Kris Tyler Benjamin
1211 Florida Avenue, NE*
Washington DC 20002 * 202-445-7159 *kris@thestrade.com
Community Relations and Public
Affairs Professional
Dynamic leader with more than
10 years working in public affairs, media and special events. Well trained in logistics planning, promotions and public relations.
Proven ability to devise and execute successful programs.
Experience
District of Columbia Public Schools April 2005—Present Contract
Community Relations Manager
Implement change
management protocols to restructure failing programs. Evaluate, overhaul and
managed D.C. P.S. direct constituent systems to ensure strict adherence and compliance of District of Columbia laws and regulations. Organize cross-functional partners, private industries, and nonprofits to support agency objectives, to
provide services to constituents. Served as community and media spokesperson at events, and on District Schools Television. Produce multi-level crisis communications and strategic plans that addressed front-burner issues. Produce
communiqués for mass audiences; speeches, press releases, briefings, newsletters, and position papers.
Brazile
& Associates, LLC October 2003-December 2004
Associate Director & Strategic Communications
Executed
and planned campaign strategies for clients. Developed communications and grassroots strategies for local political races.
Implemented project plans to meet various objectives. Served as spokesperson. Directed and assist with media outreach for
clients. Oversaw campaign developments. Worked closely with media to disseminate key messages.
Drafted internal and external reports. Wrote speeches, articles, testimony, and press releases for clients. Developed grassroots voter contact programs to serve client Get-Out-The-Vote
objectives. Supervised full time and volunteer staff. Monitored and review clients’
website for content.
American
Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
May 2001-August 2003
Legislative Assistant; Advocacy and Media Department
Oversaw
the operation of community based grassroots projects such as “Immigration Works-Its Who We Are!” Community Call
In and Lobby Day. Wrote media materials and articles for Washington Update and Immigration Law Today. Supervised the surrogate
program and arranged interviews with AILA spokespersons. Generated earned media opportunities. Worked closely with members
of Congress and their staff. Created weekly report to the Board of Governors. Developed media materials for distribution.
Researched backgrounders and outlined the message. Provided ongoing strategic
support for many of AILA’s key issues, media outreach and grassroots campaign. Provided media support to AILA leaders
and national staff. Monitored and responded to print and broadcast media inquiries. Monitored restrictionist opposition groups
and upcoming legislation.
Community
Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA)
April 2000-August 2000
Media and Special Events Associate; Special Events Department
Served as the CADCA spokesperson and liaison to the Kmart Corporation, Kmart Family Foundation,
community coalitions and members of the press. Oversaw every aspect of the national
program Kmart Kids’ Race Against Drugs (KKRAD) from conceptualization through completion. Developed special programs to bring awareness to issue of drug abuse. Developed press kits for use by local community
coalitions. Worked with local organization and media to generate placement of earn media in television, print advertisements,
web banners and radio spots. Assisted local community leaders in identifying community resources. Researched potential contributors,
presented proposal, followed up with the appropriate response. Generated earned media.
Negotiated key contracts and alliances with major media organizations including content developers, advertising groups,
and distribution channels.
The New York Public Interest Research
Group (NYPIRG) September 1996-June 1999
Consumer Project Leader
Met with state legislators regarding key issues. Implemented
publicity plans in support of the overall outreach strategy. Oversaw Small Claims Court Action Center. Ran Oswego County division of the Statewide Toy Safety initiative. Devised and ran “Spring on Hunger”
Intake Campaign. Co-organized “I Am SUNY and I Vote” Campaign. Increased participation levels for volunteers.
Created media opportunities for student members. Organized and track the distribution of differentiated promotional material
to target outlets. Created Oswego’s Know Your Rights pamphlet materials. Set Oswego’s State University of New York chapter legislative agenda. Planned events and panel discussions to inform the
college community of consumer issues. Trained students on effective media strategies,
project organizing and legislative issues.
The New York Public
Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) August 1995-September 1996
Voter Register Organizers
Planned events that would attract large numbers of possible registrants. Partnered with local organizations
and businesses to increase collection of registration. Identified area of visibility.
Assisted with the creation of annual voter guide. Implemented an action plan to ensure high voter turnout. Oversaw maintenance
of outreach database, ensuring collection of appropriate data; analyzed related data for impact on the overall outreach strategy.
Collected the highest number of voter registrations per campaign season.
The Office of the Honorable Senator Stephen Frett
Summer 1998
Media Intern
Accompanied Senator to legislative chambers. Researched information pertinent to pending legislation.
Drafted press releases and talking points. Compiled media database. Followed up on story placements with local newspapers.
Wrote correspondence and speeches. Met with constituents regarding new business
initiatives. Accompanied Senator to official meetings.
The Office of the Honorable Senator Celestino White Summer 1997
Health Care Intern/Planned Parenthood
Worked with the Virgin
Islands’ Office of Health and Human Services.
Compiled data on intake statistics. Filed reports on general patient health and satisfaction survey results. Assisted doctors
with needs assessments.
The Air National Guard Readiness Center
Summer 1996
Office Support Clerk
Managed the database project for the Air National Guard Readiness and Special Operations area. Answered
customer services calls for military personnel. Logged all incoming field correspondence. Attended Commander’s Calls.
Received best summer intern award for the department.
Education
University Education:
Part-Time Graduate Program Johns Hopkins’s University
Present
Communications in a Contemporary Society
College of Arts and Science State University
of New York at Oswego Bachelor of Arts
Major: Political Science Minor:
Marketing
May 1999
Additional Courses Completed:
Account
Management, Persuasive Communications, Broadcasting, Media Outreach Training, Speakers Training, Advanced Spanish, Advanced
Italian. Adobe PhotoShop, Adobe PageMaker, Adobe Illustrator, Microsoft Office Suites, FrontPage, Dreamweaver, IIS, HTML,
Java Script, Java, Xml, Imis, Fireworks, and Flash.
Congressional Black Caucus Leadership Institute Campaign Training
Political
Training in Get-Out-the-Vote-, Field Operations, Opposition Research, Mass Media, Canvassing, Volunteer Operations, Speakers
Training, Debate and Events preparation.
Democratic National Committee Women’s Vote Surrogate Speakers
Program
Speakers
Training, Meet the Press, Opposition Viewing Your Opponents Records, Camera Preparation and Visual Enhancement Techniques,
Talking About Women’s Issues.
Languages Studied
Completed
Courses in Spanish
Completed
Courses in Italian
Completed High School Courses in Latin
Activities
District of Columbia Young Democrats (DCYD)
Present
Immediate Past President
and National Committeewoman
Draft campaign plans. Direct the media and community outreach programs for the organization. Revitalize
defunct organizations. Meet with donors and cultivate relationships. Plan events with
councilmember, the Mayor, congressional representatives, and community leaders.
Implemented growth strategies that increase membership 92%. Make weekly
presentations to small and large groups. Serve on the Executive Board of the
District of Columbia Democratic State Committee. Oversee several subcommittees for Young Democratic of America, District of Columbia Young
Democratic and the Democratic National Committee. Serve as spokesperson for several Democratic organization. Serve as a guest
commentator on various Clear Channel Media public affairs programs. Promote Get-Out-The-Vote
initiatives for campaigns. Plan rallies. Organize Coffee House Forums to facilitate the meeting of young professionals and
the elected. Promote a youth focus legislative agenda. Write editorial
pieces for local newspapers and Democratic newsletters. Created the Upward Bound
Program to spur political interest in 11-17 year old DC residents.
District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Delegate Selection Outreach
Program Present
Chair
Increase the number of participants from an average of 37 delegate candidates per presidential election
to over 300 delegate candidates. Make presentations to unions, young professionals groups, businesses and churches. Drafted
the communications and grassroots program accepted by the DNC. Manage the page
program for the 2004 Democratic Convention at Boston. Serve as the Delegation Whip for the District of Columbia 2004 Delegation at the Democratic Convention.
Active Member
