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, Woods Fund Chicago and 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.

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.

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.

Alexia Diamond

Role: Account Executive. Alexia Diamond is a Rudd Resource account executive who specializes in convergence multimedia with an emphasis in emerging media. She has experience working as a copywriter, pre and postproduction videographer and editor, and campaign manager. She studied Journalism at the University of Missouri-Columbia and minored in Black Studies. Alexia has provided primary and secondary research, data analytics and campaign strategies for global companies such as The Indian Express in New Delhi, India, Spotify Japan, and Buzzfeed. She also has experience working as an arts, culture and breaking news reporter for The Kansas City Star where she developed her foundational writing skills.

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 has been recognized with Silver Trumpet Awards from the Publicity Club of Chicago in 2022 and 2021. She earned her MA from the University of Chicago and her BA from Earlham College.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Joy kayode

Role: Project Manager. She is a policy-focused, multi-lingual communicator who bridges messaging and understanding between public and private sector organizations and the public to reduce communication breakdowns that divide, rather than connect, people. At Rudd Resources, she works on messaging, community and stakeholder engagement, and policy formulation and implementation projects, planning focus groups, public meetings, surveys and other means of capturing stakeholder sentiment and feedback. She earned her Masters of Public Policy (MPP) from the University of Chicago and her B.A. in International Affairs from The George Washington University.

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 released her first children's book in 2023.

Kourtnie Nunley

Role: Senior Account Executive.

With a background in mobile app development, digital community building and social media management, Kourtnie is passionate about digital storytelling and content creation. She's worked for Fortune 500 companies and a world leader in plant distribution and in her spare time enjoys plant shopping, collecting vinyl and traveling. Kourtnie 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.

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.

Samantha Perry

Role: 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 joined Rudd Resources in July 2023.

saryah harris

Role: Engagement Specialist.

Saryah is a community engagement professional with 10 years of experience in cultivating client relationships, building brand engagement, and a strong focus on planning and managing expectations. She joined Rudd Resources in June 2023 following roles in customer service, hospitality and nonprofit management. She also is the co-founder Project Hardknocks, a nonprofit organization that provides essential items and food to unhoused people in 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.

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.