Strategic Impact Director; St. Louis, MO

Provides strategic communications and organizational systems support to mission-driven businesses, non-profits, and education institutions. 

Hayley directs Afton Partners’ communications and marketing strategy, designing internal and external communications systems and content that serve the team and amplify the work at Afton. Hayley brings classroom experience as well as a background in education policy, data and policy analysis, research, writing, brand messaging, and a philosophy that “all kids are our kids”. She’s also an Advanced Systems Thinking Facilitator credentialed through the Waters Center for Systems Thinking and applies a systems lens to every project and process. Hayley’s work spans the spectrum of designing policy platforms and developing related communications, creating and supporting the execution of comprehensive content strategy, crafting brand messaging to help organizations articulate their work, and co-creating solutions to improve internal systems that drive scaled and sustained impact.  Her current and past work includes:

• Multichannel content and marketing strategy including thought leadership articles, case studies, newsletters, LinkedIn management, case statements and donor relations materials, and internal communications to increase reach and support business development,
• A stakeholder-informed policy priority report to guide state agencies, the legislature, and early care and education advocates,
• Comprehensive messaging catalogs for non-profit organizations that elevate the brands and articulate evolving missions to a variety of audiences,
• Systems Thinking facilitation support for a regional collective impact initiative,
• Executive leadership communications (e.g., letters, speeches, and scripts) for community-based non-profits and international organization leaders,
• Designing programming and facilitating associated workshops,
• Co-designing the governance and coordination of a new regional early care and education entity, and
• Producing the literature review and co-authoring a policy brief for a successful ballot initiative.

Hayley holds a psychology degree from the University of Michigan, focusing on organizational behavior in schools and its impact on learning and motivation. She received her Master’s of Public Policy with a Graduate Certificate in Education Policy from the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth. Hayley also serves as a personal life coordinator, private chef, and chauffeur to her three increasingly busy kids. She loves traveling, food, fitness, and Michigan football.