Writer | Editor | Strategist | Humanist
References
From Colleagues at Lumen Technologies
I worked at Lumen from April 2020 to 2023
Jason Lish
Chief Security Officer
Jason was my internal "client."
Nov. 11, 2023 -- It was a pleasure partnering with Suzanne on security communications and public relations. She is very knowledgeable and has a great knack for translating technical jargon to consumable information for any audience. I would recommend her to any organization, especially those that are very active in external security campaigns and marketing.
Martin Nystrom
VP, Security Products and Black Lotus Labs
Martin was my internal "client."
Dec. 2, 2023 -- I had the pleasure of working with Suzanne Kernes Dawe, who developed a strong understanding of our Black Lotus Labs threat intelligence capabilities, security offers, features, and progress. Suzanne was a reliable communicator, effectively connecting us with the press to share our story and developments. She was always on pace with the urgent turnaround needed for our blog postings and regular application security reports published quarterly. Suzanne’s dedication and expertise were invaluable to our team, and I highly recommend her for any future endeavors.
Kaitlin McIntyre
Senior Manager, Security Product Marketing
Kaitlin was my partner in Marketing. We worked closely every day.
Nov. 20, 2023 -- Suzanne is one of the most professional and thoughtful people that I've had the opportunity to work with. She is dedicated to helping out teammates when ever they need it. I can honestly say that she has challenged me and raised the level of my own work to a much higher standard. She is one of the key members from outside my own department that I encouraged my team to rely on so they could all get the benefit of her expertise. She is constantly working to expand her knowledge and will strive to continue evolving her skills. Suzanne does a great job of staying on top of cybersecurity trends and sharing that knowledge with her coworkers. When you work with Suzanne you can be assured you'll get a well research, high-quality and thoughtful output. Any team would be lucky to have her.
Stephanie Meisse
DIrector, Corporate Communications
Steph was my supervisor.
Nov. 10. 2011 -- I have worked alongside Suzanne in the corporate communications organization at Lumen for many years. Suzanne possesses a unique blend of technical understanding and communication prowess, making her an invaluable asset to our team. She has consistently showcased her expertise in promoting Lumen’s security threat intelligence and security products. What sets Suzanne apart is her ability to translate complex security concepts into clear, engaging narratives that resonate with diverse audiences. Whether she's crafting press releases, developing strategic communication plans, or managing social media campaigns, her content is always insightful, relevant, and impactful. Suzanne’s contributions have been instrumental in elevating our brand's reputation in the cybersecurity space. Her campaigns have not only increased our visibility but have also played a critical role in educating our customers and the broader community about important security issues and trends. Beyond her professional capabilities, Suzanne is a joy to work with. Her positive attitude, collaborative spirit, and willingness to go the extra mile make her a standout team member. She has my highest recommendation for anyone seeking a talented and dedicated corporate communications professional, especially in the technology and security sectors.
Darren Wolner
Senior Director, SASE Product Management
Darren was my internal "client."
Nov. 11, 2023 -- Suzanne is an exceptional PR Strategy Manager for Lumen's SASE Solutions, Security, and Threat Intelligence team. She is an expert in the art and science of communications, consistently delivering impactful results that resonate with our audience. Suzanne's mastery in understanding audience needs has been instrumental in crafting and delivering messages that hit the mark every time. Through her strategic approach, she ensures that Lumen convey's the right messages to the right people at the right time, utilizing the most effective media channels. Her ability to blend creativity with strategic precision sets her apart as a true leader in her field. I had the privilege of working closely with Suzanne, who not only supported me but also played a crucial role in training me to excel in media relations and interviews promoting Lumen's SASE solutions. Her guidance and mentorship have been invaluable in shaping my approach to effectively represent our messaging. Time and time again, Suzanne has demonstrated her ability to raise awareness and effect behavior change. Her strategic initiatives have consistently garnered media attention and recognition, contributing significantly to the success of our innovative products and experiences for our customers. Suzanne's fantastic contributions have played a pivotal role in launching and gaining media attention for Lumen's groundbreaking products. Her dedication to excellence and her impact on our team and the broader organization have been nothing short of outstanding. I would wholeheartedly recommend Suzanne for any role that demands a PR strategist with a blend of creativity, strategic acumen, and a deep understanding of audience dynamics. Her contributions have been transformative, and I am confident in her continued success and impact.
Linda Johnson
Director, Corporate Communications
Linda and I were on the same team. She was senior to me.
Nov. 20, 2023 -- Suzanne is a talented writer, editor, grammarian, media relations person and PR strategist. She particularly excels at developing strong relationships with key reporters covering the tech industry and delivering tier 1 media coverage of her clients. She is incredibly smart and savvy, with a great ability to translate complex cybersecurity topics into headlines and pitches that grab readers’ attention and resonate with target audiences. She’s also a fantastic person, colleague and teammate who brings a lot of energy and enthusiasm to her work and always volunteers to help. I will miss working with her and recommend her most highly for any PR or communications role that interests her.
Emily Taylor
Senior Manager, Social Media
Emily and I were peers in different groups within the communications team.
Nov. 13, 2023-- I had the pleasure of working with Suzanne on the corporate communications team of a Fortune-200 technology company for several years. Suzanne consistently leads with great attention to detail, personalized guidance for executives, and confidence in her communication strategies. Any public relations agencies or departments would be lucky to have Suzanne on their side, especially within cybersecurity.
From Coalfire Systems
Larry Jones
Chief Executive Officer, Coalfire Systems (retired)
Suzanne is a very talented communications expert. She worked closely with me at Coalfire in establishing an employee communications program. Her prior experience at TeleTech and MWH was invaluable in helping us create a very effective program. Suzanne was collaborative and able to work across all departments in the company. In addition, her writing and communications skills are excellent as well as her ability to work across all types of media (social, email, executive presentations, newsletters, brochures and events). I would highly recommend her as a consult or full-time employee.
From Contracting Clients and Volunteer Work
Christopher M.A. Lujan, Esq.
Attorney at Law, Founder of Empower Law Denver
After 17 years of government service, I decided to open my own legal practice, and I knew I would need a website and messaging that would set my practice apart from other, more established law firms. With over 40,000 attorneys in Colorado, I needed a message that would generate interest, and ultimately clients, in my practice. Suzanne Dawe was recommended to me as a skilled communications practitioner who could help me craft a distinguished message and an effective website. The information I had on Suzanne was that she is responsive, accessible, creative, and accomplished. Within 60 days, Suzanne created an effective marketing message and a website that sets me apart from my competitors. I know this because I receive frequent compliments on my website. Starting a new business with limited funds means you have to be extremely selective in the services you choose, and a website and marketing can easily turn into a project where you throw money down a black hole. Suzanne was great to work with because not only was she responsive to my input and questions, she was also mindful of my limited budget. Rather than trying to sell me on bells and whistles I didn’t need, Suzanne listened attentively to what I needed and she delivered—both under budget and on time. I am blessed to have a bustling legal practice just 6 months after I opened my doors, and the money I spent on Suzanne’s duties was money well spent.
Kim Phillips
Founder, Denver Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk
It is with great pleasure that I provide this strong and heartfelt recommendation for Suzanne Dawe. When I founded Denver's Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk, I turned to Suzanne for assistance in generating media coverage, and in a matter of days she wrote the materials and reached out to the media. The next thing I knew I was being interviewed on Denver's ABC affiliate, which also covered the event live! Because of Suzanne's efforts, our total attendance and funds raised were more than double the original goals, and the Denver walk is now the 5th largest in the country! I knew it would be difficult to generate media coverage for a small, start-up charity event, but Suzanne made it seem effortless. And to top it off, she did it all on a pro-bono basis, which is a testament to the kind of person she is. I am certain that Suzanne will be a tremendous asset to anyone who is lucky enough to have her on the team.
Elizabeth Johnston
Owner, LizzardBrands
I had the pleasure of working with Suzanne on a prestigious book project (Body & Soul, A Partnership of Architecture and Academics at the University of Colorado Boulder) as an editor and copywriter. Being a book editor is a daunting task, and she had the talent, dedication, and patience to see the project through from its first concept stages to the final printer’s proofs. Suzanne turned a documentary into a splendid story. Her art direction and opinions were invaluable to me as the designer and project manager. Likewise, I got involved in the copy and she never said “ouch” when I inadvertently stepped on her toes. Suzanne has a breadth of talent, a critical eye, and vast knowledge of marketing, editing, and writing. In fact, Suzanne taught this old designer a thing or two about English and writing just for good measure. Because of Suzanne’s drive and outstanding skills, this book is wildly successful—and they are flying off the shelves! I would be honored to work with Suzanne again, and I highly recommend her to anyone who wants the best of the best (including her wicked sense of humor—something every team needs to keep sane in this chaotic business).
Roger Lipker
Communications Professor, Colorado State University
Suzanne is a wealth of talent. As student of mine in all undergraduate and graduate journalism classes I taught at Colorado State University, she excelled as a writer and strategist. She's a team player but can work well just as well individually without much direction. After her graduation and throughout her career she has volunteered her time to visit my classes and share her experiences. Her visits have always been a highlight of the semester, especially for the seniors beginning their job search. She has served as a mentor for several of them over the years. Suzanne understands and appreciates the importance of good two-way communication in the workplace, having become quite an expert at internal communications over the years. I heartily recommend Suzanne's skills to anyone, from the small entrepreneur to the global enterprise. You won't be disappointed.
From Other Managers and Teammates
Tia Hutton
VP of Business Development, CH2M HILL
Suzanne is a very versatile communications professional whose demonstrated strengths include communications planning, public relations, and message development. She is a conscientious team player who inspires others with her creative energy, dedication and love of her work. A great pleasure to work with, I would jump at the chance to have Suzanne on my team again.
Jo Solonika
Former Senior Director, Employee Communications, Teletech
Suzanne is a passionate and talented marketing and corporate communication professional. While working on my team, her greatest talents were creating smart, creative, and effective materials that brought strategies to life. Suzanne is dedicated to quality and effectiveness in all her work and the best possible outcome for her customers.
Jessie Claros
DIrector, Globals Benefits, Teletech
When I was TeleTech’s director of benefits, and Suzanne was responsible for all my communication needs on a global scale. She has demonstrated a deep and clear understanding of communication strategy and tactics, and her passion for employee communications shines through in the high-quality work she produces on a daily basis.
She’s a trusted leader and strategist, and I am confident in Suzanne because I know that when I ask for help, she not only gets the project done – she does it very well. I’ve seen her work first-hand, and am pleased to serve as a professional reference.
DelShaun Gamble
Communications Manager, MWH
Suzanne is an outstanding communications professional that has the seasoned experience to handle any communications challenge. She has the technical know-how, project management and supervisory skills that will be a valued asset to any company. Having worked with Suzanne for over a year, I was constantly impressed with her ability to communicate information. After working with her on a variety of projects, Suzanne always brought a professional attitude, demeanor and zeal to her projects. I would endorse Suzanne for any position.
DelShaun Gamble
Sr. Marketing Communications Coordinator, WSP | ParsonsBrinckerhoff
Suzanne is an outstanding communications professional with the seasoned experience to handle any communications challenge. She has the technical know-how, and the project management and supervisory skills that will be a valued asset to any company. Having worked with Suzanne for over a year, I was constantly impressed with her ability to communicate information. After working with her on a variety of projects, Suzanne always brought a professional attitude, demeanor and zeal to her projects. I would enthusiastically endorse Suzanne for any position.
DelShaun was on my team at MWH