1. Samreen Khan
 4956 N. Lockwood, #2 ▪ Chicago, IL 60630 - 630-965-4206 ▪ samreenfatima@gmail.com
Award-winning, results-driven public relations professional. Expertise in managing project life cycles with
error-free roll-outs in public-private partnerships, working closely with federal, state, and local government
agencies and officials. Proven track record of directing multimillion dollar projects and coordinating policies
with parallel states nationwide. Highly skilled in public affairs, marketing, and policy development in
government relations.
Professional Experience:
Consultant November 2012 to Present
 Navigate through federal, state, and city procurement and grant opportunities available for health care
and IT companies resulting in public-private partnerships.
 Utilize relationships and resources to effectively create economic development initiatives working with
the US-Arab Bilateral Chamber of Commerce, the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, and economic
focused delegations from South Asia and the Middle East.
 Create communication avenues for political campaigns and target communities to deliver clear and
concise campaign messaging (federal, state, and local elections).
Illinois Office of the Governor
Senior Policy Advisor (Appointed) Nov 2009 -Oct 2012
 Effective communicator and expert in public relations.
 Served as the Governor’s Liaison to diverse communities in Illinois.
 Officially represented the Governor and spoke on his behalf at events ranging from community
to diplomatic affairs with audiences up to 2,000 people.
 Implemented project communication and governance plans to drive clear, consistent and
accurate status. Reported regularly to the Governor and senior team members. This included
writing talking points and press releases, coordinated with media, and advanced the Governor.
Prepared him for public appearances with events related to diversity, economic development,
and international affairs.
 Demonstrated strong leadership and management skills.
 Managed teams of up to 75 people on behalf of the Governor’s Office.
 Lead and coordinated projects with elected officials (state, city, and county), state agencies,
and community leaders to define project goals, deliverables, schedules, budgets, and quality
measures in alignment with the Governor’s legislative goals related to poverty reduction,
diversity, international affairs, and economic development.
 Managed the State of Illinois Poverty Commission. Developed the Commission’s goals,
directives, and recommendations with existing state programs.
 Directed a cohesive messaging strategy for the Governor during the 2012 NATO Summit in
Chicago and coordinated diplomatic meetings between the Turkish Prime Minister, the Turkish
diplomatic delegation and the Governor.
 Facilitated the passage of Senate Joint Resolution No. 72/96th General Assembly creating the
Fresh Food Fund Task Force. Worked with community stakeholders, elected officials, and state
legislative liaisons on a public-private partnership to identify and reduce food desserts in Illinois.
 Arranged and coordinated the drafting and press event of the Memorandum of Agreement
(2011) between the State of Illinois and the Ismaili Immamat, followed by an official diplomatic
meeting and signing of the Agreement between the Governor and the Agha Khan in Chicago.
 Administered the creation, passage, and implementation of the State of Illinois Asian-American
Employment Plan and Council (created under HB4510/97th General Assembly). Extensively
worked with community stakeholders and State employees to ensure inclusion and retention of
Asian-American employees.

2.  Conducted extensive research and analysis working with the State legislature, local elected officials,
community organizations, and the private sector on the creation and implementation of bills and state
programs.
 Participated in the research, analysis and selection of policy priorities for the Governor’s policy
agenda, which resulted in the Governor creating the Muslim American Advisory Council, the
Asian American Employment Plan for Illinois, identified economic development and job
creation opportunities, and enhanced state redistricting laws.
 Researched and identified foreign countries to strengthen trade relationships, working closely
with the Illinois Office of Trade and Investment, the International Consular Corps (Asia, Africa,
and Europe) and local chambers of commerce to foster economic growth in Illinois.
 Monitored and reported progress to the Deputy Governor at defined points to ensure the
projects were delivered on time providing final project assessment documents.
Senior Policy Analyst Nov 2007-2009
 Provided policy leadership, coordination, and administrative support for the development, planning,
and management to the Governor’s Office of New Americans Policy and Advocacy.
 Coordinated the New Americans Interagency Task Force (18 state agencies). Developed strategies for
state agencies to systematically address immigrant and refugee access to state services to expedite
their integration in Illinois.
 Co-authored the Phase Two New Americans Interagency Task Force Report and the Phase Two New
Americans Joint Executive Summary (available online and upon request).
 Developed and managed the New Americans Project budget of approximately $12 million.
 Managed the Economic Integration Project with Upwardly Global on the transference of skills and
professional credentialing for skilled immigrants in Illinois who are underemployed or unemployed.
 Created numerous job opportunities for immigrants across Illinois from internship placements,
job skills training programs, and full-time employment.
 Conducted research and analysis on national language access policies for a report entitled: “Best
Practices in Vital Document Translation,” presented at the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Language
Access Convening in April 2008 (Baltimore, Maryland).
 Provided leadership and coordination in the creation and implementation of Language Access
Programs across all state agencies that provided direct services (about 20 agencies).
Identified mid to senior level appointees in each agency to ensure the provision of vital
document translation and oral interpretation services available to all Illinoisans.
Education:
M.A. in International Studies Jun 2007
University of Denver
Master’s Thesis: “Understanding Primary Healthcare Education in Women: A Case Study of Karachi,
Pakistan.”
B.A. in Political Science Dec 2002
University of Illinois at Chicago
Conferences/Seminar Papers:
Khan, S, “The State of Rail in Illinois.” The GCC Transport and Railways Conference, The Ritz Carlton Doha
Doha, Qatar Oct 2011
Khan, S, “Understanding Primary Healthcare in Women: A Case Study of Karachi, Pakistan.” Second Annual
Women as Global Leaders Conference, Zayed University
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Mar 2006
*Panel organizer/supervisor for the University of Denver