HomeMy WebLinkAbout042023 City of PT Files New Communications and Marketing Manager RoleApril 20, 2023
John Mauro, City Manager
360.379.5043 j.uta, ,g[q.@.!Jrty :IP:t.�. s.
CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND FILLS NEW COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING MANAGER ROLE
Shelly Leavens, formerly Executive Director of the Jefferson County Historical Society, to start May 4
PORT TOWNSEND —The City of Port Townsend is pleased to announce the hire of a senior -level
communications and marketing professional to join the City team.
Shelly Leavens has accepted the role as the City's new Communications and Marketing Manager, starting
on May 4. She recently stepped down as the Executive Director of the Jefferson County Historical Society,
an organization she led for nearly 5 years. Prior to that, Ms. Leavens was Curator & Public Events Manager
for the Gage Academy of Art in Seattle, an Instructor at University of Washington, and an independent
contractor focusing on curatorial work, collections, and oral history. She holds a Masters in Museology
from UW focusing on public history interpretation and a B.A. in anthropology from Pennsylvania State
University.
Her hire is a significant step forward in improving how the City communicates, engages, and works with our
community and partners to make a real difference. City Manager John Mauro says: "I'm thrilled to
introduce Shelly as our new Communications and Marketing Manager — although she likely doesn't need an
introduction to the community she knows and loves so well. Shelly stood out among a number of really
excellent candidates for her deep leadership skills; her clear, approachable, and strategic communications
and marketing style and acumen; her collaborative ethos; and her strong commitment to positive change in
this community. She brings a wealth of experience to this new role as an artist, storyteller, communicator,
and change -maker."
The role functions as the City's strategic lead for communications and marketing, providing technical
expertise as a conduit between internal teams and external organizations to plan, coordinate, and deliver
strategic communications, marketing and engagement with the Port Townsend community and beyond.
The City is undertaking a number of high-profile public engagements this year, including around the golf
course, aquatics center, streets, housing, and financial sustainability.
Shelly Leavens says: "Relationships and stories of people and place matter to me and connect this special
community together. Now is a great time to join the City team. With so many opportunities to
communicate on City priorities and engage our community, I'm eager to dive in and ensure we're all
working together to guide our collective future."
Current open positions at the City of Port Townsend can be found at:
hLtp.s. cityor t,_ap li�c �t�ool.cornob.s
250 Madison oin Street. Suite 2. Poirt'rownseind - WA 983618 l www.c 1tyofpt,,us