Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Accomplishments
Timeline
Generic

Noralisa Leo

Arlington,VA

Summary

MBA-educated public affairs executive with 15+ years of experience transforming strategic vision into measurable outcomes for Fortune 50 companies, coalitions, and national organizations. Proven track record of securing $5M+ in funding, building multi-stakeholder coalitions across industries, and advising C-suite leaders on complex regulatory and policy landscapes. Expert in developing comprehensive communication frameworks that drive legislative outcomes, raise brand awareness, navigate crisis situations, and align diverse stakeholder interests with organizational objectives.

Overview

24
24
years of professional experience

Work History

Executive Director

Representative Democracy
11.2021 - Current
  • Built and scaled a national initiative from concept to a $1.7M organization, with multi-year funding, serving over 200 county jurisdictions and five state government entities.
  • Designed and implemented an $800K grant administration infrastructure, balancing fiduciary accountability with community impact measurement.
  • Positioned the organization as the premier voice in the equitable governance space through strategic communications and stakeholder engagement initiatives.
  • Co-developed the inaugural State Exchange on Enhancing Workforce DEI with the Council of State Governments, engaging executive and legislative leadership in five states.

President & Founder

Volta Communications Group
10.2017 - Current
  • Led strategic communications initiatives for high-profile organizations, including ACLU, LatinoJustice PRLDEF, George Washington University, and a 9-member advocacy coalition strengthening Congressional capacity.
  • Developed and executed a crisis communications strategy for national coalition partners following the January 6 Capitol events, underscoring the importance of inclusion on Capitol Hill and the call to action for support services targeting Hill staffers, particularly those of color.
  • Guided the ACLU through a comprehensive restructuring of bilingual media operations, conducting a capacity analysis, benchmarking study, and organizational recommendations (staffing, mission realignment, reporting lines, and budget allocation).
  • Spearheaded branding and digital strategy for a 9-member advocacy coalition, establishing a 'brain trust' network of nationally recognized practitioners.
  • Provided strategic counsel to the House Modernization Committee and congressional offices on increasing workplace diversity, producing eight thought leadership pieces and a comprehensive DEI implementation guide.
  • Served as a strategic adviser to LatinoJustice PRLDEF's President and General Counsel during a critical organizational growth phase.

Vice President, Diversity + Inclusion

Vanguard Communications
09.2016 - 10.2017
  • Launched a new practice area, positioning the firm to capture emerging market opportunities.
  • Identified and capitalized on a market gap in diversity-focused communications, establishing a new revenue stream and competitive differentiator, with a specialty in spanish-language communication tools, design and services.
  • Created a talent pipeline through a partnership with George Washington University, addressing industry representation challenges in PR, while building client capabilities.
  • Led a strategic overhaul of Spanish-language outreach for three HHS mental health programs, implementing a research-driven framework to expand reach to underserved populations.

Senior Vice President

SKDKnickerbocker
01.2012 - 10.2015
  • Directed high-stakes advocacy campaigns for Fortune 50 clients and industry coalitions.
  • Led a coalition of media companies in retransmission consent advocacy, developing comprehensive action plans for Congressional and FCC engagement.
  • Generated 19 strategic coalition submissions to Congressional committees and the FCC, influencing key telecommunications policy outcomes (2014-2015).
  • Advised a Fortune 50 company on integrating diversity and inclusion into core business operations, aligning internal initiatives with the global corporate citizenship framework.

Managing Director, Strategic Alliances

DCI Group
02.2010 - 12.2011
  • Directed coalition-building across telecommunications, healthcare, finance, and international trade sectors.
  • Built and managed partnerships with 10 organizations across Latino, business, and rural communities, generating 15 or more advocacy campaigns to Congress and the FCC.
  • Provided War Room support, including position papers, regulatory responses, and media amplification strategies during high-pressure policy battles.
  • Strategic advisor on a $900K corporate giving strategy, aligning charitable initiatives with business objectives.

Deputy Director and External Affairs Officer

Smithsonian Institution
05.2006 - 01.2010
  • Managed a budget at the Smithsonian Latino Center of over $2.5 million while leading cultural diplomacy and external relations initiatives.
  • Oversaw a complex $2.5M+ operating budget covering programs, events, exhibitions, payroll, and compliance across 10+ gift agreements.
  • Secured five partnership agreements with foreign ministries and global branding agencies, advancing the Smithsonian's cultural diplomacy objectives.
  • Raised $3.2M over two years to support Center initiatives and launch the Latino Virtual Museum, the Smithsonian's first 3-D digital museum experience.
  • Established three MOUs with international cultural organizations, expanding programmatic reach and institutional influence.

Senior Regulatory Compliance Manager

Fannie Mae Corporation
08.2001 - 04.2006
  • Supported enterprise-wide compliance initiatives across 15 business units during a period of intense regulatory scrutiny.
  • Advised 15 business units on corporate policy development, supporting mission-critical goals and regulatory requirements.
  • Co-led responses to over 50 CEO-directed congressional and regulatory oversight inquiries, managing complex, multi-year regulatory reviews.
  • Directed HUD-mandated compliance in the wake of a two-year data review spanning 10 business units and over 70 employees, achieving zero material findings on data collection practices.
  • Managed the production of quarterly regulatory reports for the Board of Directors and CEO-certified annual housing activities reports mandated by congressional charter.

Education

MBA - Finance

American University, Kogod School of Business
Washington, DC
05-2003

Master of Science - Development Management

American University, School of International Service
Washington, DC
12-2000

Bachelor of Arts -

Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA
06-1995

Skills

  • Strategic campaign development
  • C-suite advisory
  • Coalition building
  • Crisis communications
  • Regulatory affairs
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Cross-functional leadership

Websites

Accomplishments

  • Revenue Impact. Generated $5M+ in funding and managed multi-million dollar portfolios across organizations.
  • Coalition Building. Found common ground to create shared interests and mobilize varying communities via letter campaigns and Legislative Fly-ins
  • High Stakes Campaign Management. Led communications response to national crises, protecting stakeholder interests and organizational reputation.
  • Regulatory Success. Achieved zero material findings in complex federal regulatory reviews while managing enterprise-wide compliance, and co-led design of new organizational infrastructure under increased oversight.
  • Innovation. Launched industry-first initiatives including the first Smithsonian 3-D digital museum and a diversity-focused communications practice.

Timeline

Executive Director

Representative Democracy
11.2021 - Current

President & Founder

Volta Communications Group
10.2017 - Current

Vice President, Diversity + Inclusion

Vanguard Communications
09.2016 - 10.2017

Senior Vice President

SKDKnickerbocker
01.2012 - 10.2015

Managing Director, Strategic Alliances

DCI Group
02.2010 - 12.2011

Deputy Director and External Affairs Officer

Smithsonian Institution
05.2006 - 01.2010

Senior Regulatory Compliance Manager

Fannie Mae Corporation
08.2001 - 04.2006

MBA - Finance

American University, Kogod School of Business

Master of Science - Development Management

American University, School of International Service

Bachelor of Arts -

Wellesley College

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