Shawn Bannon

About Shawn Bannon

I love working with smart people tackling big challenges to make the world a better place … innovators and dreamers who go to work each day full of passion, purpose and energy. Throughout my career, I’ve made sometimes unexpected choices to pass on jobs that offered more money or security to chase after opportunities to make a greater impact by helping leaders crystallize their messages and communicate more strategically and more effectively to achieve business success and strengthen their communities. After 8 years working with PNC Financial Services Group’s two most-recent CEOs during a decade of record performance and growth, I left the company in April in pursuit of my next great professional adventure. Currently, I’m consulting and providing communications support to clients navigating the impacts of COVID-19 on their customers, employees and supply chain, and as they work to find their voices and reinforce their values during a time of social unrest. I didn’t know these issues would arise when I announced in February that I was leaving PNC, but I’m glad to have the opportunity to provide support to those who need it since I departed the company. Studying Creative Writing at Carnegie Mellon University in the mid-90s, I thought I’d go on to become a novelist. Instead, I’ve discovered my real joy is helping other people tell their stories and the stories of the organizations they lead. Over nearly 25 years, I’ve had the chance to work with CEOs from global financial, manufacturing, energy, IT, life sciences and consumer goods companies. I’ve helped to rebrand a region for economic development and tourism. I served as Communications Manager for the host city of one of the most successful G-20 summits to date. I’ve written words that have been spoken by a U.S. President, senators, a future Secretary of State and a former Secretary of the Treasury. I’ve written for and consulted with governors, mayors, nonprofit leaders and professional athletes. And I’ve been successful at helping them be more successful because I approach my work with humility and the belief that we can accomplish great things when we aren’t concerned about getting the credit. Strengths: Speechwriting - Thought Leadership - Leadership Coaching - Strategic Communications - Employee Communications - Public Relations - Storytelling - Brand Journalism - Marketing - Reputation Management - Talent Management & Development Want to know more about me? Check out this speech I gave to a group of Pittsburgh Promise scholarship recipients a few years back: https://bit.ly/3dRTuX1

Experience

1. SVP, Executive Communications

   Truist

   Aug 2022 — Present

   Support the CEO, providing strategic communications counsel and writing speeches, scripts and other materials to create a deeper level of connectivity and engagement with teammates, clients, and stakeholders * Provide communications support to CEO to effectively communicate the Truist purpose, mission, and values along with key business objectives priorities to advance the company\'s culture, build awareness and consideration for the company\'s brand, and promote Truist a differentiated financial services company.* Design and execute the thought leadership and executive positioning strategy for CEO, including message platform, internal teammate engagements, and external thought leadership opportunities through top-tier media, social media, business organizations, events, and other opportunities * Work closely with Public Relations, Public Affairs, Investor Relations and other internal partners to integrate CEO positioning with media outreach; government relations; investors an analysts; and other executive stakeholders to create alignment and support for enhancing the overall corporate reputation

Education

• Carnegie Mellon University

  BA, Creative Writing

  1994 — 1998