Experience
A Strategic Path From Purpose to Profit
From higher education to the public sector to B2B tech, one thread has run through my entire career: the power of clear, strategic content to drive meaningful outcomes.
Founder | Strategic Content & Sales Enablement Partner
Susan M.K. Howard LLC
January 2021–Present
I help purpose-driven brands grow revenue and amplify impact through message clarity, brand positioning, and sales-ready content.
Craft strategic narratives that clarify complex offerings, build trust with key audiences, and establish market authority through thought leadership, ghostwritten content, and brand storytelling.
Develop conversion-focused content that supports full-funnel growth — from high-performing website pages and nurture sequences to lead-gen assets, product briefs, and ad copy.
Align purpose to pipeline by turning mission into measurable outcomes, using human-led and AI-enhanced strategies to drive visibility, engagement, and results.
Collaborate across functions with sales, marketing, and executive teams to ensure alignment, accelerate the sales cycle, and scale content efficiently.
Assistant Director of Communications, Alumni Relations
Grand Valley State University
June 2016–January 2021
Spearheaded strategic content initiatives that directly supported a $132 million fundraising campaign, leveraging storytelling and brand-aligned messaging to drive donor engagement and contributions from over 35,000 donors.
Directed editorial calendars and managed multi-channel content distribution (newsletters, social, web), significantly increasing alumni engagement and participation.
Led high-visibility communication projects, collaborating with internal stakeholders to ensure brand consistency and strategic impact for key university initiatives.
Managed and mentored a student team, fostering strong communication and project execution.
Advertising & Communications Coordinator
Grand Valley State University
January 2011–June 2016
Created inclusive, audience-centered messaging across admissions and academic program content — building a foundation of trust with prospective students and families.
Conducted user research to improve content clarity, accessibility, and alignment with institutional goals.
Wrote, edited, and reviewed content for consistency, brand voice, and ADA compliance.
Strengthened cross-functional collaboration across marketing, admissions, and academic departments.
Education
Master of Arts in English Literature
Grand Valley State University, 2015
GPA: 3.9
Bachelor of Arts in Professional Writing
Grand Valley State University, 2010
GPA: 3.8