Amber Cournoyer
San Diego,CA
Summary
Twenty years of journalism, communications and team building experience; ten year journalist and public affairs leader in the US Army, plus ten years of networking, communications and multimedia journalism experience here in San Diego. Nine years of entrepreneurial non-profit experience as co-founder, senior vice president, and communications director for official 501C3 dedicated to raising social awareness through art with a focus on veterans. Creative, innovative, talented journalist, writer and overall communicator; battle tested in all forms of writing, multimedia journalism, editing, crisis communication, media relations, and team/project management. Passionate addition to any team, with elevated emotional intelligence with the ability to easily align with humans, domestic animals and wildlife.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Contributing Writer
SD Veterans Magazine
San Diego, CA
11.2022 - Current
- Writes monthly column, Arts and Healing, focusing on San Diego vets healing through the arts
- Writes various articles featuring upstanding members of the San Diego veteran community.
- Have written more than 50 articles for the magazine since becoming a contributor.
Sr Vice President/Comm. Director
American History Theater
San Diego, CA
01.2014 - 09.2022
- Created and implemented all communications/public relations strategies throughout the organization's 9-year evolution.
- Managed all media relations, resulting in award-winning news coverage within the organization's first year and half of existence.
- Organized and executed innovative trauma workshops and special events with a focus on veterans.
- Organized and promoted fundraising efforts through social media platforms like IndieGoGo and GoFundMe, themed fundraisers and grant writing.
- Cultivated and built community relationships with key partners like The Women's Museum of California, The Veterans Museum at Balboa Park and San Diego Dance Theatre.
- Developed pricing strategies, weighing customer and donor satisfaction with company's financial investment and advancement.
Comm. Director
The Veterans Museum
San Diego, CA
05.2017 - 01.2019
- Conducted or arranged multiple on-air interviews with key leaders and members of the veteran's museum and veteran community for local San Diego media outlets to include NBC, CBS, ABC, KUSI, San Diego Union Tribune and KPBS.
- Significantly elevated, streamlined and maintained the museum communications program and single-handedly improved all aspects of the program, to include a significant rise in social media and local news presence.
- Created various forms of multimedia content, to include flyers, website and social media copy, newsletters and marketing emails.
- Represented the museum as a public spokesperson and networking agent at various local events to include monthly Chamber of Commerce appearances.
Public Affairs Photojournalist
U.S. Army Pacific Command, ARMY
Ft. Shaftner, HI
09.2012 - 09.2013
- Represented USARPAC as editor, writer and photographer in support of the US Army's international joint-training initiatives in the South Pacific.
- Wrote and submitted photography for journalism articles featured in local, national and international publications, publishing upwards of 50 articles in the one year's time serving at USARPAC.
- Provided public affairs support directly to our unit's 4-star general and his spouse during international meetings of dignitaries and diplomats, high-profile events and media events and interviews.
Public Affairs Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division
Schofield Barracks, HI
05.2010 - 06.2012
- Facilitated top foreign news correspondents from CNN, CBS, ABC and NPR during stateside events and overseas deployment.
- Trained, monitored and provided performance evaluations for a subordinate staff of 8 Soldiers at war.
- Coordinated, covered, photographed and wrote over 50 journalism articles.
- Primary editor and release authority for an infantry brigade of approximately 3500 soldiers and personnel within the Afghan provinces of Nangahar and Kunar in Regional Command East.
- Created and implemented communication/crisis communication strategy for an infantry combat brigade deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Regional Command East, Afghanistan.
- Coordinated and executed local Afghan press conferences and media events as well as a journalism workshop for .young Afghan women.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Multimedia Journalism/Writing Focus
Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, CA07.2023
Associate of Arts - Communications
Palomar Community College
San Marcos, CA05.2019
Certificate of Completion - Photojournalism/Public Affairs
Defense Information School
Fort George G Meade, MD05.2005
Skills
Leadership
Team Building
Media relations
Event planning
Community outreach
Highly skilled writer
Skilled multimedia content creator
Public speaking
Strategic communicator
Strong problem solver
Elevated emotional intelligence
Social media marketing
Photography
Internal Communications
Partnerships
Accomplishments
- Three-time combat veteran, serving 12 to 16 month tours in Afghanistan.
- Recipient of US Army's Bronze Star
- Published Poet, featured in San Diego Poetry Annual for the fourth year.
- Founder of Shout and Stomp, a trauma workshop for veterans using movement and theatre to help heal.
- Nominated for Veteran of the Year 2019 for veteran advocacy efforts focusing on Military Sexual Trauma.
- Family-trained artist and passionate creative.
- LinkedIn: https/:www.linkedin.com/in/amber-robinson-17067022/
Timeline
Contributing Writer
SD Veterans Magazine
11.2022 - Current
Comm. Director
The Veterans Museum
05.2017 - 01.2019
Sr Vice President/Comm. Director
American History Theater
01.2014 - 09.2022
Public Affairs Photojournalist
U.S. Army Pacific Command, ARMY
09.2012 - 09.2013
Public Affairs Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division
05.2010 - 06.2012
Bachelor of Arts - Multimedia Journalism/Writing Focus
Point Loma Nazarene University
Associate of Arts - Communications
Palomar Community College
Certificate of Completion - Photojournalism/Public Affairs
Defense Information School