As an account director with Taylor Johnson, Patty develops and implements media relations programs for local and national real estate-focused firms, also providing internal communications, crisis communications, social media and executive communications support as needed.
For more than 12 years, she led internal and external communications for a science college in Chicago, helping to promote its people, programs and accomplishments. This included securing coverage for the college’s stories in such media as the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Inno, Crain’s Chicago Business, WTTW’s “Chicago Tonight,” Huffington Post, Forbes, Fortune, Harvard Business Review, MIT Technology Review, Chemical & Engineering News, Popular Science, Popular Mechanics, Midwest Energy News and more.
Working with a team, she also wrote stories for a bi-weekly university e-newsletter; created content for and oversaw 10 departmental newsletters and social media channels; and provided content for and oversaw the college website and five department websites with 1,000+ assets. In addition, the team produced an annual 24-page science magazine highlighting key research and contributed content to other university marketing, fundraising, and community affairs outlets.
In earlier positions with other PR agencies, Patty managed projects and programs for such companies as Intuit, TechRepublic, Mather, Ameritech and McKinsey & Co. She has volunteered with the Chicago chapter of the National Organization for Women, Chicago National Alliance on Mental Illness, Connections for the Homeless, Feed My Starving Children, Midtown Educational Foundation, St. Leonard’s Ministries and Cabrini Green Legal Aid.
Patty has a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a master’s degree in English from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She has a pack of amazing nieces and nephews and extended family and friends, and she lives with her partner Curt in Evanston.
BEYOND THE BIO
With Taylor Johnson since: 2018.
People around the office come to me for: Editing and proofreading.
Three words that describe me are: Curious, interested, kind.
When I was growing up I thought I’d be a: An architect, an artist, a professor, a writer.
Favorite Chicago building: I have a special place in my heart for the Hancock Building. Beyond that, there are so many – the Monadnock, the Inland Steel Building, the old IBM Building, the Chicago Club, the Saddle & Cycle Club, Medinah Temple and Tree Studios, Carl Street Studios – we are so lucky in Chicago to have such a rich building history.
Last good book I read: Work Smarter Not Harder, Nomadland, Still Here
Favorite pastime: I love to travel – Big Sur, Italy, and New York are favorites.
What I like most about TJ: TJ has a great reputation for integrity and high-quality work. They serve their clients very well.
The worst job I ever had was: They all taught me something. But one I wouldn’t want to go back to was running a game at Dispensa’s Kiddie Kingdom – hot summer sun, asphalt, hot uniform. No.
Most people don’t know that I: Interviewed with Emily’s mother 20 years ago! That’s one that got away, but I’m making up for it now.
My guilty pleasure is: HGTV marathons!