Ever wonder what it’s really like to be the lead communicator at a public agency? We’re pulling back the curtain in this candid, moderated panel discussion featuring seasoned professionals from cities, special districts, counties, and more. These leaders will share the behind-the-scenes realities of the role—what it takes to succeed, the challenges you don’t always see, and the wins that make it worthwhile.

What You’ll Learn:

• Lead at the executive table: Translating communications priorities into leadership language and influencing decision-making.
• Navigate politics and pressure: Handling difficult situations with resilience while keeping your team and agency’s reputation intact.
• Balance strategy with execution: Setting a long-term vision while also managing the day-to-day demands of the job.
• Build trust and credibility with elected officials, leadership, staff, media, and your community.
• Future-proof your role: Adapting to changing communications landscapes, from AI to new platforms, and mentoring the next generation of communicators.

SPEAKERS

Date: January 28, 2026
Time: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Register

Cost: $30 CAPIO members/Free for Professional+/$45 non-members

This session is good for: APR Continuing Education Unit

SPEAKER BIOS

Amy McKenzie

Amy McKenzie has dedicated more than 18 years to the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office, currently serving as the Director of Communications. She leads a team of communication professionals responsible for both internal and external communications for the DA’s Office.

Amy combines practical experience with strategic insight. She has been instrumental in establishing and developing the Communications Division, successfully creating new positions, budgets, policies, and procedures that have been adopted by other county departments.

Her nontraditional career path, working as an at-will employee for an elected official, provides her with a unique perspective. Amy holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from California State University, Los Angeles, and a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from California Baptist University.

Kevin Strauss

Kevin Strauss is the Communications Manager for the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency (SCV Water) and is responsible for all internal and external Agency communications. Previously, Strauss spent six years as a Communications Specialist with the City of Santa Clarita. During his career, Strauss has produced several award-winning public relations campaigns and recently led SCV Water’s brand relaunch initiative and crafted the Agency’s first digital media strategy. For his work, he was named the 2024 Communicator of the Year by the California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO). SCV Water was also a 2024 finalist for ACWA’s Huell Howser Excellence in Communication award. When he was with the City of Santa Clarita, the Communications Division was named the 2020 Frank Potter Cowan Crisis Communications Leader by CAPIO for its response to the Tick Fire and Saugus High School shooting in 2019. Prior to joining the City of Santa Clarita, Strauss worked for six years in the Athletics Department at California State University, Northridge (CSUN), first as an intern then as Assistant Sports Information Director before being promoted to Assistant Athletic Director for Digital Marketing. Strauss earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism with an emphasis in public relations from CSUN. He and his family reside in Santa Clarita.

Kevin Lee

Kevin Lee is the Chief Communications Officer for the City of Long Beach, overseeing communications for the seventh largest city in California. He is a member of the City’s Executive Leadership Team and is responsible for advising City Management and Department Directors on public and press engagement, crisis and emergency communications strategy, and internal communications. He also works closely with the Office of the Mayor and nine City Councilmembers on a number of PR initiatives. He and his team provide strategy, policy, guidance and training to over 15 City departments, and directly oversee the City’s primary social media pages, visual brand, media relations program and multi-departmental communications efforts. Kevin serves as Lead Public Information Officer for the City during times of emergency. In 2028, the City of Long Beach will be home to the most sporting events for the Olympic and Paralympic Games outside of host City Los Angeles. As such, Kevin sits on the Long Beach Steering Committee for the Games and his team is leading the Long Beach Communications Committee. Kevin has been in the Communications field for 20 years, leading campaigns and PR efforts for public sector organizations as well as global brands.

In order to attempt to practice self-care, when Kevin isn’t working, he heads into the mountains as much as possible, preferably where there is no cell service. Most importantly, Kevin is married to an extraordinary woman, has three amazing kids and a zoo of two smelly dogs, one cat, nine fish and four aquatic snails.

Christine Brainerd, MPA, APR

Christine is a seasoned, award-winning communications professional with nearly 20 years of experience in government communications, public relations, and journalism. As communications director, she manages the city’s comprehensive communications program, including news media relations, public information, and community relations.

Christine joined the City of Folsom in 2015. She previously served the City of Elk Grove for nearly nine years as the public affairs manager and public information officer. She also worked at two Sacramento-based public relations firms, where she managed national and statewide public relations and marketing campaigns. Christine’s career started in journalism. She has written for a weekly newspaper and worked as an assignment editor at KTXL-TV FOX-40 News.