Karen Bailey, the founder and chief strategist at Alignd on Purpose, joined the School of Communication as a lecturer this fall. She teaches Writing for Strategic Communication and Strategic Message Design, two core courses for students in the Strategic Communication major.
Bailey has over 20 years of experience in communication, and she founded Alignd on Purpose in 2020 to help nonprofits and small- to mid-sized companies clarify their mission and align their goals and operations around it.
“Purpose can serve as a powerful North Star,” she said. “When everyone in an organization is aligned with its mission, it makes a real impact on motivation and decision-making.”
Before starting her own business, Bailey worked at several public relations agencies including Fahlgren Mortine and MSL Atlanta, where she handled media relations for big consumer brands such as Philips Electronics, The Home Depot, The Coca-Cola Company, Best Buy and The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company. She also served as the vice president of marketing communications for Glimcher Realty Trust during their merger with Washington Prime Group.
Bailey was also a president of the Central Ohio chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and previously served as a professional advisor for the Public Relations Student Society of America chapter at Ohio State. She also created The Corporate Purpose Podcast to talk about successful branding and purpose in business.
Bailey’s decision to move into teaching came from a desire to share real-world experience with students, specifically the importance of purpose in strategic communication.
“I want students to understand that effective messaging isn’t just about the words. It’s also about understanding what drives an organization and finding creative ways to tell that story,” Bailey said.
In her classes, she hopes to teach students not only about skills but also a mindset for curiosity and adaptability.
“One of the biggest values you can bring to your career is curiosity. Actively listening, asking thoughtful questions and making meaningful connections are important.”
Article by student Jumana Salem
