Carla Jean Whitley, APR

Birmingham, Alabama | carlajeanwhitley.com

Senior communications leader with expertise in executive counsel, crisis response and media strategy. Advises C-suite leaders on messaging strategy, media positioning and crisis response. Recognized for cross-functional leadership, inclusive workplace culture, ethical AI workflows and values-driven storytelling.

Professional experience

Brasfield & Gorrie | Birmingham, AL

Senior communications manager | 2026–Present

Partner with C-suite executives and subject matter experts to shape high-level messaging, prepare for media engagements and steer crisis response.
Collaborate with the VP of Communications to establish department strategy, annual priorities and operating workflows for a 13-person team.
Lead a 3-person team, overseeing workload allocation and professional development.
Built and deployed a library of AI-assisted communications tools and repeatable workflows, reducing production time on recurring deliverables, enabling more consistent brand voice at scale and expanding team output without adding headcount.

Communications manager | 2022–2026

Led proactive reputation-building campaigns in priority markets, securing strategic coverage in top-tier outlets including The New York Times and ENR Southeast.
Pioneered early adoption of AI tools for content development, establishing foundational workflows later scaled across the communications function.

Senior communications coordinator | 2020–2022

Provided strategic communications counsel to internal business units to support regional visibility and organizational growth.
Partnered with corporate responsibility team to lead companywide values-driven book studies and community initiatives.

Communications coordinator | 2018–2020

Executed strategic communication plans for internal and external audiences to support organizational goals.
Coordinated press release distribution and media monitoring to support PR outreach efforts.

Yoga instructor | Yoga[Lab] | Birmingham, AL | 2024–Present

Adjunct journalism instructor | University of Alabama and Samford University | 2012–2021

Developed curriculum and instructed undergraduate and graduate courses in journalism, media writing and reporting.

Freelance writer, editor and author | Various Publications | 2004–Present

Author of “Muscle Shoals Sound Studio” (6,000+ copies sold),” Birmingham Beer” (1,000+ copies sold), and “Balancing Act: Yoga Essays.”
Writer and book reviewer for BookPage, Lonely Planet, Southern Living, Paste, others.

Earlier editorial experience

Features editor | Glenwood Springs Post Independent | Glenwood Springs, CO | 2017–2018

Served as newsroom second-in-command; directed daily editorial meetings, coached reporters and managed newsroom staff.
Awarded Solutions Journalism Network grant to fund an investigative reporting series on creative-sector affordable housing.

Features reporter | AL.com | Birmingham, AL | 2015–2016

Covered diverse cultural topics, in addition to producing and co-hosting cultural podcasts and driving 500,000+ page views for the Go Set a Watchman series.

Managing editor | Birmingham magazine | Birmingham, AL | 2006–2015

Directed editorial production, managed a $30,000 budget, led editorial redesigns and developed the publication’s intern program (promoted from Associate Editor in 2009).

Civic and community leadership

Board member and secretary | Friends of Avondale Park | 2025–Present
Treasurer, strategic planning chair and former accreditation chair | Public Relations Society of America (Alabama Chapter) | 2022–Present
Board member, board development, marketing and communications and strategic planning committees | Better Basics | 2024–Present
Screenplay judge (volunteer) | Sidewalk Film Festival/Sidewrite | 2025–Present
Past leadership roles: HOA board president (2022–2024); Society of Professional Journalists Alabama Chapter president (2016); founding board member, Desert Island Supply Co. (2011–2013)

Education and credentials

Master of Arts, Journalism | University of Alabama
Bachelor of Science, Communication Studies | Florida State University
Accredited in Public Relations (APR) | Universal Accreditation Board (2021)
Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) | Sacred Glow Yoga (2014)

Skills and expertise

Core competencies: executive counsel, crisis communications, reputation management, media relations, content strategy, team leadership, ethical AI workflow integration, AI workflow design, AP Style, Chicago Manual of Style
Tools and platforms: Meltwater, Salesforce, WordPress, Adobe Creative Suite, Monday.com, Trello, Claude, Gemini, ChatGPT

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