Petula Celeste Burks is a public relations and communications executive with over 15 years of experience impacting organizations’ presence and performance nationally.  Currently she serves as the Director of the Center for Public Affairs, Washington State Department of Health.  Prior to moving to Washington State, she served as the Public Affairs Director for the City of Miami Gardens where she handled media relations, grew social media presence, standardized marketing and messaging, and worked closely with the administration. 

Additionally, she was the Public Affairs Officer for the City of Fort Lauderdale for almost nine years, with the responsibility for pitching ideas to the media, planning, coordinating and marketing events, researching and gathering information, facilitating public meetings, creating/writing policies and procedures and speaking on behalf of the city.

Ms. Burks has also been a sixth-grade language arts instructor at Haymon-Morris Middle School in Winder, Ga.; a public relations information specialist for the Georgia Department of Transportation; the public affairs manager for Miami-Dade County Commissioner Dennis C. Moss; the campaign office manager for Florida State gubernatorial candidate Bill McBride; and a public relations information specialist for the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce.

She has a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism/communication from Brenau University. She is a member of PRSA, 3CMA, GAE and NEA, and the National Association of Professional Women. She was selected as one of Broward County’s 40 Under 40 Most Influential African Americans by Legacy Magazine, was named a Woman of the Year by the National Association of Professional Women and most recently was selected as one of Miami-Dade County’s Most Powerful Leaders by MIA Magazine.

 Twitter: @cmgmediagroup