New vice president
Deborah L. Hayes named vice president for communications and marketing at UD
12:01 p.m., Jan. 10, 2013--Deborah L. Hayes, a communications professional with wide-ranging experience in nonprofit public affairs, the entertainment industry and government, has been named vice president for communications and marketing at the University of Delaware, UD President Patrick T. Harker has announced. Her appointment is effective Jan. 21.
“Deborah Hayes brings to the University an impressive record of experience in media and public relations, internal and external communication, messaging strategy, brand development and team leadership," Harker said. "I look forward to working with her as the University moves forward on its Path to Prominence."
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"I am thrilled to join President Harker and his leadership team," Hayes said. "The University of Delaware's reputation for excellence and the highest standards is a reflection of the administration, faculty and student body. I look forward to leading the talented communications and marketing department."
Hayes replaces David L. Brond, who left UD in July to become senior vice president of communications and marketing for the Georgia Health Sciences enterprise. John Brennan who has managed the unit during the search will return to his duties as director of public and media relations.
Most recently, Hayes served as managing director of communications for the Pew Charitable Trusts in Philadelphia from 2002-11. Her management responsibilities there included internal, crisis, executive grantee and partner communications, institutional messaging, strategy planning, branding, local and national media outreach, publications and online communications strategy.
From 1999-2002, she served as founding partner and president of media strategies at Westhill Partners in New York, where she focused on the areas of communications, crisis management and public affairs.
Hayes was director of media and corporate relations for Oprah Winfrey/Harpo Productions in Chicago from 1994-99, and that position included negotiation and management of Winfrey’s personal media relations.
Previously, as senior vice president for corporate communications at MTV Networks in New York City, she served as chief corporate spokesperson and senior media strategist responsible for developing the company’s internal and external communications.
From 1985-92, Hayes was press secretary for Congressman Richard Gephardt. She also worked on presidential campaigns for Gephardt, Michael Dukakis, Walter Mondale and Geraldine Ferraro and John Glenn.
Since 2009, Hayes has served on the board of the Monell Chemical Senses Center, chairing its Development and Communications Committee. In 2011, she was a regional judge for the White House Fellows Program.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Tennessee State University in Nashville.