Public Affairs, Government Relations, Communications, Nonprofits
Resume:
Nora L. Duncan
Manchester, CT
***********@*******.***
http://www.linkedin.com/in/noraduncanct
RESULTS-ORIENTED PUBLIC AFFAIRS & COMMUNICATIONS PROFESSIONAL
Public Affairs Government Relations Communications Public Relations
Trade Associations Membership Services Nonprofit Organizations Event Planning
Versatile and accomplished leader offering 15 years of experience in both private and public sectors. Proven record of steering projects, regardless of size, from inception to conclusion while consistently achieving benchmarks and deadlines. A solid reputation of credibility, integrity and reliability among elected officials and government executives, opinion makers and media relations specialists, government relations professionals and nonprofit leaders. Background includes successfully passing legislation for the Governor and nonprofit sector and trade association membership recruitment and retention. Dynamic and articulate with a forte for communicating succinctly and purposefully with broadly diverse audiences. Outstanding interpersonal and influencing skills combined with ability to foster mutually beneficial relationships to produce superior outcomes.
LINKED IN REFERENCE EXCERPTS
“Nora is a proven and principled leader…she is an effective communicator, consensus builder and creative thinker.”
Gladys Alcedo, Communications and Website Coordinator, Connecticut Association of Nonprofits
“Nora is a high-energy, no-nonsense worker…she has the uncommon ability to get things done. She is passionate and driven about her work. She is also persuasive, bright and congenial.” Al Calandro, Director, Office of Fiscal Analysis - Connecticut General Assembly
“Nora is a bright, competent professional who is a delight to work with. In all of my experience working with her, she delivered 150% in every way.” Daniel O'Connell, President, Connecticut Council of Family Service Agencies
“Nora has a keen understanding of public policy, the legislative process, and government operations. She is exceptionally well organized, a skilled communicator, and widely respected by an extensive network of policymakers, advocates, and lobbyists on both sides of the aisle.” Paul Pimentel, Chief of Staff, Connecticut Senate Republican Caucus
CAREER HISTORY
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS – STATE OF CONNECTICUT, Hartford, CT 08/10 to 01/11
Legislative Program Manager
Prepared annual legislative package for submission to Governor and Connecticut General Assembly, subsequently
promoting and protecting it throughout legislative process.
Monitored and responded to activities and developments by Connecticut General Assembly including regulations,
legislation, task forces and commissions which impact department’s mission, leading staff through all interactions with
Legislature.
Researched and wrote timely responses to inquiries by members of Connecticut General Assembly on behalf of Commissioner.
Served on department committees such as Lean Processes and Diversity Leadership.
OFFICE OF GOVERNOR M. JODI RELL – STATE OF CONNECTICUT, Hartford, CT 01/08 to 08/10
Policy & Legislative Affairs Liaison
Prepared, analyzed and researched legislation, regulations and policies for Governor and interacted with all branches of
government.
Advocated for Governor’s public policy and legislative priorities, with success in areas such as mortgage crisis relief, UConn
Health Center expansion and dairy farm preservation, with primary focuses in committees of cognizance over insurance and real
estate, public safety, banking, human services, children, labor and public employees, and finance, revenue and bonding.
Guided appointed candidates through legislative confirmation process for Judge, Commissioner and State Board Membership.
Cultivated and maintained bi-partisan relationships in Connecticut General Assembly.
Partnered with community groups, advocates and lobbyists to promote Governor’s priorities and understand their concerns.
Recruited, supervised and coordinated office internship program consisting of 5 interns per semester.
Orchestrated special events and projects such as State’s 375th Anniversary, including securing major corporate sponsor, dozens
of bill signing ceremonies and large-scale statewide charitable campaigns.
CONNECTICUT NONPROFIT HUMAN SERVICES CABINET, Hartford, CT 08/05 to 12/07
Project Director
Directed policy and activities of 20-member coalition of nonprofit associations representing nearly 1,000 individual nonprofit
organizations throughout Connecticut.
Promoted nonprofit sector as primary provider of publicly funded human services, securing funding and protecting services.
Positioned Cabinet as leading instrument for state’s nonprofit human services sector to communicate with all branches
of government, influencing both vetoes and passage of contracting reform legislation, ultimately protecting nonprofit
interests.
Facilitated cooperation between state government and nonprofits to streamline state human services purchasing policies
including development of cost and contracting standards, reporting consistencies, increasing transparency and accountability.
CONNECTICUT ASSOCIATION OF NONPROFITS, Hartford, CT 05/98 to 12/07
Promoted from Program Services Coordinator (05/98 – 09/04) to Program Services and Public Policy Specialist
(09/04 – 08/05) to Public Policy Director (08/05 – 12/07)
Facilitated public policy and public relations program development and communication for nonprofit sector priorities.
Registered lobbyist in Connecticut with success in passing bills in areas such as increased Cost of Living Adjustments,
increased funding for alternatives to incarceration and behavioral health treatment, juvenile justice and state contracting reform.
Staffed advocacy committees, provided members with legislative alerts and gave testimony related to nonprofit issues.
Facilitated public policy development including lobbying, grass roots coalition building and community education.
Supervised 3 staff in their public policy work on behalf of Association.
Collaborated in federal and state level partnerships on goals that promoted and protected the nonprofit sector.
Represented Association members with various state agencies on policy development, regulation promulgation, staff
training and relevant community provider issues including as member of state agency advisory boards.
COMMUNITY RENEWAL TEAM – ALTERNATIVE INCARCERATION CENTER, Enfield, CT 03/95 to 05/98
Promoted from Case Manager to Case Manager Supervisor
Supervised 3 person Case Management Team, 60+ client daily census and student interns.
Developed client program plans and evaluated and reported on client progress to appropriate state supervising authorities.
Acted as Superior Court Liaison and worked with Judicial Branch and Bail Commission personnel to promote services
and set standards of client referral, supervision and public safety.
Facilitated youth group presentations and pycho-educational groups, performed crisis intervention and offered counseling
services.
Fostered relationships with local and statewide community service organizations to develop new opportunities for clients.
Consulted at poorly performing sister residential program for three months to restructure record keeping system for
organizational, state auditing and quality assurance purposes resulting in successfully maintaining contract.
EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT, Storrs, CT
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Psychology (December 1994) –Magna Cum Laude.
HONORS AND AWARDS
Hartford Business Journal Award Winner: “40 Under Forty” Class of 2009
Recipient of National Council of Nonprofit Associations 2005 Phyllis Campbell Newsome Award for nonprofit advocacy leadership
Recipient of a City of Hartford 2005 CATCH (Committed Adult to Children in Hartford) Award
Recognized in 2004 for volunteer excellence by Nutmeg Big Brothers/Big Sisters
VOLUNTEER SERVICE
Connecticut Board of Education Services for the Blind – Volunteer with a Blind Resident of Manchester
Condominium Board – President (Third Term)
Taste of Manchester 2011 – Planning Committee Member (media relations)
Lutz Children’s Museum of Manchester – Photography and Public Relations
Nutmeg Big Brothers/Big Sisters – Big Sister
American Red Cross – Apheresis Donor
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