Profile: Kathy McShea Erville
Owner and Founder, Emerald Strategies
I sometimes say I am a web management expert by trade and a communicator by heart. Storytelling is central, but technology also drives change.
My professional path was blazed by communication technology that constantly evolves. As tech tools move forward, I adapt alongside the changes. In the process, I’ve forged a unique and valuable skill set in strategic communications.
Here’s what motivates me…
Creating stronger communication channels
I am fueled by aspirations to:
- Build teams and capacity in organizations.
- Leverage my expertise in CX and UX systems to make multichannel communications hum.
- Deliver a bold content strategy to realize the future vision of “create once, publish everywhere”.
- Use information management to make a connection between citizens and the wealth of information produced by the government.
Organizing information
My tenure in the workforce spans 20 years as a federal employee and over 10 years as a small business owner. Throughout my career, I have helped organizations tell their stories. To me, it’s about creating stronger communication channels between public sector organizations and the people they serve.
I have made my mark in organizing enterprise-level government information across several sectors, including energy, security, and consumer finance.
This happened because I was in the right place at the right time to make a difference. My goal at every step with this body of work is to make it easier to find and use public information.
Past Performance and a Vision for the Future
My journey began as a media relations professional in politics and government, working on political campaigns, in the US Senate, and at Consumer Reports. As a result, I found myself drawn to the vast public reach of web communications. After these roles, I seized an opportunity to shift gears from nonprofits back to government.
My transition into the world of digital communications came when I was appointed Director of Consumer Information at the Department of Energy. With a mission from the Secretary to help the public understand “what DOE does for them,” I recharged consumer outreach. My focus was on reimagining both the website and contact center operations.
I savored the opportunity to share my insights with a broader audience. With this purpose in mind, I opened my own management consulting practice to continue this work. My business centered on the emerging field of web governance and benchmarking.
As the government began insourcing such positions instead of contracting them out, I returned to the civil service in 2010. At DHS, I oversaw web communications and led a vital website consolidation effort, as well as a unique cross-agency disaster recovery website.
In 2016, I joined the CFPB, where I established a knowledge management practice. My team delivers seamless customer service for the “last mile” of public outreach from our contact center, utilizing a robust knowledge base.
Whether I’m working with the media, building websites and intranets, or designing knowledge management systems, my North Star remains true. My passion is crafting messages that resonate and conversations that build trust. I hope we can explore the possibility of working together to meet your business needs.
Education
I graduated from Georgetown University in 1985 with a degree in American Government and reside in Washington, DC. My professional certifications include being a certified usability analyst by Human Factors International and an STI Certified Help Desk Manager. In addition, I also have a certificate in Project Management from the Georgetown School of Continuing Studies.
Download my resume (PDF)