Debbie Cotton, MPA

CEO

Truckee, California, United States22 yrs 5 mos experience

Highly Stable

Key Highlights

Nearly 20 years in communications and employee engagement.
Expert in managing internal and external communications.
Proven track record in event planning and execution.

Stackforce AI infers this person is a communications expert in corporate and public affairs.

Contact

Skills

Other Skills

Crisis CommunicationsCopywritingSocial Media MarketingSocial NetworkingGovernmental Affairs

About

An innovative and solutions-oriented leader, I have planned and executed multi-faceted internal and external communications programs and employee events (virtual and in-person) in fast-paced industries. I create and lead projects to completion, and drive employee engagement experiences. Nearly 20 years of experience in internal and external communications, employer branding, crisis communications, event planning, conference management, experiential marketing, customer and field engagement, public affairs, community relations, employee and volunteer engagement, social media and copy-editing.

Experience

Upwork

Head of Internal Communications

Apr 2025 – Present · 11 mos · Remote

Hackerone

3 roles

Director, Culture and Internal Communications

Promoted

Sep 2024 – Apr 2025 · 7 mos

Senior Manager, Culture and Internal Communications

Mar 2023 – Sep 2024 · 1 yr 6 mos

Manager, Internal Communications and Employee Experience

Dec 2020 – Mar 2023 · 2 yrs 3 mos

Lead internal communications, employer branding, employee engagement, and employee events (virtual and in-person). Building new programs and processes, including onboarding, events, and a digital first policy for a distributed workforce.

Gap inc.

Manager, Field Communication and Events

Apr 2019 – Dec 2020 · 1 yr 8 mos · San Francisco Bay Area

Built a store communication strategy with a wide range of cross-functional stakeholders, including C-level executives. Managed Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, and Athleta cross-brand store communication, including Covid-19 execution. Led conference and event strategy, including budgets, deadlines and risks across multiple teams.

Banana republic

2 roles

Manager, Strategic Projects and Events, Store Operations

Promoted

Aug 2016 – Apr 2019 · 2 yrs 8 mos · San Francisco Bay Area

August 2018 - April 2019: Manager, Strategic Projects and Events, Store Operations
August 2016 - August 2018: Manager, Customer Experience

Project Manager, Store Operations

Sep 2013 – Aug 2016 · 2 yrs 11 mos · San Francisco Bay Area

Designed global tools and resources to drive engagement with executive and field teams, including social media, contests, and product and marketing launches. Influenced and executed promotions in North America stores, collaborating with cross-functional teams and senior leaders to provide store direction.

Mckesson

Public Affairs Communications Project Manager

Apr 2011 – Aug 2013 · 2 yrs 4 mos · San Francisco Bay Area

Developed public policy communications and strategies, including executive presentations, marketing and event coordination. Developed briefings, and organized site and vendor logistics for facility visits and meetings with Members of Congress.
Planned various department-sponsored events, including HLC Innovations, off-site meetings, and virtual town halls and presentations.

Kaiser permanente

2 roles

Northern California Community Relations Project Manager

Sep 2007 – Apr 2011 · 3 yrs 7 mos · San Francisco Bay Area

Managed state-wide employee and community events, including vendor relations and on-site supervision. Successfully implemented the Reach Out and Read program in 54 clinics, administering 230,000 books per year. Launched the national business resource group for women.

Sr. Public Affairs Representative

Aug 2005 – Aug 2007 · 2 yrs · San Francisco Bay Area

Led medical center internal and external community, government relations and communications strategies and events, including media, volunteer recruitment, vendor relations and on-site supervision.