KATIE SCHRODER HALL

Public Relations, marketing, Development, and Event Director

Partner with senior leadership to provide effective communications, fundraising, and promotional strategies.

Poised communicator with track record of strategic marketing initiatives, positive media coverage, and successful fundraising and event execution.  Valuable team member, achieving results while maintaining a high degree of responsibility and leading teams with integrity.

Branding • Publishing • Media Relations • Wedding & Event Design • Copywriting • Grantwriting • Creative Writing • Corporate & Crisis Communications • Product Design Aesthetics • Management & Mentoring • Written & Verbal Presentation • Vendor Contracting • Project Management • Development

strengths finder

Strategic • Responsibility • Individualization • Deliberative • Connectedness

professional EXPERIENCE

independent grantwriter & promotions consultant

2022 - current

Support nonprofits with analysis of messaging and funding. Research potential new sources of funding. Edit boilerplate language and write content for nonprofits to use to apply for grants. Consult with leadership on development, marketing, and PR matters.  Support authors with book promotional activity

RENEWED LIFE MINISTRIES OUTREACH • MURFREESBORO, TN

DIRECTOR OF development •  2018 – 2022

Managed all of RLMO’s funding activities, including coordinating grant proposals and reports, donor relations, and fundraising events. Led a team of interns, volunteers, and staff in development and other outreach efforts.  

  • Overhauled website and introduced time and cost-saving measures for operations.

  • Applied for and received organization’s first grants, including six-figure federal and state grants.

  • Streamlined fundraising events, introducing technology and recruiting supporters to increase profitability of annual banquet by 33%.

  • With training in trauma-sensitive yoga teaching, led regular movement and breath prayer classes for program clients.

Hospital hospitality house • NASHVILLE, TN

DIRECTOR OF development •  2016 – 2018

Directed all special events, including three major fundraisers annually. Conducted research on prospective donors. Wrote and tracked grant proposals. Managed outreach efforts, serving as media liaison and community spokesperson as needed. Developed consistent branding standards across all promotional and guest services materials. Updated and managed website and social media presence. 

  • Successfully executed grant proposals to secure funding from three new sources, increasing grant income by more than 30% in first year in position.

  • Also in first year, increased gross special event income by 20% while maintaining or decreasing expenses.

  • Introduced new community awareness campaign tied to national organization's messaging.

  • Wrote winning proposal to secure top-notch local firm via Createathon, receiving more than $500K in complimentary branding and promotional work for our then 42-year-old organization, including new promotional video, updated logo, modern informational materials, and new website.

  • Implemented new systems for guest data security and analysis, auction and event management, and volunteer recruitment.

HarperCollins Christian Publishing – Fiction • Nashville, TN

Director of Marketing •  2012 – 2015

Led 5-member team of marketing and publicity professionals, developing promotional campaigns for roster of 60 authors in various stages of fiction writing careers. Implemented best practices for advertising, press interaction, and social media. Served on acquisitions board and packaging team, offering marketing perspective and branding insights. Directed all convention, event, and sales conference planning. Served as divisional spokesperson, raising visibility for product line and staff.

  • Increased profitability 23% despite 60% marketing budget cut and 1.5-person headcount reduction by restructuring team, developing new promotional timelines, and recruiting top talent from competitors.

  • Envisioned and executed inspirational market’s involvement in Romantic Times Booklovers Convention, planning “How Sweet It Is!”, an author-reader breakfast that attracted more than 400 readers and multiple publishing partners. Breakfast now held annually and regularly named a reader favorite event in participant surveys.

  • Attracted industry press attention for innovation with conceptualized “Year of Weddings” series and established publishing relationships with 12 best-selling authors currently under contract with competitors for full-length releases.

  • Designed and co-presented industry seminar (The Changing Face of Christian Fiction), featuring consumer data, historical research on the genre, and highlights of team’s marketing initiatives.

Thomas Nelson, Inc. – Fiction • Nashville, tn

Publicity Manager • 2010 – 2012

Given increased responsibilities in addition to duties below, including hiring and supervision of fulltime publicity coordinator. Made sales presentations and plans for consumer and trade conventions.

  • Co-presented industry workshop (Savory Branding: Perfecting your unique recipe for successful fiction marketing) for experienced authors, sharing unique exercise proven to create professional brand focus and increased visibility.

  • Named a “Best Book Publicist to Follow” by GalleyCat.com.

Publicist • 2007 – 2010

Developed and executed print, broadcast, and online publicity campaigns for one of the company’s fastest-growing product lines. Represented roster of bestselling authors across multiple subgenres. Wrote catalog copy, press releases and industry publication submissions. Fostered lasting relationships with media outlets. Educated authors and team members regarding publicity expectations. Hired and managed freelance firms.

  • Increased valuable trade review coverage 300% by re-establishing media relationships for division, creating new submission process, and developing timelines for production.

  • Co-led company’s New York media trips, organizing pitch meetings with top national outlets.

 

WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group of Random House, Inc.

Colorado Springs, CO

Publicist •  2004 – 2007                                                    

Collaborated with team, conducting over 80 campaigns each year. Established relationships with major consumer and trade media and secured coverage for nonfiction, fiction, and children’s books. Wrote and proofed copy packages, press releases, and promotional materials, including radio and print advertisements. Organized company convention involvement. Wrote speeches and other corporate communication for company president. Promoted from Marketing and Publicity Assistant within 3 months of hire date.  

  • Established and presided over Employee Relations Committee, planning social events and other projects to boost morale.

  • Applied best practices for crisis communications, drafting statements and serving as media liaison.

  • Produced popular ice cream social that attracted busy media representatives at international retail show, creating efficient and comfortable opportunity for authors to discuss their books with press.

 

additional related experience

Peachtree Publishers. Atlanta, GA. Publishing Assistant. 

Morris Communications Corporation. Production Intern.

Center for Speaking and Writing of Agnes Scott College. Decatur, GA. Writing Center Tutor; Public Relations Assistant.

Atlanta Public Relations Career Training and Preparedness Summit. Delegate.

Mission: Solar System, Decatur, GA. Author, Project Manager. Designed scale model for Atlanta and wrote associated children’s book and curriculum.

EDUCATION and HONORS

Bachelor of Arts, English Literature-Creative Writing, Agnes Scott College, Decatur, GA

Summa Cum Laude – Phi Beta Kappa graduate; Georgia Governor’s Scholar; Career Initiative Award

Publishing Institute, University of Denver, Denver, CO

Active involvement in alumni network. Assist with new student recruitment.

Leadership Development Institute, Davenport University, Grand Rapids, MI

Professional development program. Sample coursework: management, employee motivational style, conflict resolution.

Center for Nonprofit Management. Nashville, TN.

Completed certificate for Program Management. Ongoing coursework in leadership, communications, and fundraising.

ASSOCIATIONS

Certified Yoga Teacher. 200-hour yoga teacher training completed (RYT-200). Lead classes emphasizing accessibility of yoga for all bodies. Donate time for local fundraising events.

100 Women Who Care - Rutherford County. Founding member and leadership team member. 2021 Athena Young Professional Award representative.

Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce. Diplomat, 2019-2021.

RUTHERFORD Cable - Moving Women Forward. Member, 2017-2022.

IF:Murfreesboro. Committee member for execution of local satellite event for national conference.

Nashville YoungLives. Board of Directors (committee member) - Special Event Chair for Christ-centered mentoring organization supporting teen moms in Middle Tennessee high schools.

Nashville Food Bloggers, Volunteer - PR services for charitable events benefiting community after 2010 Nashville flood.

PUBLICATIONS

Real Simple. Sixth Annual Life Lessons Essay Competition – 3rd place. “On Choosing Our Life.”

The Best Advice in Six Words: Writers Famous and Obscure Larry Smith, editor. (St. Martin’s Griffin, 11/3/15) Submission selected for publication in installment of New York Times bestselling series: “The good china is for everyday.”

Faithful Daughter: True, Inspiring Stories Celebrating a Mother’s Legacy and Love Ami McConnell, editor (Dayspring, 3/2/20). Essay included: “She Raised Me to Be Strong.”