More Than Memos: Building Culture Through Strategic Internal Communications
Date: 7/20/2026
Time: 2:15 - 3:15 PM
Room: Grand Ballroom A (Floor 1)
Skill Session - Live lecture, panel discussion or interactive session with time for Q&A. 60-minutes.
ENGAGEMENT–Internal/external stakeholder engagement
Session Description
Internal communications are often treated as transactional - updates, reminders, and information blasts. But when done strategically, they become one of the most powerful culture-building tools in a school system.
In this session, participants will explore how Educational Service District 123 reimagined internal communications to strengthen culture, increase staff engagement, and align messaging with organizational values and strategic direction. Using a practical, real-world framework, this presentation will cover steps for moving from scattered internal messaging to a cohesive, intentional communication system that staff actually pay attention to and trust.
Attendees will walk away with actionable strategies for strengthening staff connection, improving message clarity, and elevating internal communications from “just another email” to a core driver of belonging, engagement, and organizational alignment - regardless of district or department size.
Presenter(s)
Elena Olmstead
Director of Communications
Educational Service District 123 (WA)
Elena Olmstead is the Director of Communications for Educational Service District 123 in Pasco, Washington, where she leads internal and external communications and provides contracted communication support for school districts across the region. She supports 23 districts throughout southeastern Washington, helping strengthen strategic messaging, staff engagement, and organizational culture. Prior to working in school communications, Elena spent more than a decade as a newspaper reporter, bringing a strong journalism foundation in storytelling, clarity, and audience-centered communication to her work in education. LinkedIn Profile
More Than Memos: Building Culture Through Strategic Internal Communications
Category
Skill Session - Live lecture, panel discussion or interactive session with time for Q&A. 60-minutes.