Diana Gray
Atlanta,GA
Summary
Accomplished in policy development and strategic goal alignment, I spearheaded market expansion initiatives at Cox Communications, securing broadband funding through adept government affairs and stakeholder relationships. Leveraging MS Office for efficiency and leading cross-functional teams, my work has driven significant broadband deployment and market growth, showcasing my project management and partnership development skills.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Manager, Government Affairs – Market Expansion Team (MET)
Cox Communications
Atlanta, GA
01.2023 - Current
- Solely managed and submitted BEAD pre-qualification applications across entire Cox footprint, coordinating responses across legal, construction, human resources, and other key departments
- Analyzed federal and state grant program plans to shape guidelines and requirements, enabling successful applications for broadband funding opportunities
- Researched and interpreted laws and subsidy programs, delivering actionable insights that supported strategic decisions and market expansion efforts; providing to executives and peers
- Streamlined processes for market expansion initiatives, ensuring alignment with business goals and facilitating efficient project execution
- Developed and presented communication materials, including presentations and advocacy tools, to effectively engage leadership, regional (front-line teams) and external stakeholders
- Partnered with cross-functional teams to solve complex challenges, driving measurable outcomes in broadband deployment and market growth
Manager, Government Affairs – San Diego CA
Cox Communications
San Diego, CA
05.2021 - 03.2022
- Promote and advance the interests of Cox within North County San Diego (9 cities) and the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, including elected officials, city staff, local chambers and other relevant stakeholders to shape emerging issues and defend the business from prohibitive government activity
- Provide briefings on Cox network and local impact, digital equity, network resiliency, & efforts to engage in public-private partnerships to foster expansion opportunities within unserved/underserved regions
- Lead local efforts to monitor federal dollars for potential expenditures on broadband infrastructure, broadband studies, competitor fiber agreements; manages tracking and reporting to CA/National leads
- Serve as the CA liaison for the Cox federal affairs team, monitoring federal issues such as growing investments in local broadband infrastructure, the FCC, and other government agencies
- Monitor and provides weekly COVID updates to CA leadership on local, state and federal guidelines, vaccines, tier status and retail impact - including OSHA, CDC, CDPH, and gubernatorial activity
- Attend CA Broadband Council and newly formed CA Middle Mile Broadband Consortium to monitor and report on state strategy, including deployment of $6B in CA budget dollars for broadband infrastructure
- GA liaison to our community relations and communications team, under the public affairs umbrella, to identify community engagement/social impact opportunities and develop external 'story' strategy
- Pillar Lead, Cox Conserves; identify sustainable operations changes in line with leadership goals
- Manager of GA Specialist; responsible for their growth and development, guidance and HR requirements
Government Affairs Specialist
Cox Communications
San Diego, CA
05.2020 - 05.2021
- Engaged local elected officials and their staff on telecom education and advocacy initiatives
- Monitored and analyzed CA State legislation for potential business impact, draft letters of support
- Monitored SD City Council, including Council and committee agendas to report on industry related items
- Engaged in CA Broadband Council and related consortiums, providing analysis on potential industry impact
- Completed invoicing for PA team, including tracking of PAC activities, political contributions, sponsorships, and CR donations; developed new Smartsheet tool to improve efficiency and accountability
- Supported external/internal communications through drafting CoxONE articles, supporting relevant events and press releases, monitoring social media channels and engaging electeds when appropriate
- Participated in relevant groups and committees to represent Cox, incl
- YIMBY and San Diego Young Dem’s
Senior Communications Specialist
Rady Children’s Hospital
San Diego, CA
07.2018 - 04.2020
- Responsible for the development of communications content, including executive messaging, weekly bulletins and system-wide newsletters, external media releases, and corporate communications
- Act as organizational liaison between leadership and practice areas (e.g
- UCSD clinicians, sleep center, urgent care) to further employee engagement, reaffirm mission, vision and goals, and promote culture
- Partner with Rady Children's Hospital Foundation, Center for Healthier Communities, business development and marketing teams to engage community partners and grow market share through awareness campaigns, corporate and community events and media projects
- Engage and advise on high-value projects to support growing specialty areas of the organization, including the Institute for Genomic Medicine and California Kids Care (CKC), a pilot managed care program
- Managed incoming CEO introduction through flight themed visit to 100+ teams reaching 4,000+ individuals; communications and strategic messaging, coordination and creative development
Chief Policy Advisor
Community Healthcare Network (CHN)
New York, NY
07.2015 - 09.2017
- Advised the CEO, board of directors, and senior leadership on policy matters, including healthcare access and social determinants of health, leveraging data, research, and testimonials to craft compelling testimony on topics such as behavioral health and Medicaid
- Secured millions in city and state capital funding by managing funding requests and lobbying efforts, establishing the organization as a federally recognized 'Advocacy Center of Excellence' through the national trade association
- Managed relationships with elected officials, lobbyists, trade associations, and coalitions at city, state, and federal levels, advocating for policies to improve access to care for 'underserved' populations
- Directed internal and external communications, including press releases, media relations, and social media strategies, and produced the organization’s first annual report in over a decade
- Partnered with development and fundraising teams to identify and execute funding opportunities with foundations, private organizations, and individual donors, enhancing financial sustainability
- Conducted regulatory impact analyses, drafted public responses, and engaged community members through presentations and needs assessments to inform policy and program development
Associate, Advisory Group
Marwood Group
New York, NY
10.2014 - 08.2015
- Performed due diligence on healthcare systems to provide analysis of state budgets, Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement trends, and issues such as managed care/Affordable Care Act expansion to determine how these factors would impact a range of healthcare businesses
- Provided governmental strategy guidance to large pharmaceutical organizations such as the desired inclusion of IV acetaminophen in government-regulated hospital guidelines for pain control
- Advised large scale investors, such as Bain Capital, on potential healthcare related investment acquisitions
- Monitored and advised on federal and state legislation, regulation, and other healthcare issues
Manager, Federal Legislative Affairs
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)
Washington, DC
01.2013 - 05.2014
- Organized LLS Advocacy Day, consisting of 600 advocates from around the country coming to DC for 300 meetings with members of Congress and staff; resulted in 20 new co-sponsors for a specialty tiers bill
- Coordinated and led meetings with congressional staff that involved patient advocates and LLS coalition partners to advocate for LLS issues; directly resulted in the passing of the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act, and increased co-sponsors to alleviate patient financial burdens due to specialty tiering
- Analyzed healthcare issue areas, generated policy recommendations for LLS positioning and action steps, presented to the Senior Director of Government Affairs and Senior Director of Policy Development
- Collaborated with state, regulatory, and federal legislative affairs teams to draft agency comment letters on issues such as the Six-Protected Classes policy under Medicare Part D and 340B drug pricing
Congressional Intern
Office of the Honorable Rick Larsen, House of Representatives
Washington, DC
09.2012 - 12.2012
- Conveyed policy positioning on issues including health and budgeting to constituents
- Attended congressional policy hearings, analyzed the proceedings and provided summaries to staffers
Education
Master of Public Administration - MPA
The George Washington University
Washington, DC05.2014
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA05.2009
Skills
- MS Office/Google Suite
- Policy development and analysis
- Strategic Goal Alignment
- Leadership Engagement
- Government Affairs and Stakeholder Relationships
- Cross-functional teamwork
- Partnership development
- Verbal and written communication
- Project management
Activities
- Graduate, LEAD San Diego, Affiliate of the San Diego Regional Chamber
- Member, Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT)
Timeline
Manager, Government Affairs – Market Expansion Team (MET)
Cox Communications
01.2023 - Current
Manager, Government Affairs – San Diego CA
Cox Communications
05.2021 - 03.2022
Government Affairs Specialist
Cox Communications
05.2020 - 05.2021
Senior Communications Specialist
Rady Children’s Hospital
07.2018 - 04.2020
Chief Policy Advisor
Community Healthcare Network (CHN)
07.2015 - 09.2017
Associate, Advisory Group
Marwood Group
10.2014 - 08.2015
Manager, Federal Legislative Affairs
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)
01.2013 - 05.2014
Congressional Intern
Office of the Honorable Rick Larsen, House of Representatives
09.2012 - 12.2012
Master of Public Administration - MPA
The George Washington University
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
University of Southern California
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