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

 Kimberley has 35 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, helping grow the national nonprofit KABOOM!. She proudly and warmly served 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 and Woods Fund Chicago, and a charter member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women's Chicago Metropolitan chapter. In her spare time, she loves to dance (Zumba, House music, line dances, etc.) and mentor burgeoning entrepreneurs and early career professionals. 

 Senior Engagement Specialist | Alan leads public engagement, community outreach and public affairs assignments. His portfolio of projects includes long-range planning and land-use initiatives across metropolitan Chicago. He has a decade of experience as a public servant, planner and community advocate, and previously worked 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. Alan is a 2024 Publicity Club of Chicago "30 under 30" honoree for distinguished individual achievement in public relations who also is an avid cyclist working to help Chicago become a safer, more walkable city. 

 Account Supervisor | Brandon Patterson has nearly a decade of strategic communications experience, including stints as a journalist, a congressional press secretary, and a non-profit communications manager. He has led communications and community engagement strategies for grassroots organizing campaigns, mainly around housing justice. He holds a master's in urban planning and policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He also is a proud graduate of Howard University and Chicago’s Whitney Young High School, and is a lifelong resident of the city’s South Shore community.  

 Engagement Specialist | David joined Rudd Resources in June 2024, having worked in outreach and casework management for housing access and affordability in Chicago. He holds an undergraduate degree in sociology and urban studies. 

 Director and Senior Counselor | Jelani is a seasoned communicator with experience in message development, advocacy, engagement and digital content.  Prior to Rudd Resources, he co-founded and managed The Citizen Group, a Chicago-based consultancy that worked nationally with universities, nonprofits and government bodies to use communications strategies to change and improve systems for serving people. He also held leadership positions with the Chicago Public Schools and the Mikva Challenge. He holds a master's degree in social work from the University of Chicago Crown School of Social Work. When he's not at work, he spends time acting in local productions and commercials, making music and improving his crochet game.

 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 she released her first children's book in 2023. 

 Senior Manager, Digital & Content  | 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. 

 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's also the owner of Dark Bodies Pottery, a small-batch ceramic business.   

Account Executive | "Sam" is a writer and project manager with special interests in transportation and community building. Her career experience includes content writing, copywriting and copy editing for marketing teams. A Phoenix native, she appreciates Chicago's many neighborhoods and parks. Sam graduated from Arizona State University in 2017 with concurrent bachelor’s degrees in English (Literature) and Communication. She is a 2024 Publicity Club of Chicago "30 under 30" honoree for distinguished individual achievement in public relations.

 Senior Content Specialist | Simon is a videographer, photographer and writer at the agency who has produced and edited dozens of videos for clients' use at galas, on website and social media platforms, as public service announcements and on corporate office screens. His work has earned a Publicity Club of Chicago Silver Trumpet and he is a 2024 Publicity Club of Chicago "30 under 30" honoree for distinguished individual achievement in public relations. Simon earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from Columbia College in Chicago, and he has worked on local TV productions. He also is a proud graduate of Jackson State University, and he played in JSU 's "Sonic Boom" marching band.  

We have a set of go-to partners who support our work. These include: designers Lisa Cain Design,  Art On The Loose and Catherine Lange Creative Services; and videographers Rachel Ruttle and Epilog Media Design Group.