Susan Malandrino

Communications Leader

United States

I'm a highly-motivated communications and marketing professional with two decades of experience in public relations, media and publishing. My strengths involve breaking complex ideas into tangible, digestible information for internal and external audiences. Storytelling and collaboration are at the heart of my work. I'm equally excited and curious about life, people and ideas. I'm searching for the shared humanity that binds us.

Portfolio

MEDIA HITS & PLACED STORIES

CNN
03/12/2023
Aid worker talks about experience in earthquake zone

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Society spokesperson Susan Malandrino joins CNN's Fredricka Whitfield to discuss the humanitarian crisis after massive earthquakes in Turkey and Syria killed more than 52,000 people and left damages that could top $100 billion. #CNN #News

PRsay - The Voice of Public Relations
09/14/2023
Communications in a Disaster Zone: The Stories You Choose Not to Tell - PRsay

As the world rushes to aid the victims of the earthquake on Sept. 8 in Morocco, Susan Malandrino looks back at her work with the American Red Cross in Turkey and Syria this past February. It's been several months since the devastating earthquakes rocked Türkiye and Syria, killing more than 50,000 people and causing immeasurable strife.

Aljazeera
World Refugee Day: As a former refugee, I want safety for all

Refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo and a volunteer and board member of the American Red Cross of Utah Most refugees do not want to leave their homes. In my family's case, a volcano erupted just 8km (5 miles) away from the only house they ever knew.

Newsweek
11/11/2021
This Veterans Day, Remember the Veteran Caregivers

Many veterans will spend this Veterans Day attending parades commemorating their military service. Others, concerned about the pandemic or perhaps battling PTSD, may not go out at all. But for most of our ill or injured veterans, no matter where they choose to commemorate this day, there will be a caregiver by their side.

Apple Podcasts: Military OneSource
01/17/2023
‎Military OneSource Podcast: Susan Malandrino, the American Red Cross

Host Bruce Moody speaks with Susan Malandrino, communications lead for armed services and international services for the American Red Cross. Learn more about American Red Cross military support programs such as emergency messaging, financial assistance, the Hero Care Network and more.

Scripps Media Syndicate
09/17/2021
Red Cross connects refugees with family members left behind

TUCSON, Ariz. - When refugees come to America, they are often forced to leave loved ones behind. It's a painful reality thousands of refugees face when fleeing war or natural disasters. Once these refugees arrive in America, they can spend months or years on their own.

INTERCROSS Podcast
12/02/2021
Reaching America's Incarcerated Veterans

Long after returning home to the US, a staggering number of veterans suffer from untreated depression, PTSD, trauma and other mental health conditions, which in some cases, run deep. A connection is unclear, but some of these veterans also become incarcerated and must learn to cope with these issue

AP NEWS
05/04/2022
Supporting Military Families

This month, the American Red Cross is inviting people around the country to turn ‘Thank you for your service’ into action. For those with a military background or just a heart for military and veteran communities, opportunities to volunteer and support are available.

US News & World Report
09/25/21
Nonprofits Try to Meet 'Staggering' Needs of Afghan Refugees

By HOPE KIRWAN, Wisconsin Public Radio MADISON, Wis. (AP) - In a garage behind the Catholic Diocese of La Crosse, volunteers sort through donations for the thousands of evacuees from Afghanistan, now staying at Fort McCoy in Monroe County. Much of the work involves opening a mountain of Amazon and Target packages.

Stars and Stripes
05/26/2022
Continuing my fallen brother's legacy by serving Ukrainian refugees: This Memorial Day, I...

Earlier this May, I was volunteering at a center for displaced Ukrainian refugees in Poland, 4,000 miles and a world away from my home, when I saw something that reminded me of my brother. Sitting on top of the yet-to-be distributed toys for Ukrainian kids was a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle toy - Michelangelo, my brother's favorite turtle and prized childhood possession.

WRITING SAMPLES

Redcross
08/23/2023
World Refugee Day 2023: Three Stories of Hope Away from Home

June 20 is World Refugee Day, a day to recognize the strength and courage of those forced to flee their home countries. Trying to escape conflict or persecution, refugees seek safety across borders and often experience tremendous difficulties. Families can spend years - or decades - in limbo as they search for a better life.

Military Families
04/30/2021
Love and loss

Gold star widow Krista Simpson Anderson connects deeply with the story of Margaret Cochran Corbin, a hero of the American Revolution. When her husband, James Corbin, was mortally wounded during a 1776 battle, she took over for him, loading the cannon and firing on the British.

Redcross
09/16/2022
New Report Links Pakistan Flooding to Climate Change

A new report by leading scientists links the recent devastating floods in Pakistan to climate change. The report, compiled by the World Weather Attribution (WWA) group, was released this week by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Military Families
02/26/2021
West Point central to family legacy

In 1991, 18-year-old June Copeland was brushing her teeth when her twin brother, Jerry Copeland, asked her to join the Army with him. Her answer? A resounding "No." After much cajoling, the two agreed to enlist together for maybe three to four years.

Redcross
01/18/2023
Afghanistan: How the Red Cross and Red Crescent are Helping

More than 124,000 people - many of whom are U.S. citizens or who supported U.S. troops over the years - have evacuated Afghanistan over the past months. Humanitarian needs in Afghanistan remain high. Conflict, extreme drought and the COVID-19 pandemic have converged.

Military Families
06/30/2021
Beyond Hollywood: behind the scenes of the real TOPGUN

Made ubiquitous in popular culture after the original film, TOPGUN pilots routinely say the days are never spent racing motorcycles and playing shirtless volleyball with Kenny Loggins’ “Danger Zone” on repeat. TOPGUN Commanding Officer Cmdr. Dustin “Perv” Peverill says the professionalism required to fly at this level isn’t what gets media attention.

red cross chat
05/06/2022
Force for Good: Meet Dr. Inge Guen - red cross chat

"Pablo Picasso said, 'Art brushes away from our soul, the dust of everyday life.'" - Dr. Inge Guen Meet Dr. Inge Guen, a clinical psychologist and leader of the Creative Arts Program of the American Red Cross Services to the Armed Forces (SAF) unit at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

Redcross
01/13/2023
Red Cross Committed to Helping Vaccination Efforts Amid Global Slide

According to the WHO and UNICEF, 25 million children did not receive their scheduled vaccinations in 2021 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The American Red Cross is committed to helping the most vulnerable, supporting efforts to limit transmission and quickly end outbreaks.

Redcross
02/02/2023
Bangladesh: Female Entrepreneurs Take Charge

After the death of her husband, Monnuja Begum struggled to provide for her family and support her children. Thanks to a new Red Cross skills training and cash assistance program, her grocery shop in rural Bangladesh is thriving.

Military Families
06/15/2021
National Museum of the United States Army opens at Fort Belvoir

The National Museum of the United States Army opened yesterday on the Army's 246th birthday. The celebratory event featured music from the Army Band and the Fife and Drums Corps, along with period costumes. According to officials, the opening of the D.C. area's newest tourist attraction was well worth the wait.

Redcross
08/12/2023
World Humanitarian Day 2021

"Being a humanitarian means putting my talents towards the people who are affected by crisis, especially women and children who are the most vulnerable group," American Red Cross staff member Shahriar Morshed Saad said. Saad is one of many Red Crossers working around the globe being honored on August 19 - World Humanitarian Day.

Military Families
06/04/2021
Historians bring war footage to life, go viral in the process

How does something intrinsically analog, like archive war footage from more than 100 years ago, become viral in the digital age? According to historians at the National World War I Museum and Memorial, it just takes time, creativity, and technology.

SOCIAL AND MULTIMEDIA

Twitter
03/07/2022
Civilians Need Protection

Civilians in #Mariupol and other Ukrainian cities need protection. The @ICRC is ready to evacuate people along humanitarian corridors. This is the role they play. ⬇️ #Thread (1/4)

Facebook
10/24/2022
2022 Sharecare Awards Winner: Pet Health

Reality TV star and content creator Heidi D'Amelio honors the American Red Cross with the Sharecare Emmy award in the Pet Health category for "Comfort and Support Red Cross Dogs Help Service Members at Walter Reed." "For more than 140 years the American Red Cross has supported military communities. At hospitals across the globe, our dogs and their handlers provide comfort and care to those who need it most." - the American Red Cross' Susan Malandrino

Facebook
12/23/2022
Armed Forces Bowl Military Family Reunion

After being stationed in Japan for a little over a year, Stephanie Terrazas was able to surprise her family yesterday on the field of the Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth, TX. This surprise reunion is an annual tradition that our Red Cross teams coordinate with partners, to bring a service member home to their loved ones for the holidays.

YouTube
04/04/2022
Helping families from Ukraine in Poland

As fighting in Ukraine continues, the American Red Cross has contributed $10 million dollars to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to help alleviate the suffering caused by this devastating crisis. This support allows the Red Cross network to provide lifesaving aid to those in need — both in the country and in neighboring areas.

Linkedin
01/11/2023
Deploying Internationally with the Red Cross

Meet Theodore “Theo” Baldwin III. He’s an Air Force veteran who serves on our Service to Armed Forces (SAF) team and just returned from a 4-month deployment in Romania.

YouTube
03/16/2022
United Together, Helping Those in Need

Military Families faced numerous challenges over the past year. Through it all, the American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces was there to help in ways big and small by providing relief and resources to service members, veterans their families and caregivers. During 2021 alone, our Hero Care Network served more than 200,000 families with our emergency messages, financial assistance, deployment briefs and more.

Facebook
01/11/2023
Our Journey to Hungary

"Our journey out of Ukraine last year was long and my daughter got sick with a terrible fever. We had to spend three days in Lviv. It was very stressful. When I arrived in Hungary, I didn’t know where to go or what to do. My daughter was just a baby when we fled Kharkiv in the spring. It’s been almost a year and she’s a big girl now. I feel good here at this Red Cross shelter. Without the Red Cross, I wouldn’t have known what to do.

Facebook
02/25/2022
Conflict in Ukraine: How the Red Cross is Helping

As the war in Ukraine intensifies, Red Cross teams are doing what they can to help people in need. Here's a look into the ongoing international response: 🇺🇦 Ukrainian Red Cross (Червоний Хрест України) volunteers are providing medical aid, sheltering, and distributing necessities to the vulnerable and wounded. 🇭🇺 Hungarian Red Cross (Magyar Vöröskereszt) volunteers are currently sending kits with supplies to Ukraine. 🇵🇱 The Polish Red Cross (Polski Czerwony Krzyż (PCK)) is assisting...

YouTube
01/23/2022
Red Cross Dogs: Comfort and Support

At Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and at veteran and military hospitals around the globe, Red Cross teams are on the ground to offer comfort. Through our animal visitation program, trained dogs support wounded our ill service members, veterans, their families, caregivers and medical staff. With the wag of their tails, these furry friends open hearts and promote healing to those who need it most.

Facebook
03/26/2022
Answering Questions About Red Cross and Neutrality

There are a lot of questions about the International Committee of the Red Cross President's meeting with the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, what it means, and how we're involved. Here's what you should know: First, ICRC and the American Red Cross are not the same organization. There are Red Cross/Red Crescent societies in 192 countries. We share the same fundamental principles and are independent parts of the same Movement. In conflict situations, ICRC takes the lead and directs the...

PRESS RELEASES & FUNDRAISING MATERIALS

Redcross
Support Military Families in Honor of Military Appreciation Month

In support of Military Appreciation Month, the American Red Cross is inviting people around the country to turn 'Thank you for your service' into action. For those with a military background or just a heart for military and veteran communities, opportunities to volunteer and support are available.

Redcross
09/01/2022
Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis 6-Month Report

It has been six months since the escalation of conflict in Ukraine and the human costs continue to mount. People have left everything behind to escape with their lives, thousands of civilians have been killed and injured, and many are in urgent need of protection.

Redcross
05/24/2022
Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis 3-Month Report

Three months since the conflict intensified in late February, more than 6 million people living in Ukraine have sought refuge in nearby countries, and up to 18 million people need humanitarian assistance. Powered by the generosity of compassionate donors, the American

PRINT PUBLICATIONS

Military Families Magazine
12/01/2020
December 2020

WHEW, WE MADE IT TO THE LAST MONTH OF 2020. I don’t know about you all, but this year has felt more like a decade. One thing military families are known for is resilience and, boy, have we needed it to face the challenges of this year. Speaking of challenges, this is our annual deployment issue and nothing says challenge like facing deployment with the additional COVID-related hurdles in our lives at the moment.

Military Families Magazine
01/01/2021
January 2021

Every year, January feels like a gift. As I take down the holiday decorations and clean the house, I love the physical act of clearing away clutter, tidying up and starting anew with a blank slate. And now that 2021 is finally here, things already feel lighter. As military families, we are aware that we must make every moment count. With that pending deployment or the next PCS around the corner, the uncertainty of military life forces us to live in the moment in many ways. I dare you to...

Military Families Magazine
02/01/2021
February 2021

This month is our annual travel issue. And after the last year, I’m sure we are all imagining getting out there and seeing the world again. One of the blessings of military life is that it takes us to new places, pushes our boundaries, and expands our horizons in ways we never thought possible. During my time as a military spouse, our family has been stationed in six different locations, including several OCONUS tours. The experience of new people, cities, towns, and cultures was life...

Military Families Magazine
03/01/2021
March 2021

Have you ever met someone and just wanted to hug them? Spoiler alert: this happens to me a lot. When I met June Copeland and her three daughters — June Alyxandra, Jasmyn, and Jeilyn — earlier this year, I wanted to embrace all four of them. Considering the pandemic, I reluctantly refrained. During our interview, we were supposed to talk about their experiences at West Point but I learned so much more. It isn’t just this family’s warmth, respect for each other, and drive that is so...

Military Families Magazine
04/01/2021
April 2021

Make no mistake, PCSing is hard. Just when you settle in, it’s time to pack up again. Isn’t this the refrain of this military life? “As a military spouse, you make a friend, you leave a friend,” says military blogger Noelle Boyer says of the military lifestyle. I love that thought. Yes, this is hard but we can do hard things. We have a community like no other to help along the way. Good luck with your upcoming move. If you’re not PCSing this year, connect with those who are — lend a hand,...

Military Families
04/15/2021
2021 College Guide

In this guide, we also explore some of the key tools needed to succeed in your education goals, including tips for thriving in a virtual classroom and choosing to make a career transition from enlisted to officer. What we hear over and over from students is, the need for structure and a culture that motivates. Villanova University stands as an example of that, according to current students we spoke with. Learn more on page 8 about how a Marine veteran and current airman found a campus climate...

Military Families Magazine
05/01/2021
May 2021

Spending time with Gold Star widow Krista Simpson Anderson was more than a gift. It was an inspiration that moved me to my core. Krista is a force of a human being. She’s strong, kind, warm, self-deprecating and unbelievably funny. As the co-founder of The Unquiet Professional, she’s dedicated her life to helping military families in times of need. When Krista told me that she feels overwhelming gratitude for the kindness she’s seen as a widow, I was floored. “Someone told me, ‘there’s...

Military Families Magazine
06/15/2021
2021 Insurance Guide

In this issue, we talk to families who have lived through PCS horror stories and come out stronger on the other side. After arriving in Japan, the Coates family found out that the truck carrying their belongings caught on fire. It’s not just urban legend; these things happen. The Coates learned that nothing was salvaged from the fire. With a steely spine, they got on with it. They filed claims and picked up the pieces. Renter’s insurance was a huge help to them during a tremendously...

Military Families Magazine
07/01/2021
July 2021

Now that life is getting back to normal and movies will again premiere on the big screen, we are taking you behind the scenes of the real TOPGUN in advance of the release of “Top Gun: Maverick.” We found that like the movies, the jets do fly at 700 miles per hour. Unlike the movies, there is scant evidence of shirtless volleyball with “Danger Zone” on repeat. Instead, we discovered that the pilots are putting in the hard work and meticulous dedication to be “the best of the best.” July...