Cara Townsend Dohner Email & Phone Number

Summerfield, North Carolina, United States

Summerfield, North Carolina, United States

- Implement local government relations plans in support of Cardinal Innovations' members and programs - Engage constituents inside and outside of the organization to support Cardinal’s government affairs and community engagement priorities- Communicate with local and regional elected officials on legislation and policy activities impacting Cardinal’s membership, while analyzing potential impacts on the organization- Proactively solicit input and feedback into Cardinal’s mission and activities within the community- Proactively brief stakeholders on Cardinal Innovations’ milestones and issues to ensure a clear and consistent flow of information - Represent Cardinal Innovations on the Regional Health Council and provide input into the establishment of council objectives, agendas and attendees

Greensboro/Winston-Salem, North Carolina Area

- Consulted for corporate and specialty organizations, communicated with federal and state legislators on business development, product management, and training initiatives - Researched, established, and sustained positive key decision-maker and decision-influencer relationships within state and federal government- Worked with the Administration and Members of Congress to achieve legislative goals through analysis of legislative data and policy briefings- Developed communication strategies in collaboration with third-party groups (e.g., institutional investors, board of directors, legislative coalitions, trade associations), ensuring alignment with business objectives

North Carolina

- Established relationships with federal, state, local, and tribal governments, and/or local businesses and community groups to eliminate barriers of the Decennial Census- Lead Congressional affairs responsibilities by providing senior executives with briefing materials and congressional projects for Congress; including updates on outreach and relationship building efforts with Members on Capitol Hill and their staff- Established work standards by expecting ethical work, inclusivity, strong values, and by encouraging conflict resolution with HODSA communication (Honest, Open, Direct, Sensitive, and Appropriate) - Built coalitions and energy by educating community partners on the importance of the Decennial Census- Provided communications strategy, message coordination, analyses and guidance, relationship-building and decision-making support on agency policies, plans, programs, key initiatives and actions across all external stakeholders, state legislators, and Congress- Encouraged teamwork, rewarded staff and mentored others in order to promote appreciation and encourage growth- Provided leadership, guidance, and support to division managers/supervisors, in performance, planning, managing, monitoring, and evaluating progress of the 2020 Census- Developed presentations, gave briefings, conducted meetings and promoted partnerships with various governments, local businesses and community groups

Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area

- Briefed Governor on policy issues pertaining to: energy, trade, health care, Medicaid, public safety, labor, environment, economic development, veterans, military, regulatory reform, seniors, women, and agriculture- Developed relationships with legislators, community leaders, and constituents to determine policy objectives for North Carolina- Represented the Governor at National Governors Association policy academies, community meetings, media interviews, and at local, state, and national functions- Worked with all department legislative liaisons to ensure appropriate messaging and policy goals were implemented- Worked effectively under the pressure of tight time frames and rigid deadlinesMajor projects• Advised the Governor on a bi-weekly basis of all impending legislation. Required strategic thinking, detailed research, and political acumen • Worked with individual legislators on policy strategy for individual bills• Continuously tracked legislation and identified bills that could be of importance to the Administration, while intervening with those that were in conflict with Administration objectives• Guided the legislative liaisons at respective agencies, ensuring that the Governor’s message stayed on-point

Washington Dc-Baltimore Area

- Acted as a liaison between the Administration and Congress to help achieve legislative objectives, prepare testimony, and brief Congressional staff- Briefed Capitol Hill legislators and staff on key legislation, hearings, and upcoming events at the Department of the Interior - Prepared organization/agency comments on legislation; responses to questions for the Congressional Record; components of Congressional testimony- Advised organization officials on a portfolio of congressional and legislative activities and developed written documents related to wildlife and reclamation legislation

Washington D.C. Metro Area

- Developed government relations strategies for a diverse group of clients including: the owner of the World Trade Center, Beth Israel Hospital System, The Association of Proprietary Colleges, AMDec Center on Biodefense, National Food Processors, and the National Troopers Association- Tracked appropriations and worked with the Administration and Members of Congress to achieve client objectives- Briefed Capitol Hill staff on various issues and facilitated meetings for clients- Drafted legislative updates and articles for clients

- Advised Congressman on legislative and policy positions pertaining to energy, trade, foreign affairs, health care, Medicare, Medicaid, education, environment, business, Social Security, Welfare, veterans, and seniors - Communicated and met with constituents and key advocacy groups, as well as other Congressional staff, lobbyists, grass roots organizations and federal organizations on behalf of the Congressman- Drafted and edited speeches for interest groups, The Congressional Record, and constituents- Represented Congress on international business meetings

Master'S Degree, International Public Policy

Political Leaders Program, Policy, Ethics, Non-Partisan Politics

Activities and Societies: Masters workThe Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership was founded in 1993 to bring together diverse.

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Communications

Activities and Societies: Student Senate, Delta Zeta Sorority, Students in Free Enterprise, Cross-Country, Track and FieldStudent.