Shauna Welch

About Shauna Welch

I’m a Colorado‑raised, people‑centered communications and culture leader who helps employees feel connected, informed, and inspired. My work blends executive storytelling, employee communication, leadership events, and operational excellence, all in service of creating clarity and strengthening trust.Across my career, I’ve led internal and executive communication strategies, designed high‑impact experiences, built and operationalized recognition programs, modernized digital channels, and shaped culture programs that help organizations navigate change with confidence. I love simplifying complexity, designing moments that resonate, and creating communication rhythms that help leaders show up with authenticity and consistency.A few areas where I bring depth and energy:• Executive communication and narrative development• Culture activation, employee listening, and survey‑driven action planning• Leadership events, hybrid experiences, and flagship moments• Digital channel modernization and community engagement• Change communications, including technology and operating‑model shifts• Scalable systems, frameworks, and toolkits that elevate clarity and consistency• Integrating AI with a human-in-the-loop approach to enhance efficiency, sharpen priorities, and accelerate alignmentAt my core, I care about people, connection, and communication that makes work feel meaningful. I thrive in environments where storytelling, culture, and clarity are seen as strategic levers, and where leaders value humanity as much as performance.If you’re building something that needs strong communication, thoughtful design, or a culture‑forward approach, I’d love to connect.

Experience

1. Sr Director, Business Manager Communications and Culture, Wealth Management & Advice Solutions

   TIAA

   Apr 2024 — Present

   Led employee communications and culture strategy for TIAA’s multi-billion-dollar individual wealth and advice organization, supporting 2,100+ employees across 135 locations.• Developed & operationalized internal and executive communication and culture strategies, aligning messaging to enterprise goals & increasing CEO visibility, growing enterprise intranet features from 1 to 9 & driving a 14% increase in LinkedIn followership in the first year with above-benchmark internal engagement. • Authored CEO-level scripts, transformation messaging, organizational announcements, and supported Board-level materials to ensure clarity, alignment, & a consistent leadership voice.• Designed and orchestrated leadership‑level events (offsites, town halls, hybrid forums), consistently achieving or exceeding enterprise benchmarks for engagement and strategic clarity.• Built frameworks, toolkits, and talking points that strengthened manager communication effectiveness.• Led change communications for AI adoption, driving an 84% increase in use of TIAA’s personal AI tool between the 1st & 2nd month. • Partnered with HR, Legal, and PR on crisis/urgent communications to ensure accuracy and timely employee updates.• Chaired a 30‑member Culture Action Team, translating engagement survey insights into a five‑pillar culture plan that operationalized Executive Committee priorities & addressed key drivers of inclusion, recognition, bureaucracy, & leadership visibility.• Increased post views from 10,514 to 54,477 & unique reach from 2,035 to 15,018 by shifting from email to Viva Engage, rebuilding communication rhythms and establishing governance. • Directed creative concepting, scripting, design, budgeting, and production for narrative‑driven year‑end videos to strengthen team connection. • Created & operationalized a Recognition & Awards program, including criteria, nomination system, tracking, messaging, and a high‑impact recognition ceremony.

Education

• Colorado State University Global

  Master's degree, Organizational Leadership

  2011 — 2013

• University of Northern Colorado

  Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Recreation

  1997 — 2001