Makena Dingwell is a senior program manager on Edelman Global Advisory’s international public affairs team based in Washington, DC. She joined Edelman in 2016 and has since helped build and execute a series of strategic communications programs aimed at elevating organizations and issues on the global stage. Today, Makena most frequently serves in a project management capacity, leading day-to-day activities across multiple international markets. In this role, she often drives programs spanning media relations, executive positioning, stakeholder engagement, event management, and issues management.
While Ms. Makena has supported a wide range of clients, she is particularly experienced with those focused on global trade and economic development, maritime transportation, sustainability, social impact, and humanitarian issues. Recent roles include managing day-to-day international communications programs for the Panama Canal Authority and the G20 Presidency. Other past clients include the B20, Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, Obama Foundation, Generation Equality Forum Mexico, Walk Free Foundation, Ministry of Economic Development and Growth of Ontario, Brand USA, and The Elevate Prize Foundation, among others.
Before focusing on international clients, Ms. Makena worked on the firm’s broader public affairs team, aiding clients such as Wells Fargo, The Nature Conservancy, and General Electric. Ms. Makena earned her bachelor’s degree in international affairs with a concentration in international economics from George Washington University. While originally from San Francisco, CA, Makena spent several years living in London, UK.