Lauren M. Kokum
About Lauren M. Kokum
Lauren M. Kokum serves as the Director of Affiliate Communications at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, a position she has held since 2022. With a background in public health and extensive experience in strategic communications, she specializes in crisis management and has previously worked in various roles within the organization and at the Center for American Progress.
Work at Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Lauren M. Kokum has been serving as the Director of Affiliate Communications at Planned Parenthood Federation of America since 2022. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing communication strategies that engage affiliates and stakeholders in the healthcare sector. Prior to her current position, she held various roles within the organization, including Associate Director of Health Media from 2020 to 2021 and Press Officer for Health and Education from 2018 to 2019. Her experience at Planned Parenthood has equipped her with a strong understanding of sexual and reproductive health communications.
Education and Expertise
Lauren M. Kokum studied at the University of London, focusing on Public Health with a specialization in Health Promotion, and is a Master of Science (MSc) candidate. She also completed a Certificate in Design Thinking and Innovation from Harvard Business School Online. Additionally, she holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Political Science and International Studies from Hope College. Her educational background supports her expertise in strategic communications, crisis management, and stakeholder engagement.
Background in Communications
Before her current role, Lauren M. Kokum worked at the Center for American Progress in various capacities. She served as an Editor for six months in 2018, and previously held positions as Special Assistant for the Faith and Progressive Policy Initiative from 2014 to 2016, and Assistant Editor from 2016 to 2017. These roles provided her with a solid foundation in developing effective messaging and managing communications within the political and healthcare sectors.
Achievements in Strategic Communications
Lauren M. Kokum has demonstrated a proven track record in developing messages that shape issues and reach diverse audiences. Her work in crisis management and rapid response within sexual and reproductive health has been notable. She is recognized for her high attention to detail and valuable instincts that contribute to effective strategic communications, particularly in high-stakes environments.