April L. Finnen

Promoted within 9 months to oversee internal and external communications for the Office of the Chief Medical Officer, advising on complex and fast-paced issues, including crisis response.

• Led communication strategy, core messaging, planning, implementation, and evaluation for 5 offices: rare diseases, clinical policy, pediatrics, combination products, and emergency response.

• Oversaw internal and executive communications for high-profile Chief Medical Officer; led town halls.

• Created and implemented change management communication project plans for 2024 reorganization.

Led outreach and communication activities for the FDA Office of Women’s Health, including supervision of specialists and agencies, and creation of editorial planning calendar.  *Time-limited temporary promotion.

• Conducted content audit; analyzed communications processes and implemented changes—backed by metrics—to improve efficiency and results, and ensure compliance with legal requirements.

• Created and implemented comprehensive website refresh strategy to modernize site structure, visuals, and navigation, and update hundreds of pages; completed in 6 months.

• Developed multi-channel campaigns, including newsletters, blogs, videos, social, paid media, and events.

Directed fully remote FDA-wide communications team of 130+ during the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting long-term crisis management.  *Completed while serving as communications lead for OCET (see below). 

• Developed new communication strategies and materials to respond to rapidly evolving crisis.

• Established streamlined agency‐wide reporting and review processes. Reduced internal clearance from 2-3+ weeks to 1-2 days or less for emergency communications, in collaboration with legal. 

• Created internal and external FDA COVID-19 response websites, and oversaw content strategy.

Developed and implemented comprehensive health communication plans for the Office of Counterterrorism and Emerging Threats (OCET), leading crisis communication for Ebola, Zika, mpox, H5N1, and other responses.

• Built and implemented successful digital and social media engagement strategy. Increased email subscriber base by 441%. Redesigned website in 12 months using Drupal; increased traffic 198%.

• Trained staff on Drupal web content management (CMS), Google Analytics, Section 508 accessibility, Adobe Creative Suite, and advanced formatting in Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Word, and PowerPoint.

Designed curriculum and taught undergraduate Public Relations Writing courses, with a focus on AP style and professional standards.

Associate Director, Communications (Department Director)  2009 – 2013

Created and led all product communications, public relations, and brand strategy for biotech company focused on biodefense vaccine development for U.S. government (e.g., plague, tularemia, smallpox, anthrax).

• Provided strategic counsel to senior management, reporting to company president.

• Hired, supervised, and oversaw development of communications, publishing, and design staff.

• Managed budget and strategic planning, including directing corporate brand strategy across traditional, digital, and social marketing channels in a complex regulatory environment.

• Directed implementation of complete rebranding including brand audit, new logo, graphics, messaging, and editorial style guide. Web redesign increased monthly unique visitors by 28% in 6 months.

Senior Manager, Communications   2006 – 2009

Promoted to head growing department; managed employees including in-house Publishing Operations department responsible for design, version control, and production of FDA regulatory submissions.

• Developed and implemented internal communications program to support recruiting, retention, and growth; employee surveys indicated an 11% improvement in the program’s first two years.

• Managed international B2B trade show and thought leadership programs including logistics and strategy (more than 50 exhibits and sponsorships completed); created sponsorship evaluation matrix.

Public Relations Manager   2003 – 2006

Hired as first in-house public relations expert / spokesperson for growing biopharmaceutical company.

• Prepared press materials and managed media relationships, including launch communications for FDA licensure of vaccinia immune globulin (VIGIV), a treatment for complications of smallpox vaccination.

• Created marketing collateral including case studies, white papers, newsletters, and annual reports.

• Created strategic community outreach program; managed sponsorships to create positive sentiment.