I am a results-driven creative professional with over seven years of experience in mass communication, public relations, writing, social media management, video production, and photography. I excel at project management, leadership, and strategic communication, translating military experience into corporate environments to improve systems and maximize impact. I am a self-starter who thrives in collaborative settings, partnering with stakeholders to craft visual narratives and brand assets across digital and print. I love building branding guidelines, coordinating cross-functional teams, and delivering high-quality content—from newsletters and press materials to social media campaigns—on tight deadlines.

Katharine Schmidt

I am a results-driven creative professional with over seven years of experience in mass communication, public relations, writing, social media management, video production, and photography. I excel at project management, leadership, and strategic communication, translating military experience into corporate environments to improve systems and maximize impact. I am a self-starter who thrives in collaborative settings, partnering with stakeholders to craft visual narratives and brand assets across digital and print. I love building branding guidelines, coordinating cross-functional teams, and delivering high-quality content—from newsletters and press materials to social media campaigns—on tight deadlines.

Available to hire

I am a results-driven creative professional with over seven years of experience in mass communication, public relations, writing, social media management, video production, and photography. I excel at project management, leadership, and strategic communication, translating military experience into corporate environments to improve systems and maximize impact.

I am a self-starter who thrives in collaborative settings, partnering with stakeholders to craft visual narratives and brand assets across digital and print. I love building branding guidelines, coordinating cross-functional teams, and delivering high-quality content—from newsletters and press materials to social media campaigns—on tight deadlines.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Multimedia Manager – Strategic Communications at Iowa Army National Guard
January 1, 2023 - Present
Develops and produces visual content across digital, print, and social media platforms to support branding, marketing, and communication goals. Coordinates with stakeholders to plan, coordinate, and execute marketing products and promotions. Develops graphics and layouts for product illustrations, company logos, and monthly publications. Creates new designs and branding guidelines, concepts, and sample layouts based on layout principles and aesthetic design concepts. Writes or edits verbiage and layout for newsletters, annual booklets, and pamphlets. Collaborates with multi-level teams for developing and perfecting illustrations for state and national releases.
Public Relations Manager – Marketing and Advertising at Iowa Army National Guard
December 31, 2022 - July 11, 2025
Led a team of content creators in a high-paced environment ensuring all projects stayed on schedule and were of the highest quality. Transformed raw concepts and sketches into polished finished products. Planned, coordinated, and executed long and short-term marketing projects. Specialized in creating visual and media assets to build branding, managing state publications, newsletters, flyers, social media content including videos and photography, press releases, and storyboards. Consulted and collaborated with agencies to plan promotional campaigns. Designed and implemented communication strategies supporting organizational missions such as environmental awareness and public safety.
Team Lead, Public Affairs at Iowa Army National Guard
December 31, 2019 - July 11, 2025
Led a team of military journalists as a mentor and subject matter expert on photography, video production, visual media design, and social media planning and execution. Managed a mass communication staff to develop and execute marketing, advertising, and strategic communication plans over a five-year training cycle. Translated raw concepts into cohesive visual narratives for internal and national audiences ensuring message clarity and brand consistency. Successfully led remote teams, excelling in high-pressure environments independently and collaboratively.
Medical and Health Services Manager at Iowa Army National Guard
December 31, 2015 - July 11, 2025
Led a team managing photography, video production, visual media design, and social media planning. Monitored diagnostic services, inpatient beds, facilities, and staff to ensure effective resource use. Planned and administered healthcare programs including personnel administration, training, and coordination of medical and nursing services. Developed computerized record management systems for staff and activities data and reports. Established work schedules and assignments based on workload and resources.
Public Relations Manager – Marketing and Advertising at Iowa Army National Guard
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2022
Led a team of content creators in a high-paced environment as a project manager to ensure all projects stayed on schedule and were of the highest quality. Transformed raw concepts and sketches into polished finished products. Planned, coordinated, and executed long and short-term marketing projects from beginning to end. Transformed raw ideas, sketches, and photos into polished visual narratives for both internal and external communications. Specialized in creating visual and media assets to build branding. Managing the creation of organizational state publications, monthly newsletters, weekly flyers, daily social media material to include video and photography, press releases, and storyboards for internal and external release. Consulted and collaborated with internal and external agencies to plan, coordinate, and execute promotional campaigns in all types of media for products, organizations, or individuals on a weekly basis. Designed and implemented communication strategies that supp
Team Lead, Public Affairs at Iowa Army National Guard
January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2020
Led a team of military journalists as a mentor and subject matter expert on photography, video production, visual media design, and social media planning and execution. Managed a mass communication staff to plan, develop, execute, and analyze marketing, advertising, and strategic communication plans for the over a five-year training cycle. Translated raw concepts, sketches, and imagery into cohesive visual narratives for internal and national-level audiences—ensuring message clarity, brand consistency, and impact. Successfully led a communications team in remote work environments while maintaining a high quality of work and collaboration of the team. Excelled in high-pressure environments, as a leader, part of a team, or independently.
Medical and Health Services Manager at Iowa Army National Guard
January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2016
Led a team of military journalists as a mentor and subject matter expert on photography, video production, visual media design, and social media planning and execution. Monitored the use of diagnostic services, inpatient beds, facilities, and staff to ensure effective use of resources and assess the need for additional staff, equipment, and services. Planned, implemented, and administered programs and services in a health care or medical facility, including personnel administration, training, and coordination of medical, and nursing. Developed and maintained computerized record management systems to store and process data, such as personnel activities and information, and to produce reports. Established work schedules and assignments for staff, according to workload, space, and equipment availability.
Water Damage & Restoration Supervisor at ServPro
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2023
Coordinated, monitored, and performed mitigation and demolition on projects to successfully fulfill service needs and facilitate a positive customer experience. Managed a team of technicians to respond to water damage emergencies and provide restoration services. Directly supervised and coordinated activities of construction or extraction workers. Coached and trained restoration technicians both on and off the job sites.

Education

Bachelor of Arts at Iowa State University
January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2015
Bachelor of Arts (BFA) in Arts and Visual Culture at Iowa State University
January 11, 2030 - December 29, 2025
Public Affairs Mass Communication at Defense Information School
January 11, 2030 - December 29, 2025
Supervisory Leadership at Fort Sam Houston
January 11, 2030 - December 29, 2025

Qualifications

Public Affairs Mass Communication
January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012
Supervisory Leadership
January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015
Equal Opportunity Certified
January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016
Equal Opportunity Certified
January 11, 2030 - December 29, 2025

Industry Experience

Government, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Healthcare, Non-Profit Organization