lisa maher

​Developer of Human Capital (aka stay-at-home mom)

2001 - 2013 classical piano teacher

Intern General Assignment Reporter
The Belleville News-Democrat, 1992-1992


Generated story ideas, covered city beat, assembled police blotter, conducted interviews, wrote under daily deadline, photography.  ​

​Adjunct Professor of Communication / Master Course Designer
Concordia University Texas, School of Business & Communication, August 2016 – October 2017


Teach Fundamentals of Communication / Speech for undergraduate students. Objectives  include developing awareness, comprehension, and critical evaluation of various modes of communication, building competencies in verbal and nonverbal communication with emphasis on public speaking. Prepare undergraduate students for persuasive speech competitions. 

​​Public Speaking Coach

August 2015 - October 2017

 

Assist C-suite executives develop public speech content, strategic messaging adapted for specific audiences, creation of slide decks, video scripts, voice overs, and provide opportunities for guided practice with feedback for continuous improvement.    

Public Relations Specialist
Moyer Packing Company, Philadelphia, PA, 1995 - 1997


Developed and executed comprehensive communication program to support company initiatives, including creation and implementation of reactive plan to address industry-wide crisis with Mad Cow Disease. Enhanced and protected brand reputation and sales with trade organizations, customers, media, government agencies and the public through strategic communication efforts.  

Public Relations Representative
Cedar Fair, LP., 1994-1995


Generated positive publicity in local, state and regional target media outlets. Performed writing, research, media pitching and informative property tours. Acted as liaison for trade groups and local government officials. Supported crisis communication plan, participated in writing and appearing in broadcast advertisements.

​Staff Writer

February 2013 - (still freelancing)


The Austin American-Statesman (Cox Media)
Wrote employment, new construction and automotive sector articles under daily deadline. Participated in editorial and creative meetings, developed story ideas, conducted interviews and research. Hired and managed video content staff, edited Marketplace section, did photography. ​

​​MBA Marketing & Content Development
Concordia University Texas, School of Business & Communication, 2014 - 2017


Elevated university presence in Austin's business community through creation of strategic content leading to record growth in competitive MBA recruitment market. Collaborated with marketing team, engaged in public speaking opportunities to represent and enhance the identity and reputation of the university. Planned and executed activities designed to recruit ambitious domestic zand international MBA candidates and increase visibility of the university across targeted sectors. #SXSW ​

​​Public Relations Account Supervisor – Technology, Cybersecurity and Data Privacy 
Fleishman Hillard, January 2019 – January 2021

​
Lisa was responsible for telling client technology stories that matter most to their specific audiences. Working closely with client-side PR teams, C-Suite executives and SMEs, she uncover the most unique differentiators to create authentic thought leadership that breaks through. By talking with key reporters frequently and building relationships with them (not just pitching), Lisa learned what they need to communicate to their audiences, making myself and our clients valuable, trusted sources. Her media relations skills were trusted and frequently sought within the firm.

She developed PR campaign strategies based on real-world data analytics, timing and current events so that tactics are precise and effective. Taking time to become extremely familiar with various audiences helps me understand what makes them tick, and what problems and goals they have. The strategic messages I develop for our clients resonate, influence, and inspire action.

As the go-to ghost writer on multiple teams, our clients and my colleagues depend on me to synthesize complex concepts that need to be communicated effectively in high-profile CEO bylines that I create and then place as contributed content. My enthusiasm for technology – whether it’s quantum, encryption, fintech, or machine learning – comes through in the strategic content I create.

As a member of the FH Cybersecurity Leadership Team, chair of the Security Media Relations Committee, member of the Tech Talent & Transformation Team, staying highly informed on trends and breaking news is critical to my role, especially as I look to discover “open space” where our clients can add value.

The opportunity to mentor junior colleagues and interns is something I enjoy.

​​Vice President, Data Security & Privacy, Crisis Management and Risk

Edelman, January 2021 - January 2022

​​

​At Edelman, Lisa Maher was a successful communications strategist, leveraging a long-term record of effectively shaping crisis communication messaging to effectively manage internal and external perceptions around risk events. Lisa helped guide global clients facing crisis in a variety of sectors including food and beverage, retail, broadcast, healthcare, education, banking, technology, insurance and more. With a specialty in data breach and cyberattack response, her work also included post-event brand recovery as well as crisis preparation to proactively arm senior executives with communication response strategies that address potential future reputational threats.


As Vice President of Data Security & Privacy at Edelman, Lisa worked daily with C-suite executives and legal teams, external cyber attorneys, data forensic teams, cyber insurers, ransomware negotiation firms, and IT administrators to provide communications counsel for organizations during sudden and ongoing major data security incidents. Lisa provided thought leadership for clients on navigating the increasingly complex environment surrounding the collection, use and protection of corporate and personal data, and served on Edelman’s Women of Crisis Communications team.


In addition to cyber incidents, Lisa worked with crisis teams for many global organizations that included issues such as executive misconduct, labor issues, fatalities, natural and manmade disasters, hospital malpractice and more. 


Prior to Edelman, Lisa was an Account Supervisor at global communications firm Fleishman Hillard where she oversaw North American communications for $18B multinational cybersecurity company, Thales. In that role, Lisa elevated top executives via earned media placements in tier-one business publications, managed a rapid response team, built and executed communications campaigns, and supported participation in top industry events including Black Hat, DEF CON, and RSA. Lisa also helped create critical communications strategies and preparation activities for clients in the wake of the E.U.’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Protection Act (CCPA) and provided counsel for clients impacted by the U.S.– E.U surveillance and privacy litigation case, Schrems II, which disabled mechanisms American businesses relied on to safely transfer data in the transAtlantic corridor. Lisa was instrumental in creating cybersecurity communications assets for high profile clients including FedEx, AT&T, Salesforce, and Cisco. She was a member of the FH Cybersecurity Leadership Team, Tech Talent & Transformation Team and chair of the Security Media Relations Committee.


As a former daily newspaper reporter and broadcast journalist, Lisa works very effectively with the media to deliver highly relevant information that positions clients as valuable sources. This past professional experience enables her to develop impactful messaging to break through, or conversely, to help minimize media attention when warranted.


Lisa has a bachelor of science degree in Mass Communication and Business Administration, a master’s degree in Advanced Literacy, and recently completed a Cybersecurity Certification.​

News Reporter
Suburban Journals of Greater St. Louis, 1992-1994


Covered city council government, elections, school boards and local business. Generated story ideas, conducted interviews and research, wrote time-sensitive stories under daily deadline, photography.

r a i n b o l t

​Public Relations Senior Account Executive
Fleishman-Hillard, Inc., St. Louis / Little Rock / Austin, 1997-2001


Engaged in strategic communication on behalf of major clients including Wal-Mart, Dell, UPS, SBC, Bank of America and more. Developed relationships for clients with their targets including B2B, customers, analysts, media and other influencers. Utilized digital media, traditional print and broadcast to build, enhance and protect client reputations and their brands. Also assisted clients with building trust and credibility among their key audiences during crisis management.

strategic Communication professional

News Director
Morgan County Broadcasting, WJVO/WJIL Radio Springfield, IL, 1993-1995


Managed all newsroom functions, supervised staff, generated story ideas, wrote and reported news on the air. Duties also included providing voice talent for ad spots, building and enhancing station reputation via participation in community / charity events.

​​Voice Over Talent


Provide voice narration for a variety of clients including radio advertisement spots, instructional videos, and audio blogs and books.

​​Director of Communication

Paladin fs, Austin, TX, April 2018 - December 2018


Creating strategic communication and opportunities for the CEO to reach a variety of influencers, media, associations, referral partners, potential clients and customers in the fintech and banking industries was my top responsibility. Utilizing a social media strategy I created, I managed all social media outreach and generated opportunities to insert Paladin into meaningful dialogue with key influencers while promoting the brand. Utilizing Hubspot, WordPress, Asana, Salesforce, Canva, and all G-suite programs, I wrote and managed all digital and marketing assets including slide decks for the national sales team, bios, intranet, website, blogs, and webinars.​

​Contract Content / Creative Writer

2013 - 2017


Multiple companies including Austin American Statesman, Bluebonnet Cooperative, Central Texas Water Coalition, Vintage Builders, LaunchPad and others.
Consistently deliver top-quality writing on deadline for a variety of print, digital and broadcast platforms. Work collaboratively with creative directors, content strategists, technologists, developers and sales teams to generate ideas, develop concepts and copy development for media and marketing campaigns. Absorb and distill complex information into approachable, relatable copy. Effectively and persuasively present ideas to clients. ​

Senior Public Relations Manager

Caliber Corporate Advisers, Austin, TX October 2017 - April 2018


While supervising all communication and media relations activities for seven fintech clients, I connected our clients with key stakeholders in financial services, fintech, legal technology; governance, risk & compliance; regtech; real estate, and private equity. I created and executed PR plans, managed social media assets for brand enhancement and protection, developed fintech-heavy content, and was a team leader for media outreach. My B2B and B2C work focused on building awareness, credibility, and trust with targeted audiences including current and potential customers, media, partners, stakeholders, and other influencers. I managed ongoing dialogues on behalf of clients to build mutually beneficial relationships within the fintech community.​

  • Strategic Communication
  • Public and Media Relations
  • Media Training 
  • Crisis Communication (proactive and reactive)
  • Digital Marketing
  • Proofing and Editing 
  • Public Speaking Preparation 
  • Content Creation and Management
  • Social Media Specialist 
  • Copy Editing
  • Hubspot Inbound Marketing ​

Manager, Security Public Relations (L7)

Amazon Web Services, January 2022-present 

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​As lead for the AWS Security Public Relations team, Lisa develops and drives security thought leadership and executive visibility programs for C-suite executives including AWS CISO CJ Moses and all direct reports in the Office of the CISO, as well as security subject matter experts, distinguished engineers and scientists, and enterprise strategists across the global organization. Lisa also supports communication and proactive press activities for Amazon's Chief Security officer, Steve Schmidt, and Amazon Director of Security, Jenny Brinkley. 


By securing press briefing opportunities with tier-one press outlets (WSJ, NYT, Washington Post), and high-priority security trade publications and podcasts (Axios, Dark Reading, CSO, The CyberWire), Lisa helps AWS and Amazon security experts share critical thought leadership with target audiences (security and privacy professionals, CSOs, CISOs, IT administrators, developers, public policy/gov officials), leveraging a variety of topics including zero trust, identity access and control, threat intelligence, incident readiness and response, cloud migration and enablement, responsible vulnerability disclosure, MFA; and persistent security challenges such as ransomware, DDoS, cyber attacks and espionage, and APTs.  


Cross collaboration with other PR teams across the global organization, including with Trust & Reputation, Issues, Public Policy, Privacy, Customer, Partner, Quantum & High Performance Computing, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Open Source, and Devices is critical to Lisa's role as she generates demand for the company's leadership's expertise in the security space across many industry sectors. Lisa is also responsible for scrutinizing a high volume of incoming reporter inquiries to ensure that selected press engagements are optimal and meet the high bar of security leadership.   


Sample of results: 

  • Created a Generative AI thought leadership platform for AWS CISO CJ Moses 
  • Developed and led global PR strategy and programing in 2022 and 2023 for AWS re:Inforce security conference
  • Secured 91+ story placements in target press outlets for AWS re:Inforce 2023, and 81+ stories in 2022 
  • In first six months in role, placed positive stories in WSJ and NYT
  • Developed security leadership response for the the Biden Administration's National Cybersecurity Strategy 
  • Established CJ Moses as a continuing contributing SME author for Dark Reading 
  • Participated as a panelist for AWS CISO Circle event that drew highest ratings from strategic customers   
  • Executed successful press embargo campaign to launch the Open Cybersecurity Schema Framework with Splunk and IBM at Black Hat resulting in WSJ feature and more than 70 stories in target outlets 
  • ​Wrote press release and led PR strategy for announcement of Amazon Security Lake
  • Media trained and conducted mock interviews for 15 new security spokespeople in 2022-2023  
  • ​Liaised with HackerOne to support hack-a-thons at Black Hat and DEFCON