2024 NAGC Communications School:
Breakout Sessions

• View Wednesday's schedule
• View Thursday's schedule
• View Speaker biographies

Wednesday, May 22

Breakout Sessions: 10:00 - 11:00 am CDT

• Embracing Collaboration: Trading Competition for a Stronger Foundation in Communications
    by Jamie Carson

Communications is a competitive field, whether you're vying for headlines in the endless news cycle, fighting to capture shrinking attention spans or jockeying to bring home another professional award. We need to stop looking through the narrow lens of competition and refocus on collaboration to reach our true potential and better serve the public.

 

Join the NAGC's 2023 Communicator of the Year for a real talk about her lessons learned from more than 24 years in the profession. For much of her career as a former Soldier, a single mother of three and a local government communicator, carrying on without asking for help was more than a badge of honor, it was a way of life. But after the drive to be the best and climb the hill alone proved daunting, she learned valuable lessons on the importance of working smarter, not harder, and bringing others along for the journey.

 

Learning Objectives:

1. Cold Calls: In today's tech-savvy work environment with overflowing inboxes and countless DMs, cold calling is a lost art that when used confidently can be effective in expanding your network. Learn how in less than eight hours, a local government was able to collaborate with the CDC to improve the narrative on a malaria outbreak thanks to one phone call.
2. Trust Fall: When communicators are focused more on competing than collaborating, it's the community that loses. Discover how to build trust and share storytelling with partner agencies. This bond will be clutch during a crisis.   
3. Raise Your Hand: Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It's a demonstration of strength. Explore stepping out of your comfort zone to connect with other communicators and add to your professional toolbox of resources.
   
   

• Meeting the Press: Making the Interview Work
    by Shayne Martin and Wade Muehlhof

Meeting the press and successfully doing interviews is a core part of communicating effectively. While direct to audience channels are always growing, leveraging the enormous reach of the media remains a key component of achieving any communication goal. But doing a great interview is built on the foundation of a well-functioning media relations program.

 

In this breakout session, we will go into three key components that we've found to be successful in a high volume, high impact media relations team: Managing requests strategically, creating a culture of training and refinement for spokespeople, using common frameworks for messaging, and supporting messaging. Participants will come away with a repeatable framework to take their organization to the next level of media relations.

• Speechwriting
    by Jessica Kellogg

In an era of information overload, crafting speeches that resonate with diverse audiences and effectively convey key messages is crucial. This presentation aims to provide practical insights, proven strategies, and real-world examples that government communicators can apply to elevate their speech writing skills and enhance the impact of their communication efforts.

Key Objectives:

1. Understanding Audience Dynamics:
2. Structuring the Speech
3. Message Clarity and Alignment
4. Storytelling for Impact
5. Incorporating Visuals and Multimedia
6. Addressing Controversy and Difficult Subjects

• Tweeting Gone Awry: When Deletion Derails Government Communication
       by Dr. Muira McCammon

We will, through a series of case studies, examine the aftermath of tweeting-and-deleting episodes within U.S. federal agencies. Looking at subsequent email exchanges between government officials, transparency activists, and journalists, we will develop a framework for understanding how deletion itself often provokes anxiety and distrust among audiences of democratic institutions. Drawing on interviews with government officials and documents obtained via public records requests, this research will provide attendees with an opportunity to reflect on their imagined audiences and consider the ripple effects of deletion within and beyond government agencies. We will also reflect on the implications of transparency laws (i.e. FOIA) and records management laws (i.e. Federal Records Act) and analyze the data institutions are responsible to keep even as they tweet-and-delete.

Panel Discussions: 1:45 - 2:45 pm CDT

• Behind the Headphones: How to Amplify Your Message with a Podcast
  by Tabitha Clark and Nicholas Worrell

In 2024, podcasts are all the rage! From athletes to social media influencers, it seems like anyone with a mic and a platform has a podcast. But how can you make YOUR podcast truly pop? How can you go from simply delivering information to truly making connections with your audience? In this session, you’ll hear from two experienced communication pros who have taken their agency’s messaging to new heights with this unique audio-driven media format.

• The Impact & Importance of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Government Communications
  by Jolie Bernard and Karina Mora

Famous American author and businessman Stephen Covey once said that "strength lies in differences -- not similarities." During this panel discussion, learn how to leverage the differences in people and their perspectives to tell more well-rounded stories. Also, hear how representation and a genuine sense of ‘belonging’ within your organization improves  your team’s ability to connect with its audience.

• Working with the Media: How to Strengthen Relationships with Local Reporters
  by Lauren Walck and Wes Muller

The local news media can be a critical lifeline in how your communications shop gets the word out about important events, alerts, or affairs in your area. How can you ensure you get the coverage your community deserves and needs? The secret often lies with the kind of relationships your team has with local journalists. During this panel, hear from local news reporters talk about how government communicators can go from sending mass “press releases” to truly connecting with persons in the media to meet their goals.

• Mind the Gap: Rebuilding Trust in Government Communication
  by Larry Parnell & Zoe Young

Results of the Second Annual GW Government & Public Affairs (GPA) study, conducted in partnership with the NAGC

Breakout Session: 3:15 - 4:15 pm CDT

 • Web Design for Public Engagement
    by Mo Schriner

How do you redesign your website to clearly present your agency's mission and to enhance consumer engagement? This presentation walks through the steps from project design and user research, to processes to develop internal workgroups and tools.

Learning Objectives:

1. Provide practical framework for website redesign objectives and processes
2. Discuss approaches and methods for data-driven website redesign
3. Strategies for internal champions and internal engagement for major communications projects
4. Engage and share benefits and drawbacks of website redesign plans and processes

 

• Wellbeing for Public Communicators - How to Ensure You Keep Yourself Healthy and Safe as a PIO

     by Christine Townsend

Often the first to respond to any kind of crisis yet the last to be considered in the aftermath, it is vital that PIOs keep their mental health in check. This session walks through practical advice on how to be healthy in your role as a PIO.

• Learn how to identify signs of workplace PTSD in relation to managing communications
• Identify practical work-based steps to take to ensure work is easier to handle when a crisis hits
• Overcome obstacles such as politics and values-based issues that cause stress

 • Embracing Digital Platforms & Tech Tools to Shape Your Organization's Narrative
     by Jawauna Greene

This session will explore the true value of using social media tools in shaping public perception of your organization.  Participants will discuss how to manage boundaries across platforms and communication channels.  The sessions will examine the nexus between traditional media and strategies alongside new social media platforms. The session is designed to help participants understand the importance of developing a consistent brand or trusted voice that positively positions their organization. The session will also discuss examples AI tools that drive positive audience engagement.

 • Government and the Fourth Estate: Why You Should Really Talk to the Media in Times of Calm and Crisis
     by Melissa Hodgson, ABC APR

With widespread distrust of the media, ever-shrinking news teams less and less prepared to understand complex topics and easy access to your agency’s social media channels, you may wonder why you’d even want to talk to media. This session dives into the hidden opportunities in sharing your stories to mass audiences. Start with the basics then explore the art of pitching and storytelling, and the delicate balance of working with media in proactive and reactive situations.

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Thursday, May 23

Breakout Sessions: 10:00 - 11:00 am CDT

 • More than Eye Candy: Visual Storytelling for Complex Ideas 
    by Ryan Han, Victoria Aysola & Shenandoah Sowash

Have you ever been torn between thoroughly explaining a topic and appealing to a lay-reader audience? This session will describe a project that leveraged user-centered design principles and web-based channels to tell a compelling story but also convey critical technical details.  We thought outside the norm for our agency to developing a long-scrolling webpage format: a story-driven, data-rich vehicle that appealed to our core audience. It left them wanting more, rather than trying to make a meal of leftovers. We'll also walk you through an exercise to practice techniques like: Capturing attention with visual design and non-traditional formatting, Tailoring presentation to audience needs and Using illustrated storytelling to drive your content.

 

 • Working with Data in Government Communications
    by Nicole Bateman

Founded in 2017, USAFacts strives to empower Americans with facts derived directly from government data. Our journey has taught us valuable lessons about the role of data in democratic engagement. In this presentation, Nicole will share key takeaways from our experiences, offering practical tips, tools, and insights to anyone interested in learning how to more effectively incorporate data into communications, whether internal or external. 
  
Learning objectives: 

• The importance of data in building trust: Why accessible data is foundational to an informed citizenry and how it enhances public discourse. 

• Effective data communication strategies: Learn how to demystify complex data, and present it through text and visuals in ways that are engaging and understandable to the general public. 
• Data resources and pitfalls: Gain insights into the do's and don'ts of handling government data, from sourcing to sharing. 
• Lessons learned from sharing data on diverse platforms: What works (and doesn’t) in disseminating data effectively across various channels, including social media and newsletters, to reach a wider audience. 
  
  

• Speak Strong, Speak Long: Mastering Vocal Stamina for Effective Communication

    by Katy Stevens

Whether you're a speaker, parent, salesperson or engage in any activity that demands vocal communication, this session will equip you with the tools needed to maintain vocal health and build stamina. It's an opportunity to unlock the power of your voice, transform your vocal habits and conquer issues like hoarseness and fatigue.  1. Understanding Vocal Mechanics: Learn the inner workings of your voice, from vocal cord management to breath control and how improper use can lead to strain. Harness your natural mechanisms to optimize your voice's endurance. 2. Practical Vocal Exercises: Dive into a series of practical exercises designed to enhance vocal endurance. You'll gain a repertoire of techniques to keep your voice strong throughout the day. 3. Voice Preservation in Daily Life: Uncover strategies to prevent vocal fatigue in everyday situations. From managing group discussions to communicating with your team, we'll share practical tips to minimize strain and keep your voice resilient.

Set things on fire. Invite a Rolling Stone to help. Use walk out music. Rappel down a tower. Rewrite a popular Christmas story. Involve a parachuter. Spoof popular television. Make people cry. Jog in place on a moving trailer. Make tacos. Give the Mayor the keys to the excavator.  Your groundbreaking looks the same as every other government: people speaking about details before they pose with a shovel not used on the project.  But they don't have to, they can be so much more.   With a little creative planning, your events and stories will stand out in a crowded information field. You'll better tell your story AND create a buzz around your government. And your team and the participants, many of whom have also done a lot of these, will have more fun.

 
• How to Effectively Execute Advocacy Campaigns  
    by Nicholas Worrell

This presentation will provide the strategies and techniques an audience can use to ensure that advocacy efforts advance understanding of their mission and implementation of their safety recommendations following research, studies, or investigations. The session will include the following key learning components:

• Definition of advocacy and why it is important to advancing an organization’s
  mission.
• Guidance for developing advocacy campaign planning documents, including specific
  advocacy goals and objectives.
• Strategies for building internal and external support for the campaign goals and
  objectives.
• Processes for identifying key stakeholders and tailoring the variety of communications
  methods, including social media, to identified targeted audiences.
• Tactics for developing well-organized, clear, and concise key messages that connect
  with stakeholders, including messages to address internal and external opposition.
• Overview of best practices for advocacy campaign development and implementation.
• Lessons on how individuals can affect policy by becoming effective advocates.
• The impact of social media in the world of advocacy

 • Working with FOIA Requestors
    by Michael Madsen

This work session will present strategies centered on building positive relationships with requesters while also meeting open records statutes.

The session will include the following: 

1. How to work with a requestor to clarify exactly what it is they are requesting.
2. Responding to a requestor when the request must be denied per FOIA statute.
3. The difference between a request and an inquiry and how to handle each.
4. Processing FOIA requests involving large-scale email searches.
5. Best practices that will protect yourself and the government entity you represent.
6. The session will include case studies, examples, and simulation training.

Meet Your Speakers:

Victoria Aysola
U.S. Government Accountability Office
Victoria Aysola is a senior communications analyst at the U.S. Government Accountability Office, where she works with scientists, engineers, and other experts on sharing their findings to advise Congress. She brings several years of experience at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, where she worked on health policy initiatives. She has also worked in local government and in public relations.

Jolie Bernard
The Bernard Group, LLC

Jolie Bernard is a mompreneur, an innovator, a creator, and an orator. She is also a communications professional with twenty-five years of experience in the industry. Jolie Bernard is synonymous with giving selflessly and working tirelessly to create meaningful, purposeful, and impactful engagements. She is also an architect of conditions that create positive outcomes and change for others.

Bernard is a results-driven collaborator with proven success in building strong and sustainable relationships between stakeholders, executives, communities, organizations, and individuals regionally, nationally, and globally while prioritizing business growth and returns on investments.

As the principal owner of and lead brand strategist for The Bernard Group LLC, a full-service strategic communications and branding firm based in New Orleans, LA, she also has a successful track record of developing and facilitating effective strategic and organizational policies and procedures in diverse environments for a myriad of entities and institutions to include government officials and dignitaries, celebrities and professional athletes, CEOs of major companies, international recording artists, corporate partners, and hundreds of small business owners in the United States and abroad.

Bernard is also a partner in several other companies to date as well as the principal owner of several other business imprints. Bernard is passionate about servant-leadership; aligning herself with causes and non-profit organizations that are anchored in the spirit and mission of helping those that do not have traditional access to resources position themselves to live, learn, and work in a more productive, meaningful, and impactful way.

Jamie Carson
Sarasota County Government
Jamie Carson is the Director of Communications for Sarasota County Government, in Sarasota, Fla., and leads a department of 36 team members responsible for creative services, media relations, public records, 311 operations, and the welcome center. Carson was selected as the National Association of Government Communicators 2023 Communicator of the Year. Before being selected as the director in September 2022, Jamie served as the organization's Communications Manager. She initially started with the county in August 2013 as a Public Information Officer. Prior to joining Sarasota County Government, Jamie served as a Department of Army civilian supporting public affairs missions at the U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Command and the U.S. Army Recruiting Command. She started her professional career in communications as a U.S. Soldier. Jamie graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Communications from the Florida International University in 2022. She is also a graduate of the U.S. Department of Defense Information School (DINFOS). Jamie's greatest accomplishment is being the mother of Andrew, Abigail and Annabeth, affectionately known as the A-Team.

Tabitha Clark
City of Perry, Georgia
Tabitha Clark is the Senior Communication Administrator for the City of Perry located in central Georgia. She is accredited in public relations (APR) by the Universal Accreditation Board where she was trained and evaluated in the strategic planning process and best practices in the public relations field. 

Her communication experience includes law enforcement, K-12 public education, and local government. After spending over a decade working in communications, Tabitha knows how to engage target audiences through creative storytelling and communicating messages in a fun and unique way.  She is passionate about supporting government communicators and promoting communications as an essential professional resource in all levels of government.

Chris Floore
Macon-Bibb County
With nearly 20 years of public relations and communications experience, 15 of which have been at the executive level, Chris Floore is the Chief Communications Officer for Macon-Bibb County, the fourth largest city in Georgia. He and his team have built a communications strategy revolving around creativity in order to catch people's interest and help them remember the event, the announcement, the message, and, most importantly, the story.   Chris holds a Master of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication (Public Relations) from Kent State University and Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism from the University of South Carolina. He is a statewide government communication educator for the University of Georgia's Carl Vinson Institute of Government, providing training for the Georgia Municipal Association, Association County Commissioners of Georgia, State Clerks‚ Association, and others.

Jawauna M. Greene
Maryland Department of Transportation
Jawauna M. Greene  is an Assistant Secretary of Transportation for the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT). She stands as one of the highest ranking African American women at MDOT.  With a transportation career that spans more than 30 years, Ms. Greene has disntigushed herself in the industry as a leading communications and marketing professional. A life-long Baltimore City resident, Jawauna Greene remains committed to her community. She previously served as an executive for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), one of our nation’s largest transportation and infrastructure organizations. Ms. Greene has spent most of her professional career working in Maryland for regional transportations systems such as the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), the Maryland Port Administration (MPA), and the Maryland Transit Administration. She began her career working in the Maryland’s General Assembly for then Speaker Pro Team Elijah E. Cuming who then went on to serve as a Congressman until his passing. Ms. Greene has managed crisis communications and community engagement efforts. She also helped launch high-profile transportation projects and customer-facing initiatives that have been recognized as an industry game-changer! Ms. Greene has performed advocacy work for both nonprofit and public sector organizations.  

Ms. Greene has also served as an international panelist for Advertising Week, in South Africa and the United Kingdom. Her expertise is used to help guide the next generations of marketing and media professionals. She has served on advisory committees and nonprofit boards throughout the State of Maryland and District of Columbia, Ms. Greene is the former board chair for the Children’s Guild, where she has also helped launch charter schools in Maryland and the District of Columbia. She also helped create small non-profits in Maryland such as She Rises Int’l, an organization dedicated to preventing domestic violence and empowering women; and is a founding member of We Empower Women (WEW). Ms. Greene remains passionate about empowering youth through public education advocacy and supporting minority business access to state-wide and municipal contract opportunities. Ms. Greene has received numerous awards for her work such in the field of marketing and for her advocacy work. This year, Ms. Greene was named one of Maryland’s top 100 women by the Daily Record news publication.   

Ms. Greene holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Hood College, and a Masters in Business from University of Maryland.

Ryan Han
U.S. Government Accountability Office
Ryan serves as Lead Visual Communications Analyst for the Science, Technology Assessment, and Analytics (STAA) team of the U.S. Government Accountability Office, where he works with a talented team of scientists and communicators to give Congress information they need to make forward-thinking decisions related to science and technology. He has 20 years of experience working in-house, freelance, and within commercial design agencies. His work has included UX/UI design, product development, web development, motion graphics and video production, ad design, branding, and campaign strategy. He has worked for clients such as the National Wildlife Federation, Hilton hotels, Stanford University, University of California, and the Folger Theatre.

Melissa Hodgson, ABC APR
Gambel Communications
Melissa is an award-winning public speaker, public relations practitioner and proven leader with recognition for both management of teams and execution of strategies. She has a unique perspective on strategic communication, having led corporate, agency and independent settings. As vice president at Gambel Communications, Melissa is the management executive focused on managing, directing, planning and coordinating agency resources to ensure the mission, vision, values and finances align with the agency’s goals.

Jessica Kellogg
Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara
Jessica Kellogg, MPP is the Public Information Officer for the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara. Through public relations and internal communications, Jessica integrates the Court's goals of judicial collegiality with community needs to support Santa Clara residents. Prior to her work in California's Bay Area, she served as the Public Information Officer for the City of Los Angeles Emergency Management Department she kept Angelenos informed about emergency preparedness, response and recovery through media campaigns and day-to-day marketing. Throughout the duration of various Emergency Operations Center activations, she led the City of LA's Joint Information System, comprised of marketing and community relations directors, public relations personnel and graphic designers in information dissemination and one voice communications. Jessica found her niche of public relations with the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks. Through the role of Public Relations Specialist, she was introduced to speech writing, event planning, press conference coordination and social media marketing.

Michael Madsen
El Paso County, Colorado
Mike was raised in the Southern California desert and, after graduating from San Diego State University in 2006, accepted a teaching position in Colorado Springs, where he taught mathematics for over 14 years. During this time, he continued his educational journey, earning a master's degree in mathematics from the University of Colorado. In 2019, he accepted a Communications position as the Open Records Specialist for El Paso County. Three years later, he was promoted to Open Records Manager and currently serves in this role. Mike currently lives in Colorado Springs with his wife Cindi, their three kids, and two spoiled cats. Mike enjoys playing chess, participating in various sports, and hanging out with his friends and family.

Shayne Martin 
USDA Forest Service
Shayne Martin is the Assistant Director of Media Relations and serves as the leader of the National Press Desk at the United States Department of Agriculture‚ Forest Service. In this role he leads one of the busiest media relations programs in government averaging over 1200 media engagements a year with a team of three national press officers working with dozens of media leads across 43 states and territories. Shayne's decade of experience in media relations in government, spending time at the Department of Treasury, in external affairs for the Section 809 Panel at the Department of Defense, and as a communication director for members of Congress has taught him how important working with the media and press is for government agencies. Shayne lives in northern Virginia with his wife Sarah and children Amelie and Ellis and enjoys camping and being outdoors with family and friends.

Danna Matheus 
City of Hyattsville
Danna Matheus is the Bilingual Communications Specialist for the City of Hyattsville in Maryland. She has experience creating content for bilingual audiences on digital and traditional platforms and is committed to strengthening communication between Hyattsville and its diverse community. At the same time, Matheus is also pursuing a bachelor's degree in journalism at the University of Maryland with an expected graduation date of December 2025. Danna hopes to use her collective experience to foster open and accessible communication for all.

 Karina Mora
Elevating Acultura
Karina Mora built a growing wedding photography business with her husband for thirteen years. Despite growing into a successful and published wedding photographer, after a wedding where her culture was mocked right in front of her, she decided to let go of her lucrative career in the wedding industry, to elevate Mexican Culture. She is a professional photographer, speaker, and successful podcaster devoted to helping people reclaim their cultural legacies and elevating her native Mexican culture through photography, workshops, and facilitated trips to Mexico. 
Her podcast Elevating la Cultura features stories from first and second- generation Latinas who are working hard, pursuing their passions, and pouring their positive efforts and benefits into the next generations.

Dr. Muira McCammon
Department of Communication, Tulane University
Dr. Muira McCammon is an Assistant Professor in Tulane's Department of Communication, where she researches government speech, digital culture, and the politics of media technologies. In her scholarship and consulting work, she examines how U.S. federal agencies leverage official social media platforms to reach different public audiences and the challenges they face in the process. She has previously worked or held fellowships at the Harvard Law Library Innovation Lab, and the Turkish Fulbright Commission, and Microsoft‚ Social Media Collective. Dr. McCammon holds a PhD in Communication from the University of Pennsylvania‚ Annenberg School for Communication as well as a Master in Law from the University of Pennsylvania‚ Carey Law School. Her words and writings on government communication have appeared in a variety of places, including public-facing outlets like Slate and On the Media as well as academic journals including New Media & Society and Information, Communication, and Society.

Wes Muller
Louisiana Illuminator
Wes Muller traces his journalism roots to 1997 when, at age 13, he built a hyper-local news website for his New Orleans neighborhood. Since then, he has freelanced for the Times-Picayune and worked on staff at the CBS affiliate in Baton Rouge, the Sun Herald and the Enterprise-Journal. He also taught English as an adjunct instructor at Baton Rouge Community College. Muller is a New Orleans native, Jesuit High School alumnus, University of New Orleans alumnus and a U.S. Army veteran and former paratrooper. He lives in Southeast Louisiana with his two sons and wife and currently covers government and politics for the nonprofit news site, the Louisiana Illuminator. 

Larry Parnell
George Washington University
Lawrence J. Parnell, M.B.A. is an award-winning Public Relations professional and academic who is an Associate Professor and Director of the George Washington University master’s in strategic public Relations program. He has served in this role for 15 years and the GWU Masters is one of the best known and most admired graduate programs in communications in the US. As of May 2023, the program has over 1,200 alums working in communications and public affairs roles in the US and globally.

Parnell holds a BS in Journalism from Boston University; and an MBA from the University of New Haven. Reflecting bis commitment to lifelong learning, he completed a Graduate Certificate in Strategic Management and Public Policy from the GW School of Business (May 2023) ; and recently (October 2023) completed the GW Center for Excellence in Public Leadership, (CEPL), Executive Coaching program.

Prior to coming to GW, he had a long and successful career in the private and public sector. He has worked in corporate and agency settings globally and served in national and statewide government positions. He is a two-time winner of the prestigious PR Week Awards. He was named PR Professional of the Year (2003) while at E&Y and the GW Master’s program was recognized as the Best PR Education program in 2015.

Mo Schriner
Minnesota Department of Commerce
Mo Schriner has three decades of experience as a public relations professional, academic faculty member, and journalist. She began her career as a reporter for daily newspapers and then as political reporter and producer for television news. She transitioned to work in public relations for corporate, nonprofit and public organizations. In pursuit of evidence-based communications, she obtained her doctorate degree in mass communications. She joined the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire as full-time faculty, transforming the PR program to an integrated strategic communications program with an emphasis in digital media. In 2017, she left academia to work in PR for a technology business association and U.S. Census Bureau media work for the 2020 Census. She is currently communications director for the Minnesota Department of Commerce, which includes divisions for energy resources, financial institutions, and insurance.

Kerry Shearer
Kerry Shearer is a former longtime PIO for Sacramento County who has a wide-ranging background as a web video expert, emergency communications trainer, social media specialist, conference speaker and broadcaster. He implemented cutting-edge social media strategies to communicate public health messaging during the H1N1 flu pandemic, and served in Joint Information Centers for northern California’s historic wildfires, turning all significant news releases and announcements into live and recorded videos. Kerry is also part of a team that provides DHS-certified crisis communications training to PIOs who would staff a Joint Information Center during a disaster. In addition to fast-turnaround smartphone video production, Kerry’s specialty is live video. Livestreaming offers unprecedented opportunities to create high-impact, engaging content, and is especially critical in emergencies. Kerry knows the effective techniques, tips, and tech to help anyone create compelling content with smartphone video.

Shenandoah Sowash
U.S. Government Accountability Office
Shenandoah Sowash currently leads the communications team for the Science, Technology Assessment, and Analytics department at the Government Accountability Office. An expert communications strategist, Shenandoah brings years of experience in the private, nonprofit, academic, and government sectors. She is a former faculty member at American University and the University of Maryland.

Katy Stevens
Katy's Music Studio
Katy Stevens has been a private piano and voice instructor since 1989. She currently runs a private music studio in Baltimore, Maryland, and over the years, has taught more than 600 students in piano, voice, ukulele, music theory and flute. She also actively teaches at musical theatre camps and workshops. Katy grew up in a musical family in Central Ohio and has been performing since the age of three. She majored in vocal performance at the University of Akron in Akron, Ohio. She holds a bachelor's degree in worship arts from West Coast Bible College and Seminary. She has sung on several recording projects, including releasing her CD, Finding Me. Katy enjoyed the privilege of singing the National Anthem at a Baltimore Orioles game in June of 2018. When Katy isn't making music, she is the Katy of "The Mo and Katy Show" education and entertainment duo.

Karen Terrill
Media Survival Group
Karen Terrill teaches crisis communications as a contractor with the Department of Homeland Security, and as an Associate with Argonne National Laboratory. Previously, she had three careers:  Public School Teacher where she taught Middle School, High School and Adult School. Broadcast Journalist where she worked at ABC and NBC affiliates as a News Anchor, reporter and producer.   Public Information Officer where she was Lead PIO for CAL FIRE and Chief Communications Officer for the California State Fire Marshal. Decades of experience in those fields prepared her for the rewarding work she is doing today.

Christine Townsend
PIO Toolkit
Christine Townsend is the founder of PIO Toolkit - a resource for communication professionals in public safety and Government. Christine has over twenty years experience in crisis and emergency communication and has trained agencies across the world in how to engage with the public, specializing in community engagement and emergency response. She recently published the book, "The Frontline Communicator: A Comprehensive Handbook for Public Information Officers." In the UK she worked with the Ministry of Justice, Home Office and Cabinet Office to handle national and international criminal justice issues. As Director of Communications for the City of London Police she managed such issues as the G20 riots, international financial scandals, the London 2012 Olympics, the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, and the funeral of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Christine is now based in Austin, TX and carries out work as a subject matter expert on community engagement for the Department of Justice.

Lauren Walck
Times & Picayune
Lauren Walck is deputy metro editor of The Times-Picayune newspaper in New Orleans. She started her career as a page designer with Gannett and at McClatchy worked in nearly every position in the newsroom. She  led the transformation of the Biloxi Sun Herald into a digital-first operation before serving as executive editor at the Bradenton Herald in Florida.

Nicholas Worrell
National Transportation Safety Board
Nicholas Worrell has served as the Director of the Office of Safety Advocacy for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) since June 2015. Over his 28-year career with the NTSB, he has held positions as a Public Affairs Officer and safety advocate. Prior to joining the NTSB, Mr. Worrell proudly served for eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps. Recognized as an expert on transportation safety issues and advisory strategies, Mr. Worrell regularly addresses local, state, and international governments; private industry; various organizations; youth safety leaders; and educators instructing on NTSB safety investigations and the adoption of safety regulations throughout the private and government sectors. In 2019, Mr. Worrell spoke before the Nigerian, Kenyan and South African government on Effective Safety Advocacy, and Creating Positive Change in Transportation Safety in Kenya as part of the Safer Skies Program, and coordinated safety efforts throughout the Caribbean region, including in Jamaica, Guyana, Trinidad, and Barbados.

Zoe Young
Schoen Cooperman
Zoe Young is a Vice President with Schoen Cooperman Research. An experienced data analyst and communications strategist, she conducts advanced quantitative and qualitative research and develops actionable messaging strategies that help a range of political, corporate, and advocacy clients win campaigns, build their brands, and drive transformative change.

Zoe was a senior data strategist for former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s 2020 presidential campaign, as well as for Independence USA’s – Bloomberg’s political action committee – advertising campaign on behalf of President Joe Biden in the 2020 general election. She continues to conduct research for Bloomberg’s philanthropic and political initiatives and organizations, including Everytown for Gun Safety. Further, in 2021, her work supported Eric Adams’ successful bid for New York City Mayor.

In addition to her political experience, Zoe has worked extensively with partners in the education space, most recently, with Charter School Growth Fund and the George Washington Graduate School of Political Management. In the corporate arena, she has worked on brand expansion projects for Margaritaville, Equinox, and Verishop.

Zoe currently manages strategic data analysis for Israel on Campus Coalition. She also regularly contributes to opinion editorials for national publications, including The Hill.

Zoe graduated cum laude from the University of Southern California with a B.A. in Communication from the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.

Cindy Zork
City of Hyattsville
Cindy Zork is the Communications Manager for the City of Hyattsville, Maryland, a small town with an urban feel just outside of Washington DC. As Communications Manager she develops and leads creative communications strategies to reach all facets of Hyattsville's diverse community. Cindy is a dedicated advocate for community engagement, particularly in Hyattsville where she is also a resident! Prior to her current role, Cindy spent 10 years working in community outreach for non-profits in the DC metro area.