About Amy Carr Communications

Amy T Carr Principal at Amy Carr CommunicationsAbout

Akin to my colorful grandmother—who was known for her ability to weave stories about the antique furniture she sold, cherished and traded,  I have been soaking up our state’s history, diversity and stories my whole life. I’ve called three cities in Texas home: Houston, San Antonio and Austin, where I’ve lived for more than 20 years. When our communities are strong places to learn, do business, and give back, we all thrive. I am proud to have worked in Austin’s private and public sectors since 1993, working with leaders in health, education, social services and philanthropy.

Favorite Things

Over the years, I’ve presented with unexpected challenges and opportunities to shine in ways I didn’t think were possible. Among my favorite professional accomplishments and experiences are:

  • Creating an integrated, measurable content marketing strategy based on the PESO Model to support Terry’s A/C & Heating’s marketing efforts
  • Securing a media opportunity for Catholic Charities of Central Texas to raise awareness and give them a voice as a disaster responder during a Hill Country Flooding event
  • Leading the promotion of the Society of Government Meeting Professionals annual conference
  • Executing a communications plan with talking points to deftly manage the merger of two Girl Scout Service Units that each had their own time honored traditions, leadership, communications, and culture that the local Girl Scout Council added to their toolbox for the benefit of other adult volunteers
  • Concepting the marketing and public relations required to launch and sustain Hand to Hold, a social services nonprofit organization providing peer-to-peer support for parents and families whose babies are receiving care in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs)
  • Creating and administering Hand to Hold’s Preemie Power contest which invited parents to identify their child’s superpowers and reflect in a positive way on their NICU journey
  • Leading an award-winning strategy, marketing communications, public relations campaign for the Center for Child Protection in Austin, Texas, including a public grand opening for a new $9.1 million facility
  • Volunteering to join the National Board of the Association of Women in Communications to give the local chapter a voice and see what could be done to turn the organization around
  • Accepting the role as President of the Austin Chapter of the Association for Women in Communications (now Women Communicators of Austin), learning how to lead and motivate a team of savvy women
  • Reaching out and securing national placement for a nutrition education article for a government agency with few resources.
  • Learning new things such as organizing campouts for girls and adults who love them

As the principal of Amy Carr Communications, I enjoy being a trusted partner and advisor to each of my clients. I think it is important to listen first and ask a lot of questions so we can determine both what your needs may be and what dreams and creative genius you have to bring into the world. Then, it’s up to our team to concept a plan full of possibilities and creative solutions to drive your success forward.

Private and Public Sector Communications Professional

I began my career in corporate communications for a nonprofit, fraternal benefit society, learning the ropes of professional communications. After moving to Austin, I joined the Texas Department of Human Services to promote a nutrition education library, representing them at conferences and creating my own collateral. I later joined the Texas Communication on Drug Abuse (now a part of the Texas Department of Health) where I edited and produced reports on the prevalence of substance use and abuse. I returned to the private sector at Publishers Resource Group, a K-12 educational materials developer, and was the sole marketing arm creating materials, attending State Board of Education meetings and handling the marketing process to drive the company ahead as I worked on my Master’s degree at night and on the weekends.

Communications for Good

I joined the Center for Child Protection in 2004 as the organization’s first dedicated communications role – managing media relations, serving as a spokesperson, collaborating with development and setting up communication processes for an organization that was growing by leaps and bounds. A highlight was organizing an award-winning public grand opening campaign of their new $9.1M facility. Looking for larger challenges, I partnered with a colleague on her dream to launch a nonprofit Hand to Hold that supports families who have had a baby in the NICU, illuminating the mental health consequences of those experiences and safe places for parents to share their stories and connect. I also worked for Momentum Public Relations and ASCENT Management — two women-led organizations where we combine our collective talents and strengths so we could employ them on behalf of organizations looking to accelerate their growth and mission.

Education and Honors

  • Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from St. Edwards’s University in Austin, Texas Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and German, Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas
  • Girl Scouts of Central Texas Star Award – 2017
  • Bluebonnet Valley Girl Scouts Outstanding Partners Award – May 2015
  • Bluebonnet Valley Girl Scouts Outstanding Volunteer Award – May 2014
  • Gladys Whitney Hearst Award Outstanding Chapter Member Award (Now WCA) 2005
  • Two (2) Clarion Awards, Association for Women in Communications National 2009
  • Star Award, Association for Women in Communications National 2008
  • President’s Award, Association for Women in Communications (Now WCA) 1999

Community Service

Serving as vice chair and a board member of the Association for Women in Communications (AWC), I helped lead a turnaround for the organization in the 2000s by serving on the national board from 2004-2008.† I served locally in various positions on the AWC Austin Chapter (now known as Women Communicators of Austin) board including vice president of membership, vice president of professional development, president-elect, president and immediate past president.

I am a proud co-leader of my daughter’s Girl Scout troop which has led to all sorts of unexpected adventures. For five years, I co-led a Girl Scout Service Unit of more than 80 troops and 1,200 Girl Scouts and parent volunteers. This job involved recruiting, training and mentoring leaders, girls and volunteers, recognizing volunteers, setting up and streamlining processes, problem solving and moderating disputes, and putting on events of many sizes.

I’ve served on the Summitt Elementary PTA board and volunteered for Adelphi Acres Community Garden and Summitt-Koblenz Exchange.