Played a critical role as the communications lead in developing the VHA 5-Year Strategic Plan. Leads teams in support of VHA’s Office of Communications, Office of Strategic Integration (OSI), Office of Community Care, and Women’s Health Services. Developed a 4 year, national level umbrella campaign to advertise and promote VA's progress in instituting change and improvements to the care of Veterans.

Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Office of Strategic Integration: Project Manager/Assessor New Models of Care Program ReviewVHA Office of Communications: Project Manager, Communications and OutreachBay Pines Veterans Health Administration Health Systems (BPVAHS): Communications Task Lead Patient Centered CareDepartment of Defense, Military Health Systems: Task Lead Web IntegrationNIH National Center for Therapeutic Translation (NCTT): Task Lead Strategic CommunicationsDepartment of Veterans Affairs (VBA): Project Manager Schedule for Rating Disabilities ForumArlington National Cemetery (Secretary of the Army)Ms. Cogar was part of a multi-disciplined team who assessed Arlington National Cemetery in order to identify and quantify the causes of operational deficiencies and to recommend solutions. Detailed Experience:Current engagements include Veteran Health Administration, Communications Outreach and Military Health Systems Web Integration and Strategic Communications. Identify andhelp grow opportunities within agencies. Provide changecommunications, outreach, communication planning, and program management support in the face of major transformations. Develop and execute change communication strategies and plans with a focus on stakeholder education. Manage communication product development, including newsletters, fact sheets, Web sites, and brochures for information campaigns and stakeholder events. Planand execute special events, meetings, and workshops. Develop briefings, presentations, and other communication tools to support internal program audiences and senior staff. Provide program management support during the transformation life cycle. Help to implement strategies to expand Booz Allen's presence and that of the client in the health market. Other clients include the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Arlington National Cemetery.

Consulted and partnered with clients to design innovative research proposals and programs aimed at formulating, directing and coordinating marketing strategies and policies to promote products and services as well as to direct advertising campaigns. Developed research aimed at determining the demand for products and services offered by clients and their competitors, segmenting the consumer base, tracking advertising and communication efforts, monitor trends indicating need for new products and services, and identifying customer satisfaction and loyalty levels. Strong project management, analysis and interpretation of data.

Worked collaboratively with clients to evaluate, create and execute marketing and communications strategies and activities aligning consumer behavior with energy and environmental needs. Informed strategy and positioning for clients across multiple disciplines. Developed research methodologies (consumer panels, online surveys, omnibus studies) designed to assess impact of media and marketing programs in the Energy, Renewable Energy and Sustainability spaces. Authored and published research–based energy reports, fielded press and media inquiries, wrote press releases, presented findings and reports to national energy conferences and summits. Clients included PEPCO, DTE Energy, Entergy, Hydro-One, California Edison, Lunera Lighting, AGL Resources, NV Energy.

Led strategy and research for the Revolution Health brand. Established and guided pull-through of positioning and direct brand knowledge plans. Designed research to generate consumer insights used to support brand strategy, appealing messaging and positioning. Served as a strategic business partner with key internal and external stakeholders across multiple disciplines to ensure that the “voice of the health consumer” shaped and supported strategic and tactical planning for the company. Managed multiple communications teams responsible for promotional and operational communications, technology rollout and communications, and market launch efforts in a complex, start-up business environment. Oversaw a $1MM+ budget.

Led the research department for global satellite communications company. Supported in the development of relevant, clear, meaningful brand/image, communications and marketing strategies for the corporation on a global scale. Guided business decisions across multiple disciplines using insights from primary research, customer relationship activities and databases. Part of a team of 25 to reposition and launch the New Intelsat following a $6 Billion acquisition merger with PanAmSat. Activities targeted 1,300 customers in 200 countries and 1,400 employees in 15 countries.

Developed and managed multiple primary research studies in support of all marketing activities: development of new products, services, segment growth, branding strategies and advertising campaigns. Tracked the effectiveness and impact of large-scale advertising, marketing and communications programs, helping to inform overall strategies. Collaborated in the development of brand architecture including: positioning, visual identity, tone of voice, and brand personality. Designed research to generate consumer insights used to support brand strategy, appealing messaging and positioning. Strong analytical capacity with experience presenting and communicating findings to a variety of stakeholders, including the executive team. Oversaw a $1MM budget.

Designed research programs to test effectiveness of corporate communication, track corporate image, test new products, track satisfaction levels and assist in identifying recommendations for program implementation to acquire market share. Helped position the company as a customer focused and agile service provider with the highest levels of customer satisfaction of any local utility provider. Worked closely with key stakeholders (General Manager, Editors, Product Development, Marketing, Technology, Project Management) to develop strategies that grew revenue and contribution and that built audiences across multiple channels including web, email and direct mail.

Developed comprehensive overviews of all media and marketing programs, designed the research and research methodologies for each program and tracked client satisfaction and retention. Managed each stage of the research process, both qualitative and quantitative, for all media, promotion, and cooperative sampling programs. Conducted and presented research for Fortune 500 and 1000 clients nationwide, including Kodak Eastman, British Air, MCI, General Mills and American Express. Hired and managed internal staff as well as outside market research vendors.

Market Research Analyst IIDeveloped and coordinated data content for various, key research/analysis reports on new business prospects and advertising/media strategies. Participated in strategic development for new market segments and marketing programs. Account Re-Underwriter IIReviewed and evaluated policies in a region comprising 25 percent of all GEICO homeowner policies. Assessed policy profitability and determined renewal status.