Ilana Bodker

Communications & Content Strategist | Senior Copywriter

Internal Communications · Content Marketing · Executive Communications

About Me

Hi, I’m Ilana. I've spent the last 10 years helping organizations communicate complex ideas in ways people can actually understand.

Early in my career, that meant writing fundraising appeals for families in crisis, developing long-form editorial content, and helping universities connect with prospective students. Most recently, as a Communications Manager & Lead Copywriter, I led content and communications initiatives for national financial brands across web, blog, email, SMS, and internal channels, while partnering with leaders and cross-functional teams on executive messaging, employee communications, customer-facing content, and strategic campaigns.

Financial services might sound like an unusual place for someone who cares deeply about language, but regulated industries are full of moments where the stakes are real and the language is terrible. I find that genuinely fulfilling to fix. There's something satisfying about taking dense financial information and turning it into an article someone might actually want to read.

My work spans content marketing, corporate communications, content strategy, internal communications, long-form editorial, and brand storytelling. No matter the audience, I'm most interested in helping organizations communicate with clarity, build trust, and create connection.

If you need communications that are strategic, straightforward, and impossible to ignore, reach me at ibodker@gmail.com.

Sectors & Specialties

Finance & Fintech	Consumer Brands (Apparel, Footwear)
Education & Higher Ed	Nonprofit & Social Impact
Regulated Industries (Life Insurance, Compliance-Heavy Markets)	Technology & Digital Products

Where I Add Value

Executive & Leadership Communications	Internal & Organizational Communications
Employee Engagement & Culture Programs	Change Communications & Transformation
Editorial & Thought Leadership	Brand Voice, Tone & Narrative Development
Email & Lifecycle Campaigns	Cross-Channel Messaging Systems
UX, Product & Customer Messaging	Regulated Industry Copywriting

Work Experience

Caliber Financial Services (2023-2026)	Communications Manager & Lead Copywriter
Seismic Digital (2022-2023)	Digital Copywriter
University of Kansas (2017; 2021; 2023)	Copywriter
FosterAdopt Connect (2021-2022)	Creative Copywriter
Summit Marketing (2017-2021)	Copywriter
Barkley (2017)	Junior Editor & Copywriter

Education

University of Michigan	2011—2015
New York University Summer Publishing Institute	2015
Kansas City Art Institute Continuing Education	2017

Work Samples

Email & SMS Campaign: National Credit Education Month

Consumer email and SMS campaign designed to drive traffic to our financial education resource center.

Financial Education Content: How Do Student Loans Work?

Long-form financial education content designed to educate consumers, build brand awareness, and establish trust.

Heritage Month Internal Storytelling Series

Internal campaign simplifying complex Tribal programs into accessible stories that strengthened cultural understanding and em

Internal Product Launch: Customer Education Resource Hub

Announcement detailing the rollout of a new digital resource hub and its impact on engagement and brand visibility.

Culture & Leadership Communication: Outward Mindset Training

I wrote this long-form intranet feature to support the rollout of a new leadership development initiative.

Change Communication: HRMS Rollout

I led internal communications for the introduction of our new HR system.

Social Media: University of Kansas Final Fridays

Social content promoting campus events, academic programs, and prospective-student engagement.

Internal Spotlight Series: Healing Through Poetry

Intranet spotlights that celebrate employees living our values through real impact.

Internal Messaging: Employee Wellness Month

Internal article supporting employee mental and physical wellness.

FosterAdopt Connect: Fostering A Connection

Developed donor newsletter to share impact stories and provide a behind-the-scenes look at the organization.

Segmented Email Communication Campaign

Crafted segmented email communications explaining complex, sensitive issues to diverse stakeholder groups.

Media Advisory: Multi-State Fire Training Partnership

Ghostwrote media advisory for KU Public Affairs; published under supervisor as standard practice.

University of Kansas: Getting Over Going Back

Gated content debunking common myths adult learners face when returning to school.

KU Online Graduate Program Guide (Construction Management)

Wrote KU Online’s graduate program guides, translating academic content into clear, student-focused messaging.

Nonprofit Annual Appeal

Wrote and structured the annual donor appeal booklet, transforming client stories into a clear, compelling fundraising case.

Complete Technology: Cybersecurity Web Content

SEO-driven landing pages and blog content simplifying cybersecurity services to boost organic traffic and lead generation.

Event Promotion Email: Rock Chalk 5K

Wrote KU’s Rock Chalk 5K event email, promoting participation in a fundraiser supporting first-generation students.