Words Matter Consulting
Words Matter Consulting
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    • Home
    • Services
      • Large Company Comms
      • Medium Company Comms
      • Small Company Comms
      • EVP/Employment Branding
    • About

  • Home
  • Services
    • Large Company Comms
    • Medium Company Comms
    • Small Company Comms
    • EVP/Employment Branding
  • About

About Words Matter Consulting

Cari Rutkoskie is the President of Words Matter Consulting and an expert internal and corporate communications consultant. 


Cari has helped large organizations, mid-sized companies, small businesses, and non-profits communicate clearly to shape cultures, attract talent, drive engagement, strengthen brands, and clarify their vision, mission, goals, and strategy. She believes that words matter and is passionate about how they connect, engage, and inspire people and help leaders and organizations achieve their goals. 


Cari has over 30 years of brand and communications experience, with special expertise in executive and organizational communications and employer branding. She is driven to produce results, and her successes include creating and leading a communications function for several companies and propelling a leading medical technology company from #80 to #11 on Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For list and #10 on Fortune’s World’s Best Companies to Work For list.

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Areas of Expertise

  • Building and leading a corporate communications function
  • Organizational communications strategy, planning and coaching
  • Executive communications and coaching
  • Change communications
  • Crisis communications
  • Merger and acquisition communications
  • Mission, values and brand messaging
  • Editorial calendars
  • Website content
  • Writing and editing
  • Employee value proposition and employment brand
  • 100 Best Companies to Work For and other workplace applications
  • Employee and culture videos and film festivals
  • Culture books
  • Active listening training and coaching
  • Project management for communications, branding, video and website projects 

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Certifications

Read about Cari's entrepreneurship journey and how she serves her clients on Leading Visibly

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Reviews of Words Matter

Laurie Byrne, CHRO

Lindsay Jubelt, Chief Clinical Officer, Optum Health

Kelly Conway, CEO in Residence

I have worked with Cari on several occasions. We worked together at Stryker, where Cari was responsible for our success gaining our first of many consecutive years of "Best Places to Work" listings, as well as on several occasions in my capacity as CHRO. Cari is an expert at deciphering, describing and reinforcing the true intention of a culture through storytelling - the most effective way to convey the reality of where and how we create a work environment that compels those who will thrive there to join and be part of a culture that will meet their personal aspirations for work fulfillment. She is a great listener and works so well with leadership teams to put experiences into words. Cari worked with our teams through COVID when so many were tentative and reluctant to communicate. She brought humanity, empathy and resilience to guide us through difficult and uncertain times. I cannot possibly write a recommendation strong enough to convey my respect for her work and for her as a professional.

Kelly Conway, CEO in Residence

Lindsay Jubelt, Chief Clinical Officer, Optum Health

Kelly Conway, CEO in Residence

Cari has an amazing ability to connect and communicate a leaders/organizations goals through a communication strategy that feels natural. She provides a blueprint that gives employees hope, inspiration and authenticity through words and a leader's actions. I loved working with her on an EVP (employee value proposition) that clearly outlines what attracts talent AND why employees stay. Knowing who are you is critical in building a sustainable culture. 

Lindsay Jubelt, Chief Clinical Officer, Optum Health

Lindsay Jubelt, Chief Clinical Officer, Optum Health

Lindsay Jubelt, Chief Clinical Officer, Optum Health

I had the pleasure of working with Cari on strategic communications work while I was at Mass General Brigham. Her expertise made a significant impact on my ability to lead change. She not only developed a thoughtful strategy but also took the time to understand our team dynamics, organizational culture, and engagement goals. Her tailored approach, combined with thoughtful event recommendations, helped enhance both our communications strategy and team morale. I highly recommend her for any organization looking to elevate their communication strategy or employee engagement efforts.

Jud Hoff, Retired Medical Device Executive

Jud Hoff, Retired Medical Device Executive

Lindsay Jubelt, Chief Clinical Officer, Optum Health

I have worked with Cari for over 25 years in both the for profit and non-profit sector. She is the consummate professional with impeccable standards. Execution is flawless. Ideas are original and customer driven. 

Louis Pace, CFO

Jud Hoff, Retired Medical Device Executive

Jerry Jurkiewicz, CEO

Cari addressed a critical communication need we had in our organization. While driving strategic change across the business, it was imperative to clearly communicate the message to the point of impact in the organization. Cari quickly became a de facto member of our leadership team, and she showed us the critical importance of effective communication through her actions and results.

Jerry Jurkiewicz, CEO

Jud Hoff, Retired Medical Device Executive

Jerry Jurkiewicz, CEO

Cari worked with our company to create its first-ever comprehensive communications strategy. Her approach involved understanding our strategy and critical initiatives through working extensively with me, the executive team and other key leaders. She is a consummate professional with a quick learning curve that engages effortlessly at all levels. Her eminently genial style invites you to accept her as one of your own while, at the same time, respectfully pushing the team to make progress. Working with Cari enabled our mid-size company to develop a communications strategy the quality of a Fortune 500. I wholeheartedly endorse Cari’s work!

Angie Rohrer, CHRO

Angie Rohrer, CHRO

Angie Rohrer, CHRO

Cari is one of the best communication leaders I have ever worked with. She makes my life easier by taking ideas and stories and bringing them to life. Her attention to detail is impressive, and she is an accountable partner who always delivers on time. She can work strategically as well as get into the details. She is a great partner.

Some of Our Clients - Past and Present

Landscape Forms
TKO Premier SC
Kalamazoo Academy of Rock
Southwest Michigan Miracle League
YES for SCS School Bond Campaign
  • Landscape Forms
  • TKO Premier SC
  • Kalamazoo Academy of Rock
  • Southwest Michigan Miracle League
  • YES for SCS School Bond Campaign

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