Patrick Mitchell is vice president of public relations at Banner Public Affairs in Washington, D.C. He is veteran PR and strategic communications pro with a successful 25-year track record leading earned media programs for full-service agencies and large international NGOs inside the beltway.
Prior to his current role, Mitchell managed corporate communications in North America (US and Canada) for the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF). In this role, he crafted proactive PR strategy for the organization’s sprawling US operations, managed a bench of wildlife conservation and advocacy experts, supporting corporate partnerships, and leveraging news and ideas to elevate compelling stories across the enterprise.
Before moving to AWF, Mitchell served as senior vice president of The Hastings Group (THG), a full-service PR and government relations consulting firm based in Arlington, VA. During a 16-year run at THG, Mitchell helped to build a recognized PR brand in the DC market – a trusted “white hat” consulting firm, specializing in media relations and strategic communications for: sustainable, responsible, impact (SRI) investors; wealth management firms with a focus on shareholder activism in the energy space, oil & gas; foundations and philanthropists working to influence wider acceptance of ESG practices by large corporations; leading trade groups and nonprofit organizations working to influence workplace issues such as gender pay equity, CEO pay and board diversity, as well as environmental practices, sustainability, climate solutions and energy efficiency.
In 2003, Mitchell directed media relations for the Nobel Prize for Peace-winning Landmine Survivors Network. Starting out in PR in the late 90s, he worked as a senior account executive on both the strategic communications and public policy account teams with award-winning Dittus Communications in Georgetown, where he coordinated several PRSA-Silver Anvil award-winning earned media campaigns for a high tech policy accounts.
Patrick's work experience over the past three decades demonstrates a strong commitment to a wide range of progressive issues and movement building. His work experience, planning and implementing marketing communications strategies from top to bottom, includes digital and social media campaigns, and managing external communications for large environmental policy coalitions.
Patrick lives with his wife and two sons in Alexandria, Virginia. He is a third generation Washingtonian and a Bethesda, Maryland native, who enjoys vacationing on the Eastern Shore, and boating, fishing and crabbing when time permits. He attended Indiana University, Bloomington for a bachelor’s degree in political science and history, and interned in the U.S. Senate for the 103rd and 104th Congress.
