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Vanessa J. Hawthorne
Core Skills
Across communications planning, branding, content strategy, and web design, I bring a multidisciplinary skill set that supports clear, purposeful, and community-centered communication. This section outlines the capabilities I draw on to shape effective messages, build cohesive visual identities, and create digital experiences that elevate nonprofit stories and work.
Areas of Expertise
Integrated Communications Strategy
Editorial calendars, email templates, and clear communication guides that keep teams organized, consistent, and on track.
Templates and Guides
Deep analysis of earned, owned, and paid media to understand an organization’s communication landscape and its position within the broader field.
Competitor and Market Analysis
Detailed audience profiles and communication journey maps that clarify stakeholder needs, motivations, and engagement patterns.
Customer Journey Mapping
A curated understanding of the most effective communication channels, hashtags, and keywords for reaching priority audiences and supporting strategic goals.
Marketing Channels
My strategic communication approach is shaped by research, analysis, and clear goal-setting.
I incorporate audience insights, journey mapping, competitive landscape reviews, and assessments of current methods to determine the most effective channels and approaches. The result is a structured, measurable framework that supports coherent, mission-aligned communication.
Brand Identity & Visual Communication
Thoughtful, meaningful logo concepts that reflect an organization’s character, purpose, and visual style.
Logo Design
Clear articulation of brand personality, messaging foundations, mission statements, and taglines that support consistent communication.
Voice, Tone, and Mission
Design and layout of pitch decks, one-pagers, business cards, and promotional materials that express a cohesive visual identity.
Branded Assets
Comprehensive guidelines detailing color palettes, typography, iconography, and imagery to ensure consistent application across platforms.
Style Guides and Brand Kits
Brand identity is most powerful when it is cohesive, consistent, and grounded in a clear sense of purpose.
My approach draws on collaborative exploration, visual research, and strategic analysis to identify the themes, aesthetics, and messages that define an organization. This work includes selecting visual elements — such as color, typography, and imagery — informed by design principles and emotional resonance, as well as shaping the mission, values, and messaging elements that express the heart of the brand.
Content Strategy & Digital Communication
Design and structure of clear, visually cohesive email templates paired with messaging that informs, engages, and supports organizational goals.
Email Marketing
Editorial calendars, post concepts, visual layouts, keyword and hashtag research, and content planning grounded in platform best practices and audience insight.
Social Media Strategy
Narrative development, scriptwriting, and video editing that support storytelling, education, and community engagement across digital channels
Video Scripting & Editing
Stories and message frameworks that communicate purpose, share lived experiences, and highlight the real-world impact of nonprofit work.
Mission-driven Storytelling
My content strategy work focuses on creating purposeful, audience-centered communication across channels and platforms.
This includes structured planning, cohesive visual design, and mission-driven storytelling that supports clarity, engagement, and organizational goals. Through thoughtful integration of email, social media, video, and narrative content, I help shape communication that is consistent, resonant, and aligned with the heart of an organization’s mission.
Nonprofit Communication
Editorial calendars, email templates, and clear communication guides that keep teams organized, consistent, and on track.
Advocacy & Public Education
Approaches that strengthen relationships with community members, partners, and stakeholders through intentional, authentic communication.
Community Outreach
Strategies for communicating clearly and responsibly during moments of uncertainty or heightened public concern.
Crisis & Risk Communication
A curated understanding of the most effective communication channels, hashtags, and keywords for reaching priority audiences and supporting strategic goals.
Fundraising Communication
Effective nonprofit communication is grounded in clarity, empathy, and a deep understanding of community context.
My work in this space focuses on shaping mission-aligned messages that support advocacy, strengthen community relationships, and elevate the impact of programs and initiatives. Through research, strategic framing, and accessible storytelling, I help organizations communicate complex issues in ways that resonate and inspire action.
Website Design & Optimization
User-centered website layouts that balance visual hierarchy, accessibility, and clarity to support intuitive navigation and meaningful engagement.
Website Layout Design
Organizing, updating, and maintaining websites through platforms such as WordPress, Squarespace, and Wix, using efficient systems that support long-term management by internal teams.
Content Management Systems (CMS)
Information Structure
Structuring pages, menus, and content pathways to reflect organizational goals, improve user flow, and ensure information is easy to find and understand.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
On-page optimization, metadata structure, keyword alignment, and content organization practices that strengthen discoverability and improve search visibility over time.
My web design work focuses on creating clear, accessible digital experiences that support organizational goals and user needs.
This includes thoughtful layout design, strategic content architecture, and effective content management systems that make ongoing updates manageable for teams. I also incorporate SEO principles to strengthen visibility and ensure content is discoverable. The result is a cohesive, user-centered web presence grounded in clarity, functionality, and mission-aligned communication.
If you're looking for holistic support, we will work together to outline a project scope that fits your unique needs. Complete this form to get started.