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With more than two decades of communications experience spanning agencies, small companies, Fortune-100 organizations, non-profits and academia, Kristi Hinck Mills brings her passion for communications to CommsLede Consulting. Her deep professional experience and strategic background paired with her writing and management skills help her deliver smart, strategic, data-driven communications plans, programs and coaching for her clients.
Kristi began her career at several East Coast PR firms, and was responsible for media relations efforts for household brands including Resolve, Woolite, AT&T and Castrol. In 2001, she landed her PR “dream job” at SoBe beverages, where she paired her PR experience with her interest in action sports. At SoBe, she supported the brand and world-class athletes in the media while launching SoBe’s first digital press room and employee newsletter.
When SoBe was officially acquired by PepsiCo, Kristi was tapped to join PepsiCo’s internal communications team. To her shock and delight, a new passion – Employee/Internal Communications – was born.
At PepsiCo, she managed a joint in-house/remote team with Internal Communications responsibilities spanning regional and functional town halls and global quarterly meetings as well as the launch of the award-winning Pepsi Refresh Project with employees. Her team also oversaw PepsiCo’s global Internal Communications channels, including the strategy behind its daily digital newsletter and intranet.
While falling passionately in love with Employee Communications by day, at night, Kristi earned her master’s degree in Strategic Communications at Columbia University, where she has held roles as a course facilitator and a guest lecturer in the executive-level Strategic Communications graduate program.
Her enthusiasm for leadership communications also led her to pursue a certificate in Leadership Coaching for Organizational Performance (an ICF Accredited Coach Training Program) through Rutgers University.
Kristi continues to support the advancement of the communications profession at the academic level, with guest lectures at schools including USC Annenburg, NYU, Pepperdine University and Providence College.
By far, her favorite part of the communications field is the people.
“Some experts say, ‘do what you love,’ while others say, ‘do what you’re good at,’ or ‘do what you believe in.’ For me, it’s one and the same. Employee communications and executive coaching are natural, professional extensions of my personality and passion. I was born to do this work, and to coach others in this field I adore.”
I’m a trusted business partner who knows what it feels like to not have enough time/headspace/resources to get ALL the work done. I meet teams where they are, and spend extra time and effort to exceed my clients’ expectations. With more than two decades of experience providing some of the world’s best leaders and teams with communications guidance, thought partnership, coaching and tools, I work with integrity, focusing on quality, collaboration and team growth and development. My rates are competitive, transparent and fair, and I’ve partnered with clients including PepsiCo, Under Armour, Hyatt, Otis, BIC, YPO, and Toyota among others to engage, inspire and motivate employees in times of change.
I love employees and the pride, enthusiasm and energy they bring to their jobs every day. Effective employee communications can make an entire organization more productive, more efficient, and, ultimately, more proud of the company and the work they deliver. It’s a huge win when employees are company ambassadors, and research tells us that informed, passionate employees significantly add to an organization’s bottom line.
Kristi Hinck Mills
Principal, CommsLede
