Zina McGowan-Thomas

Zina is a strategic communications leader with more than 25 years of experience shaping organizational narratives, advising leadership, and developing integrated communications strategies that advance mission-critical priorities, strengthen stakeholder relationships, and build public trust. Her expertise spans strategic communications, public affairs, executive counsel, media relations, reputation management, issues management, employee engagement, and stakeholder outreach across government, public transportation, education, and nonprofit sectors.

At the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service, Zina advanced public affairs initiatives supporting federal nutrition assistance programs, including the implementation and communication of significant policy changes. She developed stakeholder engagement strategies, executive talking points, briefing materials, webinars, and public-facing communications that equipped government partners, community organizations, and other stakeholders with the information needed to understand policy requirements and support program implementation.

Previously, as Manager of Employee Communications at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), Zina led enterprise-wide internal communications aligned with executive leadership priorities, operational objectives, and organizational change initiatives. She counseled leaders on messaging, developed executive communications, and directed multichannel campaigns that connected a workforce of approximately 12,000 employees to agency priorities. By incorporating audience insights and digital engagement analytics into communications planning, she helped inform messaging decisions and strengthen the effectiveness of internal communications.

Zina’s approach combines strategic foresight, message discipline, audience intelligence, and cross-functional collaboration to help organizations navigate complex issues, communicate change, and maintain stakeholder confidence. She understands the critical relationship between communications strategy, organizational reputation, and mission delivery, and brings the ability to move seamlessly from high-level strategy and leadership counsel to execution, measurement, and continuous improvement.