JENNIFER SEMENZA
Spokane
Summary
Strategic communications leader with expertise in shaping narratives and advising senior executives to enhance organizational clarity. Translates complex issues into engaging stories that foster trust and support change. Develops communication systems that improve understanding, engagement, and leadership effectiveness.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Communication Senior Manager, Advocacy
PROVIDENCE
06.2025 - Current
- Serve as the strategic communications lead for enterprise government affairs and advocacy, shaping clear, credible narratives that help caregivers understand complex policy issues and their impact on the communities we serve.
- Provide executive-level counsel to Government Affairs and senior leaders, ensuring messaging aligns with enterprise strategy, mission, and national communications governance.
- Translate legislative and regulatory complexity into accessible, human-centered messaging for internal and external audiences.
- Developed impactful advocacy materials, including executive leave-behinds, talking points, backgrounders, presentations, and foundational messaging frameworks.
- Partnered across national, divisional, and regional teams to align advocacy communication while respecting local context and ownership.
- Built scalable communication systems and templates enhancing clarity, efficiency, and message discipline across enterprise.
- Coach non-communications leaders to elevate the quality, confidence, and impact of their policy-related communication.
Manager, Consumer Communication
PROVIDENCE
12.2020 - 06.2025
- Led the development of an enterprise-wide patient communication strategy grounded in health literacy, personalization, and mission-driven engagement.
- Positioned Providence as a trusted health partner by delivering clear, compassionate, and accessible content at scale.
- Leveraged AI technologies to enhance content output and deliver personalized, timely patient engagement.
- Designed and launched a unified patient communications process informed by brand research and behavioral insights.
- Created targeted digital health content that drove a 1,165% increase in blog traffic, strengthening consumer trust and understanding.
- Developed branded patient education toolkits used across a seven-state footprint to support consistent, high-quality communication.
- Hosted 50+ episodes of Providence’s Talk with a Doc, translating clinical expertise into accessible conversations that enhanced consumer knowledge.
Communication & Social Media Manager, Media Liaison
PROVIDENCE
05.2013 - 12.2020
- Acted as a trusted media liaison and early social media strategist, strengthening Providence’s public voice and building community trust during both everyday operations and crisis situations.
- Managed proactive and earned media, cultivating relationships with journalists and serving as a reliable source during high-pressure events, including COVID-19 pandemic.
- Led social media strategy for multiple entities, including the Children’s Hospital and Foundation, driving meaningful community engagement.
- Oversaw content and community management across Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, including complex complaint resolution.
- Provided insights to leadership to guide social media strategy and investment.
- Prepared organizational responses to sensitive public issues, including labor strikes, ensuring clarity and alignment with mission and values.
- Supported communications for the launch and operations of the Special Pathogens Unit.
- Led a statewide media campaign introducing Washington’s first hospital-based K9 program.
- Partnered closely with executives to support communication needs, messaging, and strategic positioning.
Executive Assistant
PROVIDENCE
01.2012 - 01.2013
- Delivered high-level administrative and operational support to senior executives, including regional chief executive, vice president of marketing and communications, and chief strategy officer, enhancing overall executive effectiveness.
- Managed sensitive information with discretion, ensuring reliable, mission-aligned support across planning, operations, and communications to facilitate strategic decision-making.
- Managed executive calendars and scheduled appointments efficiently.
- Coordinated travel arrangements and itineraries for senior leaders.
- Prepared meeting agendas and collected necessary materials for distribution.
Executive Assistant
Inland Imaging
01.2006 - 01.2012
- Delivered high-level administrative and operational support to senior executives, enhancing coordination among the regional chief executive, vice president of marketing and communications, and chief strategy officer.
- Handled sensitive information with discretion, ensuring reliable support across planning, operations, and communications to align with organizational mission.
- Managed executive calendars to optimize scheduling and appointments.
- Coordinated travel arrangements for executives and staff effectively.
- Prepared meeting agendas and took detailed minutes for leadership meetings.
Education
B.S. - Health and Human Services
Western Governors University
01.2026
Communications Studies -
Eastern Washington University
01.1993
Skills
- Strategic communications for diverse internal and external audiences
- Executive advisory & narrative development
- Employee engagement & culture storytelling
- Change communication leadership
- Content strategy & editorial direction
- Crisis communication
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Public affairs & advocacy communication
- AI-enabled content optimization
- Mission-driven leadership
Certification
- FEMA Center for Domestic Preparedness, Managing Public Information for All Hazard Incidents (MPI MGT 902)
- Providence Mission Leadership Institute, Mission & Mentoring
Recognition And Awards
- Internal Communication Award, Ragan Communications & PR News, My Mental Health Matters employee wellbeing program
- Excellence in Communication Award, Western Governors University, 2024, 2026
Timeline
Communication Senior Manager, Advocacy
PROVIDENCE
06.2025 - Current
Manager, Consumer Communication
PROVIDENCE
12.2020 - 06.2025
Communication & Social Media Manager, Media Liaison
PROVIDENCE
05.2013 - 12.2020
Executive Assistant
PROVIDENCE
01.2012 - 01.2013
Executive Assistant
Inland Imaging
01.2006 - 01.2012
B.S. - Health and Human Services
Western Governors University
Communications Studies -
Eastern Washington University