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At the U.S. Mission to the European Union, I held a unique position focused on informing America’s EU-based diplomatic corps of the impacts of EU actions on its member states and on transatlantic relations. My core function was stakeholder engagement to keep U.S. Embassy public affairs sections informed of EU policy developments across a range of issues. This position was always interesting as I served as press liaison, led outreach efforts on critical issues such as Avian Flu, and developed public affairs strategies for science communications, among many other roles.
At the U.S. Mission to the European Union, I held a unique position focused on informing America’s EU-based diplomatic corps of the impacts of EU actions on its member states and on transatlantic relations. My core function was stakeholder engagement to keep U.S. Embassy public affairs sections informed of EU policy developments across a range of issues. This position was always interesting as I served as press liaison, led outreach efforts on critical issues such as Avian Flu, and developed public affairs strategies for science communications, among many other roles.
Managed multimedia coverage, press outreach, and results reporting on press and policy community reactions to U.S. Government policy briefings, announcements, and statements
Designed and created online outreach facilities including intranet redesign, online product development, and training programs in support of U.S. public affairs offices in EU member countries
Conceived, planned, and led strategic communications and outreach initiatives to EU institutions and industry associations on corporate social responsibility (CSR), climate change policy, counterterrorism, and Muslim community relations
Managed relations with third-party online press and digital content platforms resulting in increased audience engagement and cost reductions
Led website management and digital media campaigns to over 80 U.S. diplomatic posts on avian flu and U.S.-EU science cooperation
Coordinated U.S. official delegations and press relations for events at the EU Commission, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, The German Marshall Fund, and Center for European Policy Studies
Edited over 50 media and public affairs activity reports detailing USEU achievements, EU press and public opinion responses to U.S. foreign policy.
My work with the U.S. Mission to the European Union
My work with the U.S. Mission to the European Union
Coordinating USEU's Public Diplomacy Network
Coordinating USEU's Public Diplomacy Network
The structure of the European Union and its policy impact in EU member states presented a public affairs challenge for U.S. diplomatic posts throughout the EU member area. Public affairs teams in individual member states routinely faced a shortfall of knowledge, expertise, and awareness of EU-level action that impacted U.S. relations with the member country.
A core part of my role when I joined the public affairs office of the U.S. Mission to the EU was to close this information gap. Leveraging my expertise in online communications and stakeholder engagement, I created an intranet and weekly newsletter service to deliver information and analysis from USEU’s public affairs, commercial, economic, and political sections to public affairs teams in the EU.
The immediate impact was vastly increased engagement among the U.S. public affairs offices, resulting in exchanges of ideas and best practices which increased effectiveness of public affairs activities. Individual offices found the intranet and newsletter services to be valuable assets in briefing their own political and economic teams and preparing talking points and outreach materials to local press and stakeholder communities. Ultimately, many public affairs officers found the Public Diplomacy network a valuable tool in raising awareness of their own challenges with other offices, where we provided editorial and outreach services as needed.
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