Tracy Grondine
Communications Executive
Washington D.C.
Summary
Chief communications executive with 20+ years of experience leading enterprise-wide brand, reputation, and stakeholder strategy for national, mission-driven organizations. Proven track record of building and scaling communications functions, advising CEOs and boards, navigating high-stakes issues, and aligning organizations around clear growth and influence narratives. Trusted counselor on executive visibility, crisis and issues management, sustainability and global impact storytelling, digital transformation, and responsible AI adoption.
Skills
- Strategic communications
- Stakeholder engagement
- Brand positioning
- Advocacy strategy
- Media relations
- Executive leadership
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Crisis management
- Reputation management
- Executive communications
Portfolio
FEATURED
Award-Winning Sustainability Video
International Market Insights
Global Communications Storytelling
Rebranding and Repositioning
Sustainability Positioning
Work History
Vice President, Communications
American Peanut Council
Alexandria, VA
04.2023 - 01.2026
- Established and led a centralized, enterprise-wide communications function, integrating brand management, media relations, digital and member communications, and stakeholder engagement.
- Served as senior advisor to the CEO and affiliated leaders, providing executive counsel on strategic positioning, speechwriting, messaging frameworks, briefing materials and reputational risk management.
- Built and governed a unified brand architecture and organizational narrative, aligning communications across sustainability, research and innovation, international activities, and reputation management.
- Partnered cross-functionally with research, sustainability and international teams to ensure communications strategy advanced enterprise priorities, advocacy, funding and reputation.
- Led media relations and thought leadership strategy, securing sustained national and trade coverage-including front-page placement in The Wall Street Journal-and shifting the organization from reactive to proactive media engagement.
- Led enterprise communications transformation, modernizing digital, social, and campaign strategies while responsibly integrating generative AI to scale engagement, improve workflow efficiency, and establish governance, quality standards, and risk controls (LinkedIn: 636→3,109+; Instagram: 789→2,060+).
- Repositioned and elevated APC's flagship brand platforms, including the launch of the annual Insights Summit and the modernization of the International Peanut Forum, increasing sponsorship visibility and measurable attendee satisfaction.
- Oversaw budgeting, hiring and governance for membership staff, consultants, agencies, and the communications function.
- Enterprise communications executive driving brand, reputation, and stakeholder impact across the U.S. peanut industry.
Vice President, Communications
U.S. Apple Association
Falls Church, VA
01.2018 - 04.2023
- Repositioned USApple's communications strategy from a nutrition-centric narrative to a policy-driven advocacy and industry leadership platform, significantly increasing visibility and credibility with policymakers, national media, consumers and industry stakeholders.
- Served as a trusted strategic advisor to the CEO and Board, shaping executive messaging, policy positioning and high-stakes communications.
- Positioned USApple's policy and industry priorities through targeted national media placements in The Wall Street Journal, CBS News, San Francisco Chronicle, Chicago Tribune and Detroit News.
- Oversaw a national industry crisis committee and directed crisis communications and issues management, including development and annual refresh of crisis response plans, spokesperson alignment, media monitoring and rapid-response messaging.
- Conceived, launched, and scaled the NextGen Fellowship, creating and leading an industry committee to oversee selection, mentorship and governance, and aligning organizational strategy with long-term industry succession goals.
- Executive communications advisor driving national policy advocacy, crisis management, and industry leadership positioning for a U.S. specialty crop trade association.
Managing Director, Communications
Retirement Security Initiative
Washington, DC
03.2014 - 01.2018
- Built the communications infrastructure from the ground up for a national public-policy startup focused on retirement reform, establishing brand voice, messaging architecture and media strategy.
- Served as a member of the executive leadership team, contributing to organizational growth strategy, issue positioning and stakeholder engagement.
- Acted as the organization's primary spokesperson, securing earned media and advising senior leadership on policy communications, narrative framing and reputational strategy.
- Translated complex retirement policy into clear, compelling messages for policymakers, media and stakeholder audiences.
- Founding communications leader for a national public-policy organization, building brand, media strategy, and executive messaging to advance retirement reform.
Director, Media Relations
American Farm Bureau Federation
Washington, DC
07.2003 - 02.2014
- Served on management-level strategic advisory team, guiding national agriculture priorities.
- Directed U.S. agriculture communications at World Trade Organization ministerials in Hong Kong and Geneva.
- Increased national and international earned media, achieving consistent coverage in top outlets.
- Led editorial board meetings with major publications, including The New York Times and Wall Street Journal.
- Managed media operations for annual conventions, overseeing 60-70 on-site reporters.
- Coordinated press logistics for high-profile speakers and administration officials during events.
- Enhanced executive visibility through strategic media engagement to promote agriculture priorities.
Education
M.A. - Political Management
B.A. - Political Science
Board Advisory Governance Roles
- Dream It Forward Foundation, Advisory Board, 2026
- APC Industry Communications Committee, Founder & Chair, 2023-2026
- APC Sustainability Committee, Communications Advisor, 2023-2026
- Peanut Tree Nut Processors Assoc., Communications Committee, 2023-2026
- The Alliance for Food and Farming, Advisory Board, 2021-2023
- Apples4Ed Committee, Chair, 2021-2023
- U.S. Apple NextGen Committee, Founder & Chair, 2021-2023
- Apple Industry Crisis Communications Committee, Chair, 2018-2023
- U.S. Apple Communications Committee, Chair, 2018-2023
Timeline
Vice President, Communications - American Peanut Council
04.2023 - 01.2026
Vice President, Communications - U.S. Apple Association
01.2018 - 04.2023
Managing Director, Communications - Retirement Security Initiative
03.2014 - 01.2018
Director, Media Relations - American Farm Bureau Federation
07.2003 - 02.2014
The George Washington University - M.A., Political Management
University of Charleston - B.A., Political Science