Career Transitions for Federal Communicators Breakfast Panel and Networking

Rebecca Grapsy, Software Communications Manager, Ford Motor Company

Rebecca Grapsy is a communications professional with more than a decade of experience bridging communications, policy, and technical domains. At the Department of Transportation, she supported three administrations in the clear, high-impact communication of regulatory and safety issues to industry, media, and the public, before moving into the private sector at Ford Motor Company earlier this year. She has extensive experience collaborating with technical and policy teams to bring the complex work of the engineers and policy experts she worked with at the Naval Surface Warfare Center as well as those at NHTSA and USDOT to the public. She holds an undergraduate degree in communications and a master’s degree in homeland security from Penn State.

Leah Hunter, Assistant Secretary for External Affairs, Maryland Department of Health

Leah Hunter oversees the communications and public engagement efforts of the agency. Previously, Leah has served in a number of political leadership positions including most recently as the Associate Commissioner for External Affairs at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. She also served in several roles of increasing responsibility in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and spent a number of years on Capitol Hill holding senior communications positions in both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate.

Valerie “VK” Keys, Director, Public Affairs, SKDK

Valerie Keys is a Director in SKDK’s D.C. Public Affairs Office. A native of Fayetteville, North Carolina, she is an accomplished communicator driven by a passion for storytelling and a commitment to meaningful progress. Her work earned her recognition as PRWeek’s 2023 Outstanding Young Professional. Valerie most recently served as Press Secretary and Advisor in the Biden-Harris Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce. There, she played a key role in shaping strategic communications and crafting impactful messages to support Secretary Raimondo and Deputy Secretary Graves.

Natalia Vanegas, Vice President, Communications, The National Council of Nonprofits

Natalia Vanegas served as a White House Presidential Appointee as Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, where she led communications, media relations, digital strategy, and public engagement for a department of nearly 9,000 employees—advancing HUD’s mission to expand access to affordable housing and strengthen communities nationwide. With broad experience in federal and local government, she has advised cabinet-level officials and members of Congress, led national public affairs campaigns, and held leadership roles in the City of Miami, the District of Columbia government, and the U.S. Congress. Throughout her career, Natalia has also partnered closely with nonprofits on efforts related to housing, food security, community development, health, and emotional wellness.