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PORTFOLIO
Brand Identity
Led a successful rebranding and public relations campaign by collaborating with an agency to create new messaging, core values, and a visual identity across multiple channels, including media (secured an exclusive with the Charlotte Observer, a Tier 1 media outlet), social media management, employee communications, and community engagement.
Sub-Brand Identity
Led a successful sub-branding campaign for Aveline, a single-family real estate development business. This involved collaborating with an agency to develop new messaging and a visual identity. Managed the PR strategy and digital marketing initiatives, including creating a webpage with a property search feature and development spotlights, managing social media, and producing videos featuring customers and partners.
Brand Video
Managed a brand video, "The Faces of Affordable Housing," to showcase the value and mission of a nonprofit housing developer while educating stakeholders about individuals and families in need of affordable housing. Directed multiple video campaigns, including a time-lapse of a single-family development, a $1.5 billion CDFI portfolio, and spotlights on partnerships, employees, customers, and leadership.
Website Development
Collaborated with an agency to create a new website design that reflects the brand and sub-brand, while enhancing SEO and user experience. This included videos, animations, property search, fee-based education registration, and pages highlighting products, services, and news about small business owners, partnerships, employees, housing developments, and other relevant topics.
Social Media
Managed social media campaigns, including strategic planning, copywriting, design, ads, and publication to promote the brand, mission, business objectives, increase brand recognition, and engage internal and external audiences.
Brochure
Managed design and copywriting for brochures and other collateral targeting first-time homebuyers and Hispanic/Latinx communities by offering online resources in English and Spanish. These efforts supported goals for education class enrollment and down payment assistance applications.
Infographic
Led design and copywriting for an animation campaign focused on increasing women entrepreneurs' access to capital, including a video, infographics, website content, and social media management. Managed the design and distribution of infographics for other campaigns centered on clean water, affordable housing, financial education, down payment assistance, and social and economic impact.
Annual Report
Collaborated with an agency on copywriting and design for annual reports, including an editorial outline, graphics and photography; managed PR, leadership meetings, and storytelling campaigns across multiple audiences and channels.
Storytelling
Managed an editorial calendar from ideation to publication, promoting brand consistency and cross-team collaboration, while enhancing content consistency and production efficiency across platforms, including video, a News webpage, and social media. Stories covered various topics, such as heritage, real estate, leadership, small businesses, homeownership, social and economic development, sponsorships, education, and features on customers, partnerships, employees, and neighborhoods.
Employee Communications
Designed and implemented multiple employee engagement campaigns, including "home team," to showcase employees and their work. This included a series of digital marketing stories and features in annual reports. Collaborated with an agency and cross-functional teams to develop an intranet site to improve internal engagement and streamline communications.
Leadership Communications
Collaborated with an agency to produce a video featuring the President discussing challenges and opportunities in affordable housing development, including growth and funding. The footage was used in promotional campaigns to increase brand awareness and the organization's overall impact on community development. Managed leadership communications by developing visibility and engagement plans to enhance an executive's presence within the organization and global community. The plans included goals, strategy, research and background, messaging and storylines, audiences, thought leadership (conferences, market visits, media), social media management, and measurement.
Media - PBS North Carolina
Orchestrated executive messaging and high-level preparation for DreamKey Partners president's featured role in a PBS town hall on affordable housing, shaping public dialogue in Charlotte, NC.
Media - Queen City Nerve Nooze Hounds Podcast
Led executive communications strategy and briefing preparation for DreamKey Partners president ahead of a Queen City Nerve Nooze Hounds podcast on affordable housing and upcoming developments in Charlotte, NC.
Media - Multiple
Led multi-year digital marketing initiatives and PR campaigns for the Tory Burch Foundation Capital Program, securing coverage with Tier 1 media outlets such as the New York Times and CBS This Morning. This contributed to increasing the initial investment from $10 million to $50 million and helped close the gender gap in access to capital by supporting women in financing their businesses.
Press Release
Tory Burch Foundation and Bank of America Partner to Support Women Entrepreneurs with Capital and Mentoring
The Tory Burch Foundation and Bank of America Partner to Support Women Entrepreneurs with Capital and Mentoring Opportunities. Program Launches with Initial $10 Million Investment to Grow Women-Owned Small Businesses and Create Communities of Entrepreneurs Across the Country
The Tory Burch Foundation (TBF) and Bank of America have announced the launch of the Tory Burch Foundation Capital Program, an initiative that provides early-stage women entrepreneurs in the United States with access to low-cost capital, mentoring, and networking opportunities to help them grow their businesses and build communities of women entrepreneurs.
The program will launch with a $10 million investment in low-cost capital from Bank of America, along with additional funding for operating expenses from TBF and Bank of America. The initial launch will support women entrepreneurs in Boston, Charlotte, Las Vegas, New York, Philadelphia, and San Francisco, and will expand to more markets over the next two years.
This unique partnership combines TBF's network of early-stage women entrepreneurs with one of the world's largest financial institutions. The loans will be managed through nonprofit entrepreneurial loan centers (also known as Community Development Financial Institutions or CDFIs) that support low- and moderate-income communities. In the initial markets, participating partners include Accion East (Boston and New York), Self-Help (Charlotte), and the Nevada Microenterprise Initiative, in collaboration with VEDC (Las Vegas), Entrepreneur Works (Philadelphia), and Opportunity Fund (San Francisco). Bank of America is the leading supporter of CDFIs among major financial institutions.
Tory Burch, founder of TBF, stated, "When we started our foundation, we understood that women entrepreneurs need access to capital and business networks. By partnering with Bank of America, we are thrilled to provide support to women across the United States. The combination of loans, mentoring support, and peer networking expertise opens up new opportunities for women looking to build and grow their businesses."
Thomas K. Montag, Co-Chief Operating Officer of Bank of America, said: "Bank of America and the Tory Burch Foundation recognize a significant opportunity to support women-owned businesses. Research shows that women entrepreneurs need better access to capital and more opportunities to develop strategic business relationships. The program will help address these issues by providing loans and mentoring to women ready to elevate their businesses."
Andrew Plepler, Global Head of Environment, Social and Governance at Bank of America, said: "Tory and team recognize that supporting women-owned businesses, both financially and through sharing expertise, can have a significant impact on local economies and pave the way for future generations. This program has the potential to serve as a real catalyst for advancing women's economic empowerment."
The program will launch this evening with a TBF signature event at the Bank of America Tower in New York City.
The Tory Burch Foundation and Bank of America Partner to Support Women Entrepreneurs with Capital and Mentoring Opportunities. Program Launches with Initial $10 Million Investment to Grow Women-Owned Small Businesses and Create Communities of Entrepreneurs Across the Country
The Tory Burch Foundation (TBF) and Bank of America have announced the launch of the Tory Burch Foundation Capital Program, an initiative that provides early-stage women entrepreneurs in the United States with access to low-cost capital, mentoring, and networking opportunities to help them grow their businesses and build communities of women entrepreneurs.
The program will launch with a $10 million investment in low-cost capital from Bank of America, along with additional funding for operating expenses from TBF and Bank of America. The initial launch will support women entrepreneurs in Boston, Charlotte, Las Vegas, New York, Philadelphia, and San Francisco, and will expand to more markets over the next two years.
This unique partnership combines TBF's network of early-stage women entrepreneurs with one of the world's largest financial institutions. The loans will be managed through nonprofit entrepreneurial loan centers (also known as Community Development Financial Institutions or CDFIs) that support low- and moderate-income communities. In the initial markets, participating partners include Accion East (Boston and New York), Self-Help (Charlotte), and the Nevada Microenterprise Initiative, in collaboration with VEDC (Las Vegas), Entrepreneur Works (Philadelphia), and Opportunity Fund (San Francisco). Bank of America is the leading supporter of CDFIs among major financial institutions.
Tory Burch, founder of TBF, stated, "When we started our foundation, we understood that women entrepreneurs need access to capital and business networks. By partnering with Bank of America, we are thrilled to provide support to women across the United States. The combination of loans, mentoring support, and peer networking expertise opens up new opportunities for women looking to build and grow their businesses."
Thomas K. Montag, Co-Chief Operating Officer of Bank of America, said: "Bank of America and the Tory Burch Foundation recognize a significant opportunity to support women-owned businesses. Research shows that women entrepreneurs need better access to capital and more opportunities to develop strategic business relationships. The program will help address these issues by providing loans and mentoring to women ready to elevate their businesses."
Andrew Plepler, Global Head of Environment, Social and Governance at Bank of America, said: "Tory and team recognize that supporting women-owned businesses, both financially and through sharing expertise, can have a significant impact on local economies and pave the way for future generations. This program has the potential to serve as a real catalyst for advancing women's economic empowerment."
The program will launch this evening with a TBF signature event at the Bank of America Tower in New York City.
Press Release
DreamKey Partners Celebrates Groundbreaking for 18 Townhomes in Grier Heights
Today, DreamKey Partners hosted a groundbreaking event for Aveline at Orange Street, a new affordable for-sale townhome development. The townhomes will provide affordable options for first-time homebuyers and help reduce gentrification in the Grier Heights neighborhood.
As house prices continue to rise in Charlotte, we are exploring ways to create affordable solutions for homebuyers," said Julie Porter, president of DreamKey Partners. "It takes many resources like funding and partnerships to tackle a very complex societal issue, and our Aveline at Orange Street homes will help preserve homeownership opportunities for families for years to come.
With an expected completion date in summer 2024, Aveline at Orange Street will offer 1,550 square feet, three bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and a two-car garage, starting at $284,000. Target homebuyers have household incomes up to 80% of the area's median income. Additionally, qualified homebuyers can receive up to $80,000 in down payment assistance toward the purchase price and can start their homebuying journey by registering for financial education courses offered by DreamKey Partners.
Flagship Healthcare Properties, LLC's land donation and funding from the City of Charlotte Housing Trust Fund and Housing Partnership Network New Market Tax Credits support the development. Watts Leaf Architects, PA, designed the homes; Timmons Group is the civil engineer, and JCB Urban Company is the builder of the townhome community.
The Grier Heights neighborhood was founded on a rich legacy of self-sufficiency, family, education, and entrepreneurship. We want today's buyers to know they will start their homeownership journey in a community that continues to uphold these values," said Dr. Stacey Price Brown, President of Grier Heights Community Improvement Organization. "Our collaboration with DreamKey Partners aims to build homes and ensure that qualified buyers receive the resources needed for sustainable homeownership.
DreamKey Partners is a comprehensive real estate development organization that secures public and private funding for land development, acquisition, design, entitlement, and construction. DreamKey has completed $392 million in real estate investments and has provided financial education and counseling to over 40,000 people, along with $40 million in down payment assistance.
To learn more about DreamKey Partners, Aveline properties, and homeownership programs, visit dreamkeypartners.org and follow us @DreamKeyOrg.
Today, DreamKey Partners hosted a groundbreaking event for Aveline at Orange Street, a new affordable for-sale townhome development. The townhomes will provide affordable options for first-time homebuyers and help reduce gentrification in the Grier Heights neighborhood.
As house prices continue to rise in Charlotte, we are exploring ways to create affordable solutions for homebuyers," said Julie Porter, president of DreamKey Partners. "It takes many resources like funding and partnerships to tackle a very complex societal issue, and our Aveline at Orange Street homes will help preserve homeownership opportunities for families for years to come.
With an expected completion date in summer 2024, Aveline at Orange Street will offer 1,550 square feet, three bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and a two-car garage, starting at $284,000. Target homebuyers have household incomes up to 80% of the area's median income. Additionally, qualified homebuyers can receive up to $80,000 in down payment assistance toward the purchase price and can start their homebuying journey by registering for financial education courses offered by DreamKey Partners.
Flagship Healthcare Properties, LLC's land donation and funding from the City of Charlotte Housing Trust Fund and Housing Partnership Network New Market Tax Credits support the development. Watts Leaf Architects, PA, designed the homes; Timmons Group is the civil engineer, and JCB Urban Company is the builder of the townhome community.
The Grier Heights neighborhood was founded on a rich legacy of self-sufficiency, family, education, and entrepreneurship. We want today's buyers to know they will start their homeownership journey in a community that continues to uphold these values," said Dr. Stacey Price Brown, President of Grier Heights Community Improvement Organization. "Our collaboration with DreamKey Partners aims to build homes and ensure that qualified buyers receive the resources needed for sustainable homeownership.
DreamKey Partners is a comprehensive real estate development organization that secures public and private funding for land development, acquisition, design, entitlement, and construction. DreamKey has completed $392 million in real estate investments and has provided financial education and counseling to over 40,000 people, along with $40 million in down payment assistance.
To learn more about DreamKey Partners, Aveline properties, and homeownership programs, visit dreamkeypartners.org and follow us @DreamKeyOrg.
Article
A Tale of Two Cities, Tackling the Affordable Housing Crisis
This month, over 120 leaders from the Charlotte area traveled to Austin, Texas, to explore the city’s economy and learn from one another and their business, civic, and political peers. The annual trip, hosted by the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, provides local leaders with an immersive experience focused on topics such as advocacy and innovation, mobility and infrastructure, and affordability and housing.
DreamKey Partners president Julie Porter was among the attendees and had the honor of moderating a breakout panel discussion titled "Building Better Futures: Affordability." The session featured three speakers: Eric Goff, owner of Eric Winters Goff LLC, an infrastructure consulting firm; Nefertitti Jackmon, community displacement prevention officer with the City of Austin; and Terry Mitchell, president of Momark Development, a for-profit residential and mixed-use developer.
During the hour-long discussion, Julie asked questions about Austin's rapid growth over the years and how it has impacted the city’s affordability, including its effects on attracting and retaining businesses and talent. Similar to Charlotte’s recent significant growth, Austin is expanding so quickly that the city has had to revise its zoning strategies and increase efforts to develop affordable housing through a local housing bond.
Terry Mitchell explained that the only way to increase affordability and housing supply is to build upward and opt for smaller units. Vertical development uses less land, which is limited in both Austin and Charlotte, and can be supported by appropriate zoning policies. He also pointed out that smaller units are becoming more appealing to individuals and families who cannot afford Austin’s rapidly rising housing prices. He noted that many homebuyers are interested in 1,000-square-foot homes, which helps increase density and improve affordability.
Transportation in Austin remains a challenge, and Charlotte faces similar issues. Expanding light rail lines remains a primary focus, directly linked to enhancing accessibility and maintaining affordable transportation. As part of Austin’s transportation bond to grow light rail options, the city allocated $300 million to displacement-prevention efforts, including land purchases for affordable housing.
To learn more about DreamKey Partners, visit dreamkeypartners.org and follow us @DreamKeyOrg.
This month, over 120 leaders from the Charlotte area traveled to Austin, Texas, to explore the city’s economy and learn from one another and their business, civic, and political peers. The annual trip, hosted by the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, provides local leaders with an immersive experience focused on topics such as advocacy and innovation, mobility and infrastructure, and affordability and housing.
DreamKey Partners president Julie Porter was among the attendees and had the honor of moderating a breakout panel discussion titled "Building Better Futures: Affordability." The session featured three speakers: Eric Goff, owner of Eric Winters Goff LLC, an infrastructure consulting firm; Nefertitti Jackmon, community displacement prevention officer with the City of Austin; and Terry Mitchell, president of Momark Development, a for-profit residential and mixed-use developer.
During the hour-long discussion, Julie asked questions about Austin's rapid growth over the years and how it has impacted the city’s affordability, including its effects on attracting and retaining businesses and talent. Similar to Charlotte’s recent significant growth, Austin is expanding so quickly that the city has had to revise its zoning strategies and increase efforts to develop affordable housing through a local housing bond.
Terry Mitchell explained that the only way to increase affordability and housing supply is to build upward and opt for smaller units. Vertical development uses less land, which is limited in both Austin and Charlotte, and can be supported by appropriate zoning policies. He also pointed out that smaller units are becoming more appealing to individuals and families who cannot afford Austin’s rapidly rising housing prices. He noted that many homebuyers are interested in 1,000-square-foot homes, which helps increase density and improve affordability.
Transportation in Austin remains a challenge, and Charlotte faces similar issues. Expanding light rail lines remains a primary focus, directly linked to enhancing accessibility and maintaining affordable transportation. As part of Austin’s transportation bond to grow light rail options, the city allocated $300 million to displacement-prevention efforts, including land purchases for affordable housing.
To learn more about DreamKey Partners, visit dreamkeypartners.org and follow us @DreamKeyOrg.
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