Experience

First Focus on Children

• United States
• Government Relations Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Vice President, Health Systems Policy and Strategic Partnerships

  • Jul 2021 - Present



AARP

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 700 & Above Employee

• Advocacy Integration Director

  • Nov 2016 - Jun 2021

  Served as primary advisor to the Senior Vice President of State and Community Engagement for local, state and federal advocacy. Served as primary advisor to the Senior Vice President of State and Community Engagement for local, state and federal advocacy.



Burness

• United States
• Public Relations and Communications Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Vice President for Public Policy

  • Nov 2010 - Feb 2016

  Advised national foundations advocating for innovative solutions to policy issues related to health care, Veterans' health, education, early childhood, aging, and health information technology. Developed policy strategies to educate and inform state and federal policy makers about foundation programs and related policy issues. Researched stakeholder communities and created effective stakeholder outreach plans. Developed communications plans in conjunction with media and social media colleagues.



Denno Strategies

• Policy and Legislative Consultant

  • Mar 2007 - Sep 2010

  Instructed foundations, health care and aging organizations on effectively communicating public policy issues with Congress. Instructed foundations, health care and aging organizations on effectively communicating public policy issues with Congress.



U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging

• Professional Staff Member

  • Feb 2001 - Mar 2005

  Advised the Chairman/Ranking Member (Senator Breaux) of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging. Responsible for organizing hearings on health care, long-term services and supports and the Older Americans Act. Successfully requested appropriations dollars for Meals on Wheels and PACE initiatives. Monitored legislative activity on bills related to health care, mental health, Medicare and Medicaid. Co-authored a long-term services and supports white paper. Advised the Chairman/Ranking Member (Senator Breaux) of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging. Responsible for organizing hearings on health care, long-term services and supports and the Older Americans Act. Successfully requested appropriations dollars for Meals on Wheels and PACE initiatives. Monitored legislative activity on bills related to health care, mental health, Medicare and Medicaid. Co-authored a long-term services and supports white paper.



Us Senator Blanche Lincoln

• United States
• Market Research

• Legislative Assistant

  • Jan 1999 - Feb 2001

  Staffed the Senator for the Senate Finance Committee and the Senate Special Committee on Aging. Responsible for domestic policy issues including health care, housing, Social Security, education, the arts, and child welfare. Initiated legislation and monitored legislative action on key policy issues. Prepared briefing materials and wrote speeches for the Senator. Planned and coordinated events in the state. Communicated regularly with constituents, state and federal state officials and state/national policy organizations.



Senior Corps, Corporation for National Service

• Director of Communications

  • 1995 - 1998

  Developed and implemented a successful national public affairs strategy for the Senior Service Corps to encourage civic engagement by older Americans. Collaborated on AmeriCorps initiatives. Developed and maintained relationships with national aging, children’s and social service organizations, key Congressional staff, regional and national press. Developed and implemented a successful national public affairs strategy for the Senior Service Corps to encourage civic engagement by older Americans. Collaborated on AmeriCorps initiatives. Developed and maintained relationships with national aging, children’s and social service organizations, key Congressional staff, regional and national press.



1995 White House Conference on Aging

• Deputy Director

  • 1994 - 1995

  Key political adviser and strategist to the Executive Director responsible for supervising all aspects of 1995 Conference promoting federal aging policies for the 21st century. Served as primary liaison with White House, Cabinet agencies, Members of Congress, Governors and key constituencies at the federal level. Advanced the Conference agenda across the United States through frequent speeches and engaged in dialogue with national aging organizations, state agencies on aging, policy makers and the private sector.



U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

• United States
• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Child Care Program Specialist

  • 1992 - 1994

  Responsible for monitoring and evaluating the Child Care and Development Block Grant program for low-income families. Analyzed statutory, regulatory and policy issues regarding child care and early childhood programs. Performed on-site reviews of child care programs in the Pacific Northwest and consulted with state and local officials. Responsible for monitoring and evaluating the Child Care and Development Block Grant program for low-income families. Analyzed statutory, regulatory and policy issues regarding child care and early childhood programs. Performed on-site reviews of child care programs in the Pacific Northwest and consulted with state and local officials.



The House of Ruth

• Development and Program Officer

  • 1989 - 1992

  Managed and administered the establishment of Kidspace, an innovative national model and Washington, D.C.’s first child development center for homeless children. Wrote successful grant proposals for funding in the areas of homelessness, domestic violence, substance abuse, mental health, maternal health and child care. Coordinated numerous public relations campaigns and served as spokesperson for the agency. Met frequently with Congressional staff. Managed and administered the establishment of Kidspace, an innovative national model and Washington, D.C.’s first child development center for homeless children. Wrote successful grant proposals for funding in the areas of homelessness, domestic violence, substance abuse, mental health, maternal health and child care. Coordinated numerous public relations campaigns and served as spokesperson for the agency. Met frequently with Congressional staff.



U.S. Senator John Glenn

• Legislative Aide

  • 1984 - 1987

  Advised Senator Glenn on domestic policy issues including health care, education, housing, the arts, and child welfare. Met regularly with constituents, state officials and industry lobbyists. Advised Senator Glenn on domestic policy issues including health care, education, housing, the arts, and child welfare. Met regularly with constituents, state officials and industry lobbyists.