Mary Maria
Johnson
Strategic communicator and public diplomacy practitioner
About Me
Gallup's CliftonStrengths: Intellection, Realtor, Input, Achiever, Deliberative
I have expertise in strategic communications and international exchange programs, with a background in public relations and international relations. I am passionate, creative, and resilient when it comes to designing exchange program itineraries and communication strategies. I look for opportunities that challenge me and am always willing to expand my role and try something new to enhance my skills.
I enjoy genuine person-to-person interactions that cultivate and sustain professional relationships between people, organizations and publics. My experiences working in both private sector and non-profit environments have provided knowledge and skilled expertise that allowed me to be a beneficial resource for many organizations.
My desire is to engage organizations with their key publics in an innovative and memorable way. I not only want to engage in cultural diplomacy initiatives, but also opportunities to implement strategic communication as an effective way to maintain positive relationships and brand awareness on behalf of organizations that have an international presence.
Experience
June 2022 - Present
Meridian International Center - Meridian Center for Global Leadership
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Design and implement U.S. itinerary for IVLP in compliance with program policies.
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Oversee all administrative, logistical, and financial matters completed by a Program Associate supervisee where grant operations or project budgets are involved.
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Develop and manage the implementation of strategic plans, policy and program guidance for emergencies in collaboration with Department of State program officers and interpreters/liaison teams as needed.
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Collaborate with stakeholders to develop the program for a high-profile IVLP initiative focused on international entrepreneurship.
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Research and establish relationships with new and existing IVLP program contacts in Washington, DC to enrich programming resources and opportunities for exchange of ideas.
June 2021 - June 2022
Meridian International Center - Meridian Center for Global Leadership
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Design overall U.S. itinerary for the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State
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Manage local program content carried out by community-based members of the Global Ties U.S. Network (CBMs) by providing context on the nature of the desired program and advice on program development
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Supervise and work collaboratively with a Program Associate by monitoring all administrative, logistical, and financial aspects of grant operations and project budgets
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Continue virtual staff exchange activities that have engaged more than 52 of the 84 total CBMs
June 2018 - June 2021
Senior Program Associate and Staff Exchange Co-Facilitator
Meridian International Center - Professional Exchanges Division
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Manage administrative and logistical aspects of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), sponsored by the U.S. Department of State for more than 175 international visitors
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Collaborate with other program teams on high-profile special initiative IVLP projects
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Plan and facilitate professional development staff exchanges for community-based members (CBMs) in the Global Ties network and Meridian staff
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Design and launch virtual staff exchange professional development opportunities with more than 25 CBMs
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Provide program, training, and operational support as needed
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Promotion to Senior Program Associate June 2020
February 2018 - May 2018
LPA/SC DOC Intern
United States Agency for International Development (USAID) - Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs
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Worked with the Legislative and Public Affairs' Development Outreach Communicators (DOC) team to support USAID field communicators
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Researched and updated information for USAID monthly social media campaign dissemination to missions
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Completed research consultancy analysis spanning 5 years of program best practices and training needs for field communicators, resulting in the refinement of DOC communication strategies
May 2017 - August 2017
More Europe - external cultural relations
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Researched European Union international cultural relations interests and programs
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Created social media strategy and content highlighting the Global Cultural Leadership Programme
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Created website content for the Cultural Diplomacy Platform website highlighting programs
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Researched EU-Turkey relations and met with stakeholders to plan workshop for future cultural collaborations
Education
MAY 2018
Syracuse University
Syracuse,NY
Master of Science - Public Relations
S.I Newhouse School of Public Communication
Master of Arts - International Relations
Maxwell School of Citzenship and Public Affairs
MAY 2015
Bellarmine University
Louisville, KY
Bachelor of Arts - Spanish
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
Contact Me
Questions? Comments? I'd love to hear from you. Thanks in advance and have a great day!