Writer and Communication professional
Resume:
KANESSA TRENT
Alexandria, VA *****
*******.*.*****@*****.***
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kanessatrent/
I am a senior, strategic communication and public affairs professional with 30+ years of proven experience developing strategic communication plans at the national level, effectively engaging internal and external audiences to meet the organization’s goals. I possess a comprehensive background in marketing and project management, media and community engagement, journalism, multimedia production, and social media communication. I am an emotionally intelligent leader who places a significant priority on both individual and collective staff member success, actively listening to understand all aspects of the issue, and on continuous learning for self-development. I’ve planned, coordinated and executed key leader engagement activities and high-level conferences for domestic and global organizations while ensuring priority messaging reaches intended publics and audiences. I am adept at building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders to accomplish measurable results while leading teams in dynamic, fast-paced environments. I have a Master’s degree in Adult Education and Lifelong Learning and a Master of Arts in Leadership Studies.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
GS-14, Strategic Communication Program Analyst HQDA, DCS G-9 SIG November 2024 – Present
HQDA G-9 SIG Arlington, VA
Hybrid work environment; telework from home/in office three days per week 40 hours/week
Serves as the sole Strategic Communication Program Analyst for HQDA, DCS, G-9
Plans, organizes, develops and directs long-term strategies for communicating DCS, G-9 goals that support the Secretary of the Army’s priorities.
Writes communication strategy, develops monthly plans, and talking points for HQDA, DCS, G-9 and each of the six directorates within the organization.
Create presentation briefings and information papers in coordination with the Office of the Chief of Army Public Affairs (OCPA) on significant topics specific to the various DCS, G-9 directorates including Installation Services, Operations Directorate, Resource Directorate, Mission Support Directorate, Information Technology Directorate, and the Directorate of Prevention, Resilience, and Readiness.
Writes speeches for the DCS, G-9 for all public events and ceremonies.
Coordinates with the DCS, G-9 Congressional Action Coordinating Officers and the most senior Army staff to ensure compliance of policies and Congressional mandates.
Works collaboratively to integrate and synthesize program information and initiatives across the expansive DCS, G-9 portfolio to highlight all current initiatives and priorities.
Contractor Strategic Planner Communications & Education Consultant December 2023 – November 2024
Goldbelt Glacier Arlington, VA
Hybrid work environment; telework from home/in office one day per week 40 hours/week
Serves as a strategic planner, communication and education subject matter expert and consultant for the US Army.
Writes strategy, develops plans, talking points, and other conceptual documents to align with Secretary of the Army guidance regarding programs that support Soldiers and Families within the Headquarters, Department of the Army (HQDA) G9, Directorate of Prevention, Resilience, and Readiness (DPRR).
Works collaboratively to integrate and synthesize program information and initiatives across the Army portfolio to ensure stakeholders at all levels, internal and external, are kept apprised of current initiatives and priorities.
Develops presentation briefings, information papers, decision papers, and technical reports on significant topics to the Army for various stakeholders.
Writes language for updated policy and provides talking points for senior leaders, spokespersons, and stakeholders to communicate the strategic vision, goals, and plans.
Participates in high-visibility governance meetings with the most senior Army staff to ensure compliance of policies and Congressional mandates.
Advises senior Army leaders regarding ongoing Department of the Army planning and new initiatives, then develops strategy, comprehensive communication campaigns, and education materials to achieve their goals.
Contractor Strategic Planner Communications and Education Consultant January 2022 – December 2023
Intelligent Decision Systems, Inc. Alexandria, VA
Fully remote position 40 hours/week
Serves as a strategic planner, communication and education subject matter expert and consultant for the US Army.
Advises senior Army leaders regarding ongoing Department of the Army planning and new initiatives, then develops strategy, comprehensive public affairs campaigns, and education materials to achieve their goals.
Researches, compiles, and shares relevant science, data-informed metrics and doctrine regarding integrated primary prevention efforts to advance Army initiatives and improve Soldier and Total Army Family wellbeing to reduce harmful behaviors and outcomes.
Crafts language for updated policy and provides talking points for senior spokespersons and stakeholders.
**Prevention efforts and Army Resilience Directorate (G1) transitioned to G9, Directorate of Prevention, Resilience and Readiness 1 July 2023.
GS 15, Deputy Communication Director, Public Affairs March 2021 – July 2021
Federal Emergency Management Agency Washington, DC
$154,000.00 70 hours/week
Deputy Director of Public Affairs within the Office of External Affairs (OEA), responsible for all aspects of FEMA’s external engagement, including with Congress, intergovernmental partners, the media, the public, and the non-profit and private sectors.
Served on FEMA’s senior leadership team, advising Congressionally appointed leadership on outreach strategies and agency communications.
Led a team of 100 people across 10 geographically dispersed communication teams through crisis actions, political actions and decisions, and response to media queries on issues of national interest.
Instructor Group Facilitator Curriculum Developer August 2016 – September 2020
Noncommissioned Officer Leadership Center of Excellence, Sergeants Major Course Fort Bliss, TX
$124,000.00 60 hours/week
Educated, counseled, mentored, and evaluated more than 100 senior advisors of the United States Army, joint services, and allied nations.
Educated senior military leaders on the importance of US government interagency cooperation and coordination, intergovernmental relationships, and multinational functions to achieve US National and Defense Security strategies.
Focused on critical and creative thinking, development of courses of actions, theory, and application, problem solving, and planning in U.S. Armed Forces’ joint operational environments.
Facilitated 500 hours of undergraduate level instruction annually through the Experiential Learning Model to encourage all students to share experiences to support the learning outcome of each lesson.
Coordinated work across 40 different projects simultaneously, ensuring necessary updates and maintaining accuracy and relevancy of them all.
Mentored and developed the military’s senior leaders, resulting in positive student critiques for 11 consecutive semesters.
Assisted the organization in preparation for the Higher Learning Commission inspection and accreditation process.
Senior Public Affairs Director Community Outreach Manager Executive Leader 2012-2016
US Army Pacific Fort Shafter, HI
$134,000.00 60 hours/week
Senior Public Affairs (PA) advisor for a staff that served 106,000 Soldiers, Department of the Army Civilians and Family members across a 9,000-mile area of responsibility.
Mentored, coached, and supervised teams of military and government civilian public affairs personnel across the Indo-Asia-Pacific.
Senior advisor to the U.S. Army Pacific command team, staff, and subordinate unit command teams geographically dispersed throughout the Pacific and Alaska.
Supervised the development and execution of proactive public affairs plans and objectives for an organization comprised of 106K employees across a region of 36 countries.
Planned, coordinated and executed community outreach and engagement activities throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
Developed PA plans and procedures and integrated PA into the command's campaign strategy by informing strategic communication initiatives designed to meet goals of the organization.
Monitored public relations performance metrics, prepared PR reports and determined best practices to ensure quality control and management of social media programs.
Led, trained, synchronized, and coordinated the actions of the public affairs staff.
Recruited and managed all public affairs employee positions with a 95% fill rate.
Served as liaison between senior leadership and the public affairs office; produced and QC’ed all print, broadcast and public-facing web-based products.
Consultant Public Affairs Senior Manager Entertainment Liaison 2008-2011
US Army Office of the Chief of Public Affairs Los Angeles, CA
$98,000.00 50 hours/week
Served as the Secretary of the Army’s principal public affairs liaison to the entertainment industry in Los Angeles, California. Advised producers, directors, writers of documentary and television show production companies through 250 major motion pictures, maintaining the Army image and brand while ensuring Army messaging and initiatives were met.
Served as the principal on-site Army representative, providing technical advice, supervision, and guidance for more than 300 documentaries, television shows and major motion pictures, including Army Wives, GI Joe, and Transformers.
Coordinated with Office of the Secretary of Defense, with sister services, and with National Guard and Reserve Headquarters to synchronize service, installation, and facilities support.
Supported media and community relations outreach projects to educate American and international publics about the America’s Army.
Pitched network shows to carry Army-specific programming; including the Oprah Winfrey Show, which had an audience of 27 million.
KEY TRAITS
Mentoring Leaders
Strategic Messaging
Critical & Creative Thinker
Oral Written Communication
Crisis Resolution
Problem Solving
Personnel Management
Community Outreach
Communication Strategies
EDUCATION
Master of Education, Adult Education Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA – 2017
Distance Education Certificate Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA – 2017
Master of Arts, Leadership Studies University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX – 2012
Thomas Edison State University Trenton, NJ – 2005
CERTIFICATIONS
Certified Project Director Institute of Program Management – 2020
Resilience-Building Leader Program - Trainer RBLP – 2020
ACHIEVEMENTS
Published Peer-Reviewed article April 2019, Journal of Military Learning
Motivating and Educating Millennials
https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/Journal-of-Military-Learning/Journal-of-Military-Learning-Archives/JML-Apr-2019/Trent-Ed-Millennials/
References available upon request
Contact this candidate