Dená L. Brummer

Selected IPA Alumni Profile

MPA 2005
Analytical Paper Title: “Risk Communication and Government: Theory and Application for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency”
Chair: Douglas Tuttle; Committee Members: Phillip Wescott (Communications) and Kathryn G. Denhardt (Urban Affairs & Public Policy)

e-mail: dmcclur644@aol.com

current position:
Deputy Director of Communications
Georgia Department of Community Health
Atlanta, Ga.

introduction | education | experience | fellowships

Introduction

Dená Brummer is currently Deputy Director of Communications with the Georgia Department of Community Health. In this position, she co-manages and supervises all day-to-day public relations and media strategies for a $11 billion agency responsible for the purchasing, planning and regulation of health care for over 2.1 million Georgians

Prior to joining the University of Delaware, Dená received journalism degree and worked for the National Capital Planning Commission as a public affairs specialist.

Education

MPA, University of Delaware, 2005, Crisis & Risk Communications

BA, Clark Atlanta University, 2001, Mass Media Arts, Concentration: Journalism

Experience

2007–present
Deputy Director of Communications, Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH), Atlanta, Ga.

Co-manage and supervise all day-to-day public relations and media strategies for a $11 billion agency responsible for the purchasing, planning and regulation of health care for over 2.1 million Georgians. Advise staff and senior management on communications issues. Manage and direct a staff of five to provide full-service marketing and communications support for the agency in areas of planning and strategy, Web marketing, media relations, publications, development communications, and special projects.

Key Accomplishments:

Increased internal communications output by 50% while reducing costs paid to outside vendors by 50%.
Initiated proactive communications strategies to safeguard DCH’s image and reputation.
Successfully implemented communications plans for GeorgiaHealthInfo.gov and the Georgia Health Equity Initiative that resulted in more than 20 positive media clips.

2006–2007
Media Relations Manager, Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH), Atlanta, Ga.

Implemented all facets of the organization’s media relations, placing stories in major media outlets such as the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, USA Today, the Associated Press and other major wires and broadcast outlets, including CBS Nightly News and National Public Radio. Worked with other departments to research, write, and edit press materials including media advisories, press releases, fact sheets, talking points, press kits, op-ed pieces, letters, and other related press material. Wrote speeches, testimony, remarks, op-ed articles, and other communications for DCH leaders. Developed and designed promotional materials for the agency such as brochures, table top-displays, newsletters, etc.

Key Accomplishments:

Provided creative direction for the agency’s rebrand strategy and created collateral material.
Increased positive media coverage resulting in 50 positive news stories in 18 months.
Implemented a system of measuring media based on quality of articles rather than quantity.
Coordinated crisis communications efforts around the agency’s Medicaid/Peachcare data breach incident.

2005–2006
Communications Analyst, Georgia Office of Homeland Security–Georgia Emergency Management Agency (OHS-GEMA), Atlanta, Ga.

Provided public affairs support to the Georgia Information Sharing Analysis Center (GISAC). Managed the daily dissemination of news and terrorism-related information to Georgia’s law enforcement community. Developed presentations and speeches for the organization’s senior leadership. Monitored the activities of and interacted with representatives of local, state, federal or international legislative agencies. Developed visual communications such as websites, brochures, annual reports, and static displays that communicate GISAC's mission, programs, and services to various audiences.

Key Accomplishments:

Co-created and launched Georgia911.gov, the state’s information portal for emergencies and disasters.
Designed and implemented an In-Service Training Course for security guard personnel across the state.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, coordinated resources in one of the state’s emergency shelters.

January–June 2005
Legislative Fellow, Delaware General Assembly, Dover, Del.

Provide background research on health and environmental issues for the Senate Majority Caucus. Interpret the law or regulation as it may apply to the particular questions of one or more constituents. Provide memorandums and communication products to constituents.

Provided extensive research assistance for the following legislation:

Senate Bill 80 that authorizes embryonic stem cell research in Delaware
Senate Bill 60 that creating the state’s first one-for-one needle exchange program.

September 2003—June 2005
Research Assistant, Institute for Public Administration, University of Delaware

Assisted IPA faculty and staff in conducting transportation and security research, and coordinating a vareity of public relations activities for policy forums.

2002–2003
Public Affairs Specialist, The National Capital Planning Commission, Washington, D.C.

Designed and organized agency’s public outreach programs, including special exhibits and public meetings. Editor and designer of the agency’s publication. Created numerous multi-media presentations for agency’s website and public outreach activities.

Accomplishment:

Coordinated communication activities around the National Capital Urban Design and Security Plan.

2001–2002
Public Affairs Specialist, Office of the Chief of Army Public Affairs, Arlington, Va., and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island Arsenal, Ill.

Wrote speeches and organized numerous press conferences. Wrote internal and external products for use in the media. Served as editor and designer for the Corps’ monthly publication. Developed and designed online content for the District’s website. Organized numerous ceremonies, town hall meetings and public meetings.

Accomplishments:

Coordinated yearly Congressional visit to Congress for the District’s leadership
Co-designed and implemented a crisis communications strategy in response to the 2001 Mississippi River flood.

1999–2001 (part time during college)
Business News Reporter, Atlanta Journal Constitution, Atlanta, Ga.

Wrote business and news features for Georgia’s largest newspaper. Updated and maintained stock index on the paper’s website. Broke a story on how investors could protect themselves from the failing euro.

Fellowships

June–September 2004
Public Affairs Fellow, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, New York, N.Y.

serving the public good,
shaping tomorrow’s leaders