| After
15 years of professional employment as a writer, fund-raiser
and manager, Laurie Nicholl made the decision to start a marketing
communications firm. And with her business partner, Becky Brandt,
she did just that, forming Nicholl Brandt Communications Inc.
in 1999.
Ms. Nicholl leads consulting services for
non-profit organizations undertaking advertising campaigns,
business plans, corporate identity programs, fund-raising
campaigns, marketing communications campaigns and database
management issues. She also provides direct services in the
following areas: annual fund campaigns; publications; direct
response marketing; grantsmanship; writing, editing and proofreading;
strategic planning; and social marketing.
Ms. Nicholl served as director of corporate
communications and community affairs for The Watson Institute
(formerly D.T. Watson Rehabilitation Services) in Sewickley,
Pennsylvania, from 1996 to 1999. She participated as an active
member of the management team through involvement with strategic
planning, program development and operations. Ms. Nicholl
also planned and implemented comprehensive communications
programs, including advertising, media relations, publications
and community affairs.
Prior to working at Watson, Ms. Nicholl was
the director of donor relations and print marketing for Children’s
Hospital of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from 1992
to 1996. She planned, implemented and evaluated the response
marketing program, including all direct and indirect mail
and telemarketing campaigns to individuals, small businesses,
organizations and churches.
Throughout her career, Ms. Nicholl has provided
internal and external consulting services, preparing business
plans, auditing response marketing programs and managing communications
projects. In addition, she has presented to a variety of audiences
on a number of topics, including writing careers in nonprofit
organizations, grantsmanship and direct mail fund-raising.
An active member of the Pittsburgh Chapter
of the American Marketing Association, Ms. Nicholl has held
several leadership positions and served as chapter president
for the 2003-2004 membership year. She remains active as a
member of the past presidents’ council, assisting with
the planning of a regional marketing conference. She was selected
as one of the Top 50 Women in Business in Pennsylvania.
Ms. Nicholl completed the National Society
of Fund Raising Executives’ certification program and
maintained her status as a Certified Fund Raising Executive
from 1992 to 1998. Her direct mail writing and design has
won regional awards sponsored by the National Society of Fund
Raising Executives and The Association for Women in Communications.
Ms. Nicholl has a master’s degree in
professional writing from Carnegie Mellon University and a
bachelor’s degree in journalism from Indiana University
of Pennsylvania.
|
Becky
Brandt has worked in the communications and fund-raising fields
throughout her career. She has held positions in health care,
human service, youth and higher education organizations. In
1999, along with her business partner, Laurie Nicholl, Ms.
Brandt formed Nicholl Brandt Communications Inc., a marketing
communications firm.
As co-owner
of Nicholl Brandt Communications, Ms. Brandt provides consulting
and planning, as well as direct services to non-profit organizations
in need of business plans, corporate identity programs, fund-raising
campaigns, marketing communications campaigns, public relations
campaigns and board development. In addition, Ms. Brandt manages
the financial and legal aspects of the business.
Prior
to founding Nicholl Brandt Communications, Ms. Brandt was
the manager for corporate communications at The Watson Institute
(formerly D.T. Watson Rehabilitation Services), a Sewickley,
Pennsylvania, special education and rehabilitation facility.
In this role, she managed response marketing activities, publications,
the Watson web site and general marketing communications activities.
Ms. Brandt
has also worked for a local council of Girl Scouts of the
USA. There, she was the assistant executive director responsible
for administration, fund-raising and capital asset management.
Twice, Ms. Brandt was called upon to serve as the chief executive
officer.
Throughout
her career, Ms. Brandt has worked as a consultant and freelancer.
Her projects have included writing, editing, strategic planning
and desktop publishing, among others.
Ms. Brandt
has a master’s degree from West Virginia University
and has completed all coursework toward a doctor of education
degree. She received a bachelor’s degree from the University
of Pittsburgh. While at West Virginia, she received a Sweiger
fellowship and worked as a researcher and writer. Many of
her publications were used as teaching materials, and she
has presented at national conferences. In addition, Ms. Brandt
completed the WebMaster Program at Pitt’s Computer Learning
Center to increase her skill in developing interactive media.
Actively
involved in her community, Ms. Brandt has served on several
alumni boards at the University of Pittsburgh, including the
Pitt Alumni Association, the Alumnae Council and the Pitt
Band Alumni Council. She is also a member of the Pitt Alumni
Legislative Network and is a member of the steering committee
for the Quest for Excellence–The Campaign for Pitt Athletics.
Ms. Brandt
is a lifetime member of Girl Scouts of the USA and volunteers
her time to serve as the leader of a Cadette Girl Scout troop.
In addition, she serves as a Community Coach and provides
orientation training and mentoring for new Girl Scout Leaders.
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