David Conner Email & Phone Number

Washington, D.C.

Senior communications professional with background in developing and leading strategy and execution for both internal and external communications, including executive, board, business strategy and nonprofit communications, media relations, social media, print and online content design and delivery and events/meeting management. Creative functional leader who sets strategic direction, oversees execution, manages budgets, optimizes staff resources and is committed to talent development. Strong cultivation and management of relationships with members/constituents/clients across a broad spectrum of industries. Influential communications adviser to senior-most leaders. Exceptional writer and editor.Work with staff across association, member-based committees and national board, to ensure that communications and programs and services association-wide, align with board of director's strategic priorities and organization's mission and values.Serve as managing editor and content editor of quarterly magazine, podcast, and books, reports and newslettersCo-edited comprehensive Trusteeship in Community Colleges: A Guide for Effective Governance handbookAuthor toolkits and spearhead national grassroots public awareness campaigns for use by college board members and presidents/chancellors, including annual Community College Month online campaign that earned 4 million views in 2021 and College Promise toolkit used by association members and affiliates to promote value of tuition-free community collegeGhostwrite executive and board articles, letters, talking pointsManage editorial, graphic design, printing, web development and other consultants' work and contractsCultivate and manage mutually beneficial relationships with corporate and philanthropic sponsors and nonprofit affiliates

Washington, D.C.

Reported to CEO and senior vice president and serve as primary staff leader to multiple membership committees, including membership and education, trust fund board, corporate councilManaged design, content and production of award-winning membership magazine, association websites, all other publications and mediaSolicited and maintained corporate memberships and sponsorships totaling over $150,000 annually; initiated event sponsorship programScripted speeches and produced videos and related materials for more than 30 national conferences averaging 1,500 - 2,000 attendees eachContent edited president and CEO's award-winning bookSuccessfully placed association and its leaders in national, regional and trade media outlets

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Conducted extensive internet-based research and expert interviews to provide facts and statistics for articles and blogsPublished in The Guardian, HuffPost (regular contributor) & The Advocate (regular contributor)Topics included health & medicine, LGBT interests & entertainmentSeveral op-ed columns went viral, selected to be featured on HuffPost home page, vertical landing pages, and in year-end "best of" editor selections

Reston, Virginia, United States

Wrote targeted, concise news briefs, fact sheets and other publications, distilling technical scientific and clinical research findings on mental health and substance abuse into clear, accessible statements to readership of over 7,000 entertainment executives and creative professionalsConducted interviews with high-profile entertainment industry professionals, including production executives and onscreen talentScripted nationally televised public service announcementsCollaborated with entertainment executives as well as communications leaders of health agencies and organizations, including National Institutes of Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Alliance on Mental Illness and othersScripted talking points for congressional briefings and entertainment awards programsBrainstormed marketing and public relations ideas and new fund developmentDeveloped and wrote proposals for public and private institute, foundation and corporate grantsManaged two office assistants and rotating roster of university interns (up to six per semester)

Mfa, Creative Writing

3.95 GPA

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), English, Film And Media Studies, 3.76 Gpa

Activities and Societies: Gold Key National Honors Society, LGBT Pride, Alternative Spring Break, San Andros Island (Bahamas) Library.

Summer Honors Scholar, English Literature (British And Commonwealth), 2:1

Participated in a summer honors program at the University of Cambridge, 2000, with a focus on English literature.

Transfer, English Honors