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Amy Henderson
Editor at Cullman Times
Professional Background
Amy Henderson is an accomplished Director of Communications and Marketing who brings a wealth of experience from the government relations and nonprofit sectors. With her extensive background, Amy has honed her skills in areas such as nonprofit organizations, member relations, marketing, and crisis communications. Her career is marked by a commitment to effective storytelling and strategic communication, allowing her to connect organizations with their audiences in meaningful ways. Through her roles, she has developed a robust understanding of internal communications, media relations, and community engagement, positioning her as a leader in her field.
Amy’s journey in the communications landscape began early in her career with a key position as Communications Assistant at the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police. Here, she gained foundational experience that would prepare her for more advanced roles. She then transitioned to the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) where she served as Public Information Manager. In this role, Amy was able to significantly enhance communication strategies and strengthen public engagement through innovative campaigns. Her success led her to be promoted to Director of Communications at GMA, where she now oversees a team dedicated to advancing the organization’s mission through effective communication.
Education and Achievements
Amy Henderson's academic background complements her impressive professional portfolio. She holds a Master's Degree in Communications with a specialization in Public Relations from Kent State University, one of the leading institutions in the field. This advanced degree provided her with a comprehensive understanding of public relations strategies and techniques crucial for managing public perception and communication crisis effectively.
Before attaining her master’s, Amy earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, English, and Creative Writing from Troy University. This diverse educational experience not only cultivated her writing skills but also honed her analytical thinking and creativity, essential attributes for any communications leader.
With her strong educational foundation, combined with hands-on experience and leadership abilities, Amy has successfully spearheaded numerous initiatives that have resulted in improved stakeholder engagement and enhanced visibility for the organizations she has been part of. Her commitment to professional development is evident as she continuously seeks training opportunities to stay updated with the latest trends in communication and marketing.
Notable Achievements
Throughout her career, Amy Henderson has achieved significant milestones that underscore her expertise in communications and marketing. As the Director of Communications at the Georgia Municipal Association, she played a pivotal role in creating strategic marketing campaigns that not only enhanced member relations but also effectively communicated the association's goals and objectives to a wider audience.
Her experience as an Editor at Cullman Times further showcases her adeptness at media relations and editing. At Cullman Times, Amy developed editorial standards and trained staff, overseeing the publication's content to ensure clarity and quality in journalistic integrity. Her commitment to the community and storytelling shines through her work, making her an influential figure in local media.
Amy is also recognized for her contributions during crises where she demonstrated exceptional leadership in crisis communications. By employing strategic messaging and supporting organizational leaders, she has effectively navigated challenging situations, ensuring that the public remains well-informed. Her proactive approach has minimized confusion and strengthened trust between the organization and its constituents.
Through the combination of her education, practical work experience, and commitment to excellence, Amy Henderson continues to be a valued asset in the field of communications and marketing. Her efforts have not only advanced the organizations she works with but have also set a benchmark for future communication professionals.
Highlights
I’m so fortunate to get to work for this amazing leader! She an inspiration to me as a mom, leader and community member. Rachael says we work “tirelessly to close the opportunity gap for low-income students and students of color,” and she leads by example - her passion and energy for all the important things in her life seems boundless! #inspiration #leader
Over the weekend, I watched Oprah's Netflix interview with the great Viola Davis where they discussed Davis' memoir, "Finding Me." It is a beautiful conversation and I highly recommend watching it (and also reading the book).
In the interview, Davis talked about the abject poverty she grew up in and how that shaped her. She talked about the shame of poverty, of going to school smelling of urine because the family couldn't wash their clothes. And she also shared that the school principal, Ann Prosser, provided Davis with second-hand clothes from her own daughter and "really saw her." Her compassion and empathy "killed the shame," said Davis. Oprah, who also grew up poor, remarked that it was teachers who saved her.
The whole interview is amazing, but that exchange hit me so hard. My daughter is a teacher in large part because she had a teacher who also "saw her." Ms. Daniel was a middle school language arts teacher who tragically died in her 30s. I remember sitting at the memorial service the school held and hearing student after student testifying about how Ms. Daniel "saw them" - even when they were trying very hard to not be seen. She saw in them their potential and made them believe in it too. That was her super power. My daughter is a middle school language arts teacher now because she was driven to be the teacher Ms. Daniel was to her and so many other students.
Fewer people are going into teaching. More teachers are leaving the profession. There are myriad reasons for this, but the bottom line is we're losing our super heroes - those amazing, insightful, compassionate teachers who see each student as an individual, recognize their potential, love them where they are and believe in their futures.
I'm really proud to be part of the Jacksonville Public Education Fund, where we are working tirelessly to support and empower teachers because we recognize the positive impact they can have on all students. That impact, as Oprah and Viola can testify, is especially felt by low-income students and students of color.
We're working now to recruit and retain more Black male and Latino teachers because that representation is woefully lacking and so very important to all students, but again, especially to low-income students of color.
I hope people will watch the interview, read Ms. Davis' book and thank a teacher who made an impact on their own life. But mostly, I hope more people will want to become the next Ann Prosser or Stacey Daniel. I hope they will be the super hero who changes the life of the next Viola Davis or Oprah Winfrey or the kid who is just trying to get through unseen because he doesn't believe in his own potential. #teachersmatter #empathymatters #education
