DENA LIBNER

512 5 Avenue  Brooklyn, NY  (718) 809-6069  denalibner@gmail.com

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P ROFESSIONAL E XPERIENCE

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR, August 2008 – Present

NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL MEMBER – Brooklyn, New York

Develop the Council Member’s media strategy and campaigns geared toward the promotion and publication of specific
policy initiatives. Write and edit all correspondences (press releases, Op-Eds, speeches, remarks and statements) and
organize press conferences and events. Oversee four staff members. Research and develop legislation.
Selected Contributions:
 Built relationships with City agencies and non-profit organizations to gain media coverage and advance mutual
goals. Assisted in expanding health initiatives and enhancing outdoor recreation in south Brooklyn, created a
volunteer corps and compiled a comprehensive E-mail list to stay in touch with constituents and supporters.
 Established the first New York City Council blog to give the public insight into the Member’s projects.
Developed close relationships with reporters at the Daily News, New York Post and online media sources to
promote the Member’s initiatives.
 In a management capacity, introduced new systems of organizing and oversight in the office so that junior
staffers’ work was improved (more emphasis on a consistent message, clearer writing in correspondence, tracking
and management of casework and local projects, for example).

CAMPAIGN PUBLICIST, September 2009 – November 2009

GENTILE FOR NEW YORK – Brooklyn, New York
Selected Contributions:
 Developed campaign literature (text, phrasing and design), wrote speeches and debate talking points and
identified and tailored literature’s placement and content to appeal to various voter groups.
 Acted as the candidate’s spokesperson in interviews with various news publications; assisted in volunteer
organizing and coaching so that the candidate’s positions were clearly understood and able to be communicated
by both staff and volunteers.

GENERAL ASSIGNMENTS REPORTER, May 2005 – May 2007

CONWAY DAILY SUN NEWSPAPER – Conway, New Hampshire
Over a two-year employment, responsibilities increased from the coverage of local politics and recreation to include
business, state politics and crime.
Selected Contributions:
 Initiated the launch of the newspaper’s first blog, which expanded the topics we were able to cover.
 Contributed as a photographer to the newspaper, winning Associated Press recognition for my coverage and photo
of an accident scene.

E DUCATION

Bachelor of Arts Degree, Journalism, 2005  Boston University, Massachusetts

Minors in Economics and International Relations, 2005  Boston University, Massachusetts