OVERVIEW
Robin Fender is a communications professional with over 10 years experience in the field, specifically in the areas of marketing, publications, media and development. Ms. Fender has successfully conceptualized and implemented marketing and development strategies targeting a variety of audiences. A creative and effective writer Ms. Fender has vast experience writing and producing internal and external communication pieces including press releases, media advisories, memos, ad copy, newsletters, articles, and reports (board and annual). She also has experience designing and creating brochures, booklets, magazines, other print and electronic publications and producing website content.
Ms. Fender has managed communications programs and campaigns across the spectrum – including small campaigns with a limited target audience, and; larger programs with a national outreach that required producing a variety of communication materials. Her success as a marketing and development professional also includes producing concept papers, and proposals that have generated millions in support for non-profit educational programs and other activities. Additionally, Ms. Fender’s media experience includes writing, directing and producing films; producing a daily three-hour current-affairs radio program; and editing and reporting news.
BACKGROUND & EXPERIENCE
I hold a BA in Economics and History from the University of the West Indies. My work experience has spanned the private sector, public sector and non-profit sector primarily in the communications field and specifically the areas of media, development, marketing and publications.
My background in media includes working in radio first as a News Editor and then as Producer of a leading current affairs program in my native Jamaica. In the capacity of senior producer, I coordinated all aspects of domestic and international programming as well as managed the budget and all administrative aspects of the company.
I arrived in Washington DC 20 years ago to serve as the Assistant Information Attaché in the Embassy of Jamaica. In that role I served as liaison with local & Caribbean media throughout the U.S, wrote speeches, press releases and media advisories for the Ambassador; Coordinated press conferences & other events hosted by the Embassy; Conducted briefing sessions with educational institutions including universities, think tanks and American civic groups.
After completing an M.A. in Film and Video at the American University in Washington D.C. in 2002, I moved to Los Angeles to gain experience in the Film Industry and to pursue a career in writing. While in Los Angeles, I worked at Wind Dancer Productions and Winchester Films where I researched current and potential projects and compiled director lists for open assignments. I also worked as a production assistant on the popular HBO series Curb Your Enthusiasm.
My film portfolio includes three documentaries including a 20-minute documentary for a non-profit organization, which was nominated by American University for the Dore Schary Award.
Since returning to the Washington Metro Area I have worked primarily in the non-profit sector as a development, fundraising and communications professional. I worked with educational associations, social service organization and historic arts organizations to advance issues such as education and equity for women and girls, housing for the homeless, financial education for low to middle-income families and promotion of the arts. In this capacity I have conceptualized and implemented development and marketing strategies. This included managing fundraising campaigns and producing concept papers and proposals that have generated millions in support for non-profit programs and activities. I have also had the opportunity to work closely with non-profit boards of varying sizes.New Paragraph