Resume
Kathleen
Saluk Failla
E-Mail:
ksf@comstrat.com
21 Samuelson Road
Weston,
CT 06883
(203)
544-1048
PROFILE
Senior manager with an extensive background in strategic communications and
media relations in the non-profit and business sectors. Developed community
relations program for one of the largest corporate moves to Connecticut,
successfully combining community needs with business strategy. Organized
effective media relations and public affairs program for international human
development organization. Accomplished writer and editor.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
COMSTRAT.COM, Weston, CT 1994-present
A communications strategies, public affairs and writing firm
Co-founder
*Develop and implement communications and public affairs strategies for profit
and non profit organizations, including Bayer, Purdue Phara, YMCA and Beitler
Foundation.
*Write and edit organizational publications for major pharmaceutical clients and
others.
*Developed new employee magazine for Purdue Pharmaceutical and write, edit and
assist with project management; for Bayer Pharmaceutical wrote and edited
startup monthly newsletter and developed and wrote articles for internal and
external publication.
*Wrote and edited IT newsletter for Fort James.
*Authored, The Towery Report on Fairfield County 1995
*Authored, A Pictorial History of Weston, Conn. 2003.
INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE SERVICE CORPS (IESC), Stamford, CT
1999-2003
Nonprofit organization to promote international business.
Director of Communications
*Prepared testimony for CEO’s appearance before U.S. House of Representatives’
Committee on International Relations. Wrote speeches for CEO and Board Members
and coached on presentations.
*Developed, wrote and edited quarterly volunteer newsletter, special awards
publications and introduced new monthly employee publication.
*Successfully conducted media relations campaign to counter congressional
threats to agency funding. Placed hundreds of positive human-interest articles
in newspapers nationwide, in addition to radio and television outlets that
included New York Times, ABC and NBC affiliates. Executed ongoing programs to
enlist volunteer support.
*Planned and promoted yearly special awards events in DC and CT.
UBS WARBURG DILLON READ, New York, NY 1996-1997
Investment banking division of UBS.
Director, Community Relations
Managed community relations and employee communications for largest corporate
relocation in Connecticut’s history.
*Member of relocation management team in move from NYC to Stamford, CT. Worked
with cross-functional team that included Legal, Human Resources, Security and
Corporate Real Estate to position Bank for positive entry into Stamford.
Received positive press coverage on Bank’s move to Stamford.
*Developed detailed long-term strategy for Bank’s role in CT as a responsible
corporate citizen; including government relations, special events, contributions
and employee volunteerism. Worked on special writing projects designed to
motivate employees to relocate. Edited and promoted web site on the Stamford
move. Conducted employee focus groups to plan for employee communications.
INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE SERVICE CORPS (IESC), Stamford, CT 1994-1996
Nonprofit organization to promote international business.
Manager of Communications
JOURNALIST, Weston, CT 1982-1994
*Wrote for New York Times (1991-1994) and Business Week (1983-1987).
*Columnist: The Advocate, a Times Mirror daily newspaper, (1983-1988) and Woman
magazine (1991-1993).
*Network correspondent (1982-1988) for McGraw-Hill World News, Chemical Week and
Engineering News-Record.
*Member of editorial board for Champion International’s startup publication for
employees (1987).
THE ADVOCATE, Stamford, CT 1979-1982
Times Mirror daily newspaper.
Reporter
*Wrote about city-suburb issues and consumer-oriented articles explaining legal
system.
AMERICAN AIRLINES, New York, NY 1976-1978
Domestic and international air carrier.
Public Relations Representative
*Wrote speeches for senior managers and developed marketing materials.
*Edited daily publication for 35,000 employees and organized and promoted
special events.
THE HARTFORD COURANT, Hartford, CT 1974-1976
Connecticut’s largest daily newspaper.
Reporter
*Wrote extensively about city-suburb issues. Covered politics and local
government.
EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
BA, Central Connecticut State University (CCSU), New Britain, CT
Dean’s list; graduated cum laude
Attended University of Hong Kong as part of CCSU’s Asian Studies program
Attended Boston College Center for Corporate Community Relations
Member, Society of Professional Journalists
Member, Association of Women in Communications, Inc.
Instructor, Norwalk Community Technical College – News Release Writing
Presenter, NSFRE, Connecticut and Fairfield County chapters, Philanthropy Day
Conference
PRO BONO ACTIVITIES
Woman’s Campaign School at Yale University, founding Board Member
Volunteer Center of Southwestern Fairfield County, Stamford, CT, former Board
Member
League of Women Voters, Weston, Conn. President 2003-present; member since 1989
League of Women Voters, Norwalk, Conn., former board member and member 1978-1988
League of Women Voters of Connecticut, former Vice President of Communications
Municipal Historian for Town of Weston, CT, appointed by Board of Selectmen
(1994-Present)
Weston Historical Society, Trustee 1993-1995 and 2003-present
Bruce Museum, Greenwich, CT, Marketing Task Force
Dorothy Day Hospitality House, Danbury, CT, Soup Kitchen Cook
Weston Youth Swim Team, past Board Member
Weston Newcomers Club, president 1991-1992
Norwalk and Weston Public Schools, past PTO Board Member