hello!
About Mary Helen Olejnik (O-len-ick)
Hi, I’m Mary Helen, a communications consultant who helps organizations translate their impact into messaging that connects, builds trust and drives results.
I spent more than a decade at the Sun Sentinel media company, serving as Communications Manager, corporate spokesperson and community affairs lead. In that role, I also managed the company’s corporate foundation — part of the national Robert R. McCormick Foundation — directing giving strategy, overseeing the full grantmaking cycle, and cultivating strong relationships with community partners, boards and C-suite leaders.
That experience, combined with later success leading nonprofit development and securing competitive, high-value funding, gives me a rare dual perspective on both corporate giving and fundraising. This blend of media-honed precision, philanthropic insight and storytelling expertise shapes the responsive, strategic service I bring to every project.
Short on time, long on ambition? Let’s talk about how I can help you tell your story clearly, confidently and impactfully.
Learn more about my professional career by visiting my LinkedIn page.
Hi, I’m Mary Helen, a communications consultant who helps organizations translate their impact into messaging that connects, builds trust and drives results.
I spent more than a decade at the Sun Sentinel media company, serving as Communications Manager, corporate spokesperson and community affairs lead. In that role, I also managed the company’s corporate foundation — part of the national Robert R. McCormick Foundation — directing giving strategy, overseeing the full grantmaking cycle, and cultivating strong relationships with community partners, boards and C-suite leaders.
That experience, combined with later success leading nonprofit development and securing competitive, high-value funding, gives me a rare dual perspective on both corporate giving and fundraising. This blend of media-honed precision, philanthropic insight and storytelling expertise shapes the responsive, strategic service I bring to every project.
Short on time, long on ambition? Let’s talk about how I can help you tell your story clearly, confidently and impactfully.
Learn more about my professional career by visiting my LinkedIn page.
achievements.
CORPORATE & HIGHER EDUCATION SECTOR
PHILANTHROPY SECTOR
- Led communications strategy for UConn's Werth Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, building its brand from the ground up. Developed and executed the Institute’s first full-scale comms plan, covering media relations, web content, newsletters and the inaugural annual report, while promoting groundbreaking NIL initiatives in a $1B emerging industry. Authored the award-winning nomination that earned the Institute the Deshpande Award for Excellence in Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
- Supported award-winning destination and hotel campaigns, including high-profile launches and strategic messaging.
- Served as company spokesperson for Sun Sentinel newspaper; managed all internal and external communications and crisis communications.
- Developed strategic communications plans for major initiatives, including a $13 million packaging improvement project and $35 million press expansion.
PHILANTHROPY SECTOR
- Drafted the #1 ranked grant in Florida, winning competitive six-figure awards through data-backed storytelling.
- Secured $500,000 in new grant funding for one client—part of nearly $1 million raised across my nonprofit portfolio in a single year to advance critical programs and long-term growth.
- Secured a first-time grant of $350,000 for a new program.
- Produced Hispanic Unity of Florida's Entrepreneur Summit learning and networking event, and Broward County's inaugural Domestic Violence Summit.
- Managed grant making and fundraising for Sun Sentinel Children's Fund, named "Foundation of the Year" under my leadership.
- Created concept and copy for a holiday fundraising campaign for The Robert R. McCormick Foundation that resulted in the largest one-day fundraising total in the foundation's history.
- Managed $5 million annual grant portfolio; $7 million fundraising portfolio.
- Achieved 128% over fundraising goal for year-end campaign, increased workplace giving by 54%.
previous experience. education.
Director of Development, Women In Distress of Broward County
Bachelor of Arts, Communications
South Florida Sun Sentinel, a Tribune Media Company Florida Atlantic University , 2001
* Charitable Giving & Communications Manager Graduated magna cum laude
* Marketing Programs Strategist
* Communications Associate
* Communications Intern
Bachelor of Arts, Communications
South Florida Sun Sentinel, a Tribune Media Company Florida Atlantic University , 2001
* Charitable Giving & Communications Manager Graduated magna cum laude
* Marketing Programs Strategist
* Communications Associate
* Communications Intern
community involvement.
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I was fortunate to find my passion for community relations early in my career, by accident. I've always been active in volunteering and giving back to the community since I was a teenager, and am grateful to have a career that involves supporting organizations that are the backbone of our communities.
Animal rescue is a cause near to my heart. The highlight of my week comes each Thursday when I walk the adoptable dogs at Abandoned Pet Rescue, Fort Lauderdale's only no-kill animal shelter. I also donate my resources providing pro-bono grant writing services when possible. Previous community involvement: Broward County Animal Care and Adoption, Volunteer Habitat for Humanity of Broward County, Women's Build March of Dimes South Florida, Communications Chair, Board of Directors |
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