Maria McHale

Director of Communications
Maria oversees the structure and strategy of the account team, cultivating success and serving clients directly.
  • Assists the firm’s partners and account team in strategy and execution.
  • Serves as account executive for several key clients.
  • Delivers marketing, public relations and visibility services, including strategic counsel, communications planning, event management and media coverage.
  • Develops innovative solutions for clients to stand out in their industries.
  • Advises clients on executive messaging, crisis management and internal communications.
  • Elevates brands through strategic planning, writing, research, media buying, social media support and marketing activations.
  • Plans and promotes large-scale events such as the 2023 Knoxville stadium groundbreaking, Young-Williams Animal Center’s A Cause for Paws and the launch of Dave & Buster’s Sevierville.
  • Ensures the agency continues to meet and exceed client expectations.
How Maria creates magic
  • Maria loves a challenge and generates an almost endless flow of inventive ideas and solutions for clients and team members alike.
Successful project snapshot
  • Directed the rebranding of Hillcrest Healthcare, Knoxville’s largest skilled nursing provider, and its three care communities; launched subsequent brands including The Gardens on Lake Brook, a hospice care unit; Hillcrest at Home, a provider of non-medical personal care; and The Mason Center, a healthcare education institution.
  • Passionate about the role of nonprofits in building a healthy community, Maria has delivered hundreds of millions of media impressions and supported local nonprofits in sharing their story through local events and campaigns such as Young-Williams Animal Center’s Mardi Growl, Knoxville’s largest pet parade; Knoxville Area Urban League’s Shoes for School, an event that provides thousands of families with school supplies each year; and UScellular’s Black History Month Art Contest with local and regional Boys & Girls Clubs, an annual campaign highlighting student art inspired by African-American heroes.
 Education & experience
  • Bachelor’s degree in commerce, University of Virginia
  • Previous experience in marketing, consumer goods product development and corporate social responsibility.
Joined firm in
  • 2018
Community involvement and recognition
  • Big Wig Award, Best PR Manager, 2022
  • YWCA Knoxville & the Tennessee Valley board member
  • H3 at the East Tennessee Historical Society founding member
  • Knoxville Symphony Orchestra Prelude Society Committee member
  • Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Volunteer Chapter member
  • Introduction Knoxville, Class of 2021
A little more
  • Northern California native.
  • Lives in Knoxville.
  • Husband, Kevin; daughters, Avery and Renleigh.
  • Has a passion for community building and often can be found at local events.
  • Enjoys interior design, personal styling and exploring delicious eateries.
  • Enneagram 8: The Challenger / Protector

 

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Maria McHale - HeadshotImage
Maria McHale - HeadshotImageMaria McHale - Headshot

Maria McHale

Director of Communications
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Maria oversees the structure and strategy of the account team, cultivating success and serving clients directly.
  • Assists the firm’s partners and account team in strategy and execution.
  • Serves as account executive for several key clients.
  • Delivers marketing, public relations and visibility services, including strategic counsel, communications planning, event management and media coverage.
  • Develops innovative solutions for clients to stand out in their industries.
  • Advises clients on executive messaging, crisis management and internal communications.
  • Elevates brands through strategic planning, writing, research, media buying, social media support and marketing activations.
  • Plans and promotes large-scale events such as the 2023 Knoxville stadium groundbreaking, Young-Williams Animal Center’s A Cause for Paws and the launch of Dave & Buster’s Sevierville.
  • Ensures the agency continues to meet and exceed client expectations.
How Maria creates magic
  • Maria loves a challenge and generates an almost endless flow of inventive ideas and solutions for clients and team members alike.
Successful project snapshot
  • Directed the rebranding of Hillcrest Healthcare, Knoxville’s largest skilled nursing provider, and its three care communities; launched subsequent brands including The Gardens on Lake Brook, a hospice care unit; Hillcrest at Home, a provider of non-medical personal care; and The Mason Center, a healthcare education institution.
  • Passionate about the role of nonprofits in building a healthy community, Maria has delivered hundreds of millions of media impressions and supported local nonprofits in sharing their story through local events and campaigns such as Young-Williams Animal Center’s Mardi Growl, Knoxville’s largest pet parade; Knoxville Area Urban League’s Shoes for School, an event that provides thousands of families with school supplies each year; and UScellular’s Black History Month Art Contest with local and regional Boys & Girls Clubs, an annual campaign highlighting student art inspired by African-American heroes.
 Education & experience
  • Bachelor’s degree in commerce, University of Virginia
  • Previous experience in marketing, consumer goods product development and corporate social responsibility.
Joined firm in
  • 2018
Community involvement and recognition
  • Big Wig Award, Best PR Manager, 2022
  • YWCA Knoxville & the Tennessee Valley board member
  • H3 at the East Tennessee Historical Society founding member
  • Knoxville Symphony Orchestra Prelude Society Committee member
  • Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Volunteer Chapter member
  • Introduction Knoxville, Class of 2021
A little more
  • Northern California native.
  • Lives in Knoxville.
  • Husband, Kevin; daughters, Avery and Renleigh.
  • Has a passion for community building and often can be found at local events.
  • Enjoys interior design, personal styling and exploring delicious eateries.
  • Enneagram 8: The Challenger / Protector

 

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