Kelly Hanlon

Kelly Hanlon knows how to help large, complex organizations communicate well under pressure. When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit, she was consulting at the Centers for Disease Control, so engaging and energizing her 1000-person center – most working from home for the first time – took on special urgency.

“One person called me a Swiss Army knife,” Kelly said, because she proved so adept at handling multiple challenges: facilitating weekly town halls via Zoom, accelerating a revamp of digital communications infrastructure, even implementing meditation and exercise programs to help employees cope with stress. The result? Rising employee engagement and illuminating team discussions on racism, equity and healthcare during one of the most trying times in the agency’s history.

“I love a good challenge, connecting with people, and figuring out how to get things done,” Kelly said.

Kelly joined the ROI Communication team with more than 15 years of experience in the field, most recently at Peraton, a government services contractor, where she collaborated with CDC to develop and coordinate internal and external communication strategy, tools and training; advised senior leaders on communications and change management; oversaw updates and management of the organization’s intranet; and tracked communication metrics.

In previous communication roles at Northrop Grumman and Transamerica, she developed and executed strategy; planned, implemented and evaluated external communications initiatives; managed video production, scriptwriting, photo shoots, web design and content development; and spoke at national conferences, universities and public health meetings.

Earlier in her career, Kelly served in a range of communication and marketing roles in the technology, insurance, hospitality and higher education industries – a breadth of experience that helps her overcome virtually any communication challenge she encounters.

Kelly, who lives near Atlanta, earned a BA in Economics and International Relations from Simmons College, and an MA in Publishing from Pace University. When she’s not advising ROI’s clients, she enjoys yoga, walking her Shih Tzus, and going to hear live music.