Sallianne F. Schagrin

Manages a cross-functional team of writers, designers, and digital strategists to create innovative broadband communication products and resources for the U.S. Department of Commerce's FirstNet, the nationwide broadband network.

Leadership and Management:

• Oversees $1 million annual budget to ensure effective planning and management for teaming, initiatives, and programs.
• Secured three key contract extensions, totaling $3.5 million, through strategic client engagement and showcasing the program's value.
• Mentors communication team members on best practices for effectively navigating challenging interactions and sensitive situations.

Strategic Communications and Public Relations:

• Develops and implements communication strategies, campaigns, and outreach plans via multi-media products, community events, and conferences.
• Promotes a 42-member advisory committee's online presence, effectively communicating accomplishments through web content and social media.
• Drove a 22% increase in positive press coverage through strategic media pitches and secured high-profile speaking engagements with leading media outlets.
• Expanded the agency's outreach by 27% through optimizing content placement of email updates, newsletters, and articles that engage and educate stakeholders.

Content Development and Digital Communications:

• Drives production of 700+ annual multi-media content, including: web content, articles, email campaigns, newsletters, social posts, videos, and podcasts.
• Authors and publishes leadership articles covering pressing issues, emerging trends, and agency news contributing to brand positioning and agency recognition.
• Spearheads targeted campaigns that led to 34% growth in total social media shares across Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Internal Communications:

• Increased employee engagement by 25% through the development of employee spotlight columns, feedback polls, and question-and-answer opportunities.
• Manages internal communication, publishing executive messages, employee updates, talking point distribution, intranet postings, and event planning to ensure consistent and impactful messaging.
• Collaborates between teams to manage content and social media planners and editorial calendars, ensuring alignment and timely publication of communications and external product placement.
• Managed crisis communication strategies, ensuring timely dissemination of information during critical events.

• Provided communications and outreach support to the U.S. Department of Commerce, FirstNet Network.
• Advised senior leadership on public relations and communications strategies related to emergency communications.
• Wrote articles and blogs for nationally distributed magazines and newsletters telling the FirstNet story.
• Produced podcasts, videos, newsletters, fact sheets, presentations, media kits, and social media campaigns to educate the public safety community about the benefits of adopting broadband-based technologies and services.
• Managed social media accounts and developed content schedules.

• Event Chair. Coordinated and attended U.S. government events and functions.
• Onboarding and Orientation Team. Connected newly arrived families to English-language services and activities.
• Writer and Editor. Wrote and edited articles for the U.S. government community newsletter.

• Developed policies for $1 billion Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) Grant Program using reallocated public safety spectrum in the 700 MHz frequency band.
• Collaborated with public safety agencies nationwide, identifying technologies and broadband services to bolster communication during disaster response.
• Coordinated with the U.S Department of Homeland Security to award grants to public safety agencies using innovative solutions, including broadband, mobile public safety technologies, and satellite communications.
• Presented at monthly technical assistance workshops supporting public safety agencies in developing state-wide plans, schedules, and project investments.
• Briefed Congressional members on agency activities, responded to Congressional inquiries, and drafted testimony.

• Advised senior leadership on communications, broadband access, spectrum management, and online safety, privacy and security issues.
• Organized public hearings and roundtables to gather input from community leaders, advocacy groups, academics, industry, and the public to contribute to policy-making broadband affordable to cities and counties.
• Accompanied senior leadership to Capitol Hill briefings with Members of Congress and staff, drafted testimony, responded to congressional inquiries, and created briefing materials.
• Analyzed relevant laws, regulations, court decisions, executive orders, and administrative rulings.