Portfolio

Current Work

CEO | Founder at Christianna Shortridge Consulting · Remote
2017–present
Christianna Shortridge Consulting is a boutique firm that focuses on communications and advocacy strategy for state humanities councils. I also work with councils on digital messaging and storytelling, brand identity, media relations, social media, web redesign, and public relations writing for state humanities councils. Designing and implementing federal and state advocacy plans for humanities funding is a passion and one of my strengths. I strive to assist organizations in achieving their communications goals and outcomes through communications strategy planning and facilitation as well as working with board of directors on communication's strategy and messaging.

Communications and Advocacy Consultant for State Humanities Councils Nationwide. Clients include California Humanities, Georgia Humanities, Humanities Texas, Minnesota Humanities Center, and Nevada Humanities.

Nevada Humanities, 2017–2024
Communications strategist and consultant with Nevada Humanities where my work includes curator of revamped 'Double Down' blog, website and content redesign, media work, advocacy, social media strategy, and strategic digital messaging and communications. I also create media strategies and edit Humanities Heart to Heart, which consists of a series of essays and multimedia presentations created by Nevadans that highlight diverse, personal perspectives and reflect on life during the COVID-19 pandemic. This program won the 2021 Helen and Martin Schwartz Prize, which is awarded by the Federation of State Humanities for outstanding public humanities programming, with a shout out for the digital reach of this program.

California Humanities, 2017–2024
Working with staff and board as interim communications director on a number of occasions. Coordinate annual Congressional visits with the 55 members of the California Congressional delegation for California Humanities as part of the annual Humanities on the Hill visits. Educate the Congressional delegation about the work of the council and request annual federal funding through Hill office visits. Assist the council with digital media and website work.

Humanities Texas, 2023–2024
Consulted and worked with staff and board on advocacy messaging, wrote and provided implementation strategy for crisis communications plan, advised on improving media outreach and press release best practice strategies, and worked with the council on improving their overall external messaging. Reviewed their social media strategy and email campaign analytics while providing updates and ideas for improvements to help them achieve their outreach goals.

Georgia Humanities, 2023–2024
Assisted staff by reviewing and recommending updates to all external and internal messaging, revised Congressional advocacy plan and materials, and reviewed and made strategic recommendation on updating programming and website content. I also worked with staff and board to craft and provide options for a new mission statement and tagline for the council.

Relevant Past Experiences

Minnesota Humanities Center, 2012-2017 — Communications Director
Responsible for all external and internal communications strategy, messaging, and maintaining brand. Coordinate state and federal legislative funding and appropriations. Liaison with National Endowment for Humanities and Congressional staff in Minnesota and Washington. Created and grew successful agency blog that engages Humanities Center partners and the community. Working toward building a thoughtful, literate, and engaged society while striving for clear, concise, and consistent messaging.

One Chic Mom's Adventures in Suburbia, 2007-2015 — Blogger
My successful lifestyle and opinion blog that is out of publication.

UnConventionally Yours, 2009-2011 — Graphic Designer & Editor
Owner of communications strategy and graphic design small business.  

US House of Representatives, 1993-1995 — Deputy Campaign Director, Legislative Assistant, & Press Secretary
Ran a successful re-election campaign for an incumbent Member of Congress from Texas. Later worked for a new Member of Congress from Wisconsin where I was responsible for numerous cultural and social issues including the humanities, briefing the Member, meeting with constituents and interest groups, and DC press and media work. Member was on the House Interior Appropriations subcommittee, which funds the National Endowment for the Humanities.