Steff Hedenkamp

About Steff Hedenkamp

With a career dedicated to refining the art of external communications, community engagement, and public involvement, my expertise lies in developing impactful key messages and leading thought leadership initiatives for both private and public-sector clients. I work collaboratively with my teams to increase community awareness, promote cross-sector understanding, extend and enhance internal and external dialogue, as well as foster consensus and results.I excel at providing creative solutions and technical excellence for government, industry, and community-based organizations, adeptly engaging with target audiences, communicating and delivering successful projects and initiatives. My specialization is in defining, developing, and managing strategic communications, marketing, messaging, community engagement, and business development with strong writing, editing, and operational foresight.I have honed my skills to spearhead leading-edge communications efforts to shape brand narratives, drive stakeholder engagement, and ensure alignment among messaging, values, and business objectives. I especially appreciate the opportunity for thought leadership, business development, and integration of my strategic communications expertise across practice areas to diversify within the market and cultivate new partnerships and strategic alliances.

Experience

1. Vice President, Communications Advisory Services Practice

   WSP in the U.S.

   Jan 2026 — Present · Kansas City, MO, US

   Serves as a Communications Advisory Services Vice President and Director for WSP USA with a diverse project portfolio serving multiple clients and project teams across the Midwest and beyond. Areas of expertise include leading strategic communications and engagement for large-scale infrastructure projects in multiple states, collaborating with public-sector clients on communications and branding, public outreach and stakeholder engagement, and community delivery. Brings a practiced hand and thought leadership to planning, developing and implementing strategies and tactics that enhance awareness, meaningfully engage, and foster trust among key audiences and vested parties. Discerns how to optimally partner with internal staff, project team consultants, community leaders, neighborhood movers and shakers, and local business groups. Background as a successful strategist with significant government experience related to sensitive, high-visibility public projects and programs serves clients well. Creative catalyst with strong knowledge of the public and private sectors who works cooperatively to improve operations, increase awareness, promote cross-sector understanding, extend and enhance internal and external dialogue, and foster consensus and results. Strong writing and editing background.Unique domain expertise in community engagement for large transportation and infrastructure projects, including Safe Streets and Roads for All and Vision Zero Action Plans, which work holistically to end traffic deaths and serious injuries on community streets and roadways, improving the quality of life for residents. Additionally, serve as strategic community engagement and communications co-leader of two Reconnecting Communities projects, which aim to address the negative impacts and environmental, economic, and transportation burdens that have resulted from previous transportation planning efforts.

Education

• Kansas State University

  Public Relations

  1990 — 1995

Skills

• Advertising
• Community Outreach
• Community Development
• Strategy
• Grant Writing
• Leadership
• Entrepreneurship
• New Media
• Social Media
• Strategic Planning
• Public Relations
• Media Relations
• Program Management
• Event Planning
• Nonprofits
• Non-Profits
• Leadership Development
• Fundraising
• Strategic Communications
• Volunteer Management
• Public Speaking
• Marketing Communications