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CV

Kanika Wilkerson Internal Communications and Change Leader

Accomplished internal communications leader with a strong background in developing and executing corporate communications strategies that enhance employee engagement and support large-scale business transformation and organizational change initiatives. Proven history of driving change management efforts, delivering employee communications, and collaborating across functions to achieve business objectives. Exceptional written and verbal skills that enable effective storytelling to influence behavior and enhance organizational culture.

Core Competencies

  • Change Management

  • Business Transformation

  • Organizational Change

  • Employee Engagement

  • Strategic Communication

  • Program Development

  • Leadership and Executive Communications

  • HR/People Communications

  • Stakeholder Engagement

  • Metrics and Analysis

  • Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Content Strategy

  • Generative AI

Experience

June 2014 - November 2023

Western Union 

Group Leader, Corporate Communications 

Led transformative internal communications for more than 10,000 employees globally, with a focus on change management and leadership alignment. Partnered with internal stakeholders at every level of the business, across multiple departments and geographies. Coordinated communications programs and coaching to create ongoing conversations between leaders, employees, and community partners.​​

 

  • Led a team of internal communication professionals to deliver strategic communication initiatives and advance organizational objectives, effectively supporting change management processes and promoting Lean and Agile methodologies.

  • ​Managed and facilitated quarterly All-hands meetings

  • Established and led a Global Communications Cohort (GCC) to unify regional and functional communication leaders, align on business objectives, and ensure consistent messaging

  • Delivered strategic communication initiatives to advance organizational objectives, effectively supporting change management processes and promoting Lean and Agile methodologies.

  • Developed a comprehensive global change management communication plan that enhanced user adoption of new content delivery solutions, driving engagement and productivity.

  • Orchestrated internal communication strategies during a $750 million business sale, ensuring smooth transitions and focused messaging that improved employee morale and engagement.

  • Executed data-driven communications enhancements resulting in a 12-point improvement in leadership communication effectiveness as measured by employee feedback.

  • Designed and implemented a change communication plan supporting CEO transition, including leadership connection events that achieved consistent employee satisfaction ratings above 90%.

  • Partnered with cross-functional team to plan and drive annual Global Leadership Summit for top 120 leaders in the company.

  • Championed the integration of the Poppulo internal communications tool, resulting in engagement metrics with open rates exceeding 85%.

  • Collaborated effectively with cross-functional teams, including HR, to develop and promote employee development programs that facilitate ongoing leadership growth and alignment.

  • Partnered with the Western Union Foundation to develop and promote community and employee engagement programs to drive brand awareness and talent pipeline.

December 2013 - June 2014

Wells Fargo (Contract)

Communications Manager Operational Risk

Developed and managed a comprehensive, global communications strategy regarding Wells Fargo’s Global Anti-Corruption policies.

 

  • Created and managed a companywide employee communications strategy and program to cascade changes in anti-corruption policies and procedures.

  • Actively engaged in stakeholder and change management.

  • Provided guidance to senior leaders regarding corporate communications strategies to support recommendations from regulators.

  • Collaborated with Learning and Development team to ensure training and ongoing communication tools were established and available.

May 2010 - August 2013

Newmont Mining

Senior Communications Representative

Delivered strategic communications efforts that aligned internal stakeholders and supported organizational change initiatives.

​

  • Drove communication analysis and improvement strategies that achieved a 90% satisfaction rate regarding internal communication effectiveness post-implementation of new initiatives.

  • Collaborated closely with senior executives and cross-functional change management teams to guide communication plans supporting large-scale organizational changes.

  • Developed risk mitigation communication strategies for capital projects, ensuring alignment with external stakeholders and the community.

  • Developed a comprehensive internal and external communication plan for the chief executive officer.

  • Actively engaged in crisis management preparation activities with the Crisis and Emergency Response team.

January 2005 - March 2010

Oracle Americas,Inc.

Senior Communications Representative 

Implemented a global communications strategy to increase communication and collaboration between the Global Software Support executive team and support engineers. Managed ongoing communication support and delivery for more than 6500 Global Software Support employees and their senior leadership team, including email campaigns, web conferencing, online articles and publications.

 

  • Delivered executive communication support and increased engagement between the Global Software Support leadership team and support engineers through video, newsletters, townhalls, forums, and hosted web conferences.

  • Produced, managed and delivered biweekly newsletter to communicate operational updates, changes and training information to Global Software Support engineers and across lines of business.

  • Measured employee communication effectiveness and improvement opportunities with quarterly communication surveys.

  • Established and drove adoption of customer communication process for the Global Software Support organization to share key information with licensed support customers (support agreement updates, software license information and patch announcements).

  • Led the development and delivery of integration support communications resulting from mergers and acquisitions, including PeopleSoft, BEA, Hyperion, Siebel and Sun Microsystems.

  • Partnered with corporate legal counsel to review and approve customer communications to ensure corporate style and compliance with Federal Communications Commission regulations.

  • Developed and published online articles and announcements for publication in employee and customer portals.

  • Engaged in the creation, testing, delivery and promotion of online customer community.

  • Composed articles for Oracle Magazine to promote new support services and resources.

Education

1997

University of Northern Colorado 

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Journalism                                                                          

University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO

2019

Prosci 

Change Management Certification

Professional Development

  • Public Relations Association of Colorado – Speaking Engagement – October 2024

  • Driving Enterprise-Wide AI Adoption: A Research Perspective Webinar – November 2024

  • International Association of Business Communicators (IABC Colorado) Communication Audits – December 2024

  • Slack Essential Training – February 2025

  • Generative AI Power Prompter and Content Designer- February 2025​​

Affiliations

  • Volunteer, YouthBiz Inc. (Leadership training for inner-city youth)

  • Sistahbiz, resource Hub for women entrepreneurs

  • Project Finish Line youth scholarship program

  • Urban Leadership Foundation of Colorado

  • Western Union Diversity Council

  • Member, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

© 2024 Kanika Wilkerson

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