Strategic Property operations • Transitional team leadership
Exceptional Portfolio management

Aligning People, Process & Performance

Results-driven Marketing, Communications & Training Leader with over 20 years of experience transforming brand presence and driving revenue growth through innovative communication strategies. I specialize in aligning marketing efforts with business objectives to boost customer engagement, enhance stakeholder relationships, and deliver measurable results.

  • Drove EBITDA Growth: Supported Alorica during a period of +50% EBITDA expansion and +23% revenue growth in its CX segment.
  • Negotiated High-Value OEM Funding: Secured $70M+ in OEM-funded promotional programs at U.S. Cellular, supporting double-digit quarterly revenue growth.
  • Enabled Net Income Surge: Led initiatives during U.S. Cellular’s 12× increase in net income (from $12M to $150M) in 2018.
  • Backed Enterprise Growth at Verizon: Supported GTM and enablement strategy during Verizon’s 3.6% revenue growth and 86% increase in net income (from $9.6B to $17.9B).
  • Boosted Client Demand: Operated at the helm of IT Communications during record-setting client demand in H1 2025, fueling market expansion and industry recognition.
  • Delivered Multi-Million Dollar OEM Partnerships: At Verizon, executed $4M+ in OEM-funded programs, directly fueling key performance metrics in product launches and market share.
Contact Nikki
Career Summary

About Nikki

From leading high-impact global campaigns to optimizing internal communications for enterprise-wide initiatives, I excel in driving strategic messaging that elevates brand visibility and ensures organizational transparency.

I thrive on managing cross-functional teams, building high-performance cultures, and executing multimillion-dollar campaigns that drive business success. 

Industries​

  • Telecommunications
  • Consumer Products & Retail
  • Technology & IT Services
  • Customer Service/BPO
$32M
Over 15 Years in Sales

Core Skills

  • Strategic Communications Leadership
  • Internal & External Stakeholder Engagement
  • Digital & Social Media Communication
  • Project Management
  • Customer Engagement & Experience
  • Team Development & Leadership
  • Revenue Growth & Market Penetration
  • Process & Performance Improvement
  • Relationship Building

Education

Franklin University
Columbus, Ohio

Master of Business Administration
Organizational Leadership Concentration

The Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Professional Certification

Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB) International Six Sigma Institute™

Issued Feb 2019

Case Studies

Case Study 1

Situation:

I uncovered a major gap in our CAPEX request process, which relied on escalations and expedited approvals.

Task:

As the Sr. Director of Global Business PMO, my objective was to eliminate the roadblock that was preventing my employees from onboarding clients on-time by fixing the broken CAPEX process.

Action:

Worked with the Corporate Finance VP and Business Process Improvement team to leverage our existing PowerApps tool and implement a structured workflow for CAPEX requests.

Results:

This initiative supported a 50% increase in EBITDA and a 99% on-time project launch rate--while bringing clarity and control to capital planning.

Case Study 2

Situation:

I inherited a fragmented client communication process. Despite contractual obligations to notify clients ahead of IT changes, communications were inconsistent and often delayed.

Task:

As the Sr. Director of Global IT Communications, my objective was to create a communication process that would meet the needs of the business and ensure compliance with the contractual obligations to our clients.

Action:

I used our existing ServiceNow platform to build a formal communication workflow that ensured timeliness, transparency and compliance.

Results:

The formal communication process contributed to a record-breaking Net Promoter Score in 2024.

Case Study 3

Situation:

When I took over the IT End User Services (EUS) team, we were significantly over budget on equipment expenditures. Each year during ramp season, we add thousands of employees to our payroll. PCs are required for them to complete their job.

Task:

 As the Sr. Director of IT EUS, my objective was to reduce our equipment capital expenditures.

Action:

Partnered with our internal IT logistics team and our logistics vendor to develop a device return and redeployment program.

Results:

Developed a device return and redeployment program resulting in over $10 million in annual savings and dramatically improving asset utilization.

Case Study 4

Situation:

Todd, an employee from the IL/WI Region asked me to be his mentor as part of the Midwest Mobility program. As part of the program, I was asked to create a stretch assignment for Todd.

Task:

To improve the Go To Market (GTM) process, I asked him to conduct a survey of Retail reps. He created a survey via Survey Monkey and received 300 responses. The feedback was eye opening! It identified several opportunities for improvement related to GTM communications and training.

Action:

As a result of the feedback, we created a Voice of the Rep pilot group in the IL/WI Region. Initially, we met face-to-face monthly. By the end of the year, we had expanded Voice of the Rep to all Midwest Regions. At the beginning of Q1, we brought all of the Region teams together for a face-to-face all-day meeting. On day two, we included Customer Service.

Results:

As a result of the monthly meetings, we created a Top 5 opportunities list. The goal of the GTM team was to work with Area and HQ teams to solve complex operational problems. This innovative best practice has been launched in CS, Indirect and B2B and has been emulated in the other Areas and at Verizon HQ.

Case Study 5

Situation:

In the highly competitive environment, reps were challenged in keeping up with ever-changing pricing and promotional offerings. What’s most challenging is that they didn’t have access to emails on their business phones.

Task:

Leveraging the expertise and ingenuity of a new Go To Market (GTM) employee from the Retail Team - we developed the Red Zone Playbook.

Action:

The four elements of the Playbook were updated as new promotions launched - typically weekly. Since reps were challenged to access email, having the playbook printed and posted in the back of the store allowed reps to have instant access to necessary info.

Results:

This all-in-one solution resulted in rave reviews from the Retail reps and Region support groups. Due to the popularity of the Playbook, the playbook theme was updated with the changing sports seasons. Once the technological capability was available, we worked with the Communications Team to have the Playbook accessible from POS tablets & Smartboards.

Testimonials

“I’ve had the pleasure to work with Nikki in the past and am excited for this opportunity to bring her into the Alorica organization. She brings with her a distinguished career spanning more than 20 years with Verizon. Without a doubt, Nikki will be an excellent addition that will complement our team while deepening and broadening our capabilities.”
Shawn Stacy Sr. Vice President
LinkedIn
"Nikki worked for me for several years when I was Director of Consumer Mktg, and was my Assoc. Dir of Go-To-Market. Nikki is a phenomenal self-starter, great leader, organized, proactive and knows how to effectively leverage her contacts to drive results. Nikki has exceptional relationship-building skills and a "can do" attitude which help her navigate large projects successfully and deliver solid results in an extremely fast-paced environment."
Tanya Johnson
VP of Base Marketing
LinkedIn
An email I’ll never forget . . .

"Nikki,

You don’t know me but you worked with my best friend at Verizon. Chris called me after he ran across a LinkedIn update that you’d started a new position with Alorica. He said we’re lucky to have you because you’re a SUPER WORKER and a GREAT project manager…

Welcome to the team and thanks for choosing Alorica, we’re glad to have you!”
Biff Prater
VP - Account Compliance
LinkedIn

Jason is a top caliber leader in the real estate world and property management.

"Nikki was a peer of mine when I worked in Learning & Development as Associate Director of Communications. Nikki is extremely organized, driven, great with people (both managing her employees, as well as building relationships), and always works with a sense of urgency. She has a strong training & marketing operations background and leverages her network of contacts well, which has helped her complete complex projects fast, precisely and efficiently."
Diane Ivinskas
Associate Director - Integrated Marketing
LinkedIn
"I had the privilege of reporting to Nikki when she was the Sr. Director leading our Business PMO, and I can honestly say she’s one of the best leaders I’ve ever worked with. Nikki has a rare combination of relentless drive, emotional intelligence, and unwavering loyalty to the mission.

She’s a true team builder, the kind of leader who creates an environment where people feel supported, trusted, and motivated to do their best work. I always knew she had my back, and that trust gave me the confidence to take on bigger challenges and grow as a leader myself.

What stands out most is that her support doesn’t end when reporting lines do. Even years after I moved on from her team, Nikki has continued to check in on me, offer encouragement, and even send me job opportunities during my recent search. That kind of loyalty and care is rare, and it speaks volumes about her character and leadership.

Nikki is the kind of leader any organization would be lucky to have. Relentless in pursuit of the mission, deeply committed to her people, and consistently focused on building teams that succeed together. I’m grateful to have worked with her and to still call her a mentor and friend."
Anthony Palmer
Director Business PMO
LinkedIn

Media

Art Norman & Charlie Wojciechowski hosted the Weekend Web technology segments on NBC 5 Chicago. For 10 years, Eve Mayer and I appeared on Weekend Web programs and leveraged market specific public relations plans and supporting media relations materials (fact sheets, FAQs, response statements, news releases) for Verizon’s products and services.

Between 2002 and 2012, we made over 30 appearances. At one point in time, we were the most frequently featured guests—ensuring Verizon was the leader in share of media attention in Chicago.

As a Product Manager, I was interviewed on multiple occasions to help sell our products & services and generate excitement and awareness throughout the Region. My goal was to develop and present ideas and stories that clearly differentiated our products & services to business/consumer for brand and promotions across our company/Region. Publications included The Chicago Tribune, The Toledo Blade, and The Lantern (The Ohio State University).

..."It allows you to personalize your phone," Nikki Learakos, Midwest area marketing manager for Verizon Wireless, said in an interview from her office in Schaumburg, Ill. And, by knowing who is calling just by the ring tone, "it helps you manage your calls."

....If the tone tells you it's someone whose call probably isn't urgent - or someone you're trying to duck - you just let it ring. The tone lasts as long as the standard ring does before going to voice mail, Mrs. Learakos.

Verizon Wireless will launch a new generation of high-speed data services for mobile phones in Chicago and several other cities next month. Consumers who want video and other advanced service on their phones will have to buy new EVDO-equipped handsets that will be available in February. The service will cost $15 a month, which includes unlimited Web browsing, said Nikki Learakos, Verizon Wireless' Illinois marketing product manager.

..."Mobile TV is up to 30 frames per second; that's the same quality as your living-room TV," said Nikki Learakos of Verizon Wireless. "It's real TV, right on your phone. Carrying a slick mobile device is a lot easier than carrying around your 100-pound TV set."

Public Service

Project Linus

The MWA Training team wanted to give back to the community during their All Training F2F Meeting in July. We were aware of the Project Linus activity in which Customer Service had taken part earlier in the year and wanted to replicate it.

Project Linus is a non-profit organization that creates and donates blankets for children in need at local shelters and hospitals. Assembled by volunteers, these soft fleece blankets are a simple yet important way to make a positive difference.

I worked closely with our PR contacts at Core Creative as they helped with planning and were onsite to assist with set-up and coordination of the event.

The MWA Training Team worked together to assemble the blankets by cutting the fleece, tying the ends together and packaging the blankets for delivery.

By the end of the activity, 100 blankets were completed. They were packaged and provided to WINGS Metro to distribute to those who visit the shelter.

Hustle Up the Hancock

The mission of the Respiratory Health Association is to promote healthy lungs and fight lung disease through research, advocacy and education. Each year more than 4,000 people climb to the top of John Hancock Center to raise funds for lung disease research, advocacy and education.

More than 55% of the participants indicated they or someone they know has been touched by a form of lung disease. My grandfather was touched by emphysema and my husband is a Respiratory Therapist.

I completed the full climb (94 floors) twice and hope to join the hustle again.

Contact

(816) 699-0011

nlearakos@gmail.com

/nlearakos/

Let's grab a coffee and chat.