LAUREN VALDES

BRAND  •  COMMUNICATIONS  •  PR  •  EVENTS  •  COMMUNITY

Newport Beach, CA   •   +1 (626) 437-2881   •   laurenmvaldes@gmail.com   •   lauren-valdes.com   •   Instagram: @laurenmvaldes (98K)

SUMMARY

Brand and communications leader with 10+ years building consumer-facing brands through integrated marketing, PR, experiential, and community-led growth. Proven across launching brands from scratch, scaling social channels 1,000%+, securing earned media reaching 17M+ impressions, producing events for 1,000+ attendees, and converting engaged audiences into revenue through ambassador, influencer, and advocacy programs. Brings a creator perspective with a 98K personal Instagram following — and pairs sharp storytelling with operational rigor to deliver brand love and measurable business impact.

CORE SKILLS

Brand Strategy & Positioning  •  Public Relations & Earned Media  •  Integrated Communications  •  Experiential Marketing & Event Production  •  Influencer & Partnership Marketing  •  Community & Ambassador Programs  •  Content & Social Media Strategy  •  Go-to-Market Strategy  •  Cross-Functional Leadership

EXPERIENCE

Think+ (Energywell)    Energy Tech  •  Nationwide Independent Advisor Network

Director of Community Engagement     Apr 2025 – Feb 2026

·       Owned community, experience, and loyalty strategy for a nationwide network of independent advisors — driving retention, engagement, and field performance.

·       Produced 7+ large-scale events per year end-to-end — 2 international incentive trips, an annual convention, 2 leadership retreats, and 2 golf tournaments — for audiences up to 2,000+ attendees.

·       Managed annual event portfolio budget exceeding $1M with full P&L accountability — sourcing vendors, negotiating contracts, and owning on-site execution.

·       Designed and marketed incentive programs that drove customer acquisition and advisor activation across the field network.

·       Partnered with executive leadership to align community initiatives with company-wide growth strategy.

Marketing Director     Jul 2023 – Jun 2025

·       Led integrated brand, partnerships, and experiential marketing strategy across the organization.

·       Owned brand positioning, messaging, and go-to-market execution for new product and program launches.

·       Built event marketing strategies tied to company-wide campaigns, promotions, and field incentives.

·       Aligned marketing with sales and field performance to drive acquisition and engagement.

·       Directed cross-functional teams (creative, social, ops, sales) to deliver cohesive execution.

Social Media Manager     Jan 2023 – Jul 2023

·       Built the company's social media strategy from the ground up — voice, platform positioning, and content pillars.

·       Developed content tied to brand campaigns, events, and community initiatives.

·       Drove audience growth and engagement through strategic, data-informed content.

The Paddock Riding Club    Equestrian Lifestyle Venue

Director of Marketing & Events  (Contract)     Jan 2023 – Present

·       Lead brand, marketing, and event strategy for a lifestyle equestrian venue — full ownership of positioning, content, and experience.

·       Own content and social strategy, strengthening visibility within a lifestyle/luxury consumer category.

·       Plan and execute private events, brand activations, and partnerships that drive client acquisition.

·       Develop brand messaging and creative direction aligned with growth goals.

HJ-PR    Consumer Brand PR & Influencer Agency

Director of PR, Influencer Marketing & Social Media     Oct 2021 – Feb 2023

·       Led PR, influencer, and social strategy for a portfolio of consumer brands — including Russian Standard Vodka, Gancia, 2(X)ist, VFC, Sprayground, Slick Gorilla, Essano, and Re.Milia Hair — owning brand narrative, media relations, and integrated comms.

·       Generated 17M+ impressions and $50K+ in direct revenue through influencer campaigns.

·       Secured earned media placements averaging 1M+ views per client across lifestyle, beverage, beauty, fashion, and consumer press.

·       Managed full campaign execution — pitching, talent, contracts, deliverables, and reporting — to maximize ROI for each client.

Griddy    High-Growth Consumer Energy Brand

Marketing Director, Social Media & Content     Jan 2020 – Mar 2021

·       Led brand, content, and social strategy for a high-growth direct-to-consumer brand.

·       Grew social channels: Instagram +1,186%, Facebook +153%, Twitter +162% through brand-led content and community engagement.

·       Built a 1,300-member advocacy program generating $1.48M+ in attributed value and 457K+ impressions.

·       Led media relations strategy, securing placements across digital and broadcast channels.

·       Supported product launches (Griddy 2.0, referral program) with integrated content, comms, and campaigns.

Content & Social Media Manager     Sep 2018 – Jan 2020

·       Owned content strategy and production across all platforms — defining and evolving brand voice in a competitive DTC category.

·       Drove audience growth and engagement through brand-led storytelling and platform-native content.

·       Built the foundation for Griddy's advocacy and content programs that scaled in the Director role.

This Bar Saves Lives    Mission-Driven CPG Snack Brand

Consumer Engagement & Experience Manager     Sep 2017 – Mar 2018

·       Owned customer experience and subscription operations for a mission-driven snack brand (every bar sold funds life-saving food for a child in need).

·       Led Shopify-based e-commerce updates to improve product discovery and the customer journey.

·       Partnered with sales and marketing on product sampling, campaign execution, and wholesale operations.

The Lippin Group    Entertainment PR Agency

Executive Assistant     Nov 2016 – Apr 2017

·       Supported PR campaigns and media outreach for major entertainment clients — Twentieth Century Fox, Warner Bros., Cartoon Network, and EPIX.

·       Assisted in planning and on-site execution of NAMM trade shows (winter and summer).

·       Built media lists, drafted press materials, and supported press outreach across studio and network campaigns.

EDUCATION

Loyola Marymount University  —  Bachelor of Arts, Communications & Fine Arts  •  Minor in Journalism & Public Relations     2012 – 2016

Earlier experience includes internships at LVMH (Givenchy), E! News, and PBS SoCal.

LEADERSHIP & COMMUNITY

Motivational Speaker & Advocate     2009 – Present

Speaker at schools, conferences, and galas — leading advocacy and fundraising initiatives in support of Children's Hospital Los Angeles and partner nonprofits, including $150K+ raised in a single year.

Board Member  •  Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times     2022 – 2025

Planned and led fundraising events supporting the camp's programs for children with cancer and chronic illness.