Marketing & Communications Leader | Brand Growth, Digital Strategy & Public Relations | Integrated Marketing, Sponsorship Development & Event Management

Strategic marketing executive with 20+ years building marketing functions from the ground up and leading integrated brand, digital, and public relations strategy across healthcare, real estate, energy, and B2B organizations. Proven track record developing brand identity and positioning, leading crisis and executive communications, driving demand generation through digital and paid media, and growing sponsorship and event programs that scale from local to national. Skilled at recruiting, building, and leading high-performing marketing teams from the ground up — growing departments from a single marketer to five specialists in under a year — while coaching, mentoring, and developing team members into stronger contributors. Equally experienced managing external partners, including PR agencies, creative and web development firms, and freelance photographers and videographers, holding every partner accountable to measurable results. Comfortable managing multimillion-dollar budgets and partnering directly with owners, founders, and executive leadership to turn marketing strategy into measurable business growth. Adept at applying a strong marketing foundation to new industries quickly and building trust with cross-functional teams.

Team Leadership & Partnership

Throughout my career, I've built marketing organizations rather than just run them.

Grew marketing departments from the ground up — at Burkentine Real Estate Group, I built a team from 1 to 5 in under a year, hiring a Senior Creative Design Manager, PR Manager, Marketing Coordinator, Social Media Coordinator, and Content Creator. I did the same at CVCA Cardiac Care for Pets, mobilizing a network of internal marketing staff and 14 part-time Brand Ambassadors across 14 locations.
Coached and developed people, not just managed headcount — establishing clear roles, priorities, and performance expectations, and holding regular check-ins with team members and location staff to prioritize where support was needed most.
Directly supervised specialized roles, including a PR Manager at Burkentine, co-developing PR strategy and managing media relationships together.
Managed external partners with the same rigor as internal teams — PR agencies, creative and web development firms, freelance photographers and videographers — setting clear KPIs and holding every partner accountable. One PR agency partnership exceeded its goals within four months, achieving 113% of media coverage targets and 139% growth in coverage views.
Partnered directly with ownership and executive leadership — reporting to CEOs, founders, COOs, CFOs, and Boards of Directors throughout my career, translating marketing strategy into business outcomes at the leadership table.

Denise Kessler | Marketing Executive

Mobile: 703-606-0062

Email: dmkessler1@gmail.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/denise-kessler/

Team Leadership & Partnership

Throughout my career, I've built marketing organizations rather than just run them.

Coached and developed people, not just managed headcount — establishing clear roles, priorities, and performance expectations, and holding regular check-ins with team members and location staff to prioritize where support was needed most.

Directly supervised specialized roles, including a PR Manager at Burkentine, co-developing PR strategy and managing media relationships together.

Partnered directly with ownership and executive leadership — reporting to CEOs, founders, COOs, CFOs, and Boards of Directors throughout my career, translating marketing strategy into business outcomes at the leadership table.

Team Leadership & Partnership

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Throughout my career, I've built marketing organizations rather than just run them.

Coached and developed people, not just managed headcount — establishing clear roles, priorities, and performance expectations, and holding regular check-ins with team members and location staff to prioritize where support was needed most.

Directly supervised specialized roles, including a PR Manager at Burkentine, co-developing PR strategy and managing media relationships together.

Partnered directly with ownership and executive leadership — reporting to CEOs, founders, COOs, CFOs, and Boards of Directors throughout my career, translating marketing strategy into business outcomes at the leadership table.