Ann is a scientist and communications professional who combines her science knowledge with skills in strategic planning, publishing, and outreach to promote the integrated and interdisciplinary nature of USGS science expertise and capabilities. She works to demonstrate the value of applied science in informing sound public policies that reduce risk and enhance natural resource stewardship.
DOI's NEWSWAVE newsletter
NEWSWAVE is an award-winning quarterly newsletter from the Department of the Interior featuring ocean, Great Lakes and coastal activities across the Bureaus.
Biography
Ann currently shares time between the USGS Natural Hazards Mission Area (NHMA), the Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program (CMHRP), and the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI)’s Ocean, Great Lakes and Coastal Activities Program, located within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs. She facilitates exchange across many levels at USGS, DOI and other Federal agencies to extend communications to multiple outlets and audiences including web content, news releases, special feature stories, newsletters, briefings, stakeholder engagement, social media, imagery and multimedia collections, and education.
Ann works with leadership and communications teams to identify and create effective ways to deliver accurate and timely information to audiences that rely on them for decision-making and management. She helps demonstrate how different scientific disciplines, expertise and technical capabilities are combined to address key strategic priorities, innovative approaches and challenges. She leads the development of communication strategies and resources along with stakeholder engagement to ensure that interagency partners, stakeholders, Congress, media and the general public have the critical information they need.
Additionally, she supports overall communications with technical and non-technical audiences before, during and after natural hazards events to help ensure that affected communities and responders understand risks and have the vital information needed to anticipate, prepare for and recover from these events with minimal losses.
Throughout her career, she has conceived, developed and reviewed many products to highlight initiatives, engage communities and partners and advance awareness about USGS science. She has collaborated with many partners and identified key contributors and subscribers for these products. She led the USGS annual Open House in St. Petersburg, FL (2005-2010) through which partnerships developed the city-sponsored, community-led St. Petersburg Science Festival. She served as USGS Liaison to American Ground Water Trust’s national ‘Teacher Institutes’ (2004-2010), and completed the Dept. of Defense Information School’s Public Affairs Qualification Course (2009). She continually builds relationships within and beyond the USGS to enhance the Department’s mission for science-informed policies.
Professional Experience
Communications Coordinator for DOI's Ocean, Great Lakes and Coastal Program (2010 to present)
Managing Editor of the DOI’s NEWSWAVE (2010 to present)
Communications Coordinator for USGS Natural Hazards Mission Area (2015 to present)
Communications Coordinator for USGS Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program (2013 to present)
Education and Certifications
M.S. Completed coursework University of South Florida College of Marine Science (1990-1993)
Public Affairs Qualification Course, Department of Defense Information School (DINFOS), Ft. Meade, MD (2009)
B.S. Geology and Fine Art (double major), Dickinson College (1983)
Honors and Awards
USGS Shoemaker Awards for web (2015) and multimedia (2011) products
Two Blue Pencil Awards for NEWSWAVE by the National Association of Government Communicators.(2015)
“Outstanding Community Outreach” from the USGS Office of Communications (2007)
