D C External Affairs

STACIE B. BURGESS

**** *********** *****, *********, ** 20770 · 202-***-**** · ***********@*****.***

Seasoned and creative Communications executive with more than 20 years of experience of conducting brand reputation management and promotion, positively positioning national spokespersons, organizations, and government agencies and officials; developing and executing strategic comprehensive communications and marketing plans; leading internal and external communications efforts, campaign communications, and stakeholder engagement/external affairs; and netting high-level media placements. Skilled in securing and cultivating executive, organizational, governmental, nonprofit, coalitional, corporate, community, and media relationships.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

Executive Leadership and Reputation/Brand Management / Strategic Crisis Communications

Organizational Strategic Planning and Evaluation

Strategic Communications / Media Relations

Strategic Integrated Marketing Planning and Implementation / Public Relations/External Relations / Events Management

Campaign Development, Implementation and Measurement

Media Spokesperson

Public Policy Communications & Advocacy / Government Relations

Program and Project Management

Internal Communications / Employee Engagement / Change Management

Budget Development and Management

Philanthropy / Sponsorships

Digital and Print Communications Management / Video Production

EDUCATION:

Howard University, Washington, D.C.

Master of Arts, Organizational Communications-1996

Bachelor of Arts, Broadcast Journalism-1992

Benjamin Banneker Academic Senior High School, Washington, D.C.-1988

EXPERIENCE:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF) – Washington, D.C.

November 2024-January 2025: Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of External Affairs, and Senior Advisor for Communications and Stakeholder Relations, Office of Communications

April 2024-November 2024: Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of External Affairs, and Director, Office of Communications

November 2023 – April 2024: Director, Office of Communications

Responsibilities: Served as chief communications and marketing strategist for the second largest U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) agency, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), with over 60 programs to improve the lives of children, families, and communities nationwide. Leading a team of 35 staff, I provided strategic communications counsel to senior leaders, in close collaboration with HHS and Administration officials. I oversaw the development of external and internal communication strategies and the implementation of those strategies to support HHS and ACF messaging; timely and accurate responses to media inquiries; proactive media engagement, including press releases and press conferences; strategic digital communications and implementation, including ACF’s internal and external websites, blogs, online tools, and social media; effective and efficient operation of the Freedom of Information Act office; internal communications, including

leadership communications; planning and implementation of hybrid all-staff meetings; printing and publication processes and clearance for all agency publications and videos.

Provided strategic leadership to staff responsible for developing and managing an effective engagement and relationship management strategy with key stakeholder groups such as nonprofits and faith-based organizations to advance HHS and ACF priorities. The team also served as the hub for external organizations and elected and appointed officials to liaise and communicate with agency/program leaders. I am oversaw leadership, planning and execution of stakeholder meetings, briefings, and events; tracking, documenting and analyzing stakeholder opinion through news, public comments, and public activities with media, Congress, or other relevant stakeholders as they arose; leadership on development and communication of the agency's message to stakeholders; development and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs); and planning and implementation of an agency-wide speakers bureau.

Fenway Health – Boston, MA

May 2021 – August 2023: Vice President of Communications

Executive Leadership Team Member

Responsibilities: Developed and implemented strategic communications and marketing to elevate the visibility of the 52-year-old health care organization’s initiatives and achievements in furtherance of its mission to advocate for and deliver innovative, equitable, accessible health care, supportive services, and transformative research and education for LGBTQIA+ people, BIPOC individuals, and other underserved communities to enable local, national, and global neighbors to flourish. As a visionary Leadership Committee member of a leading health care nonprofit organization with more than 600 staff and a patient base of over 30,000, my key responsibilities, overseeing a 10-person team, included reputation management; crisis communications; marketing; branding; and internal, external, and executive communications. I positioned Fenway Health as a local, state, national, and global community leader and cultivated a robust, transparent approach to communications. My role was integral in achieving and communicating goals of the organization’s strategic plan and Racial Equity Action Plan.

American University – Washington, D.C.

February 2020 – May 2021: Director of Public Affairs

Responsibilities: For an internationally-renowned global research institution, I was responsible for issues management (working in close conjunction with the VP/Chief Communications Officer, Assistant VP for Communications, and other university leaders/experts); drove public engagement on key proactive and reactive matters; supported strategic priorities by developing effective processes that managed crises, facilitated positive relationships with stakeholders, and provided communications strategy and support to university partners.

Highlight of duties:

Created, implemented, measured, and constantly refined a crisis management plan, including but not limited to protocols, messages, and tools

Provided messaging, preparation, and logistical support for media interviews and events

Identified, established, and expanded relationships with a wide range of reporters at print, broadcast, and online outlets to ensure the university gained quality coverage in stories

Penned talking points, responses to questions, press releases, media alerts, advisories, and pitches to gain quality media coverage and social media activity of the university’s initiatives and expertise

Working with the UCM digital team, utilized social media to engage and inform AU’s audiences, enhance relationships with reporters, and track coverage of university issues

Evaluated and measured the effectiveness of issues management activities. Prepared situational, weekly, monthly, and yearly reports

Created and executed a comprehensive strategy for supporting university priorities in relation to issues that either challenged the university’s reputation or presented opportunities to advance key messages

Managed responses to internal and external matters related to university operations, staff, students, alumni, etc.

Assessed the local, national, and international landscape for higher education and other key issues, monitor story trends, and developed new approaches for AU engagement as appropriate

Served as UCM representative for key university priorities, including but not limited to participating in the 2021 campus plan process, supporting the university’s community and government relations function and team, and contributing to the university’s Plan for Inclusive Excellence. Supported key elements of AU’s Strategic Plan, Changemakers for a Changing World

Collaborated with key stakeholders, provided strategic communications counsel, and executed communications activities to advance shared goals

Managed and updated emergency communications processes and protocols, and served as spokesperson for university-wide statements during crises, as needed

Developed and advanced positive relationships with key university stakeholders and partners and worked seamlessly with these groups and other constituents in response to issues and for proactive engagement

Served on Enterprise Risk Management Team and task forces associated with specific areas of reputational risk, as the division representative

Baltimore County Government – Towson, MD

December 2018 – January 2020: Chief of Communications and Constituent Services, Department of Health and Human Services

Executive Leadership Team Member

Responsibilities: Served as liaison to the County’s Executive’s office; local, regional and national elected officials and the Animal Services Commission; served as spokesperson, strategist and writer; managed a team of 10 with overall responsibility of strategic communications (traditional and digital), marketing and advertising planning and execution; internal and external stakeholder communications and outreach, graphic design, event planning and resolution of constituent concerns; conducted media training and coordinated with program staff to develop cogent responses to communication requests and executive memoranda and correspondence, reports, briefing documents, presentations, and speeches.

April 2017 – December 2018: Director of Communications, Office of the County Executive

Executive Leadership Team Member for Maryland’s third largest jurisdiction

Responsibilities: Provided strategic communications support and counsel to the County Executive, Chief of Staff, and agency directors; managed a team of eight in planning and executing all facets of internal and external communications, including project management, crisis communications, speechwriting, media relations, marketing, graphic design, and digital communications.

Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law – Washington, D.C.

March 2008 – April 2017: Director of Communications and External Affairs

Selected as the organization’s first Communications Director, 45 years after founding.

Responsibilities: Reporting directly to the President and Executive Director, worked collaboratively with the Executive Management Team, Board of Directors and Trustees, Development and Public Policy Units, Project Directors, and all project staff in leading the overall management of the Communications Department; Responsible for external communications and affairs, media relations, internal communications, digital communications, marketing and branding, and crisis communications for a national civil rights legal organization with a $15 million budget; responsible for the development and implementation of the organization’s communications strategies on public policy initiatives, campaigns, programs, public education and outreach, and fundraising.

Highlight of duties:

Served as chief communications strategist to expand organization’s national visibility and maximize reputation, influence, and reach with key stakeholders and influencers; Secured national media partnerships, and spokespersons

Fostered new relationships and deepened existing relationships with local and national business communities, governments, academicians, celebrities and influencers, civil and human rights organizations, and partners

Led communications and marketing efforts of National Civil Rights Coalition on Police Reform

Responsible for public education (including managing collateral and presentations and maximizing stakeholder and public engagement nationally and internationally via convenings, conventions, conferences, meetings, webinars, and special events)

Developed digital communications strategies and oversaw the daily operation of the organization’s Web sites and social media channels, with periodic evaluation and upgrading

Managed strategic integrated marketing planning and implementation (including campaign development, implementation and measurement (monitoring ROI); print and electronic collateral;

digital and traditional media; stakeholder and partner engagement; public relations; and trade show exhibits)

Howard University and Howard University Hospital– Washington, D.C.

October 2005 – February 2008: Media Relations Manager

Responsibilities: Strategically placed and maintained the mission, goals, objectives, programs, services, and achievements of Howard University (comprised of 12 schools and colleges) to position as a leading national research University and Howard University Hospital (Level 1 Trauma Center with nearly 500 beds) through integrated marketing and use of various and diverse local and national media outlets and opportunities. Specific duties included the development of the Office of Communications Electronic News Bureau; supervision of professional and student intern positions; provided external stakeholders with information that defined, clarified and enlightened them regarding values of the University and the Hospital pertaining to various news and events; worked closely with executive and senior management personnel in providing media relations and marketing communications counsel on a daily basis as well as annual media relations training to senior executives, faculty and medical experts; created, developed and supported local, regional, national and international media-based campaigns which attracted a broader audience of support for the University and Hospital communities; screened, monitored, researched and reported information for various schools, colleges and functions of the University and the Hospital for story ideas; and proposed, wrote, distributed, and followed up on all University and Hospital-related public information, news, research, publicity, marketing, advertising, and related projects (development and distribution of press releases and media statements and PSAs; Web site editorial and content support; electronic publications; event planning, management, and publicity). I was also integrally involved in crisis communications planning and management and worked closely with colleagues to repurpose news and information for internal and external constituents, including board, staff, students, alumni, corporate partners, and government officials.

Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, Institute – Silver Spring, MD

February 2000-June 2004: Director of Communications

Responsibilities: Developed, implemented and evaluated a communications plan comprehensive of the Institute (national office) and 25 regional offices; advised and assisted the leadership team with communications needs and skills for effective internal and external communications; served as media spokesperson; established and managed effective internal modes of communication; managed and implemented all media relations functions; developed, implemented, and assessed communications budget of $300,000; conducted long-range strategic planning; managed four full-time employees in implementing overall communications functions, including print, video and electronic communications; participated in interviewing and hiring process for communications positions; conducted performance appraisals; edited a 32-page quarterly magazine and managed all staff, freelancers, vendors, projects, and functions relative to: 12-page monthly newsletter, 32-page magazine, internal and external Web

sites, advertising, media relations, marketing, national meetings/special events planning and management, communications budgeting, procurement, and planning.

American Red Cross, National Capital Chapter – Washington, D.C.

November 1998-February 2000: Public Affairs Manager and Organizational Spokesperson

Responsibilities: Developed communications division within the Public Support Department; advised senior executive leaders and Board of Directors on all communications outreach and strategic brand positioning; collaborated with the National American Red Cross on regional, national and international crisis communications and outreach efforts, including serving as local spokesperson for national disaster relief efforts; coached senior executives and management staff on media relations, brand messaging, and interviewing; wrote all communications and marketing materials, including senior executive speeches and briefing documents; developed and implemented communications and marketing strategies; developed and maintained effective contacts with local and national media; generated media opportunities for the Chapter’s programs and services disaster response and preparation by preparing

and distributing press releases, media advisories, fact sheets and media kits; served as lead Chapter spokesperson; conducted broadcast and print media interviews; organized media briefings, press conferences, photo stagings and interviews for volunteers and staff, including executive-level; identified and secured media partnerships for community programs and special events; served as executive producer of Chapter videos; assisted in managing and updating the external Web site; and assisted with donor communications and volunteer training and management.

D.C. Hunger Action – Washington, D.C.

August 1996-November 1998: Public Policy Director & Benefits Access Manager

Responsibilities: Monitored local and federal legislation pertaining to low-income residents; authored weekly advocacy bulletin and provided to 130 non-profit organizations, religious leaders and government agencies; developed and maintained media contacts; educated local and national officials, residents, service providers and clergy on hunger-related issues, nutrition and welfare reform; wrote and delivered testimony before the City Council of the District of Columbia; advocated for the rights and services of low-income persons; conducted client and service provider workshops; assisted clients in solving hunger issues through advocacy, information and referral; worked to improve the operation of private and public food programs on a systemic level; developed and maintained a database of clients and service providers; and developed monthly reports for hotline calls.

PROFESSIONAL

AFFILIATIONS:

March 2000 - Present: Member, International Association of Business Communicators

March 1996 – December 2020: Member, Association for Women in Communications

September 2018 – June 2019: Leadership Baltimore County

January 2010 – August 2016: Member, Board of Directors, Black Student Fund

June 2009 – December 2017: Member, Executive Leadership Circle, Emmaus Services for the Aging

August 2007 – May 2010: Member, National Association of Medical Communicators

February 2005 – December 2010: Member, National Association of Female Executives

January 1999 - December 2001: Member, WUSA TV-9 (CBS) Community Advisory Board

April 1998 - January 2000: Chair, Board of Advisors, Nativity Catholic Academy

REFERENCES: Furnished Upon Request

Contact this candidate