Meet Dawn Benton

We recently connected with Dawn Benton and have shared our conversation below.

Dawn , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

Growing up, I had a dynamic family environment that shaped my resilience and understanding of self-worth. My father, with his intense personality, presented challenges that ultimately strengthened my ability to navigate life’s complexities. My mother, on the other hand, was a pillar of love and support, always putting the family first. As an adult, I now understand how paths are formed and how life takes you where you are meant to be.

Despite these early challenges, I’ve proven myself to be incredibly resilient. Early in my career, I faced the adversity of two layoffs but quickly found new jobs, eventually building a long-term career with AT&T. My resilience was recently tested again when I was asked to relocate to Dallas for my job at AT&T, a move that prompted me to make the difficult decision to leave the company after 20 years.

Now, I’m navigating a challenging job market, especially given my age and level of experience. Undeterred, I continue to network and rely on the support of former colleagues and friends who know my character and work ethic. Instead of waiting passively for the perfect job, I’m actively building a website and launching my own communications consulting business. I’m using this transitional period to work on myself, focusing on maintaining a positive mindset. I took a course on Positive Intelligence and hired a career coach who helped me reframe my contributions and level of work at AT&T.

My time at AT&T shaped my professional identity, but I am now discovering that I am more than just my role there. I am a strong, resilient, and talented communications and PR leader who has excelled in a Fortune 15 company, worked with demanding executives, and developed a stellar reputation. Despite searching for a full-time senior communications role for more than six months, I am determined to create my own opportunities, whether through a new job or my consulting business.
Prayer has been a cornerstone of my journey, providing me with hope and direction as I seek clarity on my path. I am bolstered by the unwavering support of my spouse and family, who believe that something great is just around the corner.

My resilience is further exemplified by my early career pivot. After studying fashion and aspiring to be a buyer, I realized my dream job was anything but, leading me to pivot to sales/marketing and eventually to PR. I learned PR on the job (at a start-up company that gave me a shot), mastering pitching stories, working with analysts and reporters, counseling executives, and building announcements. My passion for PR led me to where I am today—continuing to forge my path and create opportunities for myself.

When I used to mentor college students who would intern at AT&T, I would often talk about my early career pivot – when I realized what I studied, and thought would be my path was not going to be. I could have stayed in that job where I was miserable, but I took a jump into the unknown, trying something new leading to something even better. I kind of feel I am in a similar spot where I’m jumping into the unknown yet again except with a new perspective, level of experience, and maturity. I can’t say I’m not terrified and still have many doubts but I continue to have faith and put in the work to see what is meant to be in my next chapter.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

As I navigate the job market in search of a new senior communications role, I’m also channeling my expertise into consulting through Benton Consulting Group LLC, a business I started prior to my departure from AT&T at the recommendation of my financial advisor (and many friends/colleagues also saying I should). I’ve also recently joined Perceptual Advisors, a global communications, marketing, and public affairs firm, as a senior advisor to help build their telecom practice.

My goal is to leverage my extensive experience to help businesses and executives tell their story. With over 20 years of experience in global communications and public relations, I offer tailored strategies that connect to business objectives. Whether you’re looking to craft compelling narratives, enhance your brand’s visibility, or strengthen executive communications, I have the skills and insights to drive impactful results. My approach is rooted in collaboration and a deep understanding of the communications landscape. I work closely with my clients to uncover their core messages and develop strategies that resonate with their target audiences.

And if an amazing full-time opportunity comes my way, I hope to continue to consult on the side. I am open to all possibilities. My website is www.bentoncgllc.com.

In my free time, I also do what I can to contribute to the community, giving something back. I’ve spent nearly 4 years on the board of the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy, an organization that helps children who are victims of severe sexual abuse, physical abuse, and trafficking. They conduct forensic interviews and work with law enforcement to testify and bring perpetrators to justice while providing the child and family therapy and support for as long as they need it free of charge. They also train adults to spot signs of abuse and much more. I would love to get a plug in for our upcoming annual event as we are in need of sponsors/donations to continue this work. https://georgiacenterforchildadvocacy.org/what-you-can-do/special-events/cheer-for-children.html

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Resilience and Adaptability:
Growing up with a challenging family dynamic and facing multiple career pivots taught me the importance of resilience. My ability to adapt to change, whether it was moving between industries or making tough decisions like leaving AT&T after 20 years, has been crucial.

Advice: For those early in their journey, resilience can be cultivated by embracing challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and pivot when necessary. Surround yourself with a supportive network and practice self-care to maintain your mental and emotional well-being.

Effective Communication:
My career in PR and communications has been built on the foundation of clear and effective communication. Whether crafting a compelling narrative for a brand or engaging with demanding executives, strong communication skills have been key to my success.

Advice: To develop effective communication skills, focus on active listening, clarity, and empathy. Practice writing and speaking regularly, seek feedback, and be open to learning from others. Understanding your audience and tailoring your message to their needs will make your communication more impactful.

Strategic Thinking and Innovation:
Throughout my career, I’ve had to think strategically and innovate to address challenges and seize opportunities. Building CSR programs and platforms, launching successful campaigns, and starting my consulting business all required strategic foresight and creative problem-solving.

Advice: To enhance your strategic thinking, stay curious and informed about industry trends and best practices. Engage in continuous learning, whether through formal education, reading, or networking with industry professionals. Encourage innovative thinking by challenging the status quo and being open to new ideas and approaches.

Advice for Developing These Qualities and Skills

Resilience and Adaptability:
Embrace change and view setbacks as learning experiences.
Build a strong support network of mentors, peers, and loved ones.
Practice mindfulness and self-care to stay grounded and focused.
Never stop networking, cultivating relationships with those in and out of your field, in your community (This was something I realized I had neglected while I was heads-down at AT&T for 20 years. I’ve had to rebuild/cultivate a new network which takes time and initiative)

Effective Communication:
Hone your writing and speaking skills through practice and feedback.
Listen actively and empathetically to understand others’ perspectives.
Tailor your communication style to your audience for maximum impact.

Strategic Thinking and Innovation:
Stay informed about industry trends and continuously seek knowledge.
Engage in brainstorming sessions and encourage diverse viewpoints.
Don’t be afraid to take calculated risks and learn from both successes and failures.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Ideal Collaboration Partners for My Consulting Business and Full-Time Roles

As I build my consulting business and explore full-time opportunities, I’m looking to collaborate with a diverse range of professionals and organizations. Here’s a short summary of the types of people and roles where my expertise in communications and PR could be most impactful:

Marketing Professionals
– **Clients Seeking Strategic Communications/PR Advice**: I am eager to work with marketing professionals who recognize the need for strategic communications and PR guidance as a part of an integrated plan but lack the in-house capability to fulfill this need. Whether it’s developing comprehensive PR strategies, crafting compelling narratives, or enhancing brand visibility, I can provide the expertise to elevate your marketing efforts.

Companies Without In-House Communications Teams
– **Strategic Help on a Full-Time Basis**: Organizations that do not have an in-house communications team can benefit from my extensive experience in strategic communications. I can step in to provide full-time support, helping to build and implement effective communication strategies from the ground up.

– **Short-Term Consulting Needs**: I offer consulting services to address specific challenges and opportunities for companies that require temporary or project-based strategic communications assistance. This includes crisis communications, campaign launches, and internal communications enhancements.

Adjacent Fields and Roles
– **Executive Leadership**: I can work closely with executive teams to develop and refine leadership communications, ensuring that messages are effectively conveyed to stakeholders, employees, and the public. This includes media training, thought leadership, and strategic counsel.

– **Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)**: Organizations looking to enhance their CSR initiatives can leverage my experience in building and promoting CSR platforms. I can help develop impactful communications around purpose-driven campaigns that align with corporate values and resonate with target audiences.

– **Product Development and Launches**: Collaborating with product teams, I can provide strategic communications support to ensure successful product launches. This includes creating compelling product narratives, media outreach, and stakeholder engagement.

I am passionate about helping organizations achieve their communications goals, whether through full-time roles or consulting partnerships. If you need strategic communications and PR expertise (or know someone who does), I would love to collaborate.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bentoncgllc.com/
• Facebook:
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnsbenton/

Image Credits

Headshots: Steve West – https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevewestphoto/