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Recognition acknowledges RTI SVP as a bridge builder who forges meaningful internal and external connections
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — Kami Spangenberg, senior vice president of corporate communications, scientific stature services and community affairs at RTI International, a nonprofit research institute, was recently named a 2023 Top Women in Communications by Ragan Communications.
The Top Women in Communications awards honors female communications professionals who are leading their teams and organizations in impactful and interesting ways, recognizing dynamic doers, leaders, visionaries, rising stars and industry legends from a variety of organizations. Awardees’ drive and innovative ideas have made a positive impact on the communications industry and the people they work with. Spangenberg won in the bridge builder category for forging meaningful internal and external connections with key collaborators.
“Kami is a highly skilled communicator who embodies the principle of servant leader, always coaching and developing her staff,” said Paul Weisenfeld, executive vice president for international development. “What really sets her apart, however, is her ability to rise to any challenge, cutting through the noise, maintaining a positive, solution-oriented attitude in the face of adversity, and calmly charting a safe course out of difficult waters. I’m thrilled to see her receive this recognition.”
Spangenberg’s leadership generated impressive results last year. She and her team increased digital engagement for RTI while meeting aggressive earned media goals and published more than 1,000 important pieces of scientific literature. With her guidance, the institute community affairs program facilitated approximately $1M USD in donations to nonprofits worldwide. Internally, Spangenberg led the development of a social issues response framework for executive leadership and supported her team to create a new internal communications digital platform to foster greater connections across hybrid work experiences, enabling all staff to become brand ambassadors.
“I am deeply humbled to be honored amid a roster of impressive women in communications,” said Spangenberg. “I see my leadership role as corporate cheerleader, mentoring and empowering a trifecta of amazing departments staffed with real pros, unified in helping the institute deliver on its mission to improve the human condition by turning knowledge into practice.”
As an executive committee member of The Conference Board Strategic Communications Council, Gartner Corporate Communications Leadership Council, Research Institute Communication Executives (RICE) and the Evidence & Equity Collaborative, Spangenberg regularly exchanges innovations and best practices with her peers. She serves as executive sponsor of RTI’s employee resource group serving Veterans and allies. In addition, she is RTI’s relationship manager to the Triangle Takeoff Coalition and an advisory board member for the digital marketing certificate program at the University of South Florida MUMA College of Business.
Spangenberg will be recognized amongst other dynamic women communicators during a special luncheon on Feb. 28 in New York City.
Learn more about RTI’s recent accomplishments in the FY22 annual report
