ENGAGEMENT BUILT ON INFLUENCE

For more than two decades, I've helped organizations solve communications and engagement challenges where business strategy, public policy and stakeholder expectations intersect.

My career has taken me across healthcare, biotechnology, scientific research, higher education, nonprofits, professional services, tourism and highly regulated industries, advising executive leadership teams during periods of transformation, growth and heightened public visibility.

I've led enterprise communications for organizations managing billion-dollar economic impact, secured significant public and private investment, developed executive visibility strategies for senior leaders and created integrated campaigns that strengthened reputation while supporting measurable business objectives.

The best communications strategies begin by understanding people, including the audiences you need to influence, the relationships you need to build and the trust you need to earn.

RECENT RESULTS

  • Increased revenue by 30% year over year through integrated communications and business development initiatives.

  • Secured $100 million in public and private investment through strategic advocacy and stakeholder engagement.

  • Directed communications supporting a $150 million research portfolio spanning drug discovery and biotechnology innovation.

  • Increased earned media coverage 55% year over year through integrated media strategy, managed PR programs generating Tier-1 media placements.

  • Built enterprise communications functions, executive visibility programs and employee engagement strategies across multiple organizations.

  • Launched successful agency practice in new market originating 5% of firm revenue within first six months.

  • Led communications supporting scientific research, public policy and organizational transformation across highly regulated industries.

    • Integrated Communications Strategy

    • Public Affairs & Advocacy

    • Corporate Reputation

    • Executive Communications

    • Executive Thought Leadership

    • Stakeholder Engagement

    • Crisis & Issues Management

    • Media Relations

    • Employee Communications

    • Change Management

    • AI-Enabled Communications

    • Digital Strategy

    • Marketing Communications

    • Community Engagement

    • Coalition Building

  • Executive leadership in engagement, communications and public affairs across multiple industries.

    Highlights include:

    • Executive communications

    • Legislative advocacy

    • Thought leadership

    • Brand positioning

    • Integrated marketing

    • Client acquisition strategy

    • AI-enabled communications

  • Leading enterprise communications, advocacy and business growth initiatives for a multi-market law firm serving clients in commercial real estate and economic development.

  • Directed enterprise communications and operations for a nationally recognized life sciences research organization advancing drug discovery, biotechnology and healthcare innovation.

    Highlights include:

    • CEO advisor

    • Scientific storytelling

    • Federal funding communications

    • Research commercialization

    • Corporate reputation

    • Public-private partnerships

    • Organizational transformation

  • Counseled organizations across government, education, nonprofit and corporate sectors on reputation, crisis communications and stakeholder engagement.

    Highlights include:

    • Executive counsel

    • Advocacy campaigns

    • Crisis response

    • Earned media

    • Community engagement

    • Public affairs

  • Supported commercialization of scientific discoveries, startup ventures and healthcare technologies through integrated communications and strategic storytelling.

  • The strongest engagement programs aren't built around channels; they focus on outcomes.

    Successful communications and engagement strategies holistically integrate every audience an organization serves, including employees, policymakers, media, investors, community leaders, partners and customers.

    When communications, advocacy and business strategy work together, organizations earn trust, strengthen reputation and create lasting influence.

  • I'm passionate about advancing the communications profession through mentorship, governance and industry research.

    My service leadership includes:

    • PRSA

    • Institute for Public Relations

    • Rotary

    • Women's Foundation of Alabama

    • CEO Action Communications Council

    • United Way

BIOGRAPHY

Briana Cooper, MPA, APR is an experienced strategic communications and public affairs professional with 20 years of strategic storytelling, engagement, marketing, advocacy, change management and award-winning public relations experience. 

As an advocate for social and industry impact, Cooper is dedicated to mentoring students, developing the next generation of leaders, promoting her profession and giving back to the community. Along with volunteering time to numerous committees and projects focused on promoting diversity, equity and belonging, she has served in local and national leadership roles in the Public Relations Council of Alabama and Public Relations Student Society of America  chapters. She now serves on the board of directors for the Alabama Chapter of PRSA (2024 Chair), as chair for PRSA’s Southeast District board of directors, and as an executive committee member for the PRSA District Council. She also serves on the Institute for Public Relations research cohort, is a member of the Shades Valley Rotary Club PR committee and is a Policy Fellow with the Alabama Women’s Foundation.

Briana Cooper is an expert communications, marketing and public affairs strategist with 20 years of experience advising executive leadership teams through periods of growth and high impact transformation.

AWARDS

Cooper has been recognized across the industry for her leadership, academic and career achievements. She was named Women’s Empowerment Champion by PR News, and has received multiple Medallion Awards from the Public Relations Council of Alabama for her work leading client campaigns and developing PR strategies. She was honored as a Rising Star Alumni by the UAB National Alumni Society and was named Outstanding Student and Practitioner by her alma mater three times.

  • PR News Women’s Empowerment Champion

  • UAB Alumni Society Rising Star

  • UAB Outstanding Public Affairs Practitioner

  • Public Relations Council of Alabama Medallion Award (x4)

  • Public Relations Council of Alabama Chapter of the Year

  • UAB Outstanding Student (x2)

LET’S BUILD TOGETHER

Whether you're leading organizational transformation, navigating complex stakeholder environments or looking to elevate executive communications, I welcome the opportunity to connect.