1. Linda Beckstrom
2300 N. Leavitt St. u Chicago, IL 60647 u (773) 456-2342 u lindajbex@gmail.com
Career Summary _____________________________________________________________________
Highly creative communications expert with over twenty-five years of experience tailoring and driving home key
messages to targeted audiences. A master of collaboration with a talent for bringing people together. Writer who
has worked in a multitude of formats with a wide range of clients, including CEOs, CMOs, and other upper level
executives. Deep experience with activist causes and a strong sense of social justice. Flexible and easy to work with,
excellent sense of humor.
Core Competencies ___________________________________________________________________
u Creative Director
u Expert Communicator
u Film and Video Production
u Script Development
u Speech Writing
u Experienced Presenter
u Highly Organized
u Media Savvy
Professional Experience _______________________________________________________________
WRITING/COMMUNICATIONS
u Strategy and content development for corporate communications at the executive and middle-management
levels, including annual reports, divisional e-newsletters and web pages, sales meeting content, and product
launch theme and messaging development
u Speech writing, speech coaching, and strategic content development for live events, meetings and presentations
for a wide variety of corporate clients, as well as not-for-profit organizations
u Branding and message development for a diverse range of corporate clients, ranging from pharmaceuticals to
food service to the spirits industry
u Responsible for co-development and communication strategies for value proposition briefs and value added
organizational positioning
u Media planning and tool kit development for corporate clients, as well as not-for-profit organizations, including
press releases, executive talking points, question and answer development, and coaching
u Leading project teams and managing roles and responsibilities to effectively define and manage goals and
objectives
u Persuasive communicator capable of building long-term relationships with clients and constituencies at varied
levels
FILM/VIDEO PRODUCTION
u Responsible for creative and content development, scripting, and editing for corporate film and video, as well
as not-for-profit organizational film and video
u Wrote and co-produced Where We Stood: Chicago’s Resistance to the U.S. War in Iraq, a documentary that
highlighted the anti-war activities leading up to the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq. This film was nominated for a
Chicago Emmy and aired on WTTW-TV and has been screened in universities and countries around the world.
u Wrote and produced a documentary focusing on the San Miguel School in the Back of the Yards
neighborhood, highlighting the value of community-based alternative middle schools in the City of Chicago.
The video is used as a fundraising tool for the school.
u Wrote and creative-directed a documentary for Near North Montessori School showcasing the school, its
teachers, programs, and students. The video is used on a regular basis to introduce new families to the school,
to recruit new students, and as a fundraising tool.

2. Linda Beckstrom
(773) 456-2342 u lindajbex@gmail.com
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
u Managed overall speech programming projects for corporate activities and clients mentioned above
u Managed content development, timelines, delivery, budgets, and de-briefing for all corporate speechwriting and
organizational communications content in projects listed above
Select Employment History ____________________________________________________________
Organic Theater Company – Chicago, IL
Director of Public Relations and Marketing, 1983-1985
Director of Development, 1985-1986
The Beckstrom Group, Inc. – Chicago, IL
Creative Media Development and Production Company
Founder and President, 1987-Present
CLIENTS:
Ameriprise, Baxter, Beam Suntory Spirits, Biogen, Cardinal Health, CDW, Ciena, Diagio Spirits, Eli
Lilly, FedEx, Genetech, HSBC, IDEXX, Jockey, Johnson Diversey, Kellogg’s, McDonald’s, Mead
Johnson Nutritional, NCAA, Novartis, Office Depot, Philips Healthcare, Roche Pharmaceuticals,
True Value Hardware, Tyson Chicken, William Grant & Sons, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals.
Education __________________________________________________________________________
BA, Mass Communications, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
MS, Telecommunications, S.I. Newhouse School of Communications, Syracuse University
Additional Experience and Activities ____________________________________________________
u Creative Writer – completed novel titled Façade, currently working on memoir
u Storyteller – participates in a variety of live storytelling events, including Louder Than a Mom, Is This a Thing,
and The Chicago Moth. Is a Moth Story Slam winner and will participate in the Moth Grandslam event in
March, 2016
u Co-Producer of the New Jazz Roots music stage, now in its sixth year at the Bucktown Arts Festival
u Works in association with the Jazz Institute of Chicago to promote jazz programing for young people, and
promote young jazz musicians for the New Jazz Roots Stage
u Co-Founded Chicago Peace Pledge and developed, coordinated and activated all media events and public
events associated with the organization and its activities, 2002 - 2007
u Co-Founded, co-produced Art Against War, a monthly spoken word/musical variety show highlighting artists
advocating peace at the Heartland Café from 2004-2006. Was project manager, talent coordinator, media
advisor and coordinator.