The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) has added two experienced professionals to its communications and marketing team, Christin Fernandez and Talana Lattimer. “We are pleased to welcome Christin and Talana to RILA. They are both talented communication professionals with deep experience utilizing traditional and digital communications to advance organizational goals,” said Brian Dodge, RILA’s executive vice president for communications. “With their enthusiasm and experience, Talana and Christin will be a valuable addition to the RILA team.”
As vice president for communications, Christin Fernandez will serve as RILA’s primary media contact with responsibility for advancing RILA’s objectives to external audiences. Fernandez previously served as director of media relations and public affairs at the National Restaurant Association. In that role, Fernandez led press and public communications strategy for several of the association’s priority initiatives, including food and environmental policy, tax and immigration reform, labor and workforce issues, commerce and entrepreneurship and industry reputation. Earlier in her career, Fernandez was a vice president at the public relations firm HDMK and a producer and assignment editor at the Fox News Channel. Fernandez graduated from Lehigh University in 2007 with a degree in journalism and communications.
As director of digital communications, Talana Lattimer will work with peers across the organization to develop strategic digital plans to achieve RILA’s goals and objectives. Previously, Lattimer spent four years with Americans for Safe Access (ASA), rising from social media director to operations director. Among her responsibilities at ASA were the development and implementation of the organization’s marketing and public relations strategies. Prior to joining ASA, Lattimer was a digital media coordinator for the Association for Career and Technical Education. Earlier in her career, Lattimer held positions with WHUT-TV, American Forum and the Terry McAuliffe for Governor Campaign. Lattimer is a 2012 graduate of Howard University with a degree in radio, TV and film.