Hi OpenOakland!

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We’re Deirdre Hirschtritt and M.C. Abbott. You may have met us. Well – or more likely – you’ve probably met Deirdre (corkscrew curls), but maybe not M.C. (ginger) since she’s relatively new. We want to serve you as your Communications Co-Leads and we think we have the vision and experience to do it well. Here’s why.

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We have the Vision.

1. Engage the greater Oakland community. �Collaboration. Co-creation. The public-facing storytelling that makes it all possible. New website. New ways of speaking. A strong public-facing diversity and inclusion statement.

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• Improve efficiency. �Regular and consistent internal communication. Partnering with OO’s Community Organizer to redesign onboarding communication. Clear systems for tracking and communicating about projects.

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• Strengthen our community of practice. �Event and resource roundups to engage and strengthen our practice. Celebrating our wins. Collectively learning from our mistakes.

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We have the Experience.

Deirdre Hirschtritt, Website + LinkedIn

Howdy! In my former lives I was an elementary school teacher, a non-profit admin, an academic librarian, and a Detroiter. Now, I’m an UX Researcher by weekday and an aspiring backpacker by weekend. All of this requires a huge amount of communication and organization, skills I’d happily bring to the role of communications co-lead. I’ve fallen in love with Oakland and am itching to work more closely with the community that’s welcomed me so warmly. Other stuff you might want to know about me: I’m obsessed with web accessibility, clear and effective communication, ceramics, and puppies (DM me for my favorite Twitter and Instagram accounts).

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M.C. Abbott, Website + LinkedIn

I’ve worked in event production, operations, project management, strategy, copywriting, design management, retail, childcare – even sports journalism for a minute. The main nugget I’d like you to know is this: I care deeply about process, culture, and equity, and I bring these values with me in everything I do. I’m borderline obsessed with organizational systems that improve efficiency, but never at the cost of collaboration and impact. Plus, I love the city of Oakland, my home of six years. I’m currently pursuing an MBA in Design Strategy from California College of the Arts where I lead initiatives (program re-brand, lunch + learns, design strategy conference) similar to the ones I’d take on as your communications co-lead, building culture inside and identity outside.

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And, we love Oakland.

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Have Questions?

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Or disagree with our Oakland spots? DM us in Slack. We’d love to chat.�

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@Deirdre @MC

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