CREATIVE CIRCLE  |  REMOTE  |  2024 - PRESENT

Strategic communications consultant specializing in equity-centered campaigns for clean energy adoption and national social impact organizations. Deliberately pivoted to contract work to return to purpose-driven communications leadership.

• Comprehensive Communications Strategy: Lead the design and execution of community-centered outreach campaigns that increase clean energy access and adoption across underrepresented communities.

• Building Positive Relations: Build partnerships with community organizations and media outlets to influence renewable energy narratives and support environmental justice initiatives.

• Public Education: Design educational resources with an equity lens to expand access to renewable energy for underrepresented communities.

• Leadership & Collaboration: Partnered with cross-functional teams and external stakeholders to translate strategic priorities into accessible content, ensuring mission alignment across multiple platforms.

ALLIANT EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, CUSTOM COMMUNICATTIONS  |  REMOTE  |  2021 - 2024

Created inclusive, accessible resources serving 95,000+ multilingual employees across diverse global communities, with a focus on equity and workplace belonging.

• Equity-Centered Communications: Authored first-of-their-kind Inclusive Benefits Guides advancing workplace equity for LGBTQ+ employees across multiple Fortune 500 companies.

• Global Program Delivery: Led development of multilingual digital resources reaching 95,000+ users across 30+ countries.

• Policy & Accessibility: Researched healthcare policies and implemented trauma-informed, culturally responsive communication strategies.

TRANSPORTATION CHOICES COALITION  |  SEATTLE, WA  |  2021 - 2021

Directed strategic communications and public outreach programming for equitable, sustainable transportation policy across Washington State, with an emphasis on community engagement and racial equity.

• Policy & Equity: Led the Racial Equity Action Plan, embedding anti-racism commitments into organizational strategy.

• Community Engagement: Directed outreach initiatives targeting underserved populations, increasing newsletter open rates from 19% to 35%, and social media following by 30%.

• Program Strategy & Partnerships: Developed and implemented culturally responsive communication program strategies under tight deadlines while managing multiple community partnerships and stakeholder relationships.

TUCSON AUDUBON SOCIETY  | TUCSON, AZ  |  2019 - 2021

Directed strategic communications and community engagement initiatives focused on environmental conservation and community stewardship of land and wildlife, with emphasis on equity and inclusion.

• Equity Leadership: Chaired the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Access (IDEA) committee, fostering partnerships with Indigenous Peoples and communities of color, including the founders of Black Birders Week.

• Accessibility Programming: Created and managed the Birdability Program, collaborating with disability advocates to ensure inclusive program design.

• Crisis Communications: Led culturally responsive messaging during a national racial justice movement, supporting organizational commitment to anti-racism and community healing.

• Team Leadership: Supervised communications and development staff and volunteers, mentoring diverse talent and building capacity for inclusive programming and community engagement.

HOTEL & EVENT VENUES | PORTLAND, OR | 2012 - 2018

Oba Restaurante, Oven & Shaker

Directed operations for multiple iconic Portland restaurants with $3M+ annual revenue, managing staff of 15–40 employees across diverse cultural and language backgrounds.

• Equitable Workplace Promotion: Hired, supervised, and evaluated a diverse workforce, fostering an organizational culture that emphasized respect, collaboration, and team success.

• Budget & Contract Management: Oversaw $3M+ in revenue, vendor contracts, and procurement processes.

• Employee Engagement: Produced team-building events centering authenticity, safety, and compassion.

PORTLAND FOOD & BEVERAGE ESTABLISHMENTS | PORTLAND, OR | 2002 - 2008

Papa Haydn, Moonstruck Chocolate Café, Mother's Bistro, Serratto

Directed operations for multiple iconic Portland restaurants with $3M+ annual revenue, managing staff of 15–40 employees across diverse cultural and language backgrounds.

• Equitable Workplace Promotion: Hired, supervised, and evaluated a diverse workforce, fostering an organizational culture that emphasized respect, collaboration, and team success.

• Budget & Contract Management: Oversaw $3M+ in revenue, vendor contracts, and procurement processes.

• Employee Engagement: Produced team-building events centering authenticity, safety, and compassion.

MULTNOMAH COUNTY GOVERNMENT HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE SYSTEM  |  PORTLAND, OR  |  2024 - PRESENT

• Policy Guidance: Advise elected leaders and system members on strategies for Homelessness Response Action Plan implementation, providing community perspective on policy development and resource allocation decisions.

PORTLAND PARKS & RECREATION | PORTLAND, OR  |  2024 - PRESENT

• Community Garden Knowledge: Active community garden plot holder gaining firsthand experience with program operations, diverse participant community, and community gardening practices.

FRIENDS OF COUCH PARK  |  PORTLAND, OR  |  2023 - PRESENT

• Partnership Building: Co-founded a nonprofit organization focused on neighborhood engagement and community safety. Established partnerships with Portland Parks & Recreation Rangers, police, and elected officials while organizing multiple well-attended community events, bringing together diverse neighborhood stakeholders.

METROPOLITAN LEARNING CENTER  |  PORTLAND, OR  |  2023 - PRESENT

• Community Engagement: Teach creative writing courses to diverse middle school students, developing culturally responsive curriculum spanning multiple genres and forms while fostering inclusive classroom environments.

MISSION GARDEN | TUCSON, AZ | 2019 - 2021

• Program Leadership: Provided strategic consultation for a botanical garden demonstrating a 4,100-year agricultural history and Sonoran Desert ethnobotany. Collaborated with Indigenous Peoples to ensure respectful and accurate representation of Traditional Ecological Knowledge within the garden. Led production of inaugural "Harvest Dinner" fundraising event featuring garden produce and community partners.

EARTHWATCH INSTITUTE | LAS CASAS DE LA SELVA, PR

• Conservation Research: Conducted field research on sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation in Puerto Rico, completing community interviews and data collection focused on traditional agricultural practices and Indigenous knowledge systems.

“Autumn Sharp has been a critical driver of our success with Leave of Absence guides, partnering with internal and client teams to get to the bottom of their policy, and convert it into a user-friendly resource for employees who are likely facing major life changes and events.”

Recognized for my contributions to improving quality of life in the community  

Communications team was awarded 2 Platinum + 2 Gold for outstanding employee communications campaigns

National prize winner for creative writing

$11K award toward a second master’s degree for winning essay