The Amputee Coalition is happy to introduce its new Communications team who will elevate the organization’s brand, grow its reach and audience engagement, and build awareness of the limb loss and limb difference community. The Communications team promotes the reputation of the Amputee Coalition and tells the Coalition’s story to all audiences through traditional media, social media, print publications, video, web, and interactive marketing. Welcome to the new communications staff: Colin Schaefer, communications specialist; Debbie Cavins, web developer; and Jerrica Thurman, director, communications.
Colin Schaefer
Colin Schaefer is a recent graduate of the master’s degree in science and communication program at the University of Florida. He also obtained a bachelor’s degree in biology from the same institution. His background includes marketing health information through social media platforms, developing presentations and infographics, and creating communication research and design campaigns to help increase health literacy. His hobbies are surfing, fitness, and reading. He is a certified personal trainer, so he also enjoys training his clients. As the communications specialist, Colin hopes to help amplify the quality of content for the Coalition and highlight new research supporting amputees. His main goal is to elevate the brand so when people think of limb loss or amputees, the Coalition is at the top of the list.
Lobna Abdllatif
Lobna Abdllatif graduated from the College of Staten Island with a bachelor’s degree in communications – digital media & design. Through her roles as a digital designer, she has become well versed in multiple disciplines of communication, in both marketing and design, from social media strategy and content creation to how to write a compelling newsletter. She understands how to use the major tenets of communication to reach out to donors and community members and drive results. Her nonprofit experience offered her hands-on experience in public relations and research. As an intern she developed her skills of organization, time management, and data analysis. In her free time Lobna enjoys cooking, baking and reading. She is excited to expand her expertise at an organization that is making a difference, like the Amputee Coalition.
Debbie Cavins
Debbie Cavins is a self-taught jack-of-all-trades with over 20 years of experience in the web industry. She provides website design, development, optimization, analytics, maintenance, and consultation services to private companies, non-profits, marketing agencies, politicians, and more. She has worked with the Amputee Coalition since 1999, and recently joined the communications team as an honorary member. Her hobbies and interests are hiking, travel, and outdoor activities. As the web developer, she hopes to play an integral role in helping the Coalition achieve its mission to reach and empower everyone impacted by limb loss and limb difference. She is excited to work with the communications team to improve the overall website user experience and to reach a larger percentage of the community with timely information and up-to-date resources.
Jerrica Thurman
Jerrica Thurman has worked as a marketing communications executive in nonprofits for over 20 years. Her background includes work in TV broadcasting, public relations, advertising, crises communications, digital and print marketing communications and social media. She is a writer and editor with over 200+ published articles. She has served as a board member of the Literacy Council of Montgomery County, MD, and is a member of Public Relations Society of America, American Society of Association Executives, Society of Adventist Communicators, Association of Fundraising Professionals, Learning First Alliance, Coalition of Education Association Publications, and Toastmasters International. She completed undergraduate studies in communications at Oakwood University and received a master’s degree in Communications Management and a Certificate of Strategic Public Relations and Integrated Communications from Towson University, and an MBA from Frostburg State University. She also studied business in China at Hunan Normal University. In 2018, she obtained the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential provided by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). As the director, communications, Jerrica is eager to lead the team in achieving its vision to elevate the Amputee Coalition as the leading voice on limb loss and limb difference and to inspire positive change and support for amputees.
Contact the Communications Team at communications@amputee-coalition.org.