ERICA W CUNNINGHAM
Washington,DC
Summary
Strategic communications and community engagement executive with a record of developing integrated outreach and messaging strategies that enhance organizational equity and build community trust. Expanded stakeholder databases by 30% and led initiatives reaching over 100,000 customers, ensuring alignment across departments and measurable engagement outcomes.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Vice President, Community Engagement
Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority
Washington, DC
02.2024 - Current
- First leader to assume newly created role, responsible for developing an integrated public outreach, stakeholder partnership, and strategic messaging strategy to strengthen customer confidence and community support across the region.
- Established an internal cross-departmental working group to align all community-facing initiatives across the Authority.
- Expanded Metro’s stakeholder database by 30% in two years.
- Led all community engagement activations for the Better Bus Network redesign, reaching more than 100,000 customers.
- Launched quarterly Metro Message virtual community meetings to elevate timely fare and service change information to jurisdictional partners, CBOs, civic groups, and BIDs.
- Redesigned the Art in Transit program to expand in-station art forms, including live music and digital art displays.
Director of Communications
District of Columbia Government – Department of Public Works
Washington, DC
09.2019 - 02.2024
- Oversaw the planning, development, and execution of internal and external communications to proactively highlight DPW’s mission, services, and impact.
- Managed a nine-member communications team responsible for district-wide messaging on critical DPW initiatives.
- Directed crisis communications for COVID-19, First Amendment demonstrations, and environmental emergencies.
- Developed agency-wide community engagement strategies, grassroots campaigns, social media plans, and stakeholder communications.
- Built strong media relationships; secured consistent on-air and print coverage for programs including MuralsDC and ZeroWaste.
- Led Snow Season communications, including marketing, Snow Week Dry Run, and media relations.
Sr. Manager, Global EHS&S Employee Engagement & Communications
Johnson & Johnson
New Jersey, USA
11.2017 - 08.2019
- Led global employee engagement and communications for Environmental Health, Safety & Sustainability initiatives.
- Developed and launched the first enterprise-wide Safety Month campaign, increasing Yammer platform engagement by 20%.
- Served as primary contact for corporate social responsibility content highlighting renewable energy, recycling, and sustainability investments.
Manager, Global Employee Engagement – Corporate Benefits
Verizon Communications
New Jersey, USA
05.2012 - 11.2017
- Managed a $4M budget to drive enterprise-wide health and wellness engagement, external equity, and policy initiatives.
- Positioned Verizon as a national thought leader in healthcare through executive participation in major coalitions.
- Developed strategic communications, talking points, testimony, and presentations for senior executives on Health IT, wellness, and health reform.
- Supported external communications that led to national invitations to present Verizon’s wellness strategy, including at the Clinton Health Matters Initiative.
Senior Consultant, Public Affairs
Verizon Information Services
New Jersey, USA
05.2006 - 05.2012
- Executed community relations initiatives supporting diverse communities through local giving and employee volunteerism.
- Partnered with the Mayor of Durham, NC to launch a Black History Month program featuring James Earl Jones, achieving front-page and major network coverage.
- Led cross-functional review of advertiser data to identify underrepresented segments, resulting in the first minority-business event and an 18% increase in minority advertisers.
Sr. Consultant, External Affairs – Public Policy, Law & Security
Verizon
Washington, District of Columbia
01.2004 - 05.2004
- Managed grant proposal evaluation and cultivated strategic relationships to support business and policy goals.
- Built a profitable partnership between External Affairs and Multicultural Marketing, increasing product penetration by 11% and adding 903 new customers in two years.
- Managed a $1M budget for signature programs and ensured full compliance for strategic partnerships.
Specialist, External Affairs – Public Policy, Law & Security
Verizon
Washington, DC
08.1999 - 12.2003
- Developed communication strategies to maximize Verizon’s community outreach and CSR impact.
- Helped develop Verizon Foundation grant criteria, launched volunteer programs, and produced corporate broadcast messages promoting volunteerism.
- Collaborated with government relations to secure FCC approval for Verizon to enter the long-distance marketplace.
Education
Master of Arts - Professional & Liberal Studies (Public Relations Concentration)
Towson University
Towson, MDBachelor of Arts - Interdisciplinary Studies (Mass Communications Concentration)
Bennett College
Greensboro, NCSkills
- Corporate Communications
- Community Engagement & Outreach
- Brand & Reputation Management
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- External Relationship Development
- Social Media Strategy
- Budget Development & Management
- Crisis Communications
Certification
- Social Media Marketing Certification, Rutgers University, School of Business
- Creating Winning Strategies Executive Certification, Strayer University, Jack Welch Management Institute
- Corporate Community Involvement Certification, Boston College
Volunteer And Professional Leadership
- National Business Group on Health, 01/01/04, 12/31/17, Contributed to initiatives including the Nondiscrimination Act of 2008.
- Calibr Global Leadership Network (formerly Next Generation Network), 01/01/05, Present, Member, Communications Committee; developed and edited the 2009 Annual Report.
- District of Columbia Latino Affairs Community Development Commission, 01/01/04, 12/31/04, Appointed Commissioner; served as business liaison to strengthen relationships between the Office of Latino Affairs, local businesses, and the Latino community.
Timeline
Vice President, Community Engagement
Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority
02.2024 - Current
Director of Communications
District of Columbia Government – Department of Public Works
09.2019 - 02.2024
Sr. Manager, Global EHS&S Employee Engagement & Communications
Johnson & Johnson
11.2017 - 08.2019
Manager, Global Employee Engagement – Corporate Benefits
Verizon Communications
05.2012 - 11.2017
Senior Consultant, Public Affairs
Verizon Information Services
05.2006 - 05.2012
Sr. Consultant, External Affairs – Public Policy, Law & Security
Verizon
01.2004 - 05.2004
Specialist, External Affairs – Public Policy, Law & Security
Verizon
08.1999 - 12.2003
Master of Arts - Professional & Liberal Studies (Public Relations Concentration)
Towson University
Bachelor of Arts - Interdisciplinary Studies (Mass Communications Concentration)
Bennett College