Communications professional with proven record of success in securing media coverage and a passion for education policy.

Press Secretary @ From January 2015 to Present (1 year) Senior Associate for Communications @ ♦ Manage and implement media outreach targeting policymakers, educators and other influential leaders, with a focus on K-12 and Teacher Quality initiatives ♦ Develop and cultivate relationships with a comprehensive list of relevant national reporters, editors, bloggers, and columnists ♦ Participate in strategic planning to ensure communications strategies are aligned with the K-12 and Teacher Quality team’s goals From October 2013 to January 2015 (1 year 4 months) Washington D.C. Metro AreaCommunications Specialist @ ♦ Served as the primary point of contact for media outlets, coordinating interviews for print, TV and radio ♦ Wrote and edited communications materials, such as press releases, advisories, statements, speeches, presentations, fact sheets, articles, papers, policy briefs, and brochures for public dissemination ♦ Created and maintained media lists and press kits. From May 2012 to September 2013 (1 year 5 months) Washington D.C. Metro AreaSenior Account Executive @ ♦ Designed and implemented creative public relations strategies for client issues. ♦ Wrote policy white papers and letters to members of Congress, the administration and international officials urging support for client-related issues. ♦ Placed opinion pieces in major national and regional publications including the Washington Post, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and The Hill. ♦ Managed, trained, and evaluated the division’s interns From November 2011 to April 2012 (6 months) Account Executive @ ♦ Coordinated an international campaign to build support for client objectives by organizing expert teleconferences and drafting letters to administration officials ♦ Produced press releases and media advisories for domestic and international circulation under tight deadlines ♦ Secured media interviews and prepared expert voices for interviews with publications including the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Financial Times From January 2011 to October 2011 (10 months) Washington D.C. Metro AreaSenior Account Manager @ ♦ Coordinated an international campaign to build support for client objectives by organizing expert teleconferences and drafting letters to administration officials. ♦ Developed and executed social media strategies for clients through blogging, Facebook and Twitter. From July 2010 to December 2010 (6 months) Washington D.C. Metro AreaAccount Manager @ ♦ Produced press releases and media advisories for domestic and international circulation under tight deadlines. ♦ Secured media interviews and prepared expert voices for interviews with publications including the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Financial Times. From June 2009 to July 2010 (1 year 2 months) Washington D.C. Metro AreaWar Room Intern @ ♦ Developed media lists using Cision and MediAtlas for targeted reporter outreach. ♦ Planned a Congressional briefing, organized a client fly-in and executed a press conference to educate policymakers and media on an international finance issue. From August 2008 to May 2009 (10 months) Washington D.C. Metro AreaLegislative Intern @ ♦ Drafted Dear Colleague letters on the Student Bill of Rights and Congressional letters to executive agencies regarding mortgage foreclosures ♦ Prepared internal memos recommending policy positions for Congressman Fattah on education and home ownership issues From June 2007 to August 2007 (3 months) Washington D.C. Metro Area

Master of Public Policy, Education Policy @ The George Washington University From 2008 to 2010 Bachelor of Arts, Political Science and Spanish @ University of Pittsburgh From 2004 to 2008 Blair Mann is skilled in: Public Affairs, Blogging, Strategic Communications, Media Relations, Message Development, Press Releases, Public Policy, Public Relations, Cision, Media Outreach, Social Media Outreach, Fundraising, Policy, Community Outreach, Facebook