Influential Woman · Non profit

Kim McDonnell

Director of Strategic Communications and Outreach, County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania

Harrisburg, PA

Her Story

About Kim

I am the Director of Strategic Communication and Outreach for a non-profit organization that represents county commissioners across all 67 counties throughout Pennsylvania. I've been in this role since August 2023, heading into my third year. This was a great opportunity for me to go on to a new path after being in the corporate world all my life. I'm responsible for all outward communications to our members, including newsletters, social media feeds, and our quarterly magazine County News, which came under me as of last month. I'm involved in our three annual conferences where we bring commissioners together for education and breakouts, and I help promote what's happening to our members. I'm in charge of website content, just redid our brand standards, created a new email tool through our CMS, and we're currently in the process of totally redesigning our website. I work with the technology folks on website improvements and touch almost everything that has to do with communications, working with pretty much all the teams in some aspect of handling their communications needs. Before this, I was in a communications role for a company that handled everything in food and drink brought into travel centers throughout the country. My role there was to elevate the driver community, where our customers were truck drivers. I grew our pro driver council to 25 individuals who were our eyes and ears on the road. I wrote newsletters, attended trucking events and shows, and got the word out about our products, including our proprietary brand called RoadPro. I did a lot of video production and created a video segment called Road Pro Joe, where we did videos on how to utilize our products. During COVID, when we couldn't be out in the trucking community, we did virtual things like a virtual concert where truck driver musicians came together for a Christmas concert for drivers who had to be out there as essential workers.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Kim

01What do you attribute your success to?

I think what I'm most proud of in my career is that I've had a lot of people that I've worked with tell me that they are where they're at because of my encouragement or my mentorship. It's not necessarily anything to do with me, really, but when they tell me I helped them move forward, that I encouraged them to move into their current career path, that I told them they can do it - that's what I'm most proud of. I try to make them the star. I just want to encourage other people to grow.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

I was always told to take a step back when there's a challenge or something that happens. Don't get upset. Take a step back, think about it, sleep on it, wait 24 hours, and then figure out where you're gonna go. Sometimes you don't have 24 hours, but for the most part, before you respond, before you react, before you move forward, take time to step back and look at the big picture and figure out how to solve the problem. Don't have that knee-jerk reaction. Take the time to step back, think about it, sleep on it, whatever you have. Even if it's responding to a communication, give it some time before you react.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I guess don't give up, and even if someone tells you you can't, you can. Always remember you are more capable than you think you are. I think always try to look at that perspective - okay, I'm in this situation right now, but what can I do to get to where I want to be? What are the tools I need? What can I do? Never stop learning. That's a really big one. I'm in my 60s and I am still learning stuff. I'm not afraid to take on a challenge. And especially now, it's so much different than it was when I started out. There's so many resources and tools online that you can use and find helpful videos and stuff, so probably never stop learning. When someone tells you no, don't take that as your answer, necessarily. Look for your opportunities all the time. Look for those opportunities.

04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

I think honesty is a big one, and communication and listening. Listening is very, very important. I feel too many people around the table want to talk and not listen. And the amazing thing about listening is I am hearing impaired, so sometimes it's very hard for me to hear people, but I try to listen. I think that's important. And be clear and concise on your communication, too. Think about your words.

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