Strategic Communications & Public Affairs

Strategic communications planning + execution for a variety of clients and industries, including K-12 and higher education, the arts, healthcare and more.

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Hi, I’m Maureen.

I’m the president of MJ Strategic Communications, a Chicagoland-based consultancy specializing in public affairs, public relations and constituent communications.

As a close partner to my clients, I regularly plan and execute successful stakeholder engagement campaigns.

Over the past 10 years, I’ve worked on countless strategic communications projects, large and small, providing strategic counsel, project management and implementation support for a variety of clients and industries, including K-12 and higher education, the arts, healthcare, and more.

Originally from the Twin Cities, I earned my bachelor’s degree in marketing and business communications from The University of St. Thomas in St. Paul — Go Tommies! And today, I live in Chicago’s western suburbs with my husband, two little girls, and our Australian shepherd, Tillie.

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Eva Silverman | Project Director, Art Design Chicago

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Whether designing a digital strategy, managing a media relations campaign, or securing and prepping clients for high-profile speaking opportunities, Maureen has unrivaled ability to communicate for impact.

As the lead on communications for the Terra Foundation’s Art Design Chicago initiative, Maureen crafted and executed a smart, effective strategy that carefully considered our goals, target audiences, and budget constraints. She brought her extensive expertise and collaborative approach to our social media, e-communications, PR, advertising, and public affairs efforts with results that exceeded expectations. Maureen is thorough, flexible, and never rattled. I would jump at the opportunity to work with her again!

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Jim O’Connor | Project Director, Advance Illinois

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Maureen is excellent at working with partners at all levels within an organization and delivers great communications materials on time and on budget. I highly recommend working with her.

I worked closely with Maureen on a four-year project where communications with external stakeholders was critical at every step. Maureen wrote excellent promotional materials about the project that were lucid, well designed with graphics, and tailored to key audiences.

In addition, she offered strategic advice on communications to stakeholders and media when the project was ready for release.

She leveraged her contacts with the Chicago and Illinois media and enhanced the impact of our project roll out.

Maureen is excellent at working with partners at all levels within an organization and delivers great communications materials on time and on budget. I highly recommend working with her.

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Matt Lyons | Chief Talent Officer, Chicago Public Schools

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Over the past seven years and with two different organizations, I have sought out Maureen's partnership and expertise in communications. From crisis management to message development and marketing, Maureen works with the team to assess the challenges we have and design solutions for us.

In 2018, we relaunched CPS' teacher recruitment effort with a brand new website, and innovative storytelling about our efforts to bring even more talented educators to Chicago's classrooms. None of this work would have been possible without Maureen and her team's involvement from the outset.

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Services

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Strategy

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP · EXECUTION

Research

PLANNING · FACILITATION · ANALYSIS

Message

DEVELOPMENT · TRAINING

Writing

CHANNELS · AUDIENCES

Project Management

Crisis Communication

Media

RELATIONS · TRAINING

Digital Strategies

Events

PLANNING · PROMOTIONS

Projects

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Art Design Chicago

Art Design Chicago was a citywide partnership of 95+ cultural organizations examining Chicago’s art and design legacy through exhibitions, public programs, special events, and tours. Serving as Communications Manager for the year-long initiative, Maureen designed and helped implement the overall comms strategy, which contributed to the initiative engaging more than 2.5 million Chicagoans and visitors.

Chicago Public Schools: Teach Chicago

Teach Chicago is a CPS initiative to help recruit and retain highly-qualified, diverse teachers for every classroom across the district. Over the course of more than four years, our team has developed and implemented a comprehensive communications campaign to help launch and support the initiative, and the programs within it.

After School Matters

After School Matters is Chicago’s largest and a leading national provider of out-of-school-time programs for high school teens. Maureen worked with the After School Matters team dating back to her days as an intern. Today, she continues to support the organization’s communications with everything from communications planning, media strategy and pitching, messaging, and additional day-to-day support.