Heidi Lenzini
Washington,USA
Summary
Senior public affairs and advocacy leader with 25+ years of experience advancing organizational priorities through media relations, stakeholder engagement, policy communications, and issue-based campaigns. Trusted advisor to senior executives and public-sector leadership, with a proven record of shaping public narratives, building coalitions, and serving as an on-the-record spokesperson. Based in Washington, D.C. metro area for 14+ years. I have chosen to build my career here due to the region's vibrancy, historical significance, and educational opportunities, bringing deep local knowledge and long-term commitment to every role.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
SENIOR STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS LEAD
SAIC
Washington, DC
06.2024 - 11.2024
- Led enterprise, level strategic communications planning for the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Readiness and OUSD P&R (OCCWI–IPPW), aligning messaging with military readiness, primary prevention, and force well-being priorities, resulting in consistent, mission-driven narratives across senior leadership and operational audiences.
- Served as the primary liaison for high-visibility strategic engagements, coordinating cross-functional stakeholders to deliver timely, accurate, and policy-aligned communications, strengthening leadership credibility, and improving information flow across DoD offices.
- Developed and executed multi-channel communication strategies, including executive briefings, speeches, presentations, and public-facing content tailored to senior defense leaders, military personnel, and external stakeholders, increasing message clarity, reach, and audience engagement.
- Oversaw branding and message standardization initiatives, ensuring alignment across internal and external platforms; monitored communication effectiveness through reporting and analytics, adapting strategies to optimize impact, and reduce reputational risk.
Work stream Lead, Knowledge Management and Stakeholder ENGAGEMENT
Defense Health Agency
Falls Church, VA
08.2020 - 06.2024
- Led enterprise-wide strategic communications and knowledge management initiatives for the Defense Health Agency Patient Safety Program, advancing a culture of safety and supporting the implementation of evidence-based safe practices across 400+ military treatment facilities worldwide.
- Directed integrated communications and marketing efforts for Annual Patient Safety Awareness Week, overseeing end-to-end development of web content, articles, videos, webinars, and social media campaigns, significantly expanding program visibility and stakeholder engagement.
- Managed and optimized digital, print, and emerging technology communications, including videos, graphics, and editorial calendars, ensuring alignment with clinical quality management standards, patient safety priorities, and federal communication guidelines.
- Developed, edited, and published a quarterly Clinical Quality Management–focused newsletter, translating complex clinical and technical guidance into clear, actionable content for multidisciplinary patient care teams and senior healthcare leaders.
DIRECTOR OF PARTNERING AND EVENTS
Defense Health Agency
Silver Spring, MD
10.2017 - 08.2020
- Supported national education, prevention, and recovery efforts for traumatic brain injury (TBI) across military, veteran, family, and provider communities.
- Developed and executed strategic communications and partnership strategies for national stakeholders, leading planning and logistics for 75+ large-scale community engagement events, expanding program reach, and strengthening cross-sector collaboration.
- Directed digital and emerging technology communications, including videos, blogs, editorial calendars, and social media campaigns, ensuring messaging aligned with the DoD, public health, and TBI clinical priorities.
- Contributed to media relations and public affairs efforts through press releases, interviews, and external communications, enhancing program visibility and credibility with military and veteran audiences.
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & CORPORATE RELATIONS
Association of the U.S. Navy
Alexandria, VA
09.2016 - 10.2017
- Served as Chief Communications Advisor and official spokesperson for the Executive Director, shaping organizational messaging as the leading advocacy voice for America's sailors, veterans, retirees, and Navy families, and representing AUSN to senior Navy leadership, Congress, the VA, and national veterans' organizations.
- Developed and executed integrated digital, web, and social media strategies to educate the public on critical issues impacting Sailors, including pay, benefits, healthcare, and quality-of-life policies, increasing awareness and stakeholder engagement.
- Led editorial strategy and production for AUSN's flagship 52-page quarterly magazine, Navy, managing research, writing, editing, and cross-functional coordination; achieved a circulation of over 25,000 across the Pentagon, Congress, AUSN membership, and digital platforms.
- Built and maintained strategic media relationships, supporting press outreach, messaging alignment, and rapid-response communications to strengthen organizational credibility and visibility in defense and veterans' policy conversations.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER
Naval History and Heritage Command
Washington, DC
08.2011 - 06.2015
- Served as a communications advisor and spokesperson to the Chief Executive, shaping public messaging for NHHC, which manages nine U.S. Navy museums, over 300 civilian and military staff, and national historical assets, ensuring alignment with the organizational mission and heritage preservation goals.
- Developed and implemented multi-stakeholder communication strategies to educate the public on the significance of historical artifacts, archival collections, and naval art, enhancing visibility and engagement across local, national, and international audiences.
- Integrated and led a 27-person corporate communications team, creating a new division that centralized media relations, internal communications, social media, and community outreach; launched a weekly newsletter that significantly increased information reach and stakeholder alignment.
- Directed high-profile media relations, including interviews and briefings with the Discovery Channel, the History Channel, the Washington Post, CNN, CBS, and NBC, strengthening organizational credibility and public awareness of Navy heritage initiatives.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76)
San Diego, CA
01.2006 - 01.2007
- Served as chief communications advisor and spokesperson to the commanding officer, directing internal and external messaging for a 3,000-sailor crew and a 2,000-person embarked air wing during fast-paced, high-demand Pacific deployments.
- Led and managed a 35-person public affairs and communications team, overseeing daily operations across media relations, photography, videography, social media, website management, publications, training, and internal communications in a mission-critical environment.
- Directed production of high-volume communication outputs, including a tri-weekly newspaper, thousands of photo and video assets, manuals, certificates, and command messaging, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and operational security.
- Planned and executed local, national, and international community outreach initiatives and VIP engagements ashore and at sea, coordinating complex logistics, schedules, and stakeholder engagement across military and civilian partners.
Education
Master of Arts - Mass Communication and Media Studies
San Diego State University
San Diego, CABachelor of Science - English
U.S. Naval Academy
Annapolis, MDSkills
- Strategic thinking
- Communication
- Team mentoring
- Crisis management
- Problem solving
- Collaboration
- Decision making
- Cultural awareness
- Conflict resolution
- Stakeholder engagement
- Adaptability
- Leadership
- Influencing others
- Time management
- Relationship building
Certification
- Defense Information School, Public Affairs Officer Course – 8-week print & broadcast journalism
- Department of Defense Emergency Preparedness Course (FEMA)
- Surface Warfare Officer School – 16-week leadership training
Honors & Awards
Meritorious Service Medal, Joint, Coast Guard, and Navy Meritorious Unit Commendations, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Navy Commendation and Achievement Medals, Navy Battle 'E' Efficiency Award, AVA Award for Visual Excellence, A Head for the Future TBI Initiative (International Academy of Visual Arts & Assoc. of Marketing and Communications Professionals), Volunteer & Community Engagement.
Timeline
SENIOR STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS LEAD
SAIC
06.2024 - 11.2024
Work stream Lead, Knowledge Management and Stakeholder ENGAGEMENT
Defense Health Agency
08.2020 - 06.2024
DIRECTOR OF PARTNERING AND EVENTS
Defense Health Agency
10.2017 - 08.2020
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & CORPORATE RELATIONS
Association of the U.S. Navy
09.2016 - 10.2017
PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER
Naval History and Heritage Command
08.2011 - 06.2015
PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76)
01.2006 - 01.2007
Bachelor of Science - English
U.S. Naval Academy
Master of Arts - Mass Communication and Media Studies
San Diego State University