Mark Shields

Senior Communications Officer, Environment Program @Walton Family Foundation

Chicago, IL, US

Develop and implement communications strategies to bring multiple streams of work together across foundation and grantee channels to build winning policy narratives around water and climate change. Lead communications engagements with WFF board, other C suite leaders, and high level voices from former Vice President Al Gore to Jose Andres by ensuring that communications are concise and compelling. Manage a $2.5 million annual grantmaking budget and leverage significantly more from the program budget, focused on environmental journalism, to establish coverage that leads to significant programmatic results and winning policy narratives. Current grants include groundbreaking projects with NPR, PBS NewsHour, the Associated Press, the Missou Ag & Water Desk, and more.Collaborate with peer funders and grantees alike to develop shared approaches toward journalism, and the changing information ecosystem, to ensure that fact-based information is reaching audiences.Synthesize and present complex information succinctly for diverse audiences, including board, C-suite leaders, peer funders, grantees, and grass roots. Lead crisis communications for the program in priority moments of scrutiny.Provide thought leadership at the Foundation and for external audiences on best practices for media funding and supporting a healthy information ecosystem.

Marquette University

Bachelor's Degree, Broadcasting and Electronic Communications