As the Director of Communications at the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) I lead a team of talented communicators who are passionate about promoting sustainable and equitable transportation solutions for our city. I have over nine years of experience in planning and executing strategic communications for PBOT's policies, programs, and projects. I am also a seasoned crisis communicator, serving as a primary spokesperson for the City of Portland during inclement weather, and leading the team's 24-hour operations behind the scenes as well. In my time at PBOT I have managed social media, internal communications, strategic communication campaigns for public safety, awareness, and behavior change, as well as supported executive communications through speech writing, media coaching, and employee and constituent correspondence. My career is driven by my mission to champion environmental and social causes through public awareness, community engagement, and media relations. I have a background in environmental studies and I spent a year at the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies in Israel. Over my ten years in Israel I gained multicultural and international perspectives while working in the region's environmental movement and solar energy industry. I apply those same skills to my work in Portland as I work to raise awareness about projects, programs, and services that serve our diverse local community.