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With more than two decades of communications experience spanning agencies, Fortune-100 organizations, non-profits and academia, Kristi Hinck Mills brings her passion for communications to CommsLede Consulting, where she specializes in data-driven employee communications strategy, programming and executive and team coaching.
Kristi began her career at several East Coast PR firms, representing household brands including Resolve, Woolite, and AT&T. She eventually landed her PR “dream job” at SoBe beverages, where she supported the brand and world-class action sports athletes in the media while launching SoBe’s first digital press room and employee newsletter.
When SoBe was officially acquired by PepsiCo, Kristi transitioned from PR to PepsiCo’s internal communications team, and to her shock and delight, a new passion – Employee/Internal Communications – was born.
At PepsiCo, Kristi managed a team responsible for global, regional and functional town halls, as well as PepsiCo’s digital internal communication channels, including its intranet strategy and global newsletter. She also led employee engagement for the award-winning Pepsi Refresh Project.
While falling passionately in love with Employee Communications by day, at night, she earned a master’s degree in Strategic Communications at Columbia University, where she’s also held course facilitation and guest lecturing roles.
After more than a decade at PepsiCo, Kristi launched CommsLede, where she’s partnered with global organizations including Hyatt, Under Armour, Otis, PepsiCo, BIC, Yale University, and Make-A-Wish, among others. Her enthusiasm for leadership communications also led her to pursue a certificate in Leadership Coaching for Organizational Performance (an ICF Accredited Coach Training Program) through Rutgers University.
In 2024, Kristi assumed an in-house role at Moody’s as Senior Vice President, Internal Communications, leading a team responsible for executive communications, employee events, and internal communications.
She transitioned back to consulting in 2025, and today, partners with clients while supporting the next generation of communicators through guest lectures at institutions including Columbia, USC Annenberg, NYU, Providence College and Pepperdine.
By far, her favorite part of the communications field is the people.
“Some experts say, ‘do what you love,’ while others say, ‘do what you’re good at,’ or ‘do what you believe in.’ For me, it’s one and the same. Employee communications and executive coaching are natural, professional extensions of my personality and passion. I was born to do this work, and to coach others in this field I adore.”
I’m a trusted business partner who knows what it feels like to not have enough time/headspace/resources to get ALL the work done. I meet teams where they are, and spend extra time and effort to exceed my clients’ expectations. With more than two decades of experience providing some of the world’s best leaders and teams with communications guidance, thought partnership, coaching and tools, I work with integrity, focusing on quality, collaboration and team growth and development. My rates are competitive, transparent and fair, and I’ve partnered with clients including PepsiCo, Under Armour, Hyatt, Otis, BIC, YPO, and Toyota among others to engage, inspire and motivate employees in times of change.
I love employees and the pride, enthusiasm and energy they bring to their jobs every day. Effective employee communications can make an entire organization more productive, more efficient, and, ultimately, more proud of the company and the work they deliver. It’s a huge win when employees are company ambassadors, and research tells us that informed, passionate employees significantly add to an organization’s bottom line.
Kristi Hinck Mills
Principal, CommsLede
