Britta W. McKenna’s portfolio projects
Britta’s project portfolio highlights how she helps the community, non-profits, municipalities, entrepreneurs, and corporations move forward.
AMERICAN RED CROSS (2020-2022/PRESENT)
Britta (center) deployed as a Shelter Supervisor to Hurricane Laura in Baton Rouge, LA (2020).
“It has been my privilege to call Britta my volunteer partner for the past two years. During this time, Britta has been an invaluable thought partner and leader on our team. She is a masterful facilitator, creative problem-solver, and empathetic listener. I most value Britta’s ability to challenge the status quo and thus help me drive our work towards continuous improvement – I can bring her any problem with the certainty that she will offer a fresh perspective and insightful ways to understand root cause and reframe possible solutions. Through her thoughtful and energetic approach, she has earned the trust and respect of our team throughout the division. ”
City of Aurora, il (2021)
Two innovation initiatives were in need of fresh eyes, new strategy, and sustainable pathway choices for immediate implementation in 2022. Four Hawks was contracted by the City of Aurora to study the current state of the programs, interview key stakeholders, study best practice, analyze possibilities, and present pathway choices for staff consideration.
“The City of Aurora contracted with Four Hawks, LLC as our design consultant to dive swiftly into researching possibilities for two key programs. Britta proved that in order to optimize innovation, it begins with genuine relationships.” ”
FOX VALLEY FOOD FOR HEALTH RESET DAY (2021)
Organizational growth is a good thing. And it needs focused attention by the board and executive director to scale successfully. Fox Valley Food for Health set aside a Saturday to come together for a team Reset Day at Four Hawks to address growth challenges and imagine 2.0.
Fox Valley Food for Health Reset Day leverages comfortable outdoor spaces for afternoon breakout sessions.
“Our Reset day was very well organized and provided the guidance and space for us to explore the strengths and shortcomings of the organization and ourselves as Board members. I appreciate that Britta engaged everyone at points throughout the day, and I believe our participants found value and that their voices were each heard.”
CHRISTOPHER KUHL, AUTHOR, AND PRETTY PAGES (2021)
Four Hawks matched up local author Christopher Kuhl and downtown Batavia startup, Pretty Pages for a month-long promotion in August 2021. Christopher was the featured author on the shelf at the Pretty Pages Boardwalk Shops with his two latest books and entrepreneur, Meli received a flat rate from each book sale. Christopher held a book signing outside the shops on a Saturday morning with cross-marketing on Instagram and Facebook and a Facebook LIVE event topping off the engagement.
““Britta negotiated this partnership and got everything where it—and I—needed to be throughout the promotion. All through the process, she was kind, patient, and supportive. And thanks to all her work, the event was a success! I recommend her to anybody who has a project: she’ll help you get your ducks in a row.””
APL MOVE (2020)
APL Move, an LLC created to respond to a US Department of Defense outsourcing of military moving RFP, contracted with Four Hawks, LLC to create a dynamic 60-minute presentation. As a finalist for an eight-year, multi billion-dollar contract, APL Move needed to tell a compelling story of a typical military family move of the future, both demonstrating new technology (live) and showcasing their partners and solution.
“Britta’s involvement in our Oral Presentation to win a multi-billion dollar contract with the U.S. Department of Defense led to a product we could not have attained without her. She took the time to learn the requirements, assess the strengths of the potential presenters and design the presentation to meet the government’s expectations. As a result, we made the down-select for further consideration by DoD for this contract.”
sabbatical 2019
A year of personal research.
“69 Cups of Coffee: Caffeinated Insights About Batavia” (2019)
Britta interviewed 69 Batavia residents and community leaders over a cup of coffee to gain insights into Batavia’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. She learned much more than she anticipated and shared it back with the community. A copy of her research is available HERE.
bulldogs unleashed (2018)
Who let the dogs out, again? We did!
BULLDOGS UNLEASHED (2018)
When the Bulldogs Unleashed 2011 program returned to Batavia in 2018, the community welcomed the encore. Enlisting the marketing expertise of Britta McKenna, the return of the bulldogs blossomed into a year-long campaign that included puppies, foster dogs, contests, art classes and community involvement. The Facebook page, though no longer actively updated, is available HERE.
in2 steve and jamie chen center for innovation & inquiry
Stakeholders design an award-winning innovation center.
IN2 STEVE AND JAMIE CHEN CENTER FOR INNOVATION & INQUIRY (2017)
While Chief Innovation Officer at the Internationally acclaimed Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA), Britta led the design and development efforts for Illinois’ and the country’s first secondary innovation center. IN2 Steve and Jamie Chen Center for Innovation & Inquiry opened in 2017 and won the Chicago Innovation Award’s “People’s Choice” Award the same year. The 6,500 sq ft, $2M interior renovation project on IMSA’s campus is home to IMSA’s innovation programs. Click HERE to learn more.
batavia boardwalk renovation
Building community plank by plank.
batavia riverwalk boardwalk renovation
After nearly 20 years, the original Batavia Boardwalk on the Riverwalk needed replacing. Britta helped lead a campaign with the Batavia Parks Foundation to raise $175,000, utilizing community volunteer groups over 18 months to demolish and rebuild the boardwalk with a new, longer-lasting, wood-composite product.
kluber architects + engineers 25th anniversary
Helping shape a year to remember.
kluber architects + engineers 25th anniversary
When a local architectural and engineering firm needed marketing help, they hired Britta to develop both their marketing and “Kluber Cares” social impact program. Britta designed a year of promotions ranging from a Klubana (branded Kluber bandana that clients took photos with around the world to vie for prizes) to sponsorships, branded materials and owned media social media established. The 25th anniversary year culminated in a birthday bash at Kluber, Inc. Batavia and Gurnee offices.
batavia riverwalk peg bond center bandshell
Adding more functionality to a community’s gathering space.
batavia riverwalk peg bond center bandshell
Sometimes it is not until something is built and you see how it is used, that you discover how it really should have been built. That was the case of the Batavia Riverwalk and the lack of a band shell for community festivals, concerts and productions. As temporary trailers were rented and makeshift stages fashioned, Britta and the Batavia Parks Foundation were busy designing a new solution. Fundraising efforts of $250,000 yielded a bandshell addition to the south end of the Peg Bond Center that is used as Batavia’s community stage for Riverwalk events.
breastcancermystory.org (2011 - 2021)
Britta’s reaction to being diagnosed with DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma in Situ, Stage 0 Breast Cancer) in 2010 was to write everything down. She turned her notes into an online repository of information, research, interview, blogs, and inspiration to those diagnosed with breast cancer and their loved ones caring for them. Britta actively maintains the non-profit today where she blogs and keeps up with the latest news and research on Breast Cancer on her owned media. After reviewing goals, declining analytics, and a lack of desire to pay for SEO, Britta closed the website down in July of 2021.
“Bridging Batavia” Campaign (2007)
When it was time to replace the only bridge over the Fox River in downtown Batavia, the city needed a comprehensive campaign to keep downtown Batavia open for business. “Bridging Batavia” was a coordinated communications and marketing effort to drive business. The result? A successful strategic campaign to keep downtown Batavia open for business during the construction that ended up with a net loss of zero businesses.
batavia mainstreet turnaround - from disgraced to distinguished
Downtown Batavia. Always Moving, by Nature.
Batavia MainStreet Turnaround – From Disgraced to Distinguished (2004-2011)
The Batavia MainStreet program was disgraced in 2003 when its Executive Director stole both funds and trust from the organization. Britta was hired in 2004 as the Executive Director to rebuild both the program and Batavia’s downtown’s reputation. Re-establishing credibility, opening communications, gaining trust and building partnerships were key. The seven-year turnaround culminated in eight Illinois Main Street best practice awards and the designation of Batavia as an Illinois “Premiere” community. Batavia MainStreet continues to thrive today as the caretaker and the heart of the community.
batavia riverwalk
More than just a park. It’s Batavia’s volunteer masterpiece.
Batavia Riverwalk (1991-98)
One result of the 1991 Batavia design charrette to improve Batavia volunteerism was the creation of the Batavia Riverwalk Project. The Fox River linear park in downtown Batavia was designed to transform blighted and underutilized riverfront property using volunteer labor with funds raised by the community. A missing piece to the project puzzle was someone to lead marketing, fundraising and volunteer management. Britta and husband, Steven and family moved to Batavia in 1991, then got involved with the Riverwalk project shortly thereafter, arriving just in time to get to work. Britta successfully lead efforts in marketing, fund raising and volunteer management from 1992-98, helping to raise $1.2M and secure $1M in in-kind donations through community fund raising events, campaigns and corporate partnerships. The Batavia Riverwalk won the State of Illinois’ Hometown Award for Volunteerism for the project and today stands as Batavia’s signature park and community gather space. Visit the Batavia Riverwalk Facebook page HERE. A more detailed history of the Riverwalk is available upon request.
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