professional portfolio
Maryam Iftikhar
strategic communications | media relations | event management | brand development
Areas of Expertise
STRATEGIC COMMS
STORYTELLING
MEDIA RELATIONS
BRAND DEVELOPMENT
CONTENT CREATION
EVENT MANAGEMENT
Experience
I have been working in the field of public interest communications since 2018 and have provided leadership and support to a diverse range of nonprofits and academic institutions.
I am an interdisciplinary scholar and practitioner. I believe in meaningful, values-driven work and strive for accessibility and accountability in every project, role, and stride I take.
Media Relations
I have developed considerable media relations expertise and built a significant network of journalists and producers that span several beats and outlets.
I have successfully pitched and placed press releases, stories, research, and op-eds in top-tier and local outlets.
I have coordinated numerous interviews between subject matter experts and news outlets, and provided media training for live, recorded, and written responses.
Helped coordinate an interview with Voice of America and a subject matter expert on research findings. Provided media training and developed talking points to ensure a smooth interview experience.
Successfully pitched and placed an op-ed written by subject matter experts in the Tech Policy Press to promote the launch of a major research report.
Successfully pitched a new research report to the editorial board at The Washington Post, resulting in a timely write-up a few days after the release.
I have written numerous press releases, ranging from organizational updates, executive statements, research insights, data summaries, and more.
STORY
TELLING
INFORM, INFLUENCE, INSPIRE
Stories are powerful.
As a strategic storyteller, empathy is at the core of my craft. I am drawn to building and sharing storytelling campaigns that empower perspectives and help transform moments of pain into catalysts for meaningful change.
1 — Healthcare consumers shared their experiences with unethical policies and testified in front of Congress to push for ACA protections.
2 — Q&A blog with a prominent Cuban human rights defender to push for the release of unjustly detained activists.
Event Management
I excel in event production and enjoy creating engaging spaces that empower diverse voices. I truly believe magic happens when people are meaningfully brought together.
My approach prioritizes thorough research, adaptability, and the seamless integration of innovative technology. Things happen, but there is always a solution to be found!
I have conducted virtual, hybrid, and in-person events at local and international levels, fostering collaboration and diverse perspectives. I believe building on post-event momentum is critical to maintaining a strong trajectory of progress and innovation.
I assisted with the event rollout strategy and coordinated speaker invites and confirmations. I helped present recorded speaker remarks during the discussion and monitored the Q&A.
I oversaw all media relations for the event and pitched details before and after the report launch, facilitating any press inquiries and interviews.
I collaborated with the United States Institute of Peace to execute a two-day learning workshop in Oman to engage with women of faith peacebuilders from the Middle East.
I assisted with the hybrid format, which allowed partners and other guests to join virtually, and helped facilitate translation services as required.
I managed end-to-end execution of a three-day webinar, securing partnerships, coordinating speakers, drafting speeches, and handling promotional efforts.
As the event host, I moderated Zoom and Q&A sessions. Post-event, I uploaded recordings to YouTube and shared surveys with attendees to gain feedback on the proceedings.
Speaking Engagements
I am comfortable on stage and behind the pen. I am adept at crafting compelling messages for diverse audiences. With an extensive network in conference organizing, event planning, and social impact spheres, I thrive in coordinating speaking engagements and crafting impactful speeches for colleagues and leaders.
Invited to speak at the Montgomery College Student/Alumni panel by college President Jermaine Williams before the kick-off of the Spring 2023 semester.
Invited to speak at the annual Frank Gathering to an audience of public interest communications professionals about findings from a summer Fellowship experience.
contact
Please feel free to reach out to learn more about my work, references, or how we can collaborate together!
maryamift21@gmail.com
