About
Matt Hayes is a strategic communications expert and content strategist with experience in international agriculture, food security, global development, and higher education. He manages communications and marketing for grant-funded projects totaling over $185 million, supported by diverse funders such as USAID, NSF, USDA, and Gates Foundation. His responsibilities include designing and implementing branding, editorial, social media, public relations, and leadership communications strategies for projects across a global network.
Matt joined Cornell in 2015 as managing editor for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, where he directed editorial strategy and content creation for the college. Through advanced communications practices he helped promote the scientific discoveries and expertise of Cornell’s faculty and the unique student experience at Cornell CALS. In 2017, he was part of the core team that launched the college’s new brand identity. His work encompassed writing, magazine editing, media relations, social media, student storytelling, photography, video production, and more. From 2020 to 2023, he led communications for the newly established Department of Global Development within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, helping shape a department with over 60 faculty members, 70 graduate students, and 200 undergraduate students working in more than 30 countries.
Matt is deeply curious about the world’s complexity and passionate about telling stories that reshape people's understanding of the world around them. As a communicator, he values the power of language and imagery to influence change and deepen insight. As a person, he prizes attributes like courage, empathy, and determination for creating a more just world.
