Katie Ford

About Katie Ford

I learned the craft of communications on the mean streets of Massachusetts politics and honed it into a precision instrument during my decade at a premier public relations agency. Then, as chief communications strategist and advisor to the CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, I spent 4 years furthering my mastery of one of today\'s most important communications channels: leadership voice. Today, I bring all my prior experience to bear in my role leading marketing, communications, partnerships, enrollment, public affairs, and growth for Bezos Academy, a nonprofit operator of free preschools.For me, avocation and vocation have always gone hand in hand. I do what I do because so many of our big and small triumphs and tragedies rest on a foundation of communications. I am profoundly curious, and I have learned some amazing lessons both the easy and hard way.Steering state cabinet officials through crises ranging from oil spills to criminal investigations to public safety emergencies taught me how to see around corners, but not get ahead of myself (or my boss). Working with Microsoft through a period of brand transformation, I learned how to construct a long story arc-and the communications plans that bring them to life-grounded in both products and leaders people can believe in.As part of the senior leadership team of the world\'s largest foundation, strategizing and executing communications around global health, US poverty and education, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), and the COVID-19 pandemic, I found that my abilities to inspire, persuade and manage are as essential as the diverse communications skills I\'ve developed over the last 20 years.Working for high profile brands and leaders is filled with possibility, occasionally fraught with peril, and I walk in the door every morning excited for what’s next.

Experience

1. Chief Marketing and Communications Officer

   Bezos Academy

   Mar 2021 — Present · Seattle, WA, US

   Oversee marketing, communications, partnerships, public affairs, enrollment, and expansion strategy for our growing network of tuition-free Montessori-inspired preschools for underserved students.

Education

• Duke University

  BA, French, Political Science

  1993 — 1997

• Harvard Kennedy School

  MPP, Education Policy, Leadership

  1999 — 2001

Skills

• Issue Advocacy
• Higher Education
• Higher Education Management
• Message Development
• Press Releases
• Nonprofits
• Marketing Communications
• Community Development
• Educational Technology
• Education Policy
• Social Media
• Social Media Marketing
• Executive Platforms
• Fundraising
• Leadership
• Crisis Communications
• Strategy
• Public Relations
• Internal Communications
• Media Relations
• Corporate Communications
• Public Speaking
• Data Privacy
• Corporate Social Responsibility
• Communications Measurement
• Editing
• Crisis Management
• Integrated Marketing
• Social Media Integration
• Sustainability
• Reputation Management
• Strategic Planning
• Social Media Measurement
• Strategic Communications
• Public Affairs
• Issues Management
• Political Campaigns
• Politics
• CEO Transitions