Alyson Neel Email & Phone Number

New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

Supported by the Reilly Center, Neel teaches courses including Political Communication Writing and Media Ethics & Social Responsibility, works with faculty and students on research and journalistic projects, and leads civic engagement initiatives aimed at reducing hyper-polarization on central public health issues including reproductive and sexual health.

Yangon, Myanmar

Authored bilingual children's book about 14 women rocking Myanmar. Showcases illustrations by 5 Myanmar female artists. Facebook page: @Girl Power in MyanmarInstagram: @girlpowerinmyanmar

Baton Rouge, Louisiana Area

Led all strategic external and internal communications and outreach at LDH, the largest state agency with a budget of $19.1 billion and a team responsible for delivering services to millions of Louisianans. In this role, led the comms and outreach responses for the Department to COVID-19, mpox and natural disasters like Hurricanes Ida and Laura.

Greater New York City Area

Yangon, Myanmar

Founded in 2013, Akhaya Women is a local women’s organization in Yangon whose work to increase women’s political participation and prevent and address GBV is rooted in breaking down social norms around women’s sexuality. As Advisor to the Founder/Director, Neel filled a number of roles – strategic planning, proposal development, monitoring and evaluation, program design and management, external relations – for a young NGO with ambitious plans for expansion. Specifically, Neel managed the launch of a new mentoring program for newly elected, female members of Myanmar Parliament. Opportunity made possible through the nationally competitive Luce Scholars program, which includes intensive language training and individualized professional placements in Asia for one year.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Identified legislative opportunities; monitored legislative activity; worked with committees and stakeholders to draft bills; collaborated with civil society groups to inform and garner support and briefed the Senator and staff on gender, race, economic and health policy issues.

Greater New York City Area

Supported and advised like-minded global and U.S. civil society leaders, including CARE, the ONE Campaign, Oxfam and Save the Children, in navigating the UN and Congress in their advocacy around the implementation of the SDGs. Responsibilities included: Helping develop overall political objectives and advocacy strategies; keeping CSOs abreast of global trends, risks, obstacles and opportunities in civil society engagement; developing policy memos and concept notes on contentious topics related to the SDGs, specifically related to gender and sustainable cities; working with the Policy Team to politically track UN negotiations, conduct research as necessary and synthesize and disseminate information.

Helped inform successful legislation standardizing how colleges and universities handle sexual violence cases, including institution-led, anonymous campus climate surveys. Helped build and managed a coalition, consisting of the La Governor’s office, state legislators, legal experts and women’s rights advocates; reviewed gaps in current policies and compiled best practices at the state level; and connected state efforts with federal efforts and actors.

A multimedia journalist, Neel has published across genres and platforms. Bylines for The Washington Post, Outside, Roads & Kingdoms, Time Out Istanbul, CNN Turk, Tumblr's Storyboard, Bitch, Women's Media Center, South Writ Large.After working as a staff news reporter for Today's Zaman for one year, she freelanced full-time for an additional year before starting graduate school in September 2013. Since then, she has periodically published.

Greater New York City Area

Contributed to researching, analyzing and drafting the "2014 Report of the Secretary General on the Improvement in the Status of Women in the UN System."

Istanbul, Turkey

Provided strategic consulting on communications with other NGOs, media, donors and political actors in the local, national and international arenas.

Istanbul, Turkey

Then largest English language daily in Turkey, which has since been shuttered because of its affiliation with the Gulen Movement and political fallout with now President Erdogan. As a staff news reporter, covered structural impediments women and other marginalized groups face in Turkey and the region, including GBV, child, early and forced marriage, wage inequality and lack of comprehensive sex education. As a freelancer, investigated the murder of American tourist Sarai Sierra and workplace discrimination against women who wear headscarves.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana Area

Helped produce award-winning broadcast to explain the impact of budget cuts to higher education in Louisiana to the LSU student body. Research, interviewing, reporting, editing and marketing all on a deadline. Awarded Best Collegiate Broadcast at New York Media Adviser's Convention.

Master In Public Affairs

Activities and Societies: Steering Committee, Gender and Policy Network (GPN); Co-Chair, Woodrow Wilson Action Committee (WWAC)

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Political Communication & Business Administration

Activities and Societies: Honors College, Omicron Delta Kappa Society, Phi Kappa Phi, Society of Political Interest and Networking.

Political Science

Activities and Societies: Political Science course with James Carville