Ann Knabe, Phd, AprᐩM Email & Phone Number

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States

My role as “the Voice of the VA” represented a nexus of my background in public affairs, strategic communications, and military service. I led a public relations team that established and maintained mutually beneficial relationships between the Milwaukee VA Medical Center and key stakeholders, including our employees, Veteran patients and their families, the local community, and the media. Areas of emphasis included:• Internal communications to employees who honor America’s Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being• Media relations, including engagement training of VA senior leaders and subject matter experts, and cultivating relationships with the media and key influencers • Stakeholder engagement with congressional delegations, county veteran service officers, and service organizations• Coordination with public affairs staff members of related health and educational organizations, services, and civic organizationsOutreach and engagement strategy guided by the VA’s values of Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence.

Assigned to Air Force National Security Emergency Preparedness, a Directorate of 1st Air Force, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. Served as the principal liaison officer between Civil Support and Homeland Security for FEMA Region V. Coordinated on-scene support for disaster operations by collaborating with civil, state and federal authorities to provide Air Force capabilities. Supported national security special events, disaster response and other activities requiring use of federal military assets.

Pentagon

Ann was a career public affairs officer in the Air Force Reserve. Her most recent public affairs role was at the Pentagon, where she worked in Secretary of the Air Force, Public Affairs - Engagement Division (SAF/PAY). In her reserve role, she served as executive back-fill to the Division Chief who oversees national Civic Leader engagement programs, Thinkocracy / Think Tank Engagement, strategic media relations, national Air Force community relations and related public affairs activities that shape public opinion on a global level. She is a strategic communications planner, innovative thinker and visionary leader in the military public affairs community, and is Accredited in Public Relations with the military emphasis (APR+M). Currently holding the rank of Colonel, she was a first responder for Combined Joint Task Force - Katrina media operations. She also deployed for two Air Expeditionary Flight Tours to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and CJTF - Horn of Africa, and served as the Pentagon's spokeswoman for the Office of Military Commissions, the war court for Guantanamo Bay detainees. In her most recent operational deployment she served as a senior Plans Officer and Director of Exercises - Public Affairs for U.S. Central Command. She also backfilled for the active duty, serving as Director of Public Affairs for Space Operations Command in 2021.

Greater Milwaukee Area

Own and operate LLC specializing in strategic communications planning, public relations, veterans’ nonprofit work, media relations, spokesperson training and development of crisis communication plans. Veteran-owned business.

Greater Milwaukee Area

Led a talented team of public relations advisors and associates on a variety of accounts ranging from county government, healthcare, higher education and nonprofits. We designed customized brand, marketing, communications and digital experiences that create loyal, engaging relationships.

Http://Www.Uww.Edu/

Ann teaches public relations, speech communications, PR Strategy, Tactics I & II, Feature Writing and related communications courses and seminars. She has taught online and in traditional classroom settings. She is active in university service, chairing the UWW Government Relations Committee, and serving on numerous other committee on campus. (She is currently on military leave from this position)

Co-Host - Medicine Matters with Dr. Wendy Handler. Talk show conversation centered on various health issues.

College Of International Security Affairs, Ndu, Fort Mcnair, Washington, D.C.

As an Air Force Reservist, Colonel Knabe served full-time at the College of International Security Affairs at National Defense University in Washington, D.C. As Dean of Students - Responsible for development, interpretation, explanation and enforcement of college policies, standards and procedures. Developed curriculum and taught graduate courses. Evaluated student policy and processed efficiencies and developed proposals for improvement. Directed the planing and coordination of CISA special events including graduations, conferences, travel, and VIP visits. As Reserve Component Chair, Ann was responsible for all Reserve Component (Reserve and Guard) matters across the university including the five colleges. She served as Director of the National Defense University Reserve Component National Security Short Course (RCNSC), the only Department of Defense Reserve Component Reserve Component short course. As Associate Professor, Ann was a Joint Professional Military Education II professor for international military fellows, Department of Defense and interagency civilians, and senior U.S. officers at the College for International Security Affairs. Ann also served as the College of International Security Affairs (CISA) focal point for Process of Accreditation of Joint Education (PAJE), Joint Staff's approved manner to award joint credit. She interacted daily with the offices of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Secretary of Defense, Reserve Component Chiefs, and senior Interagency officials.

Greater Milwaukee Area

As a consultant, provided strategic public relations counsel with one of the top 25 independent advertising agencies in the nation, working on international and national accounts in the tourism, higher education, and healthcare verticals.

Associate editor for The Officer, the official magazine for Reserve Officers Association (ROA), circulation 100,000+

Interdisciplinary Ph.D.

V-Wise Certificate

Master Of Science Degree (Ms) In National Security And Resource Strategy

Air War College

Ba

Education record

Master Of Arts - Ma