Rudders are guides. So are we. Meet the PR team.

Kimberley Rudd, President & Senior counselor

Kimberley has 30 years of writing, strategic marketing and communications, and coaching experience. A skilled project manager, she is trusted to provide counsel, support and ideas to clients. She honed these skills while working at Burrell Public Relations, managing marketing and sponsorship for the Chicago Park District and, later, the national nonprofit KABOOM!, and serving customers at two brick-and-mortar retail businesses she owned and ran in Chicago. She is a board member of the Publicity Club of Chicago, a charter board member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women's Chicago Metropolitan chapter, and a fan of BeMoved(R) and Zumba(R) dance fitness.

David C. Rudd, Executive Vice President & Senior Counselor

David is a writer and senior counselor. A communications professional with journalism, corporate communications and PR agency experience, he has enjoyed tenures with: the Chicago Tribune (reporting on the business and education beats); Chicago Public Schools (serving as chief spokesperson); Illinois State Senate (handling communications for the body's minority leader); Motorola (including international projects); Weber Shandwick (on accounts that included the U.S. Army); and the University of Chicago Medicine (handling corporate and employee communications). He is a Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow, and a past board member of USA Gymnastics.

Jessica Smith Bee

Role: Vice President. A multi-faceted public relations professional, "Jess" brings more than a decade of experience in nonprofit communications, experiential marketing, advocacy building and partnership development to her role. Jess has worked for LEAP Innovations, New Schools for Chicago, Teach for America, and the global PR firm Weber Shandwick and its subsidiary, The Axis Agency. Jessica joined the agency in December 2020 and was promoted to her current role in 2022. She is a proud graduate of Northwestern University who loves curating -- then re-selling -- vintage finds from local pop-up shops.

Amelia Aldred

Role: Director of Media Relations. With a background in strategic research, writing and relationship-building, Amelia handles projects, media relations and content for Rudd Resources clients. Her work has led to successful client stories in local, statewide and national media outlets. She joined the agency in 2020 and was promoted to her current role in September 2022. Amelia enjoys volunteering with local arts organizations and serves on the advisory board of the Stories Matter Foundation. Her work was recognized with a 2021 Silver Trumpet Award from the Publicity Club of Chicago. She earned her MA from the University of Chicago and her BA from Earlham College.

Nicole Akoukou Thompson

Role: Director of Content. With a decade of writing, marketing and communications experience, Nicole is a skilled content creator who is trusted to provide guidance, creative solutions and strategies to civic, philanthropic and business leaders. She cut her professional teeth in marketing, reputation management and brand development at start-ups, periodicals and associations. She joined the agency in 2021 and was promoted to her current role in September 2022. She's also the owner of Dark Bodies Pottery, a small-batch ceramic business.

Kourtnie Nunley

Role: Senior Account Executive.

Kourtnie is a senior account executive at the agency. Passionate about digital storytelling and content creation, she has a background in mobile app development, digital community building and social media management. Before joining Rudd Resources, Kourtnie worked for Fortune 500 companies and a world leader in plant distribution. In her spare time, Kourtnie enjoys plant shopping, collecting vinyl and traveling. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Speech Communications from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUe). She is a 2022 Publicity Club of Chicago "30 under 30" honoree for distinguished individual achievement in public relations, and a 2023 IPREX Academy Fellow.

Lili Silva

Role: Account Executive. Mission-driven, Lili is a strong communicator who is passionate about intertwining digital media and authentic engagement to create great stories. With experience across popular social-media platforms and with several design and cloud-based database systems, Lili works on messaging, branding and storytelling projects. Her work helped the agency earn a 2020 Publicity Club of Chicago Silver Trumpet award. She earned her BA in public relations and advertising from DePaul University. She is a 2022 Publicity Club of Chicago "30 under 30" honoree for distinguished individual achievement in public relations.

Geo Lawrence

Role: Assistant Account Executive. Geo creates and coordinates social media content and communications research for agency clients. He began as a Summer Associate with the agency. Curious and inspired by the creative process, Geo taught himself Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. He is a graduate of Loyola University with a degree in advertising and public relations.

Sophia Simon

Role: Assistant Account Executive. A graduate of Northwestern University where she exceled in academics and civic engagement, Sophia hold a bachelor's degree in communications studies with a minor in public health. With core competencies in content development and public speaking, she handles writing, editing, social media and media relations assignments. Previously, Sophia has worked at two Chicago-based public relations agencies and a nonprofit organization. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

RAQUEL VENADO

Role: Communications Specialist. Raquel is an award-winning communications professional with experience in digital campaigns. A talented visual storyteller, she has produced several videos for agency clients, managed social and digital media projects, coordinated digital advertising campaigns and handled program documentation (photography, videography, video and sound editing). Her work has earned six Publicity Club of Chicago Silver Trumpet honors; PCC also named her a 2020 "Under 30 Rockstar" for distinguished individual achievement in public relations. She earned her television broadcast journalism degree, with a photography minor, from Columbia College.

Meghan Haynes

Role: Project Manager. Meghan coordinates and handles creative and production processes, including research, copy editing and copy writing for reports, videos and special initiatives. She has nearly 20 years of career experience in philanthropy, agency, publishing and education. A former teacher at schools on Chicago’s South and West sides, she also has served as a coordinator and consultant for education think tanks and initiatives. Meghan volunteers with several community-based organizations, and holds three degrees from Northwestern University – a master’s in Education and Social Policy and bachelor’s degrees in journalism and in sociology. Her work has been recognized by the Publicity Club of Chicago.

Simon Cotton

Role: Senior Content Specialist. Simon is a videographer, photographer and writer at the agency whose work has earned a Publicity Club of Chicago Silver Trumpet. He earned his bachelor and master degrees from Columbia College in Chicago, and has worked on local TV productions. He is a strident alumni of Jackson State University, and played in JSU 's "Sonic Boom" band clients. He joined Rudd Resources in 2021 and was promoted to his current role in January 2023.

Kimberly "Kaye Jaye" Jones

Role: Director of Operations. Kaye Jaye manages agency operations, finances and administration. She has financial, management and operational expertise, gleaned from three decades of corporate banking experience. She serves on the boards of two Chicago-based nonprofit organizations, and releases her first children's book in 2023.

Alan Oviedo

Role: Engagement Specialist. Alan Oviedo is an engagement specialist at Rudd Resources. He handles engagement, outreach and public affairs assignments. With seven years of experience as a public servant, planner and community advocate, Alan most recently served as constituent service manager for Chicago’s 48th ward, managing projects related to transportation development, youth engagement and public safety initiatives. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies, with a minor in Film, from the University of Michigan. Outside of work, Alan is an avid bike rider, and his experience as a cyclist has driven his passion to help Chicago become a safer, more walkable city. He joined Rudd Resources in July 2022.

Joy Kayode

Role: Project Manager. A graduate of the University of Chicago's Harris School of Public Policy, Joy is a native of Omaha, Nebraska and a multi-lingual communicator. She began her career with the agency as an associate and moved into her full-time role in September 2022.

Camille Lewis

Role: Agency Coordinator. Camille handles agency administration and provides content and event planning support on multiple client projects. A graduate of Colby College with a degree in English Literature and a minor in economics, Camille shines when it comes to her writing and organizing skills. She began her career as a Rudd Resources 2022 Fall Associate and was hired for her full-time role in January 2023.

Jittaun Taylor

Role: Digital Content Coordinator. Jittaun is a graphic designer who creates a variety of infographics, brand marks and other graphics for the agency's clients. A graduate of Kent State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Fashion Merchandising and a minor in Fashion Media, Jittaun began her career as a 2022 Rudd Resources Fall Associate and was hired for her full-time role in January 2023.