Lauren (Walens) Zarick Email & Phone Number

I’m a strategic communications leader and convener with nearly 15 years of experience working for mission-driven nonprofits that are dedicated to improving the health and well-being of people. I am most fulfilled when I’m working at the intersection of communications, policy, and research, and I’ve been fortunate to work on or lead dynamic communications teams in organizations that value all three.I currently serve as a Senior Research Communications Specialist at Child Trends, where my primary responsibility is leading the communications and dissemination team for a national joint research and technical assistance center focused on strengthening the early care and education workforce. In this role, I shape the messaging around the center’s important work, inform the organization’s outreach strategy, and oversee the dissemination of our research and technical assistance offerings. I spent the bulk of my career working for PolicyLab at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. It was there that I was really able to foster my mentorship and strategic thinking skills through efforts such as:-Leading two organizational strategic planning processes to identify shared vision and priorities for a research center composed of individuals working on disparate projects. -Conceptualizing and organizing two children’s health policy forums that attracted hundreds of participants from across states and disciplines. -Overseeing a strategic communications team that managed multiple dissemination channels and a robust system of supporting more than 100 researchers with reaching their target audiences with timely, policy-focused research. But I wouldn’t have gotten to PolicyLab without the experiences I had at the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, where I built my foundation as a communications professional and convener and realized the importance of doing work that is aligned with my personal values. My career goal will always be to use my skill set to improve the health and well-being of others, particularly children and those impacted by cancer and other diseases. In my personal time, I'm working on my goal of visiting all U.S. National Parks, exploring my home state of North Carolina, devouring ice cream (my favorite food), and getting in early morning runs.

Listed skills include Strategic Communications, Blogging, Media Relations, Nonprofits, and 12 others.

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  Senior Research Communications Specialist

  Child Trends

  Nov 2023 - Present

  -Serve as the Communications Director for the National Early Care and Education Workforce Center-Member of the Client Communications Team