Beena Thannickal

Beena Thannickal is the Director of Communications at Newcomb Institute where she leads all internal and external communications efforts. She establishes and drives a comprehensive multi-channel communications strategy, ensuring the Institute's gender equity research profile is elevated locally, regionally, nationally, and globally. She is responsible for message development that is reflected in all publications, marketing, public relations and media promotion.  

With more than 35 years of combined journalism and public relations experience, she has held many positions at renowned academic institutions throughout the country including in the Office of Public Relations at Boston University and the Institute for Research on Women and Gender at the University of Michigan. Prior to coming to the Newcomb Institute at Tulane University, she was the Director of Communications at the O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She has also served as a freelancer at a women's health magazine and as a consultant on substantial PR campaigns for a variety of clients. In addition, she has worked at prestigious public relations firms in New York and Boston specializing in consumer, healthcare and social responsibility marketing. She has a BA in journalism from the University of Connecticut and started her career as a reporter covering business and political news in Connecticut.

Key responsibilities:

• Leads the communications and design team with integrated communication strategies 
• Manages all communications materials including digital, video, audio and print content — website, social media, e-newsletters,magazine, reports, press releases, brochures, mailers 
• Develops and maintains brand consistency across all platforms
• Oversees media relations activities to boost Newcomb Institute's visibility and reputation  
• Fosters community engagement with partners such as policy makers, governmental groups, social organizations and the community at large 
• Provides editorial assistance to Newcomb Institute staff and keeps abreast of new technologies and industry best practices to best support multiple constituencies