Who We Are
Creative Strategies uses an independent model, enabling organizations to receive full-service, expert communications advice and services at a better price point.  As an independent firm, Creative Strategies teams up with other independent consultants as necessary to provide on target and expert results.  This also means that your primary contact is the firm’s experienced principal, ensuring an outstanding product.
 
Shawn Flaherty, President

Shawn Flaherty is the firm's principal and has more than 20 years of public relations and communications experience that has included working for a Fortune 50 company, a corporate foundation, trade association, travel research non-profit, and political campaign. Her creative ideas and ability to bring them to life have shaped many organizations’ communications programs, helping them achieve significant and lasting results.

  

 
Experienced
Her career has touched many segments of communications: media relations, community relations, corporate social responsibility, internal communications, strategic planning, public affairs, product roll-outs, issues management, trade show communications, event planning, marketing communications, survey market research, and crisis communications.

Prior to starting Creative Strategies, she directed the comprehensive and multi-faceted public relations activities for Freddie Mac’s corporate citizenship efforts including the Freddie Mac Foundation, minority outreach activities, affordable housing products, corporate governance practices, and workplace issues.

 
Gets Results
Shawn’s successes include helping a large financial services company navigate crisis and build its reputation. She was also instrumental in building the company’s reputation as an employer of choice and good corporate citizen, which was invaluable in helping the company strengthen its image, attract and retain employees, and build employee morale.

In addition, she developed major events to bolster the company’s reputation as a good corporate citizen, including Hoops for the Homeless, a charitable basketball tournament headlined by Magic Johnson, as well as a number of other partnerships with local sports teams to help promote charitable causes.

Prior to Freddie Mac, Shawn served as a public relations officer for the Travel Industry Association of America, where she revamped and grew its public relations program. During her tenure, she helped build the association’s image as the industry-wide leader while promoting the industry as a major economic force.

 
Involved
Active in the community, Shawn serves on the board of Stop Child Abuse Now of Northern Virginia, manages a travel soccer team, and is part of the Leadership Loudoun Class of 2009. She is also the program co-chair for the Independent Public Relations Alliance, a member of the National Capital Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, and was a founding member of the Strategic Philanthropy Section of the Public Relations Society of America. Shawn graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in Communications.