Cathy Renna
Cathy Renna is a veteran in the communications industry and currently serves as the Communications Director at the National LGBTQ Task Force. Since her time at GLAAD in the 1990’s, Cathy has executed her particular expertise in crisis and strategic communications, playing a central role in shaping nearly all major issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community, from the beating death of Matthew Shepard in 1998 to the fight for marriage equality and the repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell,” as well as issues related to trans youth, anti-LGBTQ violence, reparative therapy and more. She led the team that coordinated historic coverage for WorldPride/Stonewall 50, working with NYC Pride. In 2020, she was part of the team that organized the historic Global Pride, a 26 hour virtual event that was viewed by of 57 million people around the Globe.
After leaving her position at GLAAD as National News Media Director, Cathy joined Fenton Communications, where she served as its New York office Media Director from 2004 to 2006. She went on to found Renna Communications and co-found Target Cue that same year.In her over 25 years of media relations and activism experience, Cathy has garnered placements in every major online and broadcast outlet in the country, including The New York Times, USA Today, The Associated Press, and the Washington Post. Renna is an adjunct professor at Montclair State University, teaching “The Role of Media, Public Relations, and Communications Strategies for LGBTQ+ Equity and Advocacy”. Most recently, she was profiled in Forbes Women as a “Queer PR Icon” and received the Outstanding Certified LGBTBE® Award from the NY chapter of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce and was honored by the New York chapter of PRSA with the Barbara Hunter Lifetime Achievement award.
After leaving her position at GLAAD as National News Media Director, Cathy joined Fenton Communications, where she served as its New York office Media Director from 2004 to 2006. She went on to found Renna Communications and co-found Target Cue that same year.In her over 25 years of media relations and activism experience, Cathy has garnered placements in every major online and broadcast outlet in the country, including The New York Times, USA Today, The Associated Press, and the Washington Post. Renna is an adjunct professor at Montclair State University, teaching “The Role of Media, Public Relations, and Communications Strategies for LGBTQ+ Equity and Advocacy”. Most recently, she was profiled in Forbes Women as a “Queer PR Icon” and received the Outstanding Certified LGBTBE® Award from the NY chapter of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce and was honored by the New York chapter of PRSA with the Barbara Hunter Lifetime Achievement award.