The City of Greeley welcomes a strategic communicator with a background in leading communication and engagement at government, K-12 schools and nonprofit organizations.
The city announced Thursday that Winna MacLaren will join the city’s executive leadership team as director of Communication & Engagement following a national search for the position.
In her current role, MacLaren created the City of Denver’s first Communications and Engagement division dedicated to climate action, sustainability and resiliency. As the division director, she leads a team of eight and manages a $2.4 million budget to expand partnerships with neighborhoods, small businesses and community-based organizations to increase awareness and inspire action about climate change.
MacLaren’s public relations experience also includes managing communication for Denver Public Schools, a district with 207 schools and over 90,000 students; Arapahoe County; the South Metro Denver Realtor Association; Humble (Texas) Independent School District; and St. Pius High School in Houston, Texas. Her work with the Denver Regional Council of Governments garnered several awards for the organization.
“The city is eager to bring such a talented strategic communications leader into the organization,” City Manager Raymond Lee said. “Winna’s depth of experience in community engagement, strategic communication planning and execution, and her leadership abilities will serve Greeley well.”
MacLaren earned a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from New York University. Among her leadership positions, she’s vice chair of The Alliance Center, chaired a committee as a member on the Denver Mayor’s Sustainability Advisory Council, and is a board member of the Colorado chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. She was named PR person of the Year by the chapter in 2021. With the city, she will provide strategic leadership for the city’s internal and external communication, social media, public relations, outreach, marketing, public participation and promotional efforts.
“I am honored to build upon the great work that the City of Greeley’s Communications and Engagement team has done thus far in serving the community,” MacLaren said. “I look forward to connecting with residents, stakeholders and community leaders to share information and co-create meaningful and inclusive opportunities for engagement.”
MacLaren’s first day with the city will be Nov. 10. She takes over for Kelli Johnson, who was promoted to the city’s chief of staff.
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