Autumn Labbe-Renault

Experience

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  Freelance

  Jan 1985 - Jan 1992

  Journalist

  Trained as newspaper editor and reporter in college, worked for several dailies and freelanced for several years. I've covered news, features, arts and editorial.

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  Planned Parenthood of Sacramento Valley

  Jan 1992 - Sept 1996

  Public Affairs Manager/Grant Writer

  Managed public affairs for agency with $2 million annual budget, including outreach, volunteer management, media relations, government relations and event planning. Secured $300k in grant funding in six months. Presented policy information at state and regional conferences. Coordinated press conferences at the State Capitol.

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  Davis Community Television

  Jan 1997 - Jan 2007

  Director of Operations

  Originally hired as Community Relations Manager for public access television channel. Promoted to Assistant Director after 18 months and Director of Operations after three years. Responsible for overall operations, including supervision of 16-member staff and related HR functions; management of all programs and services; oversight of departmental budgets; and development and implementation of policy. Also served as project leader on all events and special programming.

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  Davis Media Access

  Mar 2020 - now

  I serve as the CEO and principal spokesperson for Davis Media Access. I work to unite board, staff, volunteers and community members in efforts to strengthen and expand community media services in Davis and Yolo County. I'm a strategic thinker and bridge builder. I'm responsible for oversight and management of fiscal management and financial resource development; strategic planning; staff supervision and human resources; the development and management of programs and services; and community relations. During my tenure, revenues have moved from a single funding source to 40 percent diversified.We've completely changed our service model to one focused on strategic community engagement and partnership development. We work with schools and colleges, local government, nonprofits, artists, neighborhoods, activists, political candidates and more, using media to help amplify local voices and issues. In addition to full command of internal and external communication strategies, including writing, media relations, crisis communications, public speaking and social media, my time at DMA has allowed me to build substantial skills in media production. I have produced nonpartisan local election coverage for the past 20 years, working with candidates for every office from school board to Congress. I'm skilled at writing scripts and curating assets for short-form videos, and am a seasoned host of both local studio TV programming and public affairs for radio.During the pandemic, I produced and hosted a live weekly radio show, the "COVID-19 Community Report," in which I conducted wide-ranging interviews including elected officials, public and mental health workers, scientists, teachers, and more. My work during that time was profiled by UC Davis Magazine and Pacifica Affiliates, among others.Finally, I'm a longtime journalist who has covered media and telecom policy for more than 20 years. I'm skilled at writing about complex policy in a way that makes it accessible. Show less

  • Executive Director

    Feb 2007 - now

  • Host, Covid-19 Community Report

    Mar 2020 - May 2021