Through The Noise

Brian Frederick serves as Executive Vice President of Communications, and has worked at The ALS Association since March 2015. Brian first started working with The Association while he was Vice President of Public Affairs at Porter Novelli. During the 2014 ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, Brian was brought in to help with crisis and strategic communications. While at Porter Novelli, Brian also led other integrated marketing campaigns for corporate and nonprofit clients. Established in 1985, The ALS Association is the only national non-profit organization fighting Lou Gehrig’s Disease on every front. By leading the way in global research, providing assistance for people with ALS through a nationwide network of chapters, coordinating multidisciplinary care through certified clinical care centers, and fostering government partnerships, The Association builds hope and enhances quality of life while aggressively searching for new treatments and a cure.

Mark Light is responsible for the overall management and leadership, the non-profit IAFC with a budget of approximately $15 million and a staff of 75 people. Prior to coming to the IAFC, Mr. Light was the fire chief in Henrico County, Virginia, where he served for over six years. The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) represents the leadership of firefighters and emergency responders worldwide; our members are the world's leading experts in firefighting, emergency medical services, terrorism response, hazardous materials spills, natural disasters, search and rescue, and public safety policy.

Greg DeLapp has been a member of the Employee Assistance Professionals Association since the late 1970s, a past-President of EAPA, an Employee Assistance professional since 1978, and CEO of EAPA since January 2016. A student of history, WWII aviation, photography and a fan of all types of music. The EAP Association is a global professional membership association of those working in Employee Assistance and closely related fields assisting organizations and employees/families with the complexities of our personal lives as those lives play out at work.

Alison Prost is an attorney and CBF’s Maryland Executive Director. She directs policy and manages a diverse team of scientists, land use specialists, lawyers, grassroots coordinators and volunteers to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. The organization’s mission is to reduce pollution and restore the health of the Chesapeake Bay, a national treasure.

Irving Washington is executive director of the Online News Association. He believes tech, media, diversity, education, and nonprofits change the world. The Online News Association is the world’s largest association of digital journalists with a mission is to inspire innovation and excellence among journalists to better serve the public.

Emilio Alonso-Mendoza has served as AG Bell’s chief executive officer since 2014. He brings with him an extensive history in the nonprofit sector, assisting organizations such as the Catholic Community Foundation and Children’s Home Society of Florida raise their national profiles Lori Bobsin is the Coordinator of the Aural Habilitation Program for University of Virginia Cochlear Implant Program in Charlottesville, Virginia. She is also the AG Bell Virginia Chapter President. Lori has over seventeen years of experience in providing listening and spoken language therapy, as well as consultation and training to individuals, schools, and to families. The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AG Bell) educates parents about this communication option for their children who are deaf or hard of hearing and serves as a resource for those who choose the listening and spoken language (LSL) methodology. AG Bell facilitates the connection between families of children with hearing loss and qu

Thomas J. (Tom) Snee is the Twelfth National Executive Director for the Fleet Reserve Association, headquartered in Alexandria, VA. In his scope of many responsibilities, he serves over 50,000 Sea Service and family members on various boards and committees for military and Veterans benefits. He is the managing officer of the National Headquarters Staff, National Board of Directors, and Co-Chairs the Military Coalition representing over 33 veteran organizations/associations, of 3.5M Active Duty, Reserve, Veterans and Retirees. The Fleet Reserve Association is a congressionally chartered, non-profit membership-based organization that represents the interests of the Sea Service community before the U.S. Congress. The FRA was founded by Navy Chief Yeoman George L. Carlin and was chartered November 11, 1924 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Mandigo is the current US Advanced Ceramics Association (USACA) Executive Director. He is also the President of Strategic Marketing Innovations (SMI), which is the executive agent for USACA and also represents over 100 clients with interests in advanced materials and science and technology. Mr. Mandigo has 23 years experience working in Washington, DC on advanced materials and technology issues with federal agencies, Congress, and companies, universities and associations. USACA was established in 1985, and is the principal trade association representing the business interests of advanced ceramics producers and end-users.

Gordon Lambourne serves as Vice President of Communications at the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, leading the NRAEF’s overall communications strategy, including media relations, campaign development, social media and digital storytelling and content creation. Prior to joining the Foundation, Lambourne served as Senior Vice President of Global Public Relations for Marriott International, Inc., the world’s largest hotel company, where he held leadership positions in all aspects of communications, including brand and consumer PR, corporate communications, social and digital PR, campaign and event strategy, multicultural PR and issues management. The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation and its programs work to Attract, Empower and Advance today’s and tomorrow’s restaurant and food service workforce. To learn more, visit ChooseRestaurants.org.  

Dani Mackey Communications is an independent woman-owned public relations consultancy based in Washington, DC and Reston, VA. Dani and her team serve associations, nonprofits and for profits, helping them communicate what matters most about their organizations and businesses to a variety of audiences, including consumers, policymakers, members and other stakeholders.     Dani is a native Washingtonian who lives in Reston, Virginia, with her husband and son. She supports the DC Divas women's tackle football team and Calvary Women's Services in the District.

Chuck Johnson is the President of the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA), serving as strategic adviser to the association’s members, and advancing the safety products industry’s interests in Washington DC and abroad. Chuck has over 18 years of association leadership experience, and holds a B.A. from the University of Mississippi and an M.A. in international environmental policy from The American University. ISEA is the leading association for safety products and technologies that enable people to work in hazardous environments, and an ANSI accredited standards developing organization.

Donna Grande, MGA, is the Executive Director of the American College of Preventive Medicine, continuing her passion for advancing prevention and population health throughout health care. Ms. Grande has over 25 years experience managing high-impact disease prevention and health promotion initiatives to achieve measurable outcomes, and a proven track record impacting health leadership with the American Nurses Association and Healthcare Businesswomen's Association. The American College of Preventive Medicine is a medical society advancing the practice of preventive medicine in public health and health systems, and advocating for health policies that work to prevent disease, promote health, and avert health crises.

Whitney Pennington is a public health professional currently serving as the Manager of Communications and Public Education for the American Association of Poison Control Centers. Whitney is passionate about injury prevention, health literacy, and plain language communication. The American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) is a 501c3 non-profit trade organization that represents the 55 US poison control centers.

Christiane Maertens (Kris-tee-on-ah Mair-tens), as the Deputy Director of the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE), built a professional team that facilitates the largest and most diverse environmental education network in the world. In 2017, she was named a National Geographic Explorer for hosting the forthcoming Imagine If, a podcast that explores climate change resilience with her trademark moxie and optimism. For four decades, the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) has been accelerating environmental literacy and civic engagement through the power of education and networking, supporting over 20,000 educators and 56 regional affiliate organizations working in environmental education in more than 30 countries. 

Caitlin Couture, CAE is the Director of Governance and Engagement at the Society of Interventional Radiology and has ten years of association management experience. In her role at SIR, Caitlin in responsible for ensuring consistency across 64 committees, task forces and manages five sections. She works to ensure members positively engage with SIR throughout their career through traditional committee engagement and ad hoc volunteer opportunities. The Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) is a nonprofit, professional medical society representing more than 8,000 practicing interventional radiology physicians, scientists and clinical associates. SIR’s members work in a variety of settings and at different professional levels—from medical students and residents to university faculty and private practice physicians. The society’s mission is to work with our members to improve patient-centered care through image-guided therapy.

Steve Schwab serves as Executive Director of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, leading the Foundation organization, staff and programs. Prior to his service at the Foundation, Steve was head of external affairs for the National Cathedral, and served in three senior leadership roles in Rochester, NY as Vice President for Development at the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Deputy Chief of Staff to Rochester Mayor Robert J. Duffy, and head of corporate development and relations for Rochester Institute of Technology. The Elizabeth Dole Foundation, founded by Senator Elizabeth Dole in 2012, is the preeminent organization empowering, supporting, and honoring our nation’s 5.5 million military caregivers – the spouses, family members, and friends who care for America’s wounded, ill, or injured veterans and service members – through a comprehensive advocacy approach, working with leaders in the public, private, nonprofit, and faith communities to recognize military caregivers’ service and promote their well-being.

Andrew Moore is the Executive Director of the National Agricultural Aviation Association and has been since 2002. He served as [N-Triple-A’s] NAAA’s Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs before that and continues to be NAAA’s lobbyist in Washington, D.C., serving as the agricultural aviation industry’s liaison to the federal government. Andrew has a background in government relations and agriculture. Founded in 1966, the National Agricultural Aviation Association supports the interests of small business owners and pilots licensed as professional commercial aerial applicators who use aircraft to enhance food, fiber and biofuel production, protect forestry and control health-threatening pests.

As senior vice president of government affairs for the Natural Gas Supply Association (NGSA), Jenny Fordham is responsible for legislative and policy advocacy related to the competitive natural gas market. She specializes in creating strategic advocacy partnerships that broaden policymaker support for business-relevant positions. NGSA represents the largest producers and marketers of natural gas in the United States and focuses on promoting a healthy, competitive marketplace for buyers and sellers of natural gas.

Carlos Guevara serves as Senior Policy Advisor for UnidosUS’s Policy and Advocacy department. In this role, Carlos is responsible for conducting research, policy analysis, advocacy, and communications activities to advance effective and humane immigration policies.  UnidosUS, previously known as NCLR (National Council of La Raza), is the nation’s largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization.  

Jean Lee is the President and CEO of the Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) and prior to joining MCCA, Ms. Lee served as Vice President and Assistant General Counsel at JP Morgan Chase & Co. where she worked on consumer litigation and regulatory matters. Before joining JP Morgan Chase & Co. in 2011, Ms. Lee worked on litigation matters at a boutique litigation firm in New York City and started her career as a law clerk to the Honorable John J. Hughes, United States Magistrate Judge (retired), in the District of New Jersey. MCCA is a national organization focused on hiring, promoting and retaining women and diverse attorneys by providing cutting-edge research, best practices, professional development and training, and through pipeline initiatives.