES UNITED STATES NAVY, NEW YORK, NY, 2011 - Present PUBLIC AFFAIRS ASSISTANT

Assist the Navy Recruiting District of New York (NRD-NY) with public affairs activities in the Greater New York area. Report and provide all gathered information and images to Public Affairs Officer at NRD-NY.

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PROFESSIONAL E XPERIENCE CONTINUED

Assisted as an official photographer and videographer for a Change of Command ceremony Assisted as an official photographer during Fleet Week New York 2011

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS (NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION), BLOOMFIELD, NJ, 2001 Present PUBLIC RELATIONS CHAIRMAN

Generate community awareness of the organization and its contributions. Maintain and update organization website and adjust content based on upcoming activities. Distribute information of news, events and fundraisers to the local media and surrounding communities.

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL GROUP STUDY EXCHANGE PROGRAM, KARNATAKA, INDIA, 2008 COMMUNITY LIAISON (ON BEHALF OF NJ ROTARY DISTRICT)

Presented to local Rotary clubs, building relationships with local members. Attended Rotary District Conference and developed contacts with Rotarian leaders. Administered polio vaccine to children from rural areas as part of Rotary International initiative.

E DUCATION & T RAINING

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN COMMUNICATIONS, Elizabethtown College, Elizabethtown, PA, May 2004 DIGITAL MARKETING, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, July 2011 TECHNICAL SKILLS MS Office Suite Factiva Cision Media Research Content Management Systems Digital marketing strategy Online PR Social media marketing Mobile and internet video marketing Google Analytics