Ali Kriscenski

RESUME

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Highly creative and entrepreneurial marketing and communications professional. Strategic, analytical thinker with exemplary visual, written and verbal skills. Effective leader to multi-disciplinary, cross-cultural international teams. Highly valued for ability to cultivate relationships with executives, strategic partners and key stakeholders. Innovations driven leader with 12+ years experience in team and project management. Expertise include:

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

As Marketing and Communications Director, developed global brand strategy, spearheaded forest conference featuring FTSE 100 speakers, and led B2B campaign featuring CEOs from leading corporations.
As Communications Director, developed and implemented global communications strategy, led crisis communications management for brand reputation, and established communications workshop program.
As Managing Editor, directed SEO strategies to increase monthly readers from 800,000 to 1.2 million and crafted 100+ trend-spotting articles on innovative green design and technology.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Marketing and Communications Director, Forest Stewardship Council, Bonn, Germany (2/2011 – present)

With a new organizational structure, this international non-profit launched 2011 with a focus on maintaining a market share exceeding $20 billion in value. Within five months, I have performed a competitor analysis, defined the global brand strategy, and established a media training program for Board of Directors, Regional and National Directors. Successes to date include an inaugural forest conference featuring FTSE 100 speakers, and a comprehensive communications program for the FSC General Assembly 2011 held in Malaysia in June. Underway, a global marketing toolkit for key accounts and network partners, a global B2B campaign featuring CEOs from leading CSR corporations, a film festival in celebration of the International Year of Forests.

Communications Director, Forest Stewardship Council, Bonn, Germany (6/2009 – 1/2011)

Stepping in to a newly minted role, I developed and implemented the first global communications strategy for a decentralized network, directed complete review of corporate website content and translation to 2nd language, and led transition of network partners to a consistent corporate identity. Supported key account program, facilitated stakeholder workshops, and led crisis communications management for brand reputation. Established communications workshop program and network of world-class PR, editorial and multimedia consultants. Managed events in Seoul, Buenos Aires, Lisbon, Copenhagen and São Paulo, and directed creation of video series. Contributed to a successful strategic review of organizational structure and managed $900,000+ annual budget.

Communications Manager, Forest Stewardship Council, Bonn, Germany (8/2008 – 5/2009)

Streamlined internal process of publications development and updates to maximize resources and stakeholder engagement opportunities. Developed communications protocols for global network and implemented training program for communications unit staff. Increased quality and frequency of dynamic website content to better inform stakeholders and launched weekly news update to 20,000+ subscribers. Standardized data reporting on certification and moved frequency from quarterly to monthly to consistently track program growth worldwide.

Managing Editor, Inhabitat, New York, NY USA (7/2007 – 7/2008)

I joined Inhabitat as a staff writer, and quickly moved to Managing Editor where I honed 10+ daily submissions for copy, image, advertisements and SEO and managed a team of 20+ writers dispersed in countries worldwide. Curated weekly newsletters and campaign outreach materials, and coordinated reporting from international design events in NYC, Milan, San Francisco and Köln. Directed SEO strategies to increase monthly readers from 800,000 to 1.2 million within one year. Crafted 100+ trend-spotting articles on innovative eco-events, green building, prefab design, sustainable design, transportation, technology and gadgets (online portfolio).

Web Designer and Content Specialist, Freelance, USA & Germany (8/2002 – 7/2008)

As a freelancer, designed websites for construction companies, real estate firms, non-profits, medical offices, industrial designers and artists. As a content writer, produced expert articles on real estate, construction, green building, eco-living, green business strategies and sustainable design boosting traffic to online platforms including Yahoo, HubPages and B5media. Created lucrative and evergreen online presence with several independent blogs.

Director of Marketing, Summerfield Realty, Burlington, CT (8/2002 – 3/2006)

Spearheaded all corporate marketing and PR efforts for this boutique firm to maintain its leading market position in residential home sales in Northwest Connecticut. Directed design, development and management of dynamic website, managed design and implementation of product promotion strategies and directed design and production of advertising materials for print and online. Supported client services, product promotion events and managed independent transactions as licensed real estate salesperson.

Principal, Fables Design, Residential Design / Build Services, New England (2/1996 – 8/2004)

Built stellar local reputation for specialty finish work including design and installation of custom tile and flooring. Designed market ready ‘spec’ homes for residential builders and supported interior design team of renovation specialist in Boston, Massachusetts. Supported environmental systems planning and integration for new construction projects, and acted as consultant for subdivision concept development and planning.

ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS

Master's Certificate Sustainable Design, Boston Architectural College, Boston, MA (6/2005 – 12/2006)
Ecology of Commerce & Communication, Antioch New England Graduate School, Keene, NH (8/2004 – 12/2005)
Bachelor of Arts, UConn, Magna Cum Laude, New England Scholar, Storrs, CT (8/1996 – 8/2000)

PROFESSIONAL ELEMENTS

Proficiency: HTML, Dreamweaver, WordPress, Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Word, Typo3, FrontPage, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Photography (published in print and online)
Languages: English (Mother Tongue), German (Intermediate), Spanish (Conversational), Portuguese (Basic)

VOLUNTEER & COMMUNITY

Member, ISEAL Alliance, Membership Committee, London, UK (2010 to present)
Director, Epona Foundation, Canton, CT (12/2005 - 8/2008)
Marketing Associate Intern, Green Building Institute, Jessup, MD (Spring 2006)
Director, Peacetrain Foundation, Hartford, CT (4/2003 - 4/2005)
Volunteer, Conservation Without Borders Symposium, CTEC , ANE, Keene, NH (10/2004)
Volunteer, New England Fiddle Fest, Hartford, CT (2000 to 2003)
Volunteer, On Kawara '25712 days', Dia Center for the Arts, NY, NY (Summer 2003)