In 2020, when Lynn Meador stepped into the newly created role of Communications Director for the City of Baldwin City, Kansas, there was no template to follow. No regularly used social media presence, no cohesive brand identity, no comprehensive communications strategy spanning emergency management to economic development. There was simply an opportunity to build something from the ground up.
Six years later, the results spoke for themselves: a thriving social media presence, a custom-built city website saving an estimated $12,000 annually, and a communications infrastructure serving eight to ten department heads alongside six elected officials. Today, Meador brings that expertise to Bennett Beam Consulting as a full-time Digital Communications Strategist, helping municipalities and organizations build the systems they need to thrive.
A classical pianist by training, Meador brings a unique perspective to public communications. "Marketing and communication—especially at a community level—are like jazz," she explains. "They need a solid, dependable foundation, and then the riffs are the cherry on top that makes it fun."
This philosophy shaped her work at Baldwin City, where she built comprehensive systems addressing everything from branding and public information to emergency communications and community engagement. She developed professional social media accounts with distinctive voices for different departments, led the successful community application for the MainStreet program, and supported initiatives ranging from the Chamber of Commerce to the Maple Leaf Festival through technical assistance and strategic consulting.
In her final year with the City, Meador undertook perhaps her most ambitious project: fully redesigning and building a new website in Webflow, creating all photos, videos, copy, and custom code in-house—delivering significant annual savings and a platform that truly serves community needs.
What sets Meador apart is her understanding that effective communication is fundamentally about service. "Enabling others to do what they do best, while building the systems and communications they need to do that efficiently, is my true calling," she notes. It's a mission rooted in creating "safe and transparent spaces for people to connect and grow."
Her technical expertise spans the full spectrum of modern communications: proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, web content management systems including CivicPlus, WordPress, and Webflow, and design tools like Canva and Figma. She holds certifications from FEMA's Emergency Management Institute and maintains active memberships in the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and Kansas Association of Public Information Officers (KAPIO). She's currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration from the University of Kansas, expected in May 2027.
Meador's transition to full-time work with Bennett Beam Consulting represents a natural evolution. Her six years building Baldwin City's communications program from scratch, combined with earlier experience as Communications Specialist for the Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce and running her own marketing consultancy, positioned her uniquely to help other communities facing similar challenges.
At Bennett Beam, she focuses on what she does best:
Whether developing comprehensive digital strategies, designing accessible websites, or training teams on social media management, her approach remains consistent—build the solid foundation, then make it sing.
In an era when trust in government institutions faces unprecedented challenges, professionals like Lynn Meador play a crucial role. They're not just managing social media accounts or designing websites. They're building bridges between government and community, ensuring transparency, and creating systems that enable organizations to succeed.
From city communications to consulting, Meador's career embodies a consistent theme: the power of communication to connect, inform, and enable. And like jazz, it requires both discipline and creativity—a solid foundation and the freedom to improvise when the moment calls for it.