Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Awards Recognitions
Volunteer Appointments
Languages
Affiliations
Accomplishments
References
Timeline
Generic

Valerie Harwood

Camden-Wyoming,DE

Summary

Public Affairs Officer with extensive experience in managing public relations initiatives. Expertise in strategic communication, media relations, and crisis management. Proven track record of improving organizational reputation and achieving mission objectives through targeted communication strategies. Adept at fostering strong media relationships and conveying clear organizational messages.

Overview

14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Public Affairs Officer, Service Chief

Wilmington VA Medical Center
Wilmington, Delaware
04.2023 - Current
  • Achieved 32% growth in unique enrollments over five years, serving 45,000 Veterans across Delaware and southern New Jersey.
  • Supervised public affairs, medical media, and outreach teams, enhancing communication strategies for Wilmington VA catchment areas.
  • Acted as official spokesperson for Executive Medical Center Director, managing incident communications when necessary.
  • Created streamlined processes for employee communications, tracking analytics to improve engagement.
  • Spearheaded project improving visibility of patient floor signs, reducing confusion upon facility entry.
  • Published over 60 medical media stories across print, radio, and social media platforms.
  • Produced analytical reports on social media tracking and enrollment measures, achieving highest new patient growth rate in FY24 for VISN-4.
  • Organized quarterly stakeholder meetings to gather feedback on policies, effectively communicating updates and addressing concerns.

Veterans Outreach Specialist

Wilmington VA Medical Center
Wilmington, Delaware
01.2019 - 04.2023
  • Coordinated outreach efforts, managing logistics and communication for community events on PACT Act and VA goals.
  • Promoted educational events on VA healthcare and mental health for Veterans and community members.
  • Assisted over 700 Veterans with enrollment in VAMC healthcare through community initiatives.
  • Utilized diverse communication methods to convey VA Mission to community partners and Veterans.
  • Cultivated relationships with business leaders to enhance community reputation through outreach programs.
  • Served as Interim PAO for WVAMC, leading effective communication strategies.
  • Organized Veteran town hall meetings, facilitating agendas and engaging diverse guest speakers.
  • Documented veteran experiences and escalated community concerns to executive leadership.

Suicide Prevention (SP) Coordinator / Sexual Assault and Response Coordinator (SARC)

Delaware Air National Guard
, Delaware
01.2016 - 01.2019
  • Established first full-time Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office.
  • Created victim advocate recruitment initiative with commander support.
  • Spearheaded resource awareness initiatives through community outreach events and briefings.
  • Provided external resources for victims, trained advocates, and briefed leadership on policies.
  • Achieved 99% base training completion in sexual assault and domestic violence prevention by end of CY17.
  • Cultivated relationships with state agencies to outreach over 1,100 Airmen and families.

Public Affairs (PA) Officer

Delaware Air National Guard
, Delaware
01.2012 - 01.2016
  • Managed personnel and all media communications for 166th Airlift Wing, Public Affairs office.
  • Advised Base Commander on media and community relations affecting 166AW.
  • Coordinated training for public affairs and wing staff, guiding career progression and performance enhancement.
  • Developed long-range plans and policies to improve public understanding of Public Affairs programs.
  • Collaborated with Adjutant General and legislative liaisons on various Delaware National Guard events.
  • Assisted in planning visits for POTUS and VPOTUS.
  • Coordinated dignified transfers with AFMAO, managing arrival of families and media during base construction.

Education

Master of Education -

Wesley College
Dover, DE
01.2012

Bachelor of Media Comm. -

Wesley College
Dover, DE
01.2003

Associate in Applied Science -

Comm. College of the Air Force
Maxwell AFB
01.2001

Skills

  • Media relations and crisis communications
  • Policy writing and campaign management
  • Public speaking and community outreach
  • Strategic planning
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Data analysis
  • Team leadership
  • Publicity campaigns

Certification

  • VISN 4 Leadership Development Institute, 05/01/24
  • VHA Change Management Leadership Course, 12/01/24
  • Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification, 05/01/24
  • Training in VA Voices Patient Experience program, 05/01/24
  • Squadron Officer School, top graduate in class, 05/01/18
  • Suicide Prevention Implementer Certification, 05/01/17
  • Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (Level 2), 05/01/17
  • FOB Financial Management, basic (8.0 CPE), 05/01/16
  • DoD IAA Cyber Awareness, 05/01/15
  • Risk Management, 05/01/15
  • Human Relations, 05/01/15
  • Public Affairs Officer Leadership Course, 05/01/14
  • Defense Information School (DINFOS), 05/01/12

Awards Recognitions

  • Meritorious Service Medal
  • Outstanding performer, Air Force Commendation Medal
  • Air Force Achievement Medal, oak leaf cluster
  • Army Achievement Medal, oak leaf cluster
  • Haiti Relief; Humanitarian coined by Deborah Lee James, Secretary of the USAF
  • President Barrack Obama appreciation letter for AFMAO support
  • Coined by VA Secretary in 2021 as outstanding performer
  • Coined by VA Secretary in 2025 as outstanding performer

Volunteer Appointments

  • Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs Commissioner, 01/01/21, Present
  • Mental Health Association board president, 01/01/21, Present

Languages

English
Native/ Bilingual
American Sign Language
Limited

Affiliations

Commissioner for Delaware Commission of Veteran Affairs, appointed position. Positions held: Chairwoman and vice-chair.

Served six years on Delaware Mental Health Association Board and three years as Board President.

Accomplishments

During military service:

  • Airfield management, flight following and emergency actions.
  • Taught public affairs courses to Trinidad and Tobago military and local media outlets and assisted U.S. embassy on media communications.
  • Oversaw force accountability, mortuary affairs services, physical fitness, and honor guard programs.
  • Planned command, control, and communications with group and squadron commanders on services programs.
  • Coordinated human remains transport for AFMAO during Dover AFB runway construction in 2016.
  • Managed family and media arrivals while establishing rules of engagement for events.

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Public Affairs Officer, Service Chief

Wilmington VA Medical Center
04.2023 - Current

Veterans Outreach Specialist

Wilmington VA Medical Center
01.2019 - 04.2023

Suicide Prevention (SP) Coordinator / Sexual Assault and Response Coordinator (SARC)

Delaware Air National Guard
01.2016 - 01.2019

Public Affairs (PA) Officer

Delaware Air National Guard
01.2012 - 01.2016

Master of Education -

Wesley College

Bachelor of Media Comm. -

Wesley College

Associate in Applied Science -

Comm. College of the Air Force

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE