Description

The word “district” doesn’t usually conjure up warm, fuzzy feelings – rather the opposite usually. In such a divisive time, being seen as a faceless, nameless bureaucracy makes our school districts an easy focus for community frustration. Even in a large district like Fresno Unified, I know that we aren’t just a faceless, nameless bureaucracy and I’m sure your district is not either. Instead our districts are made up of staff who have dedicated their lives to bettering our communities, of students who have big, beautiful dreams for their futures, and of families that want the absolute best for their children. Join this session to learn actionable communication strategies you can implement today to humanize your district and build ambassadors of your students, staff, families, and community. About the Presenter Nikki Henry is the Chief Communications Officer for Fresno Unified School District serving over 70,000 students and over 10,000 employees. Nikki led Fresno Unified’s strategic planning process developing a new district vision, mission, values, and goals based on the voices of over 66,000 constituents and has worked diligently to build a proactive and strategic communications culture over one controlled by reactivity and crisis. Nikki’s goals are to humanize the district, or as she calls it “The Fresno Unified Family”, and to build students’, families’ and the community’s confidence and pride in Fresno Unified and the Fresno community. Nikki is a mom to her beautiful toddler girl, Betty Mae, wife to her firefighter husband, and a strong advocate for building authentic, supportive, and diverse leaders.