Volunteering as a Read Ahead mentor and Merit School of Music Advisory Board member; Cage diving with white sharks; Watching PBS’s Masterpiece Mystery programming; and racing on Jahazi, a much-loved J/120 sailing yacht with a fast and funny (!) crew
NATALIE GEWARGIS
Chicago,IL
Summary
Dynamic senior PR and communications professional with a proven track record of delivering strategic leadership and operational excellence. Expertise in crafting compelling narratives, fostering key relationships, and optimizing processes while maintaining a strong focus on achieving measurable results. Proficient in navigating complex challenges and adapting swiftly to evolving needs under tight deadlines. Recognized for exceptional communication skills and a commitment to mentoring others in the field.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Manager, Public Relations & Communications
Paul Hastings
Chicago, IL
08.2024 - Current
- Successfully curate and lead timely and compelling practice- and industry-specific PR campaigns comprising targeted reporter outreach, strategic social media engagement and corresponding thought leadership; campaigns highlight firm strategy, key client successes and expert analysis of significant trends and developments affecting client strategy.
- Expeditiously but carefully consider proactive and reactive media commentary and publishing opportunities weighing potential value against client and/or firm conflicts/sensitivities.
- Thoughtfully prompt and contribute to advance critical crisis communications planning in coordination with primary internal stakeholders and outside consultants around potentially high-profile and high-risk scenarios.
- Maintain and develop relationships with relevant legal, mainstream and trade press; leverage established connections to influence coverage.
Manage individual portfolio of U.S.-based lawyers across 10 practices and 14 offices. - Draw on and deploy varied strengths of up to five PR agencies to secure communications support in specific geographic markets, practices and sectors.
- Implement tools and engage platforms such as Roxhill Media, Signal and Foundation to identify/verify potential press targets, track media coverage and access firm data to inform messaging.
Senior Public Relations Manager
Morgan Lewis
Chicago, IL And Washington, DC
08.2014 - 08.2024
- Developed and implemented proactive and reactive PR strategies with the senior director of PR and Communications and global PR team.
- Drafted impactful internal and external communications—from messaging briefs and thought leadership campaigns to media pitches and social media campaigns—to promote business development and lawyer recruitment and retention, including content highlighting significant legal and regulatory news and the firm’s commitment to client service, strategic growth, pro bono, and employee well-being.
- Promoted and leveraged marquis firm events and outside speaking engagements by conducting press outreach and creating thought leadership and key takeaways for client follow-up communications, the firm’s website, and reporters.
- Managed individual portfolio of 180+ partners across Litigation and FDA & Healthcare practices; supports healthcare and life sciences industries, firm’s pro bono and well-being programs, and select strategic task forces. Past portfolio includes Antitrust and Intellectual Property practices and Automotive & Mobility industry.
- Implemented crisis communications planning around more sensitive firm and client-related developments, including during the war in Ukraine.
- Cultivated and maintained relationships with relevant mainstream, legal, trade, and local reporters amid continuous industry turnover to secure favorable coverage of the firm’s tactical initiatives, client work, and expertise.
- Directed and supervised pitching and placements executed by external PR agency in the United States; worked with UK-based PR agency on global outreach.
- Writes and coordinates award submissions/nominations for legal, business, and trade publication contests, including those hosted by Bloomberg Law, Financial Times, and Law360. Has experience drafting legal directory submissions.
- Utilizes syndication services such as JD Supra and Lexology to extend the reach of thought leadership and measure reader engagement.
- Trained and managed numerous support staff.
Communications Manager
Squire Patton Boggs
Washington, D.C.
10.2010 - 08.2014
- Served as a deputy to PR director and an integral collaborator on all major PR initiatives; developed and executed key internal and external communications strategies to promote, protect, and advance the firm’s market standing.
- Regularly conducted proactive media outreach around firm initiatives, including talent recruitment, office openings and anniversaries, accolades, and client wins and transactions; legal industry trends; and legislation, regulation, and litigation affecting clients.
- Produced and edited PR collateral, including press releases, message briefs, and blog and social media posts.
- Implemented critical crisis management practices during high profile litigation against the firm, reductions of force, and the firm’s eventual acquisition.
- Supported a brand refresh comprising a marketing collateral overhaul, including the firm’s website.
Producer and Assignment Editor
ABC News
Washington, D.C.
06.2008 - 10.2010
- Produced segments that aired on various broadcasts, including “World News,” “Good Morning America,” and “This Week.”
- Contributed to reporting from the White House, Congress, and parts of the Washington metropolitan area on political and human-interest broadcast and web stories; supported political correspondent Jake Tapper by writing and editing select Political Punch (blog) posts and articles for abcnews.com during the 2008 U.S. presidential election.
- Worked with editorial management team to coordinate bureau wide responses to breaking news events, developing stories, and compelling PR pitches.
Press Secretary, U.S. Media
Embassy of the Republic of Iraq
Washington, D.C.
01.2007 - 06.2008
- Developed a dynamic embassy communications strategy in accordance with the Iraqi government’s priorities and in coordination with various U.S. agencies, including the White House (National Security Council) and State Department.
- Served as the U.S. media contact for Ambassador Samir Sumaida’ie as some of the most decisive moments of the Iraq War played out in the global press.
- Pitched and facilitated interviews, roundtables, and editorial board meetings for the ambassador and visiting Iraqi diplomats.
- Drafted press releases and op-ed content, placing the latter in The Wall Street Journal.
- Created and managed the embassy’s internship program for local university students and organized various community events in which the embassy participated, including Cultural Tourism DC’s annual “Passport DC” program.
News Analyst
Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia
Washington, D.C.
08.2006 - 01.2007
- Drafted daily analyses of U.S. news regarding energy policy and U.S.-Mideast relations during the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Lebanon, as well as the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, for consumption by Saudi embassy and other government officials based on U.S. media accounts, administration and agency briefings, and congressional actions and sentiment.
Marketing Manager
Union Insurance Group
Chicago, IL
08.2003 - 05.2006
- Implemented brand assessment resulting in the creation of new marketing collateral, including a refreshed company website and brochures.
- Formed and maintained meaningful alliances with premier insurance carriers and serviced the company’s highest revenue-yielding accounts.
- Hired, trained, and supervised administrative staff members.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Marketing
DePaul University
Chicago06.2003
Skills
- PR and communications
- Media relations
- Strategic planning
- Crisis communications
- Narrative development
- Troubleshooting and problem resolution
- Cross-functional team coordination
Affiliations
Advisory Board Member, Merit School of Music
Mentor, Read Ahead
Interests
Timeline
Senior Manager, Public Relations & Communications
Paul Hastings
08.2024 - Current
Senior Public Relations Manager
Morgan Lewis
08.2014 - 08.2024
Communications Manager
Squire Patton Boggs
10.2010 - 08.2014
Producer and Assignment Editor
ABC News
06.2008 - 10.2010
Press Secretary, U.S. Media
Embassy of the Republic of Iraq
01.2007 - 06.2008
News Analyst
Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia
08.2006 - 01.2007
Marketing Manager
Union Insurance Group
08.2003 - 05.2006
Bachelor of Science - Marketing
DePaul University