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Debi J

Senior Communications & Advocacy Consultant – Strategy | Content | Stakeholder Engagement

About me

Hello. I’m Debi, a marketing professional and communications strategist. I spent 20+ years building a career in corporate marketing and communications, grounded in my journalism degree and love for storytelling. As a graphic designer, creative director, and marketing director, I led branding and messaging initiatives for companies ranging from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies — experience that now informs my ability to shape powerful, inclusive narratives that drive real-world change. I then pivoted into advocacy and political communications using those strategic-thinking and storytelling skills along with public speaking, media work, and policy engagement. I’ve written and edited national advocacy guides, created trainings for educators and healthcare providers, advised on public campaigns, and worked with nonprofits and international organizations to improve their communications strategies. Whether crafting messaging around complex political issues or training professionals on inclusive language, I bring a strategic, compassionate, and lived-experience-informed approach. I’m available for contract work worldwide, especially in areas related to: — Communications and/or marketing strategy — Creating corporate narratives, storytelling training, and social media strategy — Media relations and external communications — Crisis communications and reputation management — Legislative and policy messaging — Training and resource development for professionals Let’s connect if you’re looking to make your work more inclusive, more effective, and more human.

Jurisdiction

United States | United Kingdom | Canada | Spain | Germany | Netherlands | Italy | Poland | Lithuania | South Africa

Experience

Seniority LevelDirector
Years of Experience20+ years
Current StatusActive
Owner, Principle Consultant
2019 - Present

As an independent consultant, I provide strategic communications, advocacy messaging, and campaign development for international NGOs and human rights organizations, including the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and the National Education Association (NEA). My work spans rapid-response communications during high-stakes legislative cycles, long-form content creation, and values-forward messaging to advance LGBTQ+ rights, healthcare access, and education equity. I create content for HRC’s Parents for Transgender Equality Council (PTEC), including newsletters, guidance documents, FAQs, and storytelling resources used by thousands of parent advocates and policy partners. I have developed and launched national LGBTQ+ training modules for NEA, delivering sessions and leading facilitator trainings for their national rollout. Internationally, I’ve presented DEI and trans inclusion workshops to audiences in South Africa, the UK, and the EU. My consulting work also includes advising organizations on inclusive language, stakeholder engagement, and narrative strategies that humanize complex issues and shift public discourse.

Skills

Core skills10
Languages1

Skills

communications strategy
stakeholder engagement
training module development
digital platform strategy
brand development
corporate partnerships
content creation
organizational advisory
training and facilitation
values-based storytelling

Languages

English

Services