Client: School Board Partners

Project Scope: Development and execution of a monthly newsletter system supporting a national fellowship of antiracist school board members

Goal:

• Create a centralized communication platform to connect fellows across regions

• Share resources, training, and policy insights across the full lifecycle of board service

• Strengthen alignment around equity-driven governance

Stakes:
Fellows were operating in geographically dispersed and often isolating environments, navigating complex and politically charged education systems. The challenge was to build a consistent, trusted communication channel that could both inform and inspire, while reinforcing a shared vision of inclusive, equitable leadership.

As Communications Director, I conceptualized and built The Boardroom as more than a newsletter; it was designed as a unifying platform for leadership, storytelling, and shared learning.

The strategy focused on creating a consistent, high-value touchpoint that fellows could rely on for both practical resources and a deeper connection to a national movement.

Key elements of the approach included:

• Audience Segmentation & Data Strategy:
  Used Salesforce to segment 600+ contacts and tailor messaging based on engagement, role, and relevance

• Performance Optimization:
  Leveraged Mailchimp to implement A/B testing, personalization, and send-time strategies, achieving open rates just under 40%

• Editorial & Narrative Design:
  Built a content framework centered on the full lifecycle of board members, training, insights, storytelling, and peer connection

• Visual Identity System:
  Developed a cohesive editorial aesthetic using Adobe Creative Cloud and Canva, balancing high design quality with scalable production

• Cultural Relevance & Timing:
  Launched the first issue in June, intentionally aligning with Pride and Juneteenth to reinforce themes of inclusion, affirmation, and equity

The guiding principle was:
How do we create a space where leaders feel informed, connected, and part of something larger than themselves?

• Increased email open rates to nearly 40%, exceeding nonprofit benchmarks

• Strengthened engagement and connection across a national fellowship network

• Established a scalable communications system for ongoing program support

• Elevated thought leadership and storytelling within the education equity space

• Transformed a newsletter into a core piece of organizational infrastructure