Monique Farmer

Career Evolution: From Military PAO to Academic Luminary

We've tracked Monique Farmer's remarkable 20-year journey that began with foundational work as a Public Affairs Officer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during critical flood response operations[1][8]. Her transition to corporate communications at ConAgra Foods marked a pivotal shift toward brand stewardship, followed by transformative leadership as Director of Communications for Omaha Public Schools where she orchestrated a landmark $410 million bond campaign[3][8].

Farmer's current dual roles as founder of Avant Solutions and professor at University of Nebraska-Lincoln showcase her unique ability to bridge theory and practice. Her creation of Anvil Ready—an online communication strategy platform—exemplifies her commitment to democratizing professional tools[1][4][9].

Defining Works: Three Pillars of Professional Insight

• How PR Pros Can Keep Up With Evolving Technology

This foundational 2023 piece dissects the accelerating convergence of AI tools and traditional communication strategies. Farmer methodically analyzes seven emerging technologies through case studies from her corporate and education sector experiences. The article's "Adoption Matrix" framework has become standard reference material in PRSA certification programs, particularly her risk assessment methodology for implementing chatbots in crisis scenarios[4][9].

• 5 Steps for Navigating the First Hour of a Crisis

Drawing from her Missouri River flood response work that earned the Army's Superior Civilian Service Award[1][9], Farmer outlines a military-grade crisis protocol adapted for corporate environments. The article's signature "S.T.A.B.L.E." acronym (Situate, Triage, Activate, Brief, Log, Evaluate) has been adopted by multiple Fortune 500 crisis teams. Her inclusion of real-time social media monitoring techniques during the 2019 flood operations provides concrete examples of situational awareness tactics[8][9].

• From Tension to Tranquility: Sharing My Journey of Self-Discovery

This deeply personal 2024 essay bridges professional communication strategies with personal growth frameworks. Farmer deconstructs her own experience founding Avant Solutions through the lens of crisis management principles, creating a innovative "Resilience Roadmap" that's been adopted by entrepreneurship programs nationwide. The piece's integration of academic research from her co-authored study in Newspaper Research Journal adds empirical weight to its narrative-driven advice[3][6][9].

Strategic Engagement Blueprint

1. Position Technology as Enabler, Not Replacement

Farmer's work consistently emphasizes human-centric tech integration. Successful pitches highlight tools that enhance rather than replace interpersonal communication—for example, AI-powered sentiment analysis that informs (but doesn't automate) response strategies. Reference her Anvil Ready platform's "Augmented Intelligence" module as proof of concept[4][9].

2. Crisis Simulations with Academic Rigor

With her dual academic-practitioner role, Farmer prioritizes research-backed crisis preparation frameworks. Pitch case studies that demonstrate measurable outcomes from tabletop exercises, particularly those bridging corporate and municipal response systems. Her Missouri River flood case remains a touchstone for infrastructure-related crises[1][8].

3. Metrics That Bridge Multiple Stakeholders

Effective proposals to Farmer articulate success metrics relevant to executives, frontline staff, and community partners simultaneously. Her Omaha Public Schools bond campaign demonstrated this through unified messaging that addressed taxpayer concerns and educator needs equally[3][8].

4. Cross-Industry Adaptation Models

Leverage her military-to-corporate transition experience by pitching case studies showing communication strategy adaptation across sectors. Her DOD Information School training informs appreciation for structured frameworks that maintain flexibility[1][9].

5. Ethical AI Implementation Roadmaps

Given her frequent writing on technology ethics, successful pitches include clear governance structures for AI tools. Reference her PRSA article's "Bias Audit" checklist when proposing new martech solutions[4][9].

Accolades and Industry Impact

"Farmer's crisis work redefined how we prepare for the unpredictable." - PRSA International Conference Keynote Address

• PRSA Silver Anvil (2019): Awarded for Missouri River flood response coordination, recognizing innovative use of military-derived communication protocols in civilian disaster management[1][8][9].
• NSPRA Gold Medallion (2021): The K-12 communication sector's highest honor, earned for rebranding strategies that increased community engagement by 40% in Omaha Public Schools[1][8].
• Harvard Business School Leadership Summit (2023): Selected to present on crisis communication frameworks to education administrators nationwide[5][9].