Athena Ware Hernandez Email & Phone Number

United States

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Connecticut, United States

As manager of corporate media relations and sustainability, my focus is on building and managing corporate media relations outreach and messaging to ultimately help position AVANGRID as a leading clean energy company. I also work to advance the Avangrid Foundation’s external and internal profile, while also promoting the sustainability and corporate social responsibility initiatives undertaken by the various AVANGRID operating companies in its multi-state footprint.

Crystal City, Va

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Researching, developing, and executing engagement, reputation, and communications strategies impacting public education reform efforts in the Washington, DC metropolitan region. • Developed Communications and Engagement Plan to launch the Office of the Ombudsman for Public Education in Washington, DC resulting in an integrated plan to position the office, influence perceptions, and encourage engagement among targeted audiences. Plan includes creative/branding strategy, media outreach, publication production, and social media campaigns. • Analyzed the District of Columbia State Board of Education’s position in the public education reform efforts in the school district. Developed a Reputation Advancement Strategy to define and elevate the profile of the elected body, influence public perceptions about their role in the education landscape in the school district, and to safeguard its reputation from potential threats. Strategy also included media relations policy and procedures.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Creating short-/long-range media, public relations and promotional content development strategies that support business objectives and marketing plans. Develops, manages vendor relations, $250,000 to $500,000 project budgets and project time lines, delivering all projects on time, within budget. Supervises, evaluates, mentors 3-member PR staff in production of comprehensive campaigns (traditional/new media, events, promotions), serves as official agency spokesperson, first point of contact for media inquiries, advisor, coordinates media opportunities for Executive Director. Highlights of 3-year term: Launched a corporate social responsibility program for problem gambling that enhanced awareness, and coordinated efforts to secure training for local treatment partners.Designed vibrant online/social media presence for DC Lottery (city-centric blog, after-hours promotional program, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages) that boosted product revenues by 25% within first year.Created, oversaw execution of publicity plan for active duty serviceman millionaire winner with local, national, international favorable earned media results of $200,000+.Established strategic partnerships that ensured highly successful product launches and the achievement of agency initiatives with regard to brand expansion and revenue growth.Guided team to 3 award nominations and 2 wins in the last 2 years; honors include a CAPITAL AWARD OF MERIT, a GOLD ADDY and BATCHY AWARD Finalist.

Partnered with Director to drive communication/brand management strategy development for federal government agency that protects/enhances historic, cultural and natural resources of the Nation's Capital. Leading 5-member staff, ensured timely dissemination of public information across all media channels, supported international event planning efforts, and directed media outreach activities, serving as first point of contact for all media inquiries. Key achievements of 1-year tenure: Coordinated logistical planning for Capitals Alliance 2008: Greening the World's Capital Cities, an international city planning conference that produced a declaration signed by 12 cities to support green/sustainable practices.Established robust online presence via re-design/re-launch of NCPC e-newsletter (1,000+ subscribers), facilitating swift communication of NCPC initiatives while enhancing NCPC brand within the community.As PR expert for federal government's National Capital Framework Plan, played key role in development of external communications strategy that improved stakeholder understanding of key issues by 20%. Expanded NCPC footprint by an estimated 25% via development of strategic partnerships with critical government agencies, legislators, non-profits, businesses, and community groups.

Optimizing $200,000 media budget and talents of 3-member staff, spearheaded development of crisis communications plans, media outreach strategies, campaigns and events to support non-profit agency's mission. Created targeted press lists for individual initiatives, built press contacts database by 50% in 2 years, and presented quarterly media coverage evaluation and analysis reports to Board of Directors. Additional significant contributions: Created NCMEC Crisis Communications Plan and Media Strategy for Congressionally-mandated National Emergency Child Locator Program under the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA, completing plan in 3 months; 5,100+ children were located within plan's first year of implementation.Secured national coverage for NCMEC efforts to reunite child survivors of Hurricane Katrina with their families, including front-page Los Angeles Times story and 24-hour CNN coverage. 5,000+ children were successfully reunited with their families as a result of this coverage.Served as agency spokesperson and oversaw all media relations activities for national events (National Missing Children's Day, Take 25 Prevention Campaign, annual National Missing and Exploited Children's Awards, etc).

Guiding 8-member staff, created robust, evolving public affairs planning & communications strategies for Maryland's second largest public school system (137,000+ students, 14,000+ employees) in U.S.'s most affluent African-American county. Established partnerships with GRAMMY Foundation, GAZETTE Newspapers, multiple non-profit agencies, community groups and legislators. Initiated adoption of contractual services that cut production costs by 50%. Other key wins:Created award-winning communications plans (media/community outreach, internal communications, publication production, legislative affairs, events) that facilitated achievement of school system initiatives, including successful launch of the state's first full-day kindergarten program and mandatory summer school.Overhauled internal communications processes and messaging, significantly improving dialogue between administrative and school-based staffs, and ensuring delivery of a consistent message to all stakeholders. As official agency spokesperson and first point of contact for all media inquiries, secured front-page coverage in the Washington Post and other regional media outlets to publicize school system achievements, enhance school system's local, regional and national brand image, and address crises as needed. Managed local, national, international media response and crisis communications efforts for 9/11 and DC sniper attacks, facilitating swift dissemination of information to all relevant stakeholders.

Master Of Fine Arts (Mfa), Writing For Children And Young Adults

Ba, English/Communications

Activities and Societies: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Bachelor'S Degree, English Language And Literature, General

Activities and Societies: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc The Hawk's Message Newspaper Student Government Association