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Resume

EXPERIENCE

2025-PRESENT

Communications Director

CITY OF RACINE

  • Lead all internal and external communications for a city of approximately 77,000 residents.

  • Serve as the City's chief spokesperson and public information officer.

  • Develop and execute strategic communications, marketing, and community engagement initiatives.

  • Manage media relations, crisis communications, and public messaging on behalf of the Mayor and City administration.

  • Oversee the City's website, social media platforms, digital content, photography, and video production.

  • Produce news releases, speeches, publications, and communication materials for City departments.

  • Direct branding, public information campaigns, and resident outreach efforts.

  • Coordinate communications for major City projects, initiatives, elections, emergencies, and special events.

  • Ensure transparency, accessibility, and consistent messaging across all City communication channels.

2012-2025

Communications Coordinator

CITY OF OAK CREEK

  • Set the vision and strategic direction for the first organization-wide communications infrastructure.

  • Directed multi-departmental communications projects, unifying messaging across municipal departments and enhancing internal and external engagement.

  • Translated complex municipal topics, such as property assessments, taxing jurisdictions, and TIFs, into accessible messaging for diverse audiences.

  • Co-chaired Oak Creek’s first strategic planning team in 25 years, facilitating cross-department collaboration to develop the City’s inaugural modern strategic plan.

  • Participated in subsequent strategic planning cycles, helping departments align initiatives with City objectives and maintain continuity of priorities.

  • Served as Public Information Officer during emergencies, managing crisis communications and media inquiries.

  • Built community connections by fostering engagement and identifying partnership opportunities across stakeholder groups.

  • Participated in the annual budget process as part of the City’s leadership team, assisting departments in creating consistent narratives for publication.

  • Actively participated in hiring panels and staff selection processes to build high-performing teams.

2001-2012

Geographic Information Systems Coordinator

CITY OF OAK CREEK

  • Managed enterprise GIS to support land use planning, public works, zoning, and infrastructure projects.

  • Supervised and mentored GIS and technical staff, integrating new applications to improve citywide efficiency.

  • Developed GIS-based tools for decision-making and reporting, enhancing community development and operational planning.

  • Collaborated across departments to ensure GIS resources were fully leveraged for multi-departmental initiatives.

1997-2001

Geographic Information Systems Technician

CITY OF OAK CREEK

  • Implemented the City’s first parcel and street centerline GIS datasets, enhancing spatial analysis capabilities.

  • Integrated pavement management and traffic count data into GIS for infrastructure evaluation.

  • Established mapping standards to ensure data integrity and consistency.

1994-1997

Draftsperson

CITY OF OAK CREEK

  • Assisted developers and residents with property, zoning, and public works information.

  • Prepared construction plans and engineering details for municipal projects.

  • Supported early digital mapping initiatives, including GIS software selection and data structure setup.

1991-1994

Cartographer

SEEGER MAP COMPANY

  • Created street maps through a combination of computer-aided design (CAD) and manual drafting techniques

  • Employed desktop publishing software to generate map indexes

EDUCATION

1995-1997

Graduate Studies in Urban Planning and GIS

UW-MILWAUKEE

29 credits earned

1987-1991

UW-PARKSIDE

Graduated with Honors

Bachelor of Arts - Geography

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

May 2025

Persuasive Communication:
Narrative, Evidence, and Impact

HARVARD KENNEDY SCHOOL OF EXECUTIVE EDUCATION

Intensive executive program focused on crafting compelling messages, strengthening written and verbal communication, and using narrative and evidence to communicate complex issues with clarity and impact.

2021-2022

Certified Public Communicator Program

TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY

A 95-hour graduate-level residential program that equips individuals with essential skills in public communication, crisis management, and public relations within the context of public service. Through a focused curriculum, participants develop practical competencies to excel as effective communicators in diverse professional settings, enhancing their leadership impact in the public sector.

Completed October 2024

Emerging Leader Certification

CITIES & VILLAGES MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY (CVMIC)

A 12-class certification program designed for professionals seeking to transition into leadership roles within the realm of public service. This curriculum is strategically crafted to cultivate the essential tools and skills required for the success of emerging leaders in the field.

ongoing

Public Information Officer (PIO) &
Emergency Management Traning

WISCONSIN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT & FEMA EMI DISTANCE LEARNING

Completed to Date:

  • Basic Public Information Officer Training (G290)

  • Public Information Officer Awareness (IS-29.A)

  • Social Media in Emergency Management (IS-42.A)

  • Introduction to Incident Command System (IS-100.C)

  • Social Media Engagement Strategies (PER-343)

  • Social Media Tools and Techniques (PER-344)

Also completed Crisis Ready, a 10-week, 15-hour crisis communications program, through the Crisis Ready Institute in 2022.

© 2026 by Leslie A. Flynn

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