Board Member Spotlight: Bridgette Dodge, SVP at Edelman, WWPR Treasurer

Bridgette Dodge is communications expert with experiences ranging from the television industry, marketing, hospital systems, and now a pharmaceutical and healthcare communications pro. She is a seasoned, strategic, and thoughtful leader who values team building and storytelling. Bridgette currently serves on the Health Communications team as a Senior Vice President at Edelman and also is the AI Lead, creating stronger, more efficient workflows for healthcare organizations. She also serves as Washington Women in Public Relations newest Board Treasury. Bridgette graduated from University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s degree in communications and a master’s degree in business administration (MBA). 

Can you tell me about your background and what drew you to your current position? 
I began my career with an undergraduate degree in television production, initially aiming to work in broadcast news on the production side. Early on, I worked as a floor manager at a local FOX affiliate in Orlando, gaining experience in fast-paced, high-pressure environments. That role ultimately led to a pivotal career shift into marketing and communications within a local hospital system—an experience that catalyzed my trajectory in healthcare communications. 

Since then, I’ve made several intentional career pivots, from television to marketing, to communications within a healthcare system, and now to agency work supporting large pharmaceutical clients. While these moves were not always directly lateral, they were consistently upward. Each transition broadened my strategic lens, expanded my leadership responsibilities, and deepened my impact. Today, I serve as a Senior Vice President at Edelman, leading integrated communications across complex healthcare and pharmaceutical portfolios. 

I was introduced to Washington Women in Public Relations after being nominated as a 2025 Emerging Leader Award finalist. That experience marked the beginning of a deep and meaningful connection with the organization. What started as initial involvement quickly evolved into full engagement, driven by the sense of community, mentorship, and investment I felt within WWPR. That journey ultimately led me to my current role as 2026 Treasurer, where I’m proud to help steward an organization that has made such a meaningful impact on my professional and personal growth in this city. 

What do you enjoy most about being a part of WWPR/serving as a WWPR Board Member? 
What I enjoy most about WWPR is the genuine sense of community and intentional investment in one another’s growth. It’s a space where professional development, mentorship, and meaningful connection are not just encouraged but actively practiced.

There is a rare generosity within this community, women showing up for one another with honesty, support, and shared ambition. 

As a Washington, DC resident for just over four years, I still feel that there is so much to experience and so many incredible people to meet. WWPR has been instrumental in helping me plant roots in this city, both personally and professionally. Serving as a Board Member allows me to contribute to that experience for others, while helping shape programming and opportunities that support women at every stage of their careers. It’s deeply rewarding to give back to a community that has played such a meaningful role in my growth. 

What is the most exciting or rewarding project you’ve done recently or in your overall career? 
One of the most formative and rewarding experiences of my career was serving as the communications lead for AdventHealth’s COVID-19 System Command Center. In this role, I oversaw internal communications for an emergency response team deployed across AdventHealth’s national hospital system, spanning nine states and supporting more than 80,000 employees. 

Operating in a constantly evolving crisis environment reinforced how essential communications can be in moments where clarity, trust, and timeliness truly matter. That experience fundamentally shaped how I view leadership, our healthcare system, and the role communicators play in life-or-death situations. While those years were among the most challenging and stressful of my career, they were also the most educational and unforgettable, and they ultimately formalized my passion for healthcare communications. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity and the lessons it provided, and equally grateful to never have to do it again. 

Is there any book you would recommend? 
Because so much of my professional life involves reading for work, I find a great deal of joy in fiction—particularly science fiction. One of my personal goals for 2026 is to read 52 books, one each week, and I unapologetically consider myself a sci-fi enthusiast. I love stories that explore big ideas, complex systems, and the human condition through imaginative worlds. 

A few favorites I’d recommend include The Expanse Series (heads up, there are 9+ books) by James S. A. Corey, Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley, and The Family Experiment by John Marrs. Each offers a unique perspective on humanity, technology, and decision-making, and is incredibly fun to read. 

What do you like to do outside of work?
Outside of work, music and travel play a huge role in my life. I’m a longtime fan of electronic music and music festivals, including Coachella, EDC Orlando, and Moonrise, but I truly love live music in all its forms. Over the years, I’ve attended more than 60 concerts spanning genres and generations—from Queen, Jimmy Buffett, and Cher to Fall Out Boy, Kesha, Britney Spears, and Justin Bieber. 

I especially love when my passion for music and travel intersect. Some of my favorite memories were traveling to Ibiza for live DJs and attending two of my all-time favorite concerts: Swedish House Mafia in Amsterdam and The Lumineers in Lisbon. 

When I’m not traveling or at a concert, you’ll usually find me reading a good sci-fi book or spending time with my husband, Jason. We’ve been married for 11 years and share our home with our Italian Greyhound, Cannoli.