Team – Spitfire Communications

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Our team of strategists and creatives are passionate about transforming communications into meaningful results. The collaborative work we do drives us to provide high-quality services and to make new clients long-term customers. We’d love to hear from you to help you get started on your communications and strategy goals.

tailored and flexible

Strategy & Consulting

Our strategic and flexible approach enables us to plan short- and long-term communication campaigns tailored to your entire workforce, key employee groups, and engagement initiatives.

Campaign Assessment
Communication Audits
Website & App Information Architecture
Audience Segmentation Surveys

User Journeys, Interface & Content Flows
Focus Groups
Communication Mapping
Impact Reports

engaged and connected

Employee Experience & Culture

Engagement creates a positive employee experience and a connected company culture. We deliver innovative, transparent multi-channel messaging that will ensure your employees are heard and feel valued.

Personalized Communications
Culture Development
Training & Development
Management Communications

Wellness Programs & Initiatives
Executive Messaging
Change Communication

enhanced communications

Employer Benefits & Branding

It’s no secret that an employer’s brand can help an organization stand out. To enhance employee communications and create an increased sense of community, we can develop and design your own unique brand.

Mission, Vision & Values
Culture Development
Employee Value Proposition (EVP)

Logos & Tag Lines
Program Branding & Identity
Theme Development

let us help you do it all and keep it up

HR Communications

From recruiting to onboarding to benefits, change management, and more, your HR team does it all. Let us handle employee-centric content creation and distribution so you can focus on retaining and motivating talent, improving employee wellbeing, and increasing productivity.

Virtual Event Platforms
Websites and Portals
Microsites and Landing Pages
Texting and Calling Communications
Email Campaigns
Mobile Apps
Custom Video and Libraries

Postcards, Mailers and Posters
Personalized Surveys and Forms
Corporate Communications and Newsletters
Multilingual Communications and Websites
PowerPoint Presentations
Social Media Content and Execution

let your employees know their value

Total Rewards
& Compensation Statements

Show your employees the value they bring to the company, as well as the investment you make in them. Our total rewards statements are customized to your company and detail each employee’s annual compensation, bonus incentives, health and wellness benefits, retirement savings, ESOPs, work/life perks, and more!

Personalized Print Statements
Personalized Secure Digital Statements and Email Distribution

Secure Download Landing Pages
Mobile App Personalized Statements

inspire team commitment

Recruitment & Career Development

It’s time to demonstrate your organization’s commitment to hiring and retaining the best. Let us keep you prepared with the communication tools and materials you need for conversations throughout the employee lifecycle.

New Hire Welcome Guides and Websites
Training Guides and Video
Recruitment Strategy

Custom Conference and Trade Show Graphics, Media, Take-aways
Program Branding & Identity

inspire team commitment

Change Management & Corporate Comms

In an urgent or shifting situation, stay in touch and keep your workforce informed. We will ensure everyone is clear about the who, what, when, where, why, and how by designing a comprehensive communication action plan that can be quickly implemented and easily understood.

Mission, Vision & Values
Culture Development
Theme Development
Logos & Tag Lines
Program Branding & Identity
Multi-Channel Team Communications

Postcards, Mailers, and Posters
Personalized Forms and Surveys
Corporate Communications and Newsletters
PowerPoint Presentations
Videos

interactive engagement for workforces on the move

Digital Media, Interactive Experiences & Gamification

In an urgent or shifting situation, stay in touch and keep your workforce informed. We will ensure everyone is clear about the who, what, when, where, why, and how by designing a comprehensive communication action plan that can be quickly implemented and easily understood.

Websites and Portals
Microsites and Landing Pages
Texting and Calling Communications
Email Blasts and Campaigns
Mobile Apps
Virtual Event Platforms
Analytics, Reporting & Tracking

Interactive Benefit Guides
Digital Postcards
Personalized Forms and Surveys
Corporate Communications and Newsletters
PowerPoint Presentations
Social Media

real people, real engagement

Personalized
& Interactive Video

In an urgent or shifting situation, stay in touch and keep your workforce informed. We will ensure everyone is clear about the who, what, when, where, why, and how by designing a comprehensive communication action plan that can be quickly implemented and easily understood.

Benefits Focused Video Library
Employee Stories
Analytics, Reporting & Tracking
Welcome Videos

Personalized Video
Interactive Input & Choices
Video Surveys
Benefit Spotlight Videos

Jessica Palazzo

President & Founder

“I am incredibly fortunate to have this team. They inspire me, make me better, and make Spitfire a very special firm to work for and with.”

Spitfire’s trademark flame was ignited by Jessica in 2008, and she continues to fuel the company’s growth today. An expert in strategic communications, employee benefits, and employer positioning, she has led new initiatives and spearheaded best practice standards for well-known small and mid-sized businesses, Fortune 500 companies, and non-profit organizations.

Jessica understands how important it is to set high quality standards and go the extra mile when building long-term relationships with clients. With the assistance of an expert team, she strives to eliminate the communication gap between dedicated employees and amazing companies. Every year, Jessica finds new ways to expand the business, create partnerships, and offer industry-specific tools and services that set Spitfire apart in the market.

Karen Scattergood

Communications Strategist

“What truly makes me proud is knowing that our work directly impacts people’s lives… it’s incredibly rewarding.”

Karen is at the forefront of many key growth initiatives that have transformed Spitfire into a market leader and continue to do so today. In addition to working with some of our most high-profile clients, she has helped launch several award-winning internal communications campaigns that have raised the bar for employee engagement.

By focusing on the moments that matter most to employees, Karen empowers our clients with the required knowledge and confidence to make meaningful changes within their organization. As a team leader, she works closely with our Account Managers to ensure we stay ahead of our clients’ needs. Karen also speaks frequently at national workplace communication conferences and panels and helps Spitfire remain an industry leader.

Sheila Eckhardt

Sr. Account Manager

“As a small company, we all wear many hats. This gives each of us insight and experience in all aspects of the job, from start to finish.”

With extensive experience as a health care and life insurance benefits specialist, Sheila knows what it takes to drive action during enrollment time. She has developed employee-centric materials for leading organizations across many industries, including several Fortune 500 companies.

Every workplace has its own uniqueness and Sheila excels at crafting communication strategies that work for a variety of demographics. It’s her specialty to customize benefit documents to suit specific employees (better than the foreign jargon-filled originals!). Known for her meticulous work ethic and no-frills approach, she has helped Spitfire build long-term partnerships with clients who trust her to get the job done. When your team needs complex communication support, Sheila can help.

Kim Conforti

Sr. Account Manager

“I love bringing a client’s vision into reality and helping them creatively put their own spin on things.”

Kim brings a unique perspective on employee benefits and how to promote them effectively, having worked both as an insurance broker and a benefits communicator. Change communications, such as benefits onboarding after mergers, plan administration and renewals, and health care reform initiatives are just a few of her areas of expertise.

Kim’s ability to translate complex benefits terminology into simple language has assisted many clients in increasing employee participation in their benefits programs. As a health and wellness advocate, she is passionate about planning action-driven communications promoting employee well-being – an area many companies request Spitfire’s help in. Taking a holistic approach to employees’ needs is a top priority for Kim.

Richelle Waron

Sr. Account Manager

“Everyone brings something different to the table. I enjoy the dynamic nature of my role and collaborating with a diverse team and clients.”

Richelle’s experience in broadcasting and advertising has influenced her ability to design informative employee benefits and total rewards communications that go far beyond the basics. She’ll help you figure out what your core message truly is, what options you have to get the impact you want, and when to take action.

Besides the satisfaction of her clients, Richelle strives to ensure the satisfaction of employees as well. With a keen eye for the numbers, she excels at identifying what’s working and what isn’t, and she’s always researching the latest communication trends to help companies attract (and retain) top talent. Richelle will find a clever way to engage your employees with interesting and informative content at the right time.

Lori Barger

Sr. Account Manager

“My clients are my number one priority and building relationships through honesty, credibility, and trust is the cherry on top.”

Lori is always ahead of the curve when it comes to internal communications, and she knows how to ask the right questions to produce the best results. With her big picture approach to benefits communication, she has helped her clients streamline materials, increase employee engagement, and elevate workplace morale.

Lori’s enthusiasm for creating lasting relationships with her clients stems from her experience in both project management and customer service. In terms of thinking through a strategy, avoiding roadblocks, and getting things done, she is one of the best, and her creative problem-solving skills have earned her clients’ nationally recognized awards. When it’s time to promote a new benefit, or communicate a major change, Lori is the person to call.

Gonmit Sehmbi

Account Manager

“Engagement starts with small, everyday interactions, not just with new initiatives or major changes.”

Having worked in both in-house and agency settings, Gonmit specializes in building employer brands through influential communications that drive action, advance best practices, and stay relevant as the organization evolves.

Gonmit’s first step towards client satisfaction is to understand what “success” means to each client. Aside from making their total rewards and benefits programs stand out, she strives to strengthen their connections with their most important audiences. She also contributes to Spitfire’s internal marketing initiatives with the same enthusiasm. Gonmit is the person you can depend on if you need help delivering your message, getting the response you desire, or even just figuring out where to begin.

Diana Stutz

Lead Designer/Developer, Video, IT Coordinator

“When creative vision and technical expertise align, the result is something truly extraordinary – there’s nothing more rewarding than surpassing expectations and what was thought to be possible.”

With a blend of technical expertise and creative vision, Diana expertly oversees a diverse range of services spanning interactive media, video production, IT coordination, animation, and web design/development. Diana strives to develop projects that are not only visually compelling but also technologically advanced.

Diana’s broad multi-tiered experience and no-nonsense approach helps our internal and client teams navigate the complex world of online communications and marketing – building and protecting their brand reputations every step of the way. Her ability to stay ahead of industry trends — whether it’s web technologies, evolving security standards, or shifting creative strategies – she works to keep services competitive and protected in an ever-changing digital landscape. While Diana is heavily involved in client projects, she still finds time to build and coordinate Spitfire’s business resiliency and IT efforts as well as strengthen security standards and reporting.

Jocelyn Herrick

Sr. Graphic Designer

“I have always been creative, and I also love solving puzzles. At its core, graphic design is about problem solving.”

Jocelyn specializes in creative development for print and digital. Her creative approach allows her to find a balance between artistically pleasing designs, the latest industry trends, and pre-press requirements that result in an impactful, high-quality design. She wants her clients’ deliverables to stand out and make a lasting first impression.

Jocelyn excels at transforming out-of-the-box ideas into innovative solutions to reimagine employee communications, elevate employer brand awareness, and enhance companies’ identities. Along with managing our highly personalized materials, she’s the lead designer behind our custom rewards statements. In Spitfire’s fast-paced environment, Jocelyn’s calm under pressure makes her a pro at managing multiple design projects – and our clients love her ability to make the message memorable.

Laura Dechaine

Sr. Graphic Designer

“Each design project has unique criteria… but there is always more than one good solution for the challenge.”

Creating meaningful connections between employers and employees is what Laura specializes in, including brand identity programs, print collateral, digital design, and environmental graphics. Using clean, sophisticated visuals, she engages and catches employee attention across a variety of industries.

Known for her skillful blend of visual arts and technical skills, Laura is a true artist by nature. Her passion for being a part of all stages of the creative process – from brainstorming to conceptualizing to production – has led her to design some of Spitfire’s most successful employee messaging initiatives. Our clients love Laura’s “let’s make it happen” attitude, which ensures all their needs are met both in terms of design and cost.

Christie Widman

Marketing & Operations Manager

“Every day is different. I get to see a variety projects that let me learn something new and apply to the next.”

It’s Christie who keeps the wheels turning at Spitfire and internal projects moving. Whether it’s a client need, design review, or brainstorming new ideas, she’s the person who oversees the inner workings of everything we do. As a team leader, she always finds new ways to boost morale and keep everyone motivated — especially when things get hectic.

When it comes to managing our day-to-day operations, Christie is proactive and efficient, and always willing to roll up her sleeves. Using her experience in retail management and employee benefit communications, she has a key role in driving Spitfire’s marketing efforts on social media, live webinars, national speaking events, and more. The success of Spitfire would not be possible without her.

Erica Trenholm

Sr. Graphic Designer

“I’m proud to work at Spitfire because everyone is friendly, approachable, and responsive. I truly believe these characteristics are what set us apart.”

Erica is a multidisciplinary designer with background in brand identity, web design, and layout. Through her professional and freelance experience, she has become a pro at integrating print and digital materials to create seamless internal communication campaigns. Cohesion and consistency are her mottos, and clients love it.

Erica’s affinity for structural design aesthetics makes her a detail-oriented creative professional. Whether you are redesigning an existing piece or starting from scratch, her modern style and progressive approach will elevate the visual impact of your communications. She is also involved in the design of Spitfire’s brand, social media, and marketing assets. With Erica’s ability to adapt to new trends and techniques effortlessly, she’ll have your audience engaged in no time.

MEET THE TEAM