Jennifer Harrison

About Jennifer Harrison

Entrepreneurial and results-driven public affairs leader • Communications catalyst with more than 25 years of experience addressing climate change and solving environmental problems • Strategic communications, outreach and marketing on behalf of state and federal agencies, environmental non-profits and renewable energy companies • Expert in proactive media relations, crisis communications planning and social media • Leader in conducting meaningful engagement in underserved communities to address environmental challenges and spur economic revitalization • Collaborative, empathetic and forward-thinking public servant; ability to lower the temperature when discussing emotionally-charged topics with community members, stakeholders and elected officials • Leadership, team building and facilitation, both in-person and digital • Creative thinker experienced in helping organizations to address climate challenges and incorporate resiliency into programs

Experience

1. Regional Lead Coordinator

   Us Environmental Protection Agency Epa

   Nov 2023 — Present · Denver, CO, US

   Plan and implement communications to protect human health and the environment and serve as a community involvement coordinator to engage communities at hazardous waste cleanup sites. Co-lead Climate Resiliency Team to incorporate climate solutions and resilience into core programs. Involve and inform federal, state and local elected officials, the media and stakeholder groups. Develop and distribute outreach materials, facilitate public meetings and serve as region’s community liaison for Superfund Redevelopment. Maintain expertise in community requirements for Superfund law (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act). Accomplishments- Awarded a national gold medal team award in 2018 for successfully cleaning up a Montana community where EPA declared a first ever public health emergency- Led community involvement for a high-priority site in an environmental justice community in Pueblo, Colorado where EPA is fast-tracking cleanup of lead and arsenic at about 800 homes- Facilitated and led a multi-cultural stakeholder group that resulted in a revitalization plan that was adopted by the city and implementation is under way- Awarded Community Involvement Coordinator of the Year by EPA headquarters in 2009 for crisis communications involving a potentially catastrophic water release from a mine pool in Colorado- Received a national community revitalization team award in 2009 for the successful cleanup and reuse of a former hazardous waste site that affected the Poudre River in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Education

• Drake University

  B.A. Journalism

• Trinity College

  Self-funded semester abroad in Carmarthen, Wales