An organization’s relationship with the community can make or break a project. Whether you are entering a new neighborhood, building a new development, or exploring new public policy or a change to an existing one, understanding your reputation within a community, engaging with key stakeholders early on, and building trust from the outset is critical to success.
Learn from Ashley Aram and Sara Swenson of Goff Public about how to assess your community engagement needs and authentically connect with your audiences through a people-first approach to engagement.
Speakers
Ashley Aram
Director
Rely on Ashley for sound strategy and real results. Launching a new initiative? Preparing new leaders? Managing a crisis? Look to Ashley for expert advice and thoughtful strategy. No matter the industry, Ashley helps clients reach their goals and expertly position their organizations. As a member of Goff Public’s media training and crisis communications teams, she regularly helps clients prepare for and navigate challenging situations and emerging issues.
In her time at Goff Public, Ashley has led nonprofit organizations through important transitions; helped clients build advocacy campaigns for critical issues at the state Capitol; and raised the profile of many organizations through smart media relations and digital communications strategy.
Prior to Goff Public, Ashley spent years in the office of former Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, serving as press secretary and then as senior communications advisor. She started her career in corporate communications at Land O’Lakes, Inc., supporting leadership and businesses across the organization in public relations and social media.
As a proud downtown Saint Paul resident, Ashley loves to spend time with her husband Joe and their pup Zeke at the great parks, patios and events right in their own backyard.
Sara Swenson
Director
Sara is a persuasive, sophisticated communicator. Sara works with clients to amplify their stories, advocate for their interests and protect their reputations. From proactive PR strategies to thoughtful messaging to transparent community engagement, she helps clients engage with the audiences who matter most to them in concise and memorable ways. Sara is also a key member of Goff Public’s media training and crisis communications teams, guiding clients though challenging situations and emerging issues with an emphasis on transparent, timely communication.
Sara’s more than 10 years of experience includes extensive work with state, tribal and local governments, philanthropy, human services, and higher education institutions. She has worked on economic development projects across the Twin Cities – including CHS Field, the Ford site, Rice Creek Commons, RiversEdge and Dorothy Day Place. The common thread through all of Sara’s work is a focus on helping citizens better understand and engage with their community and their government.
A passionate advocate for her community, Sara serves on the Saint Paul Area Chamber Foundation Board of Directors and the Neighborhood House Board of Directors.
Sara is an avid marathoner who also loves hiking, exploring the North Shore, sipping local brews on any patio she can find, and spending quality time with her husband and young daughter.
The Zoom link will be included in the registration and reminder emails.