After a nationwide search, the City of Raleigh named Robin Deacle to serve as its new communications director.
Ms. Deacle has more than 20 years of experience in the communications field. A graduate of Penn State University with a dual degree in journalism and general science, with honors in journalism, she earned her project management certificate from N.C. State’s continuing education division and is certified to facilitate Fierce Conversations.
“I am excited to welcome Robin to the City,” said City Manager Marchell Adams-David. “Communications is critical to the City's success, in telling our story, and engaging with residents. We welcome Robin's experience and her perspective.”
Ms. Deacle most recently led the Office of Communications for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. She and her team told the stories of how NCDHHS works to improve the health, lives, and well-being of North Carolinians. She joined the department just before the Omicron surge of COVID-19 and quickly learned the breadth of the department’s activity on vaccines, testing, treatments, data tracking, and more. She led the communications focus on equity during the mpox outbreak in 2022, and continued to align communications with departmental priorities of behavioral health and resilience, child and family well-being, and a strong and inclusive workforce.
Before joining NCDHHS, Ms. Deacle held roles of increasing responsibility with the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, the state’s lead agency for life science economic development. While at the Biotech Center, her work ranged from organizing state fair exhibits to redesigning and launching six websites to developing and implementing a statewide life sciences brand. With funding from coronavirus relief packages, she worked with WRAL Digital Solutions to create the Bio Jobs Hub to persuade those without a scientific background to consider a life science career.
Ms. Deacle also logged nearly five years as a daily newspaper reporter with the Newport News Daily Press, the High Point Enterprise, and the Burlington Times-News. She has lived in Raleigh for more than 20 years and is a two-time winner of National Novel Writing Month.
“As a news reporter, I saw how far-reaching local government services can be in our daily lives,” said Deacle. “I welcome the opportunity to tell those stories with the City of Raleigh and build on the strengths that make my city a great place to live, work, and play.”
Ms. Deacle will join the City of Raleigh the first week in June.
