Salk appoints seasoned communications lead

February 28, 2011

Salk appoints seasoned communications lead

Spector brings vast experience managing creative communications and public affairs locally, nationally and globally

February 28, 2011

LA JOLLA, CA—The Salk Institute for Biological Studies announced the appointment of Stacie Spector as the new Chief Communications Officer.

“Stacie brings to Salk a wealth of skills and knowledge in all areas of communications, marketing, and media relations. We welcome this fresh perspective and her appreciation for the human impact of science and the unique role and quality of the Salk faculty,” said William R. Brody, President, Salk Institute.

Spector has served in similar communications capacities in the political, academic, research, business, and non-profit sector. In 2004 she was recruited to be Associate Vice Chancellor for Communications at the University of California, San Diego overseeing communications, media relations, publications, special events, marketing, VIP tours and state government relations and advocacy. During her tenure at UCSD, she enhanced all aspects of the University’s messaging and branding efforts, including the development communications effort to increase support for science and education through the $1 billion dollar “Imagine What’s Next” campaign, and succeeded in raising local, national, and international visibility for the university.

A graduate of Columbia University and a California native, Spector entered the world of politics by serving as the deputy campaign manager for the re-election campaign of Senator Tom Harkin. Her success with his campaign led to a move to Washington, D.C. and a series of campaign and political consulting roles, eventually serving as Deputy Communications Director for President Clinton’s re-election and overseeing all events for the 1997 Presidential Inauguration. Her experience and commitment led to an appointment as the White House Deputy Director of Communications and Deputy Assistant to the President during President Clinton’s second term. In 1999 she was recruited by Vice President Gore as his Deputy Campaign Manager to develop his strategic communications and rapid response team for his campaign, a task she fulfilled until Gore moved his headquarters to Nashville – at which point Stacie decided to return to her native California to be closer to her family.

“Stacie thrives on working with complex messaging such as science and discovery and delivering information to non-experts in ways they can understand and appreciate the direct impact on their own lives. Over the course of her impressive career, Stacie has brought great skill and dedication to her area of expertise and we are thrilled to have her at the Salk,” said Rebecca Newman, Vice President, Development/Communications.

As the Chief Communications Officer for the Salk Institute, Spector will oversee the communications and multi-media relations team and will work directly with the President, the Executive Vice President, and the faculty to craft a communications program that will heighten awareness of the Salk Institute’s mission, science, and notable successes. As the chief communications officer, she will also serve as a spokesperson for the institute.

Acerca del Instituto Salk de Estudios Biológicos:
El Instituto Salk de Estudios Biológicos es una de las instituciones de investigación básica más destacadas del mundo, donde un cuerpo docente de prestigio internacional investiga cuestiones fundamentales de las ciencias de la vida en un entorno único, colaborativo y creativo. Centrados tanto en el descubrimiento como en la formación de las futuras generaciones de investigadores, los científicos del Salk realizan contribuciones revolucionarias a nuestra comprensión del cáncer, el envejecimiento, el Alzheimer, la diabetes y las enfermedades infecciosas mediante el estudio de la neurociencia, la genética, la biología celular y vegetal, y otras disciplinas relacionadas.

Los logros del cuerpo docente han sido reconocidos con numerosos galardones, entre los que se incluyen premios Nobel y la pertenencia a la Academia Nacional de Ciencias. Fundado en 1960 por el Dr. Jonas Salk, pionero en la vacuna contra la poliomielitis, el Instituto es una organización independiente sin fines de lucro y un hito arquitectónico.