As Director of the Office of Communications at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Ms. Thompson leads the agency's internal and external communications initiatives, including planning and executing public affairs activities to promote understanding of the FDIC's mission, policies, and programs.Prior to joining the FDIC, Ms. Thompson was Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), where she oversaw all external and internal communications, media relations, and stakeholder engagement efforts. She was also responsible for directing HUD's disaster recovery communications, and was the principal communications advisor to the HUD Secretary. She previously served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs and as Deputy Press Secretary at HUD.Ms. Thompson's experience in the private sector includes her role as Director of Communications for the Community Financial Services Association. Prior to that, she managed public relations campaigns and executive speechwriting at Target Corporation in Minneapolis. She also served as a communications advisor to Fortune 500 Companies at LEVICK, a D.C.-based public relations firm, where she specialized in crisis management, government regulation and corporate reputation.Ms. Thompson earned a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from the University of North Texas.