Ms. Ana Allen joined the Institute for Water Resources, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as Strategic Communications director, beginning January 2023. In this role, she is responsible she directs and synchronizes the public affairs program to highlight the multi-disciplinary Field Operating Agency that supports USACE’s Civil Works (water resources) missions through water resources planning, policy and decision-support model development; hydraulic and hydrological engineering; dam and levee safety; and training and national/international interface with academia, professional societies, and non-government organizations. Additionally, she highlights IWR’s seven centers: Water Resources Center (WRC), Hydrologic Engineering Center (HEC), Risk Management Center (RMC), Navigation and Civil Works Decision Support Center (NDC), Waterborne Commerce Statistics Center (WCSC), Collaboration and Public Participation Center of Expertise (CPCX), and International Center for Integrated Water Resources Management (ICIWaRM).
Her most recent position included Public Affairs director, Pacific Ocean Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, located at Ft. Shafter, Hawaii. Ms. Allen was responsible for management and synchronization of the public affairs program, highlighting a mission that includes engineering design, construction and real estate management for the Army across the Indo-Pacific Region.
Prior to joining the Corps, Ms. Allen served as the director of Public Affairs for Army Medicine’s Regional Health Command-Pacific (RHC-P), where she led the communication program for Army medical facilities in Hawaii, Washington, Alaska, Korea and Japan, to include messaging of global health engagements, HA/DR exercise and real-world support throughout the Indo-Asia Pacific region.
Ms. Allen’s experience also includes Public Affairs director for Tripler Army Medical Center, as well as previous positions with American Forces Network-Naples, in Gricignano di Aversa, Italy, American Forces Network-Korea, in Seoul, Korea, as well as Soldiers Radio in Television -- the Army’s flagship broadcast network. Her non-governmental experience also includes work with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, Tampa-based NBC-Affiliated television station, WFLA-News Channel 8, as well as Hawaii-based CBS-affiliated television station, KGMB.
Her awards include Defense Media Activity-Thomas Jefferson awards, Society of Professional Journalist-Hawaii Chapter scholarship, and Digital News Association-Fellowship winner for military news reporting. She also served as a spokeswoman for Hawaii’s keiki as, title recipient, Miss Honolulu 2006, under the Miss America Organization.
Ms. Allen earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication, with a concentration in Broadcast Journalism; and a Minor in Government and World Affairs from the University of Tampa. She also earned a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Management from Wayland Baptist University. She is also a graduate of the Defense Information School – Public Affairs Qualification Course.