Topping off a 25+ year career as an Army Public Affairs Officer at the rank of Colonel, Juanita’s last position in uniform was Director of Public Affairs / Director of Strategic Communications Division at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons, Belgium.

In this role, Juanita developed and managed communications strategies, public affairs campaigns, and plans. She was a strategic advisor to the top military leaders in NATO, and the Senior Spokesperson for all NATO military forces. She planned and coordinated all media engagements and managed the brand and reputation of top NATO military leaders.

Juanita used her decades of leadership experience to organize multiple 30-nation working groups to align objectives and practices across the alliance. She planned and oversaw the execution of strategic engagements in 17 countries, including meetings with national political and military leaders. She coordinated both internal and external coverage in both earned and owned media; think tanks and international conferences.

During the COVID pandemic, Juanita positively positioned the alliance by leading and synchronizing crisis communications.

As a strategic policy expert, Juanita produced three new NATO-wide military public affairs policies, leading to a standardized and integrated multi-national approach. Further, she co-authored the 2020 NATO Military Public Affairs Handbook, standardizing communications across NATO.

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