Colleen joined the National Association of Waterfront Employers in July 2023, and brings with her a wealth of communication expertise. After graduating from Mississippi State University, Colleen came to Washington, DC to work on Capitol Hill for her home state of Mississippi. A native of the Gulf Coast, Colleen served as the Communications Director for Mississippi’s Fourth Congressional District for five years before becoming Communications Director for New York’s 22nd Congressional District. During her time in these roles, Colleen executed successful social media growth campaigns, managed media relations, and oversaw all external, internal, and digital communications. Following her time on Capitol Hill, Colleen transitioned to the private sector as the Policy Communications Manager for the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) where she helped cultivate a 45,000+ member grassroots community across the country while also meeting the Association’s public affairs goals.
Colleen earned her bachelor’s degree in Communication from Mississippi State University in Starkville, MS in 2016 and enjoys living out her passion of communicating on a daily basis. In her free time, she enjoys playing softball and word games, graphic design, and spending time with her dachshund Cooper and boyfriend Drew. She looks forward to advancing the communication goals of the association and growing relationships with our members.