Jessica Lee Buhler

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Senior communications and marketing executive with 20+ years of experience leading strategic public relations, brand development and stakeholder engagement initiatives within highly successful mission-driven organizations. Proven ability to elevate national visibility, drive measurable growth and lead high-performing teams. Expertise in media relations, crisis communications, integrated marketing strategy and aligning communications with strategic organizational goals.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Strategic Communications • Public Relations & Media Strategy • Brand Development

Digital Marketing & Social Media Growth • Crisis Communications

Fundraising Communications • Stakeholder & Community Engagement

Team Leadership & Development • Content Strategy & Storytelling

Event Strategy & Execution • Policy & Advocacy Communications

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

The Kendal Corporation — National / Newark, DE

Corporate Director of Communications and Public Relations

March 2023 – June 2026

Lead Systemwide communications and public relations strategy for a national senior living organization
Secured 170 media placements in 2025 with PR partner, generating $2M in media value
Coordinated brand refresh initiative and launched integrated multimedia campaigns across platforms
Built and executed social media strategy, achieving 200% engagement growth in year one and 1000% LinkedIn growth over three years
Developed and launched the organization’s first internal digital newsletter (“Forefront”), improving internal communications across national teams
Served as earned/owned media presenter and coordinated crisis communications across national network
Wrote and oversaw all national press releases, digital content, blogs and website messaging
Trained staff and leadership on brand standards and communications best practices

Kendal at Lexington — Lexington, VA

Director of Marketing, Sales and Public Relations

September 2014 – March 2023

Directed all marketing, communications and sales strategy for continuing care retirement community
Increased residential occupancy from 87% to 95%+ sustained levels
Led full digital and brand transformation, including website overhaul and expansion of digital and social channels
Launched first digital marketing campaigns, delivering consistent 50% annual engagement growth
Created and led production of flagship “Community Impact Report” to strengthen stakeholder and donor engagement
Managed events, media relations, and crisis communications as organizational spokesperson
Supervised and developed sales teams to achieve growth and performance targets
Served as staff liaison for 2020–2025 strategic planning initiative, supporting executive leadership and board engagement

Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) — Boston, MA

Community Relations and Program Manager

May 2013 – July 2014

Developed and executed statewide communications and community engagement strategies
Managed social media, website content, newsletters, and public communications
Planned and executed large-scale events and statewide stakeholder meetings
Led program managing monitoring of affordable housing unit sales across Massachusetts

The Community Builders, Inc. — Boston, MA

Policy Communications & Strategic Planning Consultant

December 2012 – June 2014

Produced executive communications, policy newsletters, and stakeholder correspondence
Conducted national housing policy research and analysis using HUD data

Rhode Island Housing & Mortgage Finance Corporation — Providence, RI

Public and Government Affairs Liaison

March 2008 – August 2012

Served as spokesperson on legislative and public policy issues
Wrote legislative testimony, policy papers, and executive communications
Managed government relations strategy across housing, aging, and community development issues
Represented organization on boards, coalitions, and public forums

Senior Agenda Coalition — Providence, RI

Executive Director (Founding Leader)

2002 – 2008

Founded and led statewide advocacy organization focused on aging and community-based living
Directed strategy, operations, communications, and coalition-building efforts
Led public engagement campaigns, policy advocacy, and major events/conferences
Built partnerships with nonprofit, government, and community stakeholders

EDUCATION

M.S., Management & Organizational Leadership

Antioch University New England

B.A., Public Policy

Goddard College

Professional Certification:

Digital Marketing (Pro Level) — American Marketing Association / Digital Marketing Institute

Jessica Lee Buhler

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

CORE COMPETENCIES

Strategic Communications • Public Relations & Media Strategy • Brand Development

Digital Marketing & Social Media Growth • Crisis Communications

Fundraising Communications • Stakeholder & Community Engagement

Team Leadership & Development • Content Strategy & Storytelling

Event Strategy & Execution • Policy & Advocacy Communications

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

The Kendal Corporation — National / Newark, DE

Corporate Director of Communications and Public Relations

March 2023 – June 2026

Lead Systemwide communications and public relations strategy for a national senior living organization

Secured 170 media placements in 2025 with PR partner, generating $2M in media value

Coordinated brand refresh initiative and launched integrated multimedia campaigns across platforms

Built and executed social media strategy, achieving 200% engagement growth in year one and 1000% LinkedIn growth over three years

Developed and launched the organization’s first internal digital newsletter (“Forefront”), improving internal communications across national teams

Served as earned/owned media presenter and coordinated crisis communications across national network

Wrote and oversaw all national press releases, digital content, blogs and website messaging

Trained staff and leadership on brand standards and communications best practices

Kendal at Lexington — Lexington, VA

Director of Marketing, Sales and Public Relations

September 2014 – March 2023

Directed all marketing, communications and sales strategy for continuing care retirement community

Increased residential occupancy from 87% to 95%+ sustained levels

Led full digital and brand transformation, including website overhaul and expansion of digital and social channels

Launched first digital marketing campaigns, delivering consistent 50% annual engagement growth

Created and led production of flagship “Community Impact Report” to strengthen stakeholder and donor engagement

Managed events, media relations, and crisis communications as organizational spokesperson

Supervised and developed sales teams to achieve growth and performance targets

Served as staff liaison for 2020–2025 strategic planning initiative, supporting executive leadership and board engagement

Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) — Boston, MA

Community Relations and Program Manager

May 2013 – July 2014

Developed and executed statewide communications and community engagement strategies

Managed social media, website content, newsletters, and public communications

Planned and executed large-scale events and statewide stakeholder meetings

Led program managing monitoring of affordable housing unit sales across Massachusetts

The Community Builders, Inc. — Boston, MA

Policy Communications & Strategic Planning Consultant

December 2012 – June 2014

Produced executive communications, policy newsletters, and stakeholder correspondence

Conducted national housing policy research and analysis using HUD data

Rhode Island Housing & Mortgage Finance Corporation — Providence, RI

Public and Government Affairs Liaison

March 2008 – August 2012

Served as spokesperson on legislative and public policy issues

Wrote legislative testimony, policy papers, and executive communications

Managed government relations strategy across housing, aging, and community development issues

Represented organization on boards, coalitions, and public forums

Senior Agenda Coalition — Providence, RI

Executive Director (Founding Leader)

2002 – 2008

Founded and led statewide advocacy organization focused on aging and community-based living

Directed strategy, operations, communications, and coalition-building efforts

Led public engagement campaigns, policy advocacy, and major events/conferences

Built partnerships with nonprofit, government, and community stakeholders

EDUCATION

M.S., Management & Organizational Leadership

Antioch University New England

B.A., Public Policy

Goddard College

Professional Certification:

Digital Marketing (Pro Level) — American Marketing Association / Digital Marketing Institute