Home | Articles by: Derika Crowley

Author: Derika Crowley

Nine Questions with Concetta Duncan, Head of Communications of the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery

By Ranata Reeder, Co-Chair Emerging Leaders Awards, WWPR

In this candid Q&A style blog, Concetta Duncan of the National Portrait Gallery shares the importance of the arts and career advice for local women in public relations looking to grow their careers. 

What’s a typical day like in your life as the Head of Communications and Marketing at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery? 

No two days are alike at the National Portrait Gallery. Each day I start with a sense of our immediate deadlines, and members of my team and I discuss what museum exhibitions or programs need proactive attention. My time is divided between internal and external relationships, so I might bounce between a meeting with our curators or our fundraising team, to a phone call with a New York Times writer or a film shoot in the galleries for a broadcast segment like CBS Sunday Morning.

When there is a moment for strategic work, I’m often developing message points for an upcoming exhibition, assessing analytics for our newsletter or ad buys, or figuring out if there is a way where we can make a sitter’s contribution to history accessible in a snapshot on social.

Why are the arts so important? Additionally, can you share why free access to art is important, even now? 

Access to the arts is incredibly important. One of the privileges of working for the Smithsonian is that I am part of a larger organization that is dedicated to providing free access to the arts, history, culture and science to so many Americans and international visitors. I think art is a really valuable piece of this vision. Art has the power to be the mediator between emotion and intellect. It can alleviate misunderstandings and provide clarity in some of our most important moments as a society and in our individual lives.

    Can you share a campaign you ran at the National Portrait Gallery that makes you particularly proud? 

    My first few months at the National Portrait Gallery were centered around diving headfirst into developing a strategy for the unveiling of the museum’s commissioned portraits of President Barack Obama and Mrs. Michelle Obama. I quickly had to jump into liaising with media to hold their stories until the opportune time, figuring out presidential protocol, building relationships with new staff, and establishing a rapport with the artists’ studios. The interest in those two portraits was phenomenal, and on the day they were unveiled, it truly felt like we were experiencing history (and art history) in the making. This campaign gave me an opportunity to quickly develop relationships with so many of my colleagues across the Smithsonian. At the same time, I was able to reach outward and communicate with diverse audiences about the importance of portraiture and the potential of images in conveying the history of individuals and the course of this nation.

      What was your first job in public relations, communications, or marketing? 

      My first job out of college was managing press and marketing for the American Dance Festival based in Durham, North Carolina. It was an incredible opportunity to run a press office right out of school, and I will be forever grateful that they took a chance on me the way they did. That position allowed me to meet some of the most important choreographers working in modern dance while honing the professional experience I needed to later break into the international art world in New York.

        When working your first job, could you envision yourself doing what you’re doing now? 

        Arts and culture are what drive me. I think I always knew I would end up working in the cultural sphere in some capacity. When I started in this industry, I never thought I would have the opportunity to travel and work on projects such as exhibitions at the Venice Biennale, art fairs in London, Switzerland and Hong Kong, the expansion of an arts and culture district in the U.A.E., and an artist’s installation at the Rio Olympics. It has been a wild ride! I have been so fortunate to work with incredible artists as well as very smart and savvy directors whose leadership styles I admire. While many of these projects required intense commitment, they allowed me to also see different parts of the world and understand the international landscape in which U.S. institutions such as the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery sit. Today, most of my work is focused on U.S. audiences, but I have also had the opportunity to help support cross-cultural exchange as a member of Meridian International’s Cultural Diplomacy Leadership Council. They are a fantastic organization doing incredible things to support diplomacy in different sectors. In many ways, what started as a career has really ended up informing me quite a bit as a person.

          What advice do you have for women in the DC area in public relations, communications, or marketing looking to grow their careers? 

          Communications continues to evolve, from the growth of social media to the contraction of the media landscape. It’s important to stay creative and to take stock in assessing whether or not current tactics are still effective. I also think everyone working in communications should experience both in-house and agency roles. There is value in flexing your strategic thinking in both of these settings.

          What’s the best piece of career advice you have received?

          Do it because you think you will enjoy it.

            Can you share a quote or saying that is meaningful to you that can be shared with the WWPR membership? 

            “Leadership is like the tip of a spear… there is not a lot of room up there.”  

              I remember hearing this as part of a speech made by art collector Marguerite Hoffman at an awards ceremony for ArtTable, which is an organization for women in the arts, for which I previously served as an executive committee member. I think this points to the fierceness often needed to make a difference in the world and how it can also be lonely at the top. But that isolation at times is a discomfort that is worthwhile if you’re doing the right thing and standing up for what you believe in.

              Is there anything happening at the National Portrait Gallery that you are excited to share? 

              I am in the early stages of working on two exhibitions by stellar contemporary artists. Next fall the Portrait Gallery will present a solo exhibition of work by Amy Sherald, whom I had the pleasure of working with when the museum unveiled her commissioned portrait of former First Lady Michelle Obama. I am also strategizing a communications rollout for a large-scale exhibition by Wendy Red Star, which will open in March 2026 to coincide with the nation’s semiquincentennial.

              Any final thoughts? 

              Communications allows you to be involved in all facets of an institution and helps you bring the work of content creators to light across different audiences. But I would add that in order to excel in communications, you also have to be strategic, creative, compelling and accurate, and that in itself is its own art form. 

              About Concetta Duncan

              Concetta Duncan specializes in external affairs for cultural institutions and creative brands. She is currently Head of Communications and Marketing at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery where she oversees the museum’s media relations, marketing, social media, brand engagement and web development. She has directed impactful and record-setting campaigns including the Portrait Gallery’s 50th anniversary, the unveiling and seven-city tour of the Obama Portraits, and the museum’s red carpet Portrait of a Nation Gala. She has coordinated with stakeholders including former Presidents and First Ladies, heads of state, celebrities, and thought leaders. She has served on pan-institutional branding committees for the Smithsonian’s American Women’s History Initiative and U.S. semiquincentennial celebrations as well as Destination DC’s America250 marketing committee. Prior to Washington, Concetta managed media relations for Pace Gallery and later played an integral role in developing the New York office of a global communications agency as a member of its U.S. board of directors. Throughout her career she has directed communications campaigns and events for numerous arts and culture organizations across the U.S., Europe, the U.A.E., Brazil and Hong Kong. Concetta has served as a board member of STABLE Arts, ArtTable’s Executive Committee and PERFORMA Biennial’s Advisory Council. She is currently a member of Meridian International’s Cultural Diplomacy Leadership Council. She has a BA from Connecticut College and wrote her thesis on movement and oppression in apartheid South Africa. 

              Behind the Scenes of WWPR’s Pro Bono Partnership with Running Start

              The Inside Scoop of How WWPR’s is supporting the nonpartisan nonprofit, Running Start

              By: Suzie Ozioma

              As part of Washington Women in Public Relations’s (WWPR) ongoing commitment to supporting women, we’ve proudly chosen Running Start as our pro bono client for 2024-2025. Running Start is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to inspiring young women, in high school and college, to run for political office. 

              Over the past year, WWPR’s Pro Bono Committee–led by co-chairs Christina Crawley and Alicia Aebersold–has been working diligently to help amplify Running Start’s mission and visibility. Here’s a quick snapshot of what we’ve accomplished together so far:

              How WWPR Has Been Supporting Running Start:

              • Developed updated talking points featuring both detailed messaging and memorable one-liners for staff and board members to best describe their organization.
              • Compiled impactful data points that showcase Running Start’s measurable influence and reach to enhance external support.
              • Currently building a video testimonial strategy to capture powerful stories from alumni and current cohort members about the organization’s lasting impact.

              Why This Matters:
              This Partnership with Running Start allows WWPR to continue fostering leadership, collaboration, and a supportive community for women while effectively sharing Running Start’s mission. Running Start’s dedication to empowering young women to lead in the political arena is inspiring and essential. According to their website, research shows that confidence in running for public office among women decreases in high school and college. Running Start’s work in supporting these young women gives them the opportunity for confidence and for all of us to have a more widely represented government across all levels of government. 

              To learn more about Running Start’s incredible work, visit www.runningstart.org.

              Join Us in Supporting Running Start:
              Support Running Start’s mission to uplift the next generation of women leaders. Learn more and donate at www.runningstart.org.

              Want to get involved? Members can reach out to WWPR’s Pro-Bono Committee Chairs at probono@wwpr.org for more information on volunteer opportunities and how you can support WWPR’s efforts with Running Start.

              About the Author: 

              Suzie Ozioma is a copywriter and brand strategist who helps brands drive sales and build long-lasting customer relationships through engaging copy, compelling storytelling, and a distinct brand voice.

              Standing Firm: Why DE&I Is Non-Negotiable

              by Kristal Farmer, WWPR DEI Chair 

              There’s something to be said about standing firm in your beliefs, especially when your truth isn’t the majority opinion. History remembers the people who refused to back down—even when it was uncomfortable, inconvenient, or outright dangerous—because they knew what was right.

              Think of Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, who defied convention by introducing the practice of smallpox inoculation to Britain after witnessing it in the Ottoman Empire. Despite skepticism and resistance from the medical establishment, she championed this life-saving procedure, paving the way for later advancements in vaccination. 

              Or Johtje Vos, a Dutch woman who, alongside her husband, risked her life to shelter Jewish families in her home during World War II. Working with the Dutch resistance, she repeatedly outsmarted the Gestapo and helped countless people escape—proving that moral courage isn’t about power, but about action.

              And then there’s one of the G.O.A.T.s of our lifetime – U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Her relentless pursuit of gender equality and civil rights reshaped American law. From fighting for equal pay to playing a pivotal role in rulings on healthcare and same-sex marriage, she didn’t just make history—she changed it. Her legacy is one of fearless advocacy and lasting change.

              Taking a stand is never easy—but it is always necessary.

              So when the WWPR board met earlier this year, I asked a simple but defining question: Where do we stand on DE&I?

              Do we take the “safe” path, like so many companies that have chosen to quietly retreat from diversity commitments? Or do we stand firm, knowing that Diversity, Equity & Inclusion isn’t just a checkbox—it’s fundamental to who we are?

              More importantly, as communicators, how do we make sure that people understand DE&I — not as a corporate buzzword, but as a lived experience?

              Because DE&I is not some abstract concept — it’s everywhere, shaping our daily lives in ways big and small.

              • It’s lactation rooms in airports and workplaces, so working moms don’t have to choose between their jobs and feeding their babies.
              • It’s curb cuts and inclined sidewalks, making sure those with mobility challenges can cross the street with dignity and ease.
              • It’s raised bumps on subway platforms, allowing visually impaired commuters to navigate safely and independently.
              • It’s workplace accommodations, not as favors, but as essential tools that empower people with disabilities to contribute fully.
              • It’s equal pay for equal work, because talent, dedication, and impact should be the only things that determine compensation.

              DE&I isn’t about giving some people an advantage — it’s about making sure everyone has access and opportunity. Because when we break down barriers and prioritize inclusion, everyone benefits.

              We cannot afford to be neutral—because neutrality is a decision in itself. As communicators, we have the power, the platform, and the responsibility to shape the narrative. To educate. To inform. To challenge.

              So I’ll ask you this: Where do you stand?

              Are you willing to be part of the movement that ensures equity, accessibility, and inclusion aren’t optional—but essential?

              Because this work doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It happens when we use our voices, our platforms, and our influence to ensure that DE&I isn’t just a discussion—but a standard we uphold, defend, and advance.

              Ethical AI in Living Color – Using AI to Advance Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

              By Lelani Clark

              In recent news, there has been a weaponization of the term Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and increased backlash against equity-based programs and initiatives. However, in taking the temperature of our current climate, I believe the fight has just begun. This highly charged moment is an opportunity for a true culture shift where AI has the potential to play a key role in driving positive social change.

              Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a transformative tool, boosting innovation, efficiency, and productivity across industries. However, like with any evolving technology, it poses both opportunities and challenges. Paired with a DEI lens, AI can become a powerful ally for promoting social justice especially in communications and cause-related marketing. Specifically, Ethical AI that integrates DEI principles adheres to guidelines that prioritize fundamental human-centered values, while avoiding harm. As a result, communicators that use these critical tools can develop communications campaigns that motivate diverse audiences and represent marginalized communities with authenticity, dignity and respect.

              AI-driven tools with a DEI focus can analyze language in marketing and communications to detect gender, racial or cultural biases, allowing organizations to refine their messaging to be more inclusive. This ensures that communications are culturally sensitive and resonate with a wider audience. Significantly, DEI-focused AI helps prevent organizations from falling into the trap of performative DEI efforts or the reinforcement of harmful stereotypes.

              Monsters and Ghosts in the Machine

              Joy Buolamwini, bestselling author of “Unmasking AI: My Mission to Protect What is Human in a World of Machines” and an “Ethical AI” firebrand has been a vocal leader in making the case for DEI-informed AI to increase tech diversity, center marginalized communities and close the digital divide. In her book and lectures, she addresses the “coded gaze” and “coded bias” that dominates the tech industry to highlight the biases embedded in algorithms that serve to dehumanize BIPOC communities, especially with faulty facial recognition software that disproportionately targets and racially profiles black and brown people, turning them into digital boogeymen and phantoms.

              As an advocate for “algorithmic justice,” Dr. Buolamwini has pushed for diverse representation at the developer level and to create AI systems that combat systemic racism, gender discrimination and ableism. Her book serves as a valuable resource for communicators. We too must be vigilant in ensuring that the tools used to enhance our work are not harmful to the communities and organizations we represent.

              The New Digital Culturalists

              A new generation of diverse tech leaders is disrupting the traditionally exclusive white male-dominated “tech bro” industry by building ethical and inclusive AI systems. Large Language Models (LLM) and chatbots like Latimer and ChatBlackGPT, along with organizations such as Black AI Think Tank are at the forefront of advocating for deep inclusion and developing anti-bias AI tools to ensure underserved communities are represented in authentic ways. Their mission is to combat the whitewashing, misrepresentation and erasure of BIPOC histories in technology.

              I recently attended the National Black AI Literacy Day event hosted by Black AI Think Tank and

              ChatBlackGPT’s listening session with industry leaders, which emphasized the need for transparency, diverse representation, culturally sensitive datasets and the development of ethical AI systems. These leaders are advocating for anti-bias tools, policy recommendations, and accountability from Big Tech to ensure more BIPOC developers and tech leaders are included as decision makers in the tech industry, especially at the C-suite level. They are leading an AI revolution, demanding a seat at the table and more skin in the game to make sure BIPOC communities have agency and control the narrative when it comes to preserving historical and cultural accuracy.

              The Future of Ethical AI

              Incorporating Ethical AI in communications can be instrumental in futureproofing DEI programs and initiatives. To maximize the benefits of ethical and responsible AI while mitigating risks, it’s important for organizations and communicators to follow these best practices:

              • Use inclusive AI tools that monitor bias through equity assessments during the design phase and incorporate diverse training datasets based on various demographics, cultures and perspectives.
              • Ensure transparent AI best practices are used across all departments within an organization, building trust in AI systems by making information about data use and algorithms accessible.
              • Provide ongoing education and training on AI’s ethical implications and opportunities to advance DEI initiatives, ensuring buy-in from leadership and staff.

              AI has the potential to be a game changer in advancing DEI in communications and positioning

              organizations as change agents, but only if it incorporates a commitment to digital equity and inclusion. By prioritizing ethical AI practices, organizations can ensure AI becomes a transformative force in fostering more inclusion and promoting social justice.

              For more hot topics and engaging content on Ethical AI, check out Vanguard Communication’s AI Taskforce blog series.

              About Lelani Clark

              Lelani Clark is Associate Director and Senior Media Relations Strategist at Vanguard Communications. As a certified DEI advocate, she serves on the AI Taskforce, focusing on the intersection of AI and DEI. Her work centers on using Ethical AI in communications to amplify the voices of BIPOC communities and promote social justice. Ms. Clark is a professional member of WWPR.

              Join the Mailing List

              Stay connected with WWPR by signing up for our mailing list! You’ll receive the latest updates on professional development events, exclusive networking opportunities, leadership initiatives, and more!