Bridget Gillespie

Education

Graduated December 2020- Summa Cum Laude

Biola University, La Mirada, CA

Bachelors of Arts in Public Relations with Concentration in Nonprofit and Ministry                                                                                         

Minor in Biblical Studies

• Dean’s List 2017-2020

Experience

January 2021- Present

Equip and Empower, Costa Mesa, CA – Graphic Designer

I operate within the marketing team for Equip & Empower, designing graphics and brand guides for the Propel Women (345K followers on Instagram) and Christine Caine (1.2M followers on Instagram) social media platforms, websites, email campaigns, and events. In addition, I craft and carry out social media strategies utilizing researched trends and metrics. I also assist with overall art direction in the form of events and photoshoots.

• Volunteered from January to June of 2021 and was then hired on full-time
• Envision and create static and motion graphics for the Propel Women and Christine Caine social media platforms
• Create brand guides and research social media trends
• Collaborate effectively with team in order to creatively further the brand

June 2020- August 2020

Freedom Movement, Orange, CA – Graphic Design and Social Media Intern

Worked under the head of social media, designing high-quality graphics, contributing to social media effectiveness by leveraging algorithms, and photographing products produced by the nonprofit, seeing an overwhelmingly positive shift in the art direction as a whole.

• Designed graphics for social media platforms
• Photographed new lines of products
• Boosted back-end Instagram algorithm
• Contributed insights and ideas for art direction

May 2019- June 2020

The Student Missionary Union, La Mirada, CA – Director of Human Resources

Oversaw the hiring of student leaders for the Student Missionary Union, bridging the gap between the student body and the Student Missionary Union, as well as serving on the Board of Directors and leading all informational meetings and advising others in the hiring process.

• Oversaw the hiring of student leaders involved with the Student Missionary Union and lead all informational meetings
• Served on the Student Missionary Union Board of Directors
• Lead the Human Resources Department

October 2018- May 2019

The Student Missionary Union, La Mirada, CA – Events Coordinator

Organized events for the Student Missionary Union, acting as the liaison between outside organizations and the Student Missionary Union, as well as managing inter-departmental communications in order to bring efficiency and ease to the event planning process.

• Organized meetings and events for outside organizations connected with SMU
• Directly managed the distribution of promotional materials for events
• Managed communications with the different departments within SMU

June 2019 – July 2019

FamilyLife, Little Rock, AR – Human Resources Intern

Served as a public relations intern within the Mobilization Team in the Human Resources Department, creating a recruitment digital media strategy, crafting job descriptions, and coordinated organization-wide events.

• Created a digital media strategy
• Crafted job descriptions to attract qualified applicants
• Served on a team leading changes in organizational culture

June 2018 – August 2018

The Redlands Bowl, Redlands, CA – Communications & Marketing Intern

Provided various office support and assistance in the marketing, communications, public relations, and online presence of the local nonprofit.

• Performed various office tasks, such as answering phones and managing documents
• Managed performer relations, making sure the performers were ready and comfortable
• Advised and assisted with marketing and communications campaigns and strategies, including heading up the Bowl Family social media campaign

April 2015 – Present

Freelance Photography, Redlands, CA– Self-employed Freelance Photographer

Photographed life milestones and events, utilizing both technical and creative photography skills and saw widespread customer satisfaction.

• Photographed engagements, senior portraits, and family events
• Utilized interpersonal skills to relate with clients and create a fun and relaxed atmosphere
• Utilized the Adobe Creative Suite to achieve professional quality photography

June 2015 – August 2015, May 2018- August 2018, January 2023- Present

Law Offices of Kevin F. Gillespie, Redlands, CA– Administrative Assistant, Brand Consultant, Public Relations Consultant

Provided various office support, utilizing organizational and technical skills, seeing furtherance in the company’s organizational system and online presence.

• Currently consult for clients with Public Relations needs
• Managed the a total online rebrand
• Scanned and indexed corporate documents and client records
• Assisted with billing and banking

August 2014 – May 2017

“Wings” Yearbook, Redlands, CA– Managing Editor and Staff Member  

Acted as the managing editor for the award-winning high school yearbook “Wings”, utilizing leadership skills, photographing events, and maintaining outside communications, seeing success in the critically acclaimed final publication.

• Managing, photography, and headline editor from May 2016 to May 2017
• Wrote journalistic stories and advised on headlines
• Photographed school events and delegated assignments to other photographers

Volunteer Experience

February 2018 – September 2018

Student Orientation Services, La Mirada, CA – Leader

Cultivated a fun and educational atmosphere for new students coming into Biola University by managing positive communication with the new students and strong bonds within the Student Orientation Leader team.

• Attended weekly training seminars
• Became an available resource for new students as they transitioned into college life
• Managed strong relationships with co-leaders and the staff as a whole

Summer of 2014 and 2015

Hope of the Nations, Kigoma, Tanzania– Kids Club Leader and Teacher

Co-lead kids clubs for the street children of Sumbawanga and Mkuyou villages and participated in evangelistic outreaches and taught Bible to  at Hope of the Nations Primary School in Kigoma, seeing many blessed with the love and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

• Kids club leader
• Participated in evangelistic outreaches
• Taught Bible to second graders

April 2015

Free Wheelchair Mission, Quito, Ecuador– Photographer and Volunteer 

Provided, adjusted, and distributed free wheelchairs the disabled people of Ecuador as well as acted as the trip photographer, seeing many people being blessed with mobility for the first time.

• Trip photographer
• Provided, adjusted, and distributed free wheelchairs

Summer of 2014 and 2015

Micah House, Redlands, CA– Tutor and Teacher

Taught art and reading at to at-risk children in the Redlands community and saw improvement in reading, artistic, and social skills.

• Co-taught a Summer art class
• Tutored children one-on-one in reading
• Formed friendships with the children and the staff employed there

Skills

• Certified in the Principles of Public Relations -2020
• Microsoft Suite (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel)
• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Lightroom, Bridge, and Camera Raw)
• Photography (travel, lifestyle, sport, and event)
  • Quill and Scroll National Award 2016
  • Quill and Scroll Sweepstakes Award 2017
  • Biola University’s Nature Photography Award 2018
• Google Drive, Slides, and Docs
• WordPress