Open to opportunities

Shelley Caplan

@shelleycaplan

Message

Senior health communications leader driving high-impact public health campaigns.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I seek senior communications roles where I can lead strategic public health campaigns, mentor teams, build partnerships, and drive measurable outreach and behavior change.

I am a senior health communications professional with more than three decades of experience leading award-winning campaigns for federal, nonprofit, and corporate clients. I have designed and executed integrated awareness campaigns, media partnerships, and strategic communications that reached millions and advanced organizational missions.

My work includes leading national initiatives for USDA MyPlate, CDC, NIH, the Office on Women’s Health, and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, plus directing projects such as the National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth and high-profile events and media placements. I have managed teams, led rebranding and website development, overseen research-informed content, and produced measurable outreach across traditional and digital channels.

I bring strategic vision, collaborative leadership, and a track record of award-winning creative work and partnerships. I seek roles where I can apply social marketing, stakeholder engagement, and campaign strategy to improve public health outcomes and expand equitable access to health information.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Senior Project Director

Urban Emu

Dec 2022 - Feb 2025 (2 years 2 months)

Developed national MyPlate marketing and communications tactics, led cultural food expansion for MyPlate.gov, and contributed to WIC rebranding and USDA stakeholder engagement initiatives.

Strategic Communications Campaign Development Stakeholder Engagement Content Editing Project Management

Independent Contractor

Caplan Communications

Nov 2020 - Nov 2022 (2 years)

Developed communications strategies and campaign materials to reinvigorate HIV workforce programs, promoted STI screening interventions, and refreshed brand identity for communications clients.

Communications Strategy Proposal Writing Brand Refresh Project Planning Content Development

Principal and Director, Strategic Communications

JBS International

May 2012 - Sep 2020 (8 years 4 months)

Led corporate marketing and communications, supervised a matrixed team, managed rebranding and website development, and directed high-profile public health communications contracts for federal clients.

Strategic Communications Team Leadership Content Strategy Contract Management

Project Director

IQ Solutions

Dec 2007 - May 2012 (4 years 5 months)

Directed the five-year NIDA Research Dissemination contract, led interactive marketing and digital products for teen audiences, and managed staff and multimillion-dollar initiatives.

Project Management Social Marketing Staff Supervision Spanish Translation Oversight Public Awareness

Web Marketing Manager

Equals Three Communications

Jun 2000 - Sep 2002 (2 years 3 months)

Developed web marketing and consumer outreach strategies for AHRQ, built partnerships with major online publishers, and organized live web chats for agency leadership.

Web Marketing Partnership Development Event Coordination Content Strategy Media Relations Online Engagement

Assistant Manager, Advertising

Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

Dec 1996 - May 2000 (3 years 5 months)

Coordinated development and placement of national advertising campaigns, oversaw a $2.3M advertising budget, and led entertainment-education initiatives with celebrity spokespersons.

Advertising Management Budget Oversight Entertainment Education Media Buying Public Relations

Associate Director, Media Relations

American University

Aug 1995 - Nov 1996 (1 year 3 months)

Directed proactive media outreach and managed logistics for high-profile university events, serving as editor of an annual faculty expertise guide and coordinating national media responses.

Media Relations Event Media Logistics Editorial Management Public Information Crisis Communications Messaging