About
As Special Advisor for Civic Initiatives at Foundation For The Carolinas, I develop and…
Articles by Tracy
-
Solid Welcomes GenerationNation as New Client Partner
Solid Welcomes GenerationNation as New Client Partner
By Tracy Russ
-
Solid Welcomes Charlotte Office of Clark Nexsen as New Client Partner
Solid Welcomes Charlotte Office of Clark Nexsen as New Client Partner
By Tracy Russ
Contributions
-
Here's how you can effectively communicate the impact and outcomes of non-profit programs to the community.
People are inspired to act, participate, connect and contribute when they see their own stories in the stories of others. Stories give visceral meaning to organizational strategies and tactical activations, providing the “why” that is at the core of many non-profit organizations’ identity, mission and purpose. Data without stories may convey invaluable information needed for credibility, reporting, decision-making, analysis, and accountability. Data integrated into structured narratives as core content together WITH stories can move people, inspire hope, and fuel sustainable change in people’s lives and in communities. Stories are the lenses that focus our attention on paths connecting us to possibilities, aspirations, and dreams made real.
-
What do you do if your startup's brand is not resonating with your audience in the gig economy?
The first, and most critical, thing to do is to seek out and listen more deeply to those in your perceived core audience. Ask with authenticity, listen with appreciation, and assess where true congruence is found, or is not, between what you hear and what you hold in your brand. That disconnect is not a failure of telling or talking TO your audience. It is rather an opportunity gap to be filled by proximity WITH your audience. Within this proximate listening are the opportunities for creating, building and nurturing stronger relationships and aligned values that should be first, most, and always palpable from the core of the brand to every aspect of your brand experience.
-
How do you tell a brand story your audience will love?
A strong brand story is one that people can see themselves in. The process of creating loved brand stories centers and prioritizes the voices of clients, customers, and end users as the first and most important narrative driver. Too often, marketing data is used as a proxy to build brand narratives that end up as perhaps brilliant product pedagogy, but land as hollow in the market and fail precisely because they are narratives engineered as tools for engaging "to" people, instead of "with" people. People sense the difference. Data is powerful and should be integrated into any process of building brand story. But listening first is the way to love in the end.
Activity
-
It's always good to hear from others about how they approach their work. Even a topic like social media--about which I'm sure more communications…
It's always good to hear from others about how they approach their work. Even a topic like social media--about which I'm sure more communications…
Liked by Tracy Russ
-
Our latest small business survey is officially out! Check it out to learn what small businesses think about the economy, their prospects, AI, and…
Our latest small business survey is officially out! Check it out to learn what small businesses think about the economy, their prospects, AI, and…
Liked by Tracy Russ
-
Only a few days left until the 8/30 closing of the grant application. Tracy Russ and team have been working hard to make sure everyone is aware…
Only a few days left until the 8/30 closing of the grant application. Tracy Russ and team have been working hard to make sure everyone is aware…
Liked by Tracy Russ
Experience
Education
-
Guilford College
-
Activities and Societies: President of Student Senate Editor-in-Chief, Guilfordian
BA, English with a Concentration in Communications.
Guilford College, a Quaker institution, provided an ideal environment to study and practice first-hand the tenets and practice of consensus building and collaborative approaches to problem-solving.
Volunteer Experience
-
Volunteer
Civic Leadership
- Present 12 years 8 months
• American Marshall Memorial Fellow, German Marshall Fund of the U.S.
• Board of Directors, Charlotte World Affairs Council Affiliates
• Board of Directors, City at Peace
• Board of Directors, Envision Charlotte
• Board of Directors, Generation Nation
• Board of Directors, Guilford College Alumni Association
• Board of Directors, The Light Factory
• Board of Directors, North Carolina Youth for Tomorrow
• Board of Directors, OnQ Productions
• Board of Advisors, PRIDE…• American Marshall Memorial Fellow, German Marshall Fund of the U.S.
• Board of Directors, Charlotte World Affairs Council Affiliates
• Board of Directors, City at Peace
• Board of Directors, Envision Charlotte
• Board of Directors, Generation Nation
• Board of Directors, Guilford College Alumni Association
• Board of Directors, The Light Factory
• Board of Directors, North Carolina Youth for Tomorrow
• Board of Directors, OnQ Productions
• Board of Advisors, PRIDE Charlotte
• Steering Committee, TEDxCharlotte
• Steering Committee, ThePPL.org
• Steering Committee, BRIEF (fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation)
• Steering Committee, Museum of the New South Affiliates
• Founding Member, Impact Fund of Foundation For the Carolinas
• Chief delegate, “Listening to the City”
• Community Builder, Skirt Magazine
• Charlotte Chamber Mover & Shaker
• Charlotte Creative Catalysts
• Charlotte Chamber Leadership Development Program
• Social Equity Award, Sustain Charlotte
• Charlotte Chamber Involvement Forum Steering Committee
More activity by Tracy
-
We are thrilled to share that our son Saul has graduated from Navy Officer Candidate School under beautiful skies! As a new ensign, he will soon be…
We are thrilled to share that our son Saul has graduated from Navy Officer Candidate School under beautiful skies! As a new ensign, he will soon be…
Liked by Tracy Russ
-
We've got two great groups coming together this Fall! Thanks Armstrong McGuire & Associates for being such a champion for leadership development in…
We've got two great groups coming together this Fall! Thanks Armstrong McGuire & Associates for being such a champion for leadership development in…
Liked by Tracy Russ
Other similar profiles
Explore collaborative articles
We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.
Explore MoreOthers named Tracy Russ in United States
-
Tracy Russ
Communications and marketing professional who builds behavior change programs, co-powering with target audiences for better outcomes.
-
Tracy Russ, E.A.
Owner of Russ & Associates Accounting and Tax Services.
-
Tracy Russ
Program Manager at Solutions At Work -- a nonprofit serving the Greater Boston area
-
Tracy Russ
Operations Manager at Beverly Services
17 others named Tracy Russ in United States are on LinkedIn
See others named Tracy Russ