Karess Linzer

Storytelling

Cross-functional Team Leadership

Lead generation

Creative Direction

Resource Management

Integrated Marketing

Process Improvement

Automation

Public relations (PR)

Email marketing

Brand Strategy

Copywriting

Editing

Digital Marketing

SEO

Email Marketing

Lead Generation

Optimization

Outreach

Process Optimization

Content Strategy

Fundraising

Visual Design

Marketing automation

Campaign

Content Development

Nurturing

Budgeting

Available for hire fromNegotiable

Marketing & Communications Director | Donor Engagement & Fundraising | 10+ Years

Mission-driven Marketing and Communications Director with 10+ years of experience leading strategic marketing, donor engagement, and fundraising campaigns for values-based organizations. Skilled in crafting compelling narratives that inspire giving, strengthen brand visibility, and mobilize communities toward global impact. Experienced in integrated multi-channel campaigns across digital, email, and social; KPI tracking, budget management, content strategy (including SEO and podcasts); and building/leading teams to improve engagement, retention, audience reach, and cross-department alignment.

Projects

Magazine Content Strategy

I led the strategy, creative direction, marketing, and communication for a local magazine.

Work History

Executive

Revelation WellnessSpearhead integrated marketing, fundraising, and donor communications initiatives to expand awareness, strengthen engagement, and grow giving across digital, email, and social platforms. Manage a multi-channel marketing budget and direct a seven-member team focused on engagement, lead generation, and sustainable growth. Key Achievements: Rebuilt and unified a ten-member marketing and communications team, restoring alignment, productivity, and collaboration across departments and with leadership. Designed and launched multi-channel campaigns that deepened donor relationships and advanced mission-aligned fundraising goals. Developed and launched systems for KPI tracking and budget management, enhancing transparency, accountability, and data-driven leadership decisions. Strengthened donor retention and donor engagement strategies, resulting in a 20% increase in retention and a 15% rise in customer satisfaction across key channels. EXECUTIVE PROFILE Faith-driven Marketing and Communications Director with 10+ years of experience leading strategic marketing, donor engagement, and fundraising campaigns for mission-based organizations. Skilled in crafting compelling narratives that inspire giving, strengthen brand visibility, and mobilize communities toward global impact. Passionate about leveraging marketing strategy, storytelling, and relationship-building to expand awareness, deepen donor connections, and advance faith-aligned missions that empower local communities. Fundraising & Donor Engagement: Partnered with executive leadership to unify marketing strategy with donor relations, driving a 20% increase in supporter retention and measurable growth in giving engagement. Content & Storytelling: Directed the development and integration of faith-based campaigns and content. Created donor-focused content and multimedia assets that effectively communicated the transformational outcomes of organizational programs. Mission-Driven Campaigns: Led a full-scale brand evolution, guiding creative teams through messaging, design, and campaign alignment that delivered a 45% increase in audience reach and improved market positioning. Team Leadership: Built and mentored high-performing teams, increasing productivity by 25% and improving campaign turnaround time through clear accountability systems and enhanced creative collaboration. Executive Collaboration: Partnered with executive leadership to unify marketing strategy with organizational goals, contributing to a 60% improvement in cross-department alignment and ensuring measurable outcomes across all channels. Resource Management: Oversaw strategic planning and budget management, reducing costs by 15% while maintaining campaign quality and achieving above-target ROI.

Director of Marketing and Communications

CRISTANov 2021 - Jun 2025 • 3 yrs 8 mosDirected marketing, communications, and donor engagement strategy across five distinct brands under the CRISTA portfolio, including World Concern, King’s Schools, CRISTA Senior Living, CRISTA Camps, and CRISTA Media. Partnered with cross-functional leadership to align mission-driven messaging, streamline production, and build unified systems that strengthened brand identity, inspired donor relationships, and expanded global impact. ...continued Key Achievements: Led unified content marketing and communications strategy for five brands, elevating brand cohesion and donor engagement through consistent messaging and cross-department alignment. Managed and mentored a team of writers, editors, and interns, improving content performance by 30% and increasing organic traffic by 20% through SEO-focused training and editorial planning. Directed podcast strategy and content development, growing listenership by 50% across The End of the Road, From the Eyes of Wisdom, and Joyful Living podcasts through faith-centered storytelling and creative direction. Oversaw content operations and quality control for digital and print campaigns, ensuring 100% on-time delivery and maintaining brand-aligned messaging across all multi-channel initiatives. Led the strategic direction and daily operations of the marketing department for a national faith-based organization, overseeing campaign planning, donor communications, and creative execution. Partnered with leadership to align marketing initiatives with mission-driven growth goals, manage budgets, and implement systems that enhanced visibility, accountability, and team collaboration. Supervised cross-functional efforts between marketing, development, and content teams to ensure consistent messaging, deepen engagement, and drive measurable impact across audiences. Key Achievements: Directed a team of 11 marketers and interns, increasing campaign performance by 30% through strategic coaching, workflow optimization, and content development. Oversaw production and delivery of 200+ content projects annually, maintaining calendars and ensuring 100% on-time delivery with strong editorial standards across digital, print, and event platforms. Drove a 50% increase in qualified leads by aligning storytelling with buyer journeys, campaign goals, and lead-nurturing tactics in partnership with Sales. Elevated brand authority by authoring high-impact client research and contributing to Forbes, CT Magazine, and Outreach Magazine, while expanding reach through podcast development and hosting. Additional experience at Vanderbloemen. Includes role as Marketing Coordinator.

Senior Content Strategist

CRISTANov 2021 - Jun 2025 • 3 yrs 8 mosKey Achievements: Led unified content marketing and communications strategy for five brands, elevating brand cohesion and donor engagement through consistent messaging and cross-department alignment. Managed and mentored a team of writers, editors, and interns, improving content performance by 30% and increasing organic traffic by 20% through SEO-focused training and editorial planning. Directed podcast strategy and content development, growing listenership by 50% across The End of the Road, From the Eyes of Wisdom, and Joyful Living podcasts through faith-centered storytelling and creative direction. Oversaw content operations and quality control for digital and print campaigns, ensuring 100% on-time delivery and maintaining brand-aligned messaging across all multi-channel initiatives.

Senior Content & Marketing Manager

VanderbloemenMar 2020 - Nov 2021 • 1 yr 9 mosDirected integrated marketing, communications, and content initiatives that elevated mission visibility, increased event engagement, and supported fundraising growth across digital and community platforms. Collaborated with leadership and cross-functional teams to execute high-impact campaigns that advanced brand awareness and strengthened donor and partner relationships. Key Achievements: Community Engagement: Increased event participation by 40% by leading cross-functional teams in executing integrated campaigns that expanded audience reach and boosted demand generation. Mission Growth: Managed and mentored content teams, elevating brand visibility and driving a 30% increase in audience growth through multi-channel storytelling and engagement strategies across web, social, and email. Strategic Communications: Directed content strategy for newsletters, press releases, and promotional materials, strengthening stakeholder communication and positioning HTX as a trusted partner in impact-driven work. Donor Alignment: Unified marketing and development strategies through content optimization and campaign oversight, improving donor engagement and supporting mission advancement goals. Additional experience at Vanderbloemen. Includes role as Marketing Coordinator.

Marketing and Communications Director

HTX Community Co.Jul 2016 - Mar 2020 • 3 yrs 9 mosDirected marketing and communications strategy, shaping mission-driven storytelling and engagement to grow enrollment and strengthen community visibility. Oversaw campaign development, creative direction, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver high-quality communications that reflected the organization’s faith-based mission and values. Key Achievements: Increased participation and enrollment by 40% through community-centered campaigns and targeted digital outreach that inspired long-term engagement. Elevated brand recognition by 30% through consistent multi-channel storytelling and creative content across print, web, and social platforms. Managed press, media, and promotional communications, securing coverage and enhancing the organization’s reputation for excellence in faith and the arts. Introduced streamlined marketing workflows and campaign calendars that improved communication efficiency and ensured on-time execution of all initiatives.

Communications Director

Mo. Movement ArtsJul 2013 - Jul 2016 • 3 yrs 1 mo

Education

Stephen F. Austin State University

Bachelor of Science

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